From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 22, 1975

From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 22, 1975

22 July 2015

DOWNPATRICK — A cloudburst which caused several inches of rain to fail in Downpatrick within an hour early yesterday afternoon left behind several thousands of pounds worth of damage — and several bad tempers.

The downpour left several traders in Lower Market Street up to their knees in water and jammed the switchboard of the Water Services branch of there Department of the Environment with pleas for help.

It was a devastating answer to farmers’ prayers for rain after the long dry spell. Police were called in to stop traffic in the street after they received complaints of heavy traffic ploughing through the water.

Mrs Cora Acton had her premises severely flooded for the third time in a period of two years. This time one of her carpets was ruined by water that flowed in from her front and back doors and met in the middle of the room.

She told the Recorder that she was knee deep in water on this occasion. Yet to make matters worse she still has not received any compensation for the last two floodings. When she finished her conversation she was making for the Water Services office to complain.

Mrs Lenore Rea told of the “tidal waves” hitting her windows after heavy lorries had passed through the water. “Just as soon as we got one wave brushed out, another met us at the step,” she said.

Local councillor, Mr Dermot Curran, felt the effects of the rains at first hand. The Manchester and Midland shop, which he manages, had a lot of electrical equipment ruined.

Mr Curran says it is about time something was done to rectify the situation.

CROSSGAR — Lean Heron, the 19 year-old Crossgar typist who won the Miss Ulster Television title recently, will be Northern Ireland’s representative at the glamorous and lucrative Miss Great Britain grand final at Morecambe on September 2-3, which carries a first prize of £2,500.

Lean, who already holds the Miss Newcastle title, was selected from an entry of 62 by Sammy Nelson, the Arsenal and Northern Ireland footballer, Sandra Chapman, Women’s Page journalist, and Doreen Francis, public relations officer for the Dairy Council. The chairman of the panel was Sydney R. Perry, programme controller for Ulster Television.

NEWCASTLE — Monday’s bonny baby competition at the Crimson  Arrow Pipe Band fete in Donard Park, Newcastle, turned out to be a bonny event in more ways than one. For the prizes were donated by Mr and Mrs Christopher Bonny, the Newcastle caravan park proprietors, and the judges were Mrs Denise Bonny and Mrs Bonny’s sister, Mrs Deidre Carr.

First prize of an enormous teddy bear went to Elaine Johnston, who is on holiday in the restor. Second and third prizes were to Jonathan Irvine, of Newcastle, and Marcus McBurney, of Newcastle, while a special prize of baby cosmetics went to Stephen Donnan, of Newcastle.

The fete was opened by Mrs Roberta Martin, who complimented the committee for their excellent organisation and planning which they had put into the preparation for the fete.

There was certainly something for all ages and tastes. Besides the events in Donard Park there was a clay pigeon shoot and a car driving contest, both of which were well supported.

Honours in the welly boot contest went to Mr John McGarry, of Downpatrick, who threw a magnificent 129 feet and 10 inches.

The contest was run by the Dunlop Footwear Co., of Liverpool, who presented the prizes and provided the boot and the rules for the ‘World Gumboot Throwing  Championships,’ under which the contest was run. Mr McGarry’s throw is believed to be a new local record.

BALLYNAHINCH — Ballynahinch Rugby Club held their fourth annual fete at the Millbridge and a staggering £1,000 was raised. This marks their biggest success to date.

One of the highlights was the appearance of the RUC band who paraded through the town and played selections during the afternoon. Another big attraction was the landing of an Army helicopter.

On show was a Vauxhall Viva, which was one of the winning Vauxhall team in the recent Circuit of Ireland Rally.

KILCLIEF — Take your first glance at Ulster’s newest project aimed at bringing help to those in need. The helpers are volunteers and the cost is being met by the Harmony Community Trust.

Glebe House, Kilclief, is a former Church of Ireland rectory, which was restored to its present excellent state after the troubles of fifty years ago by the Tate family. It has been made available by Miss Ruth Tate and the Trust are in the process of buying it. They are seeking planning permission before carrying out some alterations.

Glebe House is ideal from the Trust’s point of view. It has all the provisions they need to start a worthwhile programme. Initially they will be hosts to children in need of relief from tension in urban areas during the holidays and at weekends. It is hoped that residential staff will be available from September onwards.

The Harmony Community Trust had its inaugural meeting in February this year. Its chairman is Sir Brian Morton. It was instigated by Rotary Clubs in Ireland and Great Britain and Glebe House is the  first of what will be a number of such centres.

KILLYLEAGH — A decision to erect a fence between a children’s playground and a river in Killyleagh did not go far enough to eliminate dangers, Down councillors were told.

Killyleagh councillor, Col. Denys Rowan-Hamilton, said that a fence was only to be built along the perimeter of the playground, yet the river continued past playing fields.

He warned councillors that the river was vicious and considerably bigger than the one in Crossgar where a four year-old boy almost his life several months ago. The matter is now to be investigated by the council’s recreation committee.

SEAFORDE — A pilot plant at the Department of the Environment’s Castlenavan Quarry at Seaforde could play a major part in reducing the number of road deaths in Northern Ireland in the near future.

At the moment the plant is being used to test the performance of North Antrim bauxite, which, hopefully, will be an ingredient in the province’s road surfaces within the next few years. The bauxite ingredient, it is believed, will give the surface a longer life, as well as providing better grip.

DRUMANESS — The Department of Education has decided after all to grant-aid additional expenditure of £3,818 on restoration work at Drumaness Recreation Hall. It’s a noted success for Down Council, who refused to accept a Department refusal last month and urged them to reconsider. Now the council will be given 65 per cent of the cost.

Meanwhile, the construction of playing fields has run into extra expenditure and an additional £2,000 spending has been approved by the council. When the original estimate of £5,000 was presented to the council for the construction of the playing fields a layer of stone matting was not included.

LOUGHINISLAND — Ronan McCabe, the son of Mrs Christina and the late Mr Michael McCabe, of Loughinisland, has gained a certificate of qualification in Social Work from Ipswich Civic College.

Mr McCabe, a past pupil of St Patrick’s High School and Downpatrick Technical College, has now taken up a position as social worker in the Downpatrick area.

PORTAFERRY — People have been pouring into Portaferry in their thousands for Gala Week ’75 which began on Sunday. Like so many towns that have had a summer hooley, the Portaferry people have organised a week’s entertainment for visitors and locals alike. The town is making merry with a succession of fancy dress parades, target golf, treasure hunts for adults and children and a ‘Junior Showtime’ sponsored by local celebrity singer Peter Tomelty.