From the pages of the Down Recorder, January 22, 1974

From the pages of the Down Recorder, January 22, 1974

22 January 2014

STORMS — Mopping up operations began this week all over East Down after the stormiest and wettest weekend for many years.

Damage in most areas was extensive as the gale force winds whipped off roofing materials and many roads were blocked by uprooted trees and heavy flooding.

The tides at Ardglass, Dundrum and Strangford were reported to be the highest ever. most parts of the harbour area at Ardglass were under water, while at Strangford the ferry terminal was completely cut off by rising tides.

Most areas were without electricity on Saturday as gales left a wave of broken poles and supply lines, and although all NIES work groups were out on Saturday it was late in the evening before power was restored on any great scale.

Many motorists were left stranded because garages couldn’t deliver petrol and in Downpatrick Market Street suffered its annual flooding as pumps stopped functioning in the nearby station.

Weekend sport was badly affected as most pitches became waterlogged and goal posts were either uprooted or broken.

Damage too at Downpatrick racecourse where part of the stand roof was destroyed and flying debris broke many windows in the racecourse buildings. A workmen’s hut at Killough Road, Downpatrick, was picked up and carried along by the gale.

Weathermen say that the low depressions which brought the widespread storms have now virtually passed over Great Britain, although the weather will remain fairly wet and windy over the next week.

CLOUGH — A Clough farmer’s poultry farmers were ripped apart by the wind and damage estimated at thousands of pounds was caused. The roof was blown across four fields and special fibre glass material was blown away as far as five miles. Debris from the building showered streets in Clough.

Miraculously few of the 7,500 hens inside the hatchery were killed, although many wire cages were twisted or broken. Mr. McKibben had to rush his hens to Newry and it may be some time before they return to peak production.

SHRIGLEY — A rescue bid being mounted to save nearly 200 jobs at United Chrometanners could mean that a take-over is being arranged. It is being made clear that every effort will be made to keep the tannery in production.

Earlier this week, a receiver/manager was appointed and one of his first tasks was to bring the employees together and explain that continuing losses were imperilling the company’s future. For some time the Northern Ireland Finance Corporation had a considerable investment in the firm and this week Mr. Brian Faulkner met Mr. Charles Villiers, the outgoing chairman of the corporation, and his successor, Mr. Kenneth Cork.

Yesterday afternoon the corporation issued a statement regretting that it had been found necessary to put the company’s affairs in the hands of receivers. The statement went on: “In spite of the financial support given by the corporation and the dedicated efforts of both management and workers at United Chrometanners to make the company successful, persistent adverse conditions in the market for high quality hides have proved an insurmountable problem for such a comparatively small company.”

The people of Shrigley have been living under a cloud this week. The tannery has been the mainstay of their economy since 1939 when it became one of the first government-aided new industries to be established in Northern Ireland.

The Utitz family brought employment back to the former linen mill of John Martin & Company, which had collapsed in the 1930s. The Utitz family fled from Czechoslovakia during Hitler’s invasion of the country. They brought with them over two centuries’ experience of tanning.

CASTLEWELLAN — Polluted rivers in the Castlewellan area are causing anxiety among members of the Castlewellan and Annsborough Angling Club. The club, formed last October, is mainly concerned about conservation and preservation, and they have appealed to local residents to help them stop pollution in rivers which they say are good salmon and sea trout haunts.

The chairman of the club is Mr. Harold Hutchman, head forester at Castlewellan Forest Park. He told the Recorder this week that river pollution was common in most areas and only angling clubs could do something about this problem.

The club was formed by a local school teacher, Mr. Gerry Brennan, and has flourished since its inception. Already there are over 80 members with many more applications still to be considered.

Said club secretary Mr. John Smith: “We are concentrating on younger members. We want to conserve and preserve local rivers and it’s gratifying to see youngsters following these lines. Local rivers are going derelict and somebody’s got to do something.”

NEWCASTLE — Mrs. Marie Boden, of Newcastle, is the first local woman to become a Ministry of Home Affairs approved driving instructor and she joins her husband, Sean, to give the Boden School of Motoring the first husband and wife ‘double’ in the district.

She was formerly Miss Marie Connolly, of Stream Street, Downpatrick, and she has been driving since her 17th birthday. Impending legislation will require all professional driving instructors to qualify under the departmental scheme.

DOWNPATRICK — Scoty of Meadow Brae, a five year-old bitch, owned by Mr. Joseph Craig, of Struell, Downpatrick, beat 15 competitors to take the Glenravel Cup at the Ulster Gun Dog League’s field trial at Rosemount, Greyabbey, on Saturday.

CROSSGAR — Mr. Michael McKeown, chairman of the Peter Pan Movement, received a generous donation of £60.20 from Mr. Frank McCaffrey at the Carman’s Inn, Crossgar, on Saturday last. The money was raised by means of a bottle competition and a Christmas and Boxing Day raffle.

Also £25 was received prior to the Christmas season by two darts teams from the same inn. The club wish to thank Mr. McCaffrey and all those who helped towards the donation.

After a short Christmas break the club resumed on Saturday in Downpatrick Primary School. New members and helpers will be warmly welcomed.

SAINTFIELD — Speaking at a public lecture in Saintfield, the Rev. Eric McAuley, Department of Architecture, Queen’s University, Belfast, gave a personal view on whether or not too much money is being spent on church buildings.

Delivering the monthly Anderson Lecture, he posed the question that in a age when the world was in great need, was it right that churches should embark on expensive extension and new building programmes.

KILLINCHY — Mr. McCollum, of Keen Freezers, and Mrs. Burns, of Bryansford, were the guest speakers when Killinchy Women’s Institute held their meeting in the Bishop Hall.

In a most comprehensive talk on home freezers, Mr. McCollum dealt mainly with the different types of units, their capacity and running cost. Mrs. Burns gave an enlightening and often amusing talk on her experiences as a freezer owner. She passed on many useful hints to the members.

BALLEE — Ballee, Bright and Killough branch of the Mothers’ union was host to Downpatrick and Seaforde branches when the newly-elected diocesan president, Mrs. J. J. G. Mercer, spoke about the conference of central council, which she attended as a delegate in July 1973 and at which several important new recommendations were adopted to strengthen the world-wide witness for “the advancement of the Christian religion in the sphere of marriage and family life.”

On behalf of the visitors, Mrs. R. W. Fitzpatrick thanked members of the local branch for their hospitality and for sponsoring such a stimulating meeting.