From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 20, 1976

From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 20, 1976

20 July 2016

NEWCASTLE — A sudden downpour of heavy rain was the only thing to mar the otherwise excellent fete organised by the Crimson Arrow Pipe Band in Donard Park, Newcastle, recently.

Up to the point when the rain started, a large crowd had thoroughly enjoyed the novel and humorous events which have become something of a keynote for the fete. The highlight of the afternoon was a ‘duck dog demonstration,’ which is a new variation on the theme of sheepdog trials, with two dogs shepherding, turning and separating four ducks.

The tug of war was won by the Mourne Ramblers, coached by John Fisher, who eventually triumphed over Silent Valley, trained by Charles Annett. Other events during the day were a drum major competition, bonny baby contest, seven-a-side football and a fancy dress competition.

The organisers are delighted with the turnout for the fete and estimate they will lift around £1,000. Opening the fete, Mrs Annesley congratulated the band on their excellent turnout.

DOWNPATRICK — A start should be made in a couple of months’ time on the building of Downpatrick’s new swimming pool — the first phase of the proposed sports complex to be build at Dunleath Park. Down District Council will accept one of the many tenders submitted and their decision will be submitted for departmental approval.

The new phase of the project has been trimmed of some of its frills to minimise expenditure in the immediate future. The department is prepared to spend money only on facilities which will have the widest possible use.

This can be taken as meaning a delay in the provision of squash courts, now the most popular of racquet sports and one in which there is big local interest. Some enthusiasts would like to see courts included in the complex now rather than later — especially when they are among the agreed proposals.

DRUMNACONAGHER — Young people from Britain, Holland, Denmark, France and Sweden are helping to restore an 18th century mill between Ballynahinch and Crossgar.

The group, 12 in all, are members of International Voluntary Service, who have given up their time to rebuild a weir and dup up races at Silcock’s mill at Drumnaconagher.

The voluntary work camp was arranged by Mr J E C Lewis-Crosby, the secretary of the National Trust’s Northern Ireland Committee, who has taken a personal interest in the restoration of the mill, which, he hopes, will be open to the public in two years’ time.

Mr Lewis-Crosby explained that he had become interested in the project as it was a chance to preserve some of the remnants of the Ulster linen industry. Parts of the mill were still in operation until 1936. it consists of a scutch mill, a corn mill, a water-operated churn, a thresher and a corn bruiser.

KILLOUGH — The Wolfe Tone Republican Club in Downpatrick have called for a public inquiry into the operations of Structural Ceramics — the Killough brick making firm. They want to know if news that the factory is to close for a four-month period is the “beginning of the end.”

They also ask if reports that no standard bricks have been sold by the company and because of the nature of the clay standard bricks cannot be manufactured are true.

They say that due to the winding up of the company’s predecessor, Killough Brickworks, with the resulting loss of jobs, a “vigilant eye on the present company is required.”

BALLYNAHINCH — One of Ballynahinch’s oldest citizens celebrated her 96th birthday recently with a quiet stroll through the gardens of her home.

Mrs Mary Bell, wife of the late David John Bell, the former postmaster in the town, passed off the occasion with the minimum of fuss. It was just another day in her long and interesting life.

She was born at ‘The Corner,’ Ballynahinch, in 1880. Her family had run the grocery store there for years and it was only natural that she carried on the business. In 1917 she married Captain David John Bell in First Ballynahinch Presbyterian Church and together they ran the store. Mr Bell became postmaster in the town and held that position for 25 years before retiring.

After his death Mrs Bell moved to ‘The Rock’ on the Spa Road, but kept in touch with everyone. In fact, her interest in community affairs is just as strong now as it was in her younger days. Up until several years ago she was a valuable member of the choir at First Ballynahinch Presbyterian Church. She still attends the morning service almost every week.

COMBER — Comber woman Mrs Chris Boyd was the lucky winner of a super holiday to Jersey — one of the prizes given away at Ards Shopping Centre recently. Mrs Boyd won the holiday as she gave the nearest estimate of the number of cars which visited the shopping centre on the Thursday of the opening week.

Mrs Boyd and her husband will leave for Jersey on September 19 by a direct British Midland flight from Belfast. They will stay at the Royal Hotel, St Hellier. They will be spending an evening at Caesar’s Place, a luxury nightspot where top entertainment artistes from the UK and abroad make regular appearances. It is Jersey’s top cabaret show.

PORTAFERRY — All roads lead to the wells — or so it seems in Portaferry at the moment. Gangs of up to 20 men converge each night on St Cooey’s Wells, at Templecowey, near the town.

They are engaged in a scheme designed to make the ancient monument more accessible to visitos who come to see the old church and the wells. The project has been sponsored by the local priest, Fr P Morgan,who, with the help of a local contractor and voluntary labour, is building a road and footpath up to the ruins.

Formerly visitors to the ruins had to climb a rough pathway up a steep hill, negotiating several stiles en route. The venture has been organised on a voluntary basis, with subions sent in by parishioners and other well-wishers.

The ruins at Templecowey, on the shores of Tara Bay, have long been a place of interest. Several pilgrimages have been organised to them — the last in 1924 — in honour of St Cooey. His memory is preserved in the traditions of the district

POTATOES — An angry Co Down farm produce merchant claimed this week that he was being priced out of the market by potato buyers at the farm gate. He claimed that on Monday he bought potatoes at £70 a ton and by Tuesday the price had gone up to £80. He was then told that his next lot would cost £90 a ton.

The merchant believes that the rise in price was caused by buyers taking up stock for export. Potatoes here were retailing yesterday for around six pence a lb.

A Killinchy merchant claimed that potatoes were finding their way to Scotland where it is believed they are fetching £120 a ton.

CRICKET — Craigduff became the new holders of the Downpatrick and District Trades League’s Murphy Jewellers Cup when they defeated Turley’s in a close final.

Turley’s openers Eddie Watters and Alistair Fitzsimons top scored in their side’s fine total of 122, which left them justified in thinking they had a chance. Craigduff reached their target for the loss of three wickets, Alan Mills top scoring with 30.

The bowling for the most part was somewhat indifferent on both sides with only N McMullan for Turley’s and R Mills for Craigduff getting among the wickets.

Mr G Hutton, the league’s chairman, levelled deserved praise at both clubs for their sportsmanship and went on to thank the umpires, Messrs George Lennon and Ivan Reid, and Downpatrick Cricket Club for the use of their ground before inviting Mr Willie Murphy to present the cup to Ronnie Mills, who accepted it amid resounding cheers.