From the pages of the Down Recorder, February 27, 1973

From the pages of the Down Recorder, February 27, 1973

27 February 2013

STRANGFORD — The reliability of the Strangford ferry vessel is “very dicey”, according to the county surveyor, Mr. Joseph Kirk. Commenting on an engine failure, which put the boat out of service recently, Mr. Kirk said that his department’s technicians did heroic work by toiling throughout the night to have the service restored.

“Not until we have a second vessel can we provide a reliable service, which is our job,” Mr. Kirk said. “I cannot guarantee that the boat is in constant service, and unless I can, commercial traffic will lose faith in the service.

A week ago one of the two auxiliary engines, which drive pumps and generators, wrecked itself. At the same time, the other engine was undergoing repair and a quick first-aid job was done. The vessel is dependent on this engine until a replacement comes from Glasgow, possibly at the weekend.

DOWNPATRICK — The birth of the Downpatrick Youth Advisory Association at a public meeting in Downpatrick Technical College last week was undoubtedly the most significant and forward reaching step yet taken in an attempt to provide the facilities which have been missing for so long in the area.

The Association is an honest endeavour by the people most actively involved in youth activities to answer the calls for help that have long echoed in hollow chambers. At long last the youth of Downpatrick can look ahead to a brighter and more active future. There may be a long, hard course ahead with some barriers to climb before any goal is reached, but at least now we have the ball in play and a player on first base.

INCH ABBEY — For the past eighteen months a part of men have been employed on the slow, arduous task of restoring the remaining fabric of Inch Abbey. A short distance away, another group have been constructing a car park to facilities tourists and coach trippers who flock in hundreds to the old abbey each summer.

The abbey was an important Cistercian property, sited on the left bank of the Quoile river, about a mile north-west of Downpatrick. The original monastery was of Celtic design, although little is known of it other than it was plundered in 1002 by Sitrie, King of the Danes, who brought his fleet in from the sea. In 1180 the Anglo-Norman warrior, John de Courcy, in atonement for the sacking of Erenagh Abbey, a few miles to the south, established a new community.

BALLYNAHINCH — Members of Ballynahinch branch of the Ulster Farmers’ Union met in the local technical college for a meeting presided over by Mr. H. Steele. The chairman introduced Mr. Reid Coleman, from the Ministry of Agriculture,, who acted as judge in the branch’s competition for silage making. The winners were Mr. T. Steele, Mr. J. McKay and Mr. W. Smyth.

SAINTFIELD — Mr. Geoffrey Radcliffe, regional organiser for Save the Children Fund Roundabout Club — it caters for children between the ages of five and 16, paid a visit to Saintfield on Wednesday. He attended a meeting in the Guild Hall and spoke to members from local branches, including Downpatrick, Ballynahinch, Saintfield, Lisburn and Newcastle.

Mr. Radcliffe was welcomed by Mrs. Alexander, of Saintfield, and was thanked afterwards by Lady Clarke, president of the local branch.

DRUMEE — Reserve Constable Raymond Chambers, of Annalong, went down a 15 foot well this week to rescue a cow which had fallen in. The animal belonged to farmer George Peters, of Drumee, Castlewellan, and the constable was able to put a rope round the cow to allow it to be hauled to the surface. The animal was not injured in the fall.

TYRELLA — Tyrella rector, the Rev. R. L. Hutchinson, has exported his champion golden retriever dog, ‘Brierford Fionn of Greenglen’, to Norway, together with an 11 months old puppy bitch. Earlier, he sent two ten weeks old puppies to Denmark. His well-known strain has been doing well in show rings all over the British Isles in recent years.

NEWCASTLE — The annual sale held on Friday last by 1st Newcastle Scout Group, to reduce the bank overdraft for the rebuilding of their headquarters, turned out to be the usual success. This is due to grand team work and co-operation. The hamper of groceries was won by Mr. R. P. Edwards, Slievenabrock Avenue.

KILMORE — Kilmore ladies’ guild entertained visitors from the Presbyterian, Rademon NS and Lissara congregations to their meeting on Monday night in the Orange Hall. The guest speaker was the Rev. S. Baird, who gave a most inspiring and interesting talk, followed by a short film, on Divine Healing. Thanks were expressed by the rector, the Rev. H. G. B. Forde. Mrs. W. D. Bailie, on behalf of the visitors, thanked the Kilmore ladies.

KILLYLEAGH — The Rev. James Craig, who was ordained as minister of First Killyleagh Presbyterian Church in 1919, has died in England. A native of Belfast, he spent 33 years in the church. He was aged 82.

KILLINCHY — Colin Ramsey, leader of Killinchy Young Farmers’ Club, welcomed 170 to the annual dinner dance in the new Mount Royal Hotel, Donaghadee. Music for the evening was supplied by the very popular Country Beats. A successful tombola was held during the evening.

KILCLIEF — There was a large attendance at Kilclief GAC’s annual meeting in St. Malachy’s Hall. The outgoing secretary, Pat Sharvin, gave a comprehensive report of the year’s activities in which the senior footballers captured the county SFL and the hurlers won the county JHL, while the senior footballers were ousted in the SFC after two great games with Loughinisland, who went on to contest the final.

Officers elected: chairman, Maurice Denvir; vice-chairman, Peter King, secretary, John Ritchie; joint treasurers, Pat Curran, Terry Sharvin; PRO, Gerard McShane; hurling secretary, George Conway; senior team manager, Eamon Swail; junior team manager, Pat Hynds; selectors, John Ritchie, Tom Sharvin, Gerard McShane, Paddy Colhoun, Bill Fay.

KILKEEL — Kilkeel harbour’s new inner basin was opened to the sea on Wednesday and it is expected the reconstructed harbour will be ready to receive the entire fishing fleet within two weeks, well ahead of schedule.