From the pages of the Down Recorder, February 13, 1979

From the pages of the Down Recorder, February 13, 1979

13 February 2019

BALLYNAHINCH — A Ballynahinch horse breeder is a very disappointed man this week — and all because of the ‘flu. Mr Raymond Martin was looking forward to his visit to Cheltenham with his able horse, Dickwyn, but unfortunately the horse caught the ‘flu virus that is currently sweeping the province.

Dickwyn was engaged to run in the National Hunt Chase, which is regarded as the Grand National for amateur riders. His owner and connections expected the horse to give a good account of himself based on his recent Fairyhouse performance.

The horse caught the bug at the weekend and has since been isolated from the remainder of the stable.

Other breeders and riding schools in the area have so far been lucky and intend to continue carrying out their plans and programmes.

Earlier in the week a veterinary surgeon stated that treatment of flu-stricken horses was hampered by a shortage of vaccine, but that emergency supplies were on the way. Even then the problem may not be solved as only four or five strains of horse ‘flu are prevented by the vaccine.

It is hoped that the epidemic will be controlled before the racing at the Maze next Wednesday and, of course, Downpatrick the following week.

NEWCASTLE — A ‘maverick-type’ poker game, with £2,000 on the table, could be the subject of a court case soon, if Newcastle police have their way.

The game, which took place in the town last month, ended with a Belfast bookmaker, Mr John McGuinness, taking £200 off each of the card players taking part.

But then the police took a hand and confiscated the £2,000 cheque from Mr McGuiness. They hope to forward a report for the director of Public Prosecutions.

Mr McGuinness was not unduly dismayed. “I enjoyed myself immensely and as far as I am concerned we did not break any laws,” he said.

ANNSBOROUGH — More than £400 was raised at a concert in Annsborough Hall last Thursday evening in aid of the Down District Flood Relief Fund.

The concert proceeds were handed over by one of the fund’s trustees, Mr Desmond Wilson, who said he was delighted by the public’s response to the appeal.

“This fund is not for charity,” he said. “It’s a good action with neighbour helping neighbour.”

Castlewellan councillor, Mr Eamon O’Neill, sad the concert had helped to serve a dual purpose of providing an uplift for the people of the Annsborough area who has suffered so much from the recent floods.

The concert proceeds have swelled the flood fund’s account to over £1,400, with all the collections in the local churches and schools still to come.

Cheques have been received from the Northern Ireland Bankers’ Association (£300), Castlewellan Gaelic Club (£100), Dunleath Estates Ltd (£100) and Newcastle Round Table (£50), with another guaranteed amount coming from St Malachy’s High School in Castlewellan.

DOWNPATRICK — A year of services and events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the completion of Down Cathedral’s restoration after two and a half centuries of ruin began on Sunday.

The cathedral has been closed for a few months for essential repair and redecoration work and on Sunday Bishop Quin rehallowed the building. The cathedral congregation was joined by the parishioners of Down and Hollymount for the occasion.

After congratulating Dean Kilpatrick and true congregation on so successfully undertaking much of the urgently needed restoration work, the Bishop expressed his personal delight at the public response made to the plea for help to have the work done.

With next month’s great ecumenical service on St Patrick’s Day in mind, he said he was very much encouraged by the growing sense of coming together to thank God for the patron saint who had brought Christianity to Ireland.

KILLYLEAGH — Ted Darling, the soloist with the Black and White Minstrel Show, is to give a concert in Killyleagh next month and he will be coming over from London especially for the show.

Ted is well known for his television appearances, particularly with the Black and White Minstrel Show, and he has also made numerous recordings.

He has also taken part in many radio broadcasts and has appeared with the London Symphony Orchestra in concert as soloist on many occasions.

Also appearing in the show in St Mary’s Hall, Killyleagh, are St Agnes’ Choral Society, widely acclaimed to be the leading choral society in Ireland, and the versatile Derek Marsden. Tickets are now on sale priced £2.50.

BALLYKINLAR — During his extensive tour of the South Down area, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Right Rev Dr David Burke, paid a visit to the members of 3 UDR at the Anderson Centre, Ballykinlar.

He took the opportunity to speak with a large number of soldiers, including some members of the Women’s UDR. In a short address he stated how impressed he was with the work of the UDR and thanked members of the Regiment on behalf of the church.

MOURNES — With snow and frost very much in evidence in the Mourne Mountains, a warning has been issued to stop people from skating in reservoirs.

The Department of the Environment’s Water Service has condemned skating on reservoirs during the cold spell and stressed that although the Spelga reservoir and several other upland reservoirs have formed ice, it was a very dangerous sport.

A spokesman said there were particular dangers on reservoirs where ice had formed. He pointed out that when water has been drawn off, it leaves the ice from the banks suspended above the water — and this would be very dangerous.

The contest, played under the auspices of Castle Promotions, was the first of its kind in the area.

MAGHERA — Police are investigating the disappearance of over 200 bales of hay from land near Newcastle Riding Centre at Maghera. The hay belonged to Miss Martin, proprietor of the riding school, and was to be used to feed horses.

KILLINCHY — Members of Killinchy Young Farmers’ Club held a special ‘Junior Showtime’ programme in the village’s Orange hall recently. The show was organised and performed by the U-16s and was laid on for the senior members. 

It was conducted as a fancy dress and entries included the Smurfs and Freddie and the Freaks. The prizewinners were Joyce Thompson, Peter Morrow and Elizabeth McBriar.

MURLOUGH — The nature reserve at Murlough features in the Countrywide television series on BBC 1 next Friday. The focus of attention will be a grove of sycamore trees and the skills of a wood-turner at work on timber grown in the province.

KIRCUBBIN — It hasn’t been success at the way for James Mateer, formerly from Kircubbin, but the writer has hit the top at last. His latest play, Spirit of Nendrum, was broadcast last Saturday on the Afternoon Theatre spot on the BBC and featured familiar voices such as J G Devlin and Liam Neeson.

In his play Mr Mateer, who now lives in London, links three events — the destruction of Nendrum Monastery by the Vikings, the rediscovery of the site by a Victorian clergyman and an archaeological dig on the site in 1924.

“I tried writing plays for many years, but without success and during that period I avoided the subject of Ulster like the plague,” he said.

SOCCER — Downpatrick Rec stayed on course for their third consecutive Amateur League Division 1A title with an important 1-0 win over Larne Tech Old Boys at Dickson Park on Saturday.

The Rec quickly overcame last week’s Irish Cup defeat and always looked likely winners, even through they only produced one goal — a gem from Barney Fitzsimons.