From the pages of the Down Recorder, December 5, 1972

5 December 2012

KILLYLEAGH — Killyleagh residents have been told their town is probably the dirtiest on the list of the best kept towns and villages in Northern Ireland.

The unwelcome information was given in a letter to the local town committee from Professor A. E. Muskett, of the Central Gardens Association.

The statement is not really as black as it seems, Mr. John Hamilton said at the committee meeting this week. “It is due principally to the depositing of litter on the streets.”

Some members said bins provided were not large enough and Mr. Hugh Martin stated that none had been provided in Cross Street where there was a fish and chip shop and a confectionery business.

It was stated that in former years local traders swept outside their premises each morning and for that reason the streets were cleaner.

Members felt that if this practice were revived and greater emphasis laid in instructing children in observing the litter code, the situation might improve.

KILLOUGH — A new company is making a determined bid to provide 100 jobs for men at Killough brickworks, where work will begin on Monday week on the first stage of a Scottish order worth £325,000.

The 60 year-old plant was closed two years ago by the former owners,, S. McGladery & Co. Ltd., and yesterday a team of Scottish fitters were helping local men get the machinery moving. A new plant costing half a million pounds will be production by the end of 1973. Work on installation will begin immediately.

Local man Bill McCormack came to the brickworks 37 years ago and he’s really looking forward to getting the wheels turning again. There too and just as happy is Fred Smyth, 27 years a brickmaker and foreman. During the two-year lay-off he was responsible for maintenance and pumping of the clay pits.

DOWNPATRICK — Downpatrick could have litter wardens on the streets in the new year, but first the town clerk, Mr. Owen O’Connor, has to find out more information about them.

When the matter was discussed at Monday night’s meeting of the urban council it was agreed by five votes to two to defer the matter until the clerk had ascertained how much it would cost to appoint the wardens. It was also suggested he find out how successful they have been in other places and how many prosecutions they had brought under the Litter Act.

Mr. Arthur Fowweather and Mr. Terence McKee were of the opinion that wardens, if appointed, would act as a deterrent. Mr. Fowweather said people were continually ping litter. “No one bothers, and we need someone as a deterrent.”

NEWCASTLE — James Mills, of 19 South Promenade, Newcastle, had to be extricated from his Mini van by Downpatrick firemen after it was involved in a three-car crash on Wednesday night. He was taken to Downe Hospital suffering from severe leg injuries.

The accident occurred at Rogan’s Corner on the Newcastle to Ballynahinch road. The other cars involved were an Austin Maxi, driven by Graham Harron, a goldsmith, of Castleward, and Harold Joseph Hutchman, Castlewellan Forest Park.

TECONNAUGHT — The Teconnaught youth and sports club committee held its annual bazaar on Friday night and the function was successful, both financially and socially.

At the conclusion Mr. Denis Cahill thanked all who had contributed towards making the bazaar such a successful one and particularly those who had contributed goods to the stalls.

CASTLEWELLAN — After a lapse of six years the pupils of Castlewellan County Secondary School are presenting ‘Cinderella’ in the school gymnasium next Thursday and Friday. The glamorous principal boy is Renee Shields (Prince Charming), Cinderella is played by Christine Taylor, while the slapstick fun is provided by Spy and Cop (David Kelly and Noel Halliday), the Ugly Sisters (Martin Kerr and Gordon Jaye) and of course a traditional pantomime horse whose identity will be revealed on the night.

CROSSGAR — Mr. William Robinson and Mrs. R. Coffey, on behalf of Lissara Indoor Bowling Club, on Monday night made presentations to the Rev. S. G. M. and Mrs. Logue to mark their departure to Donemana. Mr. T. V. Patterson presided and wished them God’s blessing in their new congregation.

DOWNPATRICK — The Downpatrick conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society held a social evening for senior citizens on Wednesday last in St. Patrick’s Hall. Mrs. Pat Mills led the community singing and Mrs. Vera Jamison was the accompanist. Mr. John A. Bryce was an able compere and was assisted by Mr. William Burns. At the end of the evening Dr. Conway thanked all who had helped make the evening such a success.

KILMORE — More than £250 was raised in aid of the rectory fund at a Christmas sale organised in Kilmore Parish Church Hall on Friday. Santa Claus proved a big attraction. Afterwards the rector, the Rev. H. G. B. Forde, thanked all who had made the venture a success. The next fund-raising venture will be a fashion show in the new year.

SAINTFIELD — The Rev. R. J. Magee conducted the annual enrol service of Girls’ Brigade and Boys’ Brigade members in First Saintfield Presbyterian Church on Sunday.

The special speaker was Mr. Charles Hull, a former principal of Saintfield Secondary School. Readers were Karen Cherry and Aiden Anderson, and duets were song by Angela Finlay and Ronald Crosby.

NEWCASTLE — Newcastle’s Christmas tree will be erected on December 21 and Councillor Mrs. L. B. Purdy will organise a programme of carol singing to begin at 7.30pm on that date.

BALLYNAHINCH — The apostolic workers in Ballynahinch held a successful jumble sale in St. Patrick’s Parochial Hall on Saturday afternoon. Mrs. R. McCombe and Miss M. J. Reid won bottles of sherry in a raffle.

KILKEEL — One of the best known and best liked men in the county, Mr. Archie Gordon, of Kilkeel, died this week in his 97th year. Known locally as ‘King of Mourne,’ he had travelled widely and between the wars was one of the most prominent greyhound owners and trainers in Ireland.

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