From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 2, 1974

From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 2, 1974

2 July 2014

BALLYNAHINCH — Despite massive losses in £1m fires, two of Ballynahinch’s big stores, in Dromore Street, and Lisburn Street, have resumed temporary business.

Thomas Kelly & Co., paint and wallpaper distributors, and J. B. Brown, hardware merchant — the victims of a carefully planned, early morning incendiary attack — were able to operate, if only at low key.

A third outbreak at Mr. David Dickson’s post office premises at High Street was brought under control within 20 minutes and damage was only slight.

Altogether 13 fire engines were operating in the centre of the town and police had to seal off all approach roads. At the height of the fires it was feared that many premises would be engulfed as flames raged amid stores of of hundreds of tins of paint, and many families were evacuated from their homes.

Children were rushed from their beds and taken to neighbours’ or friends’ homes where they spent the night. A local doctor visited many old people in the area who were suffering from shock.

A group of local residents made tea and sandwiches for police, military personnel and firemen, and this service was kept up for the workers right through to dawn.

The fires at both stores were finally brought under control at around 6am and although damping-down procedures were to continue for another 24 hours, all roads were open again to traffic.

“What in God’s name does anyone hope to achieve by causing wilful damage like this?” asked one man standing near Kelly’s.

DOWNPATRICK — There is nothing sinister about a find of human bones in a plastic bag at Downpatrick’s Killough Road cemetery, according to police. Public curiosity mounted when police were seen taking bags from the cemetery on Tuesday evening and there were rumours of bodies having been found.

At this time of year the cemetery is tidied up and a plastic bag was seen protruding from the surface of a grave which has not been opened for six years.

Police found “very old bones,” as well as coffin remains, in the bag. They are hoping that a coffin identification plate may also be present.

The find has been sent to pathologists for checking. It is expected that they will be able to tell, age, sex and how long the bones have been buried. The remains will be re-interred in the cemetery.

KILLYLEAGH — Allegations that an oil slick on the beach at Killyleagh had lain ignored by the authorities for three weeks have been made by an irate Killyleagh resident.

Mr. William McCormick told the Recorder that it was at least 100 yards long and ten feet wide, and although it was now emulsified by the action of sea water, the beach, which is popular with bathers, is still greasy.

“I rang the public health people when I first noticed it three weeks ago and they told that if they weren’t responsible they would find out who was,” he said.

The Recorder contacted Mr. Frank Nixon, public health inspector, who said that his department were satisfied that the slick was not an immediate health hazard, but that it would certainly be better if were treated with detergent.

He didn’t believe the area was used by bathers otherwise quicker action would have been taken to get rid of the oil. In any event, the area already presented something of a health threat as the sewage outfall for Killyleagh and Shrigley was nearby.

He warned bathers that there was a danger at the moment because sewage was being washed back to the foreshore. His department were urging the installation of a new treatment plant near the Net Walk.

BRYANSFORD — an estimated £25,000 to £30,000 of damage was caused when car showrooms belonging to Messrs Douglas & Cromie at Bryansford were wrecked by a 70lb. bomb.

No warning was given, despite its close proximity to the home of Mr. Gerald Douglas, one of the partners, and the home of the Misses Nellie and Annie Douglas, both in their eighties. Fortunately, nobody was injured, but the two elderly ladies were suffering from shock.

They had been sleeping in their 300 year-old house, Seaview, when the bomb went off 20 yards away. Damage to their home was slight and several windows were blown in. Mr. Douglas’s home took the force of the blast. Glass was showered over the bedrooms where his wife and four sons were sleeping.

CROSSGAR — Residents of a Crossgar housing estate, angry that waste ground fronting their homes has been turned into a dumping ground and become rat infested, are demanding immediate action from Down Council.

The ground at Lislea Drive estate was earmarked as the site for a children’s playground several years ago, but since then no action has been taken and locals say that the area is a health hazard.

COMBER — A holiday in Iceland changed Robert Davey’s way of life. Five years ago he brought home a stuffed puffin and was so fascinated by it that he began to study taxidermy — the art of preserving and mounting the skins of animals and birds.

Now he’s only the second commercial taxidermist in Northern Ireland. This week he was putting the finishing touches to a pair of ducks, three young foxes, rabbits, stoats and lots more in his Comber workshop.

NEWCASTLE — In 1966 Newcastle Gateway Club had a membership of four. Today the figure is more than 40 with mentally handicapped people, aged eight to eighty, from Kilkeel, Downpatrick, Hilltown, Rathfriland, Kilcoo, Castlewellan and Newcastle attending weekly sessions.

Activities include music, puppetry, singing, dancing, film shows, keep fit, bowls and outings. Inter-club visits also figure high on the itinerary and the latest of these was a visit by the newly-formed Newry club.

The members are assisted and encouraged in these activities by a keen and willing group of voluntary workers. Many of these helpers — over forty in fact, are young boys and girls between 12 and 20. Time is no object when it comes to these wonderful examples of modern youth and their efforts to ensure that the mentally handicapped receive the best in leisure and recreation.

CASTLEWELLAN — Castlewellan Forest Park will again be the setting for the annual horse and agricultural show on July 14, run by the Castlewellan Show Committee and the Ulster Riding and Jumping Club.

One of the major attractions this year is the class for mares likely to produce high class hunters. The Royal Dublin Society is offering seven premiums each valued at £20 in this class. Altogether there will be 16 showing classes for horses, as well as the riding and jumping classes.

The expanding agricultural section has classes for pedigree and non-pedigree cattle, sheep, goats and agricultural horses. Trials for sheepdogs will start at 11.30am, while a good entry is expected in the donkey section with the increase in show classes.

AUGHLISNAFIN — Eight bands, led by Aughlisnafin Accordeon, took part in a band parade on Friday to Aughlisnafin Orange Hall. Other bands in attendance were Ballywillwill Acc., Bryansford Acc., Maghera Flute, Castlewellan Acc., Benraw Pipe, Rathmullan Acc., and Clough Acc.

The parade started at Magherasaul crossroads and finished up in a field beside the Orange hall. There was a short service, which was conducted by the Rev. J. D. Caldwell, rector of Kilmegan. Speakers included Mr. Cecil Harvey, Vanguard Unionist member for South Down.

ARDGLASS — The wedding of Mr. Comgall Milligan, Hill Street, Ardglass, and Miss Margaret Taggart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Taggart, Seaview, Ardglass, took place recently in St. Nicholas’ Church, Ardglass. The groom’s cousin, Fr. Casey, officiated, and he was assisted by Fr. Fitzpatrick, Dunsford. Best man was Mr. Seamus Milligan, brother of the groom, and bridesmaid was Miss Theresa Taggart, sister of the bride.