From the pages of the Down Recorder, January 29, 1974

From the pages of the Down Recorder, January 29, 1974

29 January 2014

DOWNPATRICK — A big question mark hangs over the future of Downpatrick racecourse after the decision at the weekend to cancel the Ulster Harp National meeting on Wednesday, March 6. The course has been crippled by setbacks over the past two years and it now seems that recent storm damage has helped bring about the death blow.

The August 1972 meeting was virtually a wash-out when a bomb blast wrecked part of the grandstand two days before the ‘off’. The March meeting last year had be cancelled because several fences were burned down on the eve of racing.

Four scheduled meetings last year did go ahead as planned, but although Downpatrick Race Club officials claim that the average attendance for 1973 was well above figures for the previous two years, there is little doubt that the course has gradually become rundown.

Major W. S. Brownlow, chairman of Downpatrick Race Club, said in a statement announcing the cancellation: “The future of the course is now in severe jeopardy, whereas had finance been forthcoming even two years ago, Downpatrick could have been maintained as a good provincial course.

Mr. Barry Ross, course registrar, told the Recorder this week that racing at Downpatrick could be saved in the Ministry could bring the course into line with counterparts in England and Eire by providing similar grants.

“For the past 8-10 years the Downpatrick course has received only £3,000 per annum from the Ministry of Agriculture, whereas similar courses in England and Eire receive as much as £20,000 to £30,000 from the Racing Board,” he said. “Out of that £3,000 is taken out the cost of transportation of horses — approximately £2,000 — and so we have been successful in operating the course with virtually no financial help. It is highly commendable that the course is still there at all.”

BALLEE — An Andersonstown man has been jailed for eight years at Belfast City Commission for his part in the armed robbery of Ballee Post Office last April. Anthony Edward Cosgrove (28), unemployed electrician, admitted taking part in the robbery and having possession of a revolver loaded with three rounds of ammunition.

ARDGLASS — Ardglass harbour started spluttering back to life this week after a three-week period of virtual idleness because of heavy storms. And for the local housewife that means good news. For it means that fish prices are tumbling back down again after a fortnight of rising prices that brought a 100 per cent increase in the price of a pound of fish.

The recent storms completely curtailed fishing activities, although a small number of boats were able to fish inshore at Bangor and Belfast Lough. The result was a shortage of fish and a subsequent rise in prices.

In most local shops there has been little variety and housewives were faced with costs of 75-90p per pound of white fish and 60-70p per pound of brown fish. With things getting back to normal again prices have ped to around 50p and one local shopkeeper said it won’t be long before prices are back to normal — 40p for white fish and 30p for brown.

NEWCASTLE — Newcastle and District Road Safety Committee held its first meeting of 1974 in Newcastle Technical College last Thursday. Mr. C. A. Baxter was in the chair. The chairman in his opening remarks emphasised the extra care needed on the roads by motorists and pedestrians because of restrictions on street lighting. This led to a discussion and some helpful hints for road users.

The police were asked to investigate the possibility of having double yellow lines on one side of Bryansford Gardens. With parking on both sides of the road, the flow of traffic was restricted.

DRUMAGHLIS — When a Crossgar man’s application for permission to build a subsidy bungalow came before Down District Council on Tuesday, a local councillor, Mr. Paddy Smyth, said the recommendation of the planning executive to refuse permission “simply doesn’t add up.”

Mr. Frederick G. Smith wants to build a bungalow at Drumaghlis on a three-quarter acre site adjoining his present home, but the planners say it would be contrary to the Mid-Down area planning statement and would constitute sporadic development in a rural area.

Mr. Smyth said that there were five existing houses on the road, including a brand new one and another at foundation level. “Where does the logic come in here?” he asked. Mr. Richard Macauley, of the planning executive, agreed to have the matter reconsidered.

SEAFORDE — Plans by HEARTH (Historic, Environmental and Architectural Renovation Trust for Housing) for the renovation of 13 almshouses in Seaforde received approval at Down District Council’s meeting on Tuesday night. The almshouses, erected by a member of the Forde family in 1828, will be renovated and improved under HEARTH’s first project. At present only three tenants occupy the premises.

SAINTFIELD — Saintfield’s first playgroup is now in full swing at the local parish hall. It is held each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning from 9.30 to 12.30 and is administered by a committee of local people with Mrs. Alison Morton and Mrs. Joan Campbell as the group leaders.

Saintfield Parish Hall provides the ideal background for small children to enjoy playing together on the activity equipment, painting, singing, listening to stories and generally preparing for school-going. Local businessmen and shopkeepers donated the cost of providing equipment. Mr. Joe Morton made the tables and easels and Saintfield Library provided some very good children’s books.

BALLYNAHINCH — The Rev. James Lamont will be the new minister of First Ballynahinch Presbyterian Church. He will succeed the Rev. R. E. C. Colhoun, who retired recently after 29 years in the town. Mr. Lamont has been assistant to the Rev. W. M. Boland, minister of Malone Church and before that he was a school teacher. A native of Ballymena, he is married with four children.

KILLYLEAGH — Mrs. J. Cherry, of Catherine Street, Killyleagh, was knocked down while crossing the road on Friday. She was not seriously injured, but was detained in Downe Hospital for a few days.

KIRCUBBIN — Kircubbin, Portaferry and District Ploughing Society’s ploughing was held on the land of Roland Mason, Tara, on Saturday. Five gallons of oil presented by Quinn Brothers for best ins and outs was won by Mr. W. Johnson.

CROSSGAR — Mrs. C. B. Williams expressed thanks to Mr. George Whyte, who gave a most interesting talk on antiques and also some valuable information concerning several items submitted by members at the January meeting of Crossgar Women’s Institute. The competition for the most unusual teapot was won by Mrs. S. G. Clements with Mrs. W. Ellison second and Mrs. S. Cunningham third. Mrs. T. Ringland won the ballot.

FARMERS — Deep concern at the huge increases in farm costs was expressed at a full meeting of the Down County Committee of the Ulster Farmers’ Union in Ballynahinch Technical College last Thursday

The county secretary, Mr. R. H. McMordie, was asked to send the following resolution: “That we, the farmers in County Down, view with alarm the rapid decline in our industry. We urge our union to appeal in the strongest possible terms again to the Government to halt this run-down before it is too late. We believe that the record of the industry shows that assistance to agriculture is in fact assistance to the whole nation.

“There is ample evidence to confirm that farmers are being forced to sell off stock and to cut down rapidly on output. If this is allowed to continue there will be a rise in food imports at greater cost to the housewife and a rise in unemployment in the agricultural sector and ancillary industries. The situation is parlous and farmers demand most urgent attention.”