From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 9, 1974

From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 9, 1974

9 July 2014

NEWCASTLE — The fire which destroyed Newcastle’s Palace Cinema has been described by the proprietor, Mr. John Corkin, as “tragic from the community’s point of view.”

“I think it is a tragedy for the children for an amenity like this to go up in smoke,” he said, and added that it was a senseless act against one of the last amenities in the Newcastle area.

The fire, which it is believed was started maliciously, started at about 2.05am and lasted for over an hour. Three units of the fire brigade from Newcastle and Downpatrick fought in vain to check the spread, but the building was already well ablaze and there was little they could do.

Chief Inspector Smyth, of the Newcastle police, told the Recorder that it was too early to tell the exact cause of the blaze, but added that it was another warning to all business people to be very careful in looking for incendiary devices.

An attempt was made only a few months ago to try to burn the cinema, but cleaners making an inspection of the building found a device hidden under a seat, which was later defused by an army technical officer.

Very little is left of the cinema, only the charred remains of the 400-plus seats in the body of the building. The foyer and the shop at the front of the premises are the only parts left intact.

As a result of the blaze four full-time and two part-time employees have lost their jobs. No figures for the amount of damage were given.

CLOUGH — A 16 year-old youth died in Downe Hospital from injuries bd received when the car he was driving crashed into a wall on the Castlewellan Road near Clough.

Two other 16 year-olds in the car, which was stolen from Donard Park, Newcastle, escaped with minor injuries. The youth was named as Colin Campbell, of Middle Road, Islandmagee. He was rushed to hospital after the crash, but died three hours later.

STRANGFORD — It is at this time of the year that Strangford changes its image dramatically. From a quiet little village snuggled along the eastern shore of the lough, it suddenly bursts into a hive of activity.

Yes, it’s regatta time again when thousands of visitors swarm from all sides of the lough to make their way to the picturesque village. Perhaps, for some, the big attraction is to stand on the quays or jetties to view the spectacle of yachts and dinghies in keen competition. Many people prefer to come to the village to join in the shore entertainment. Events include pillow fighting, cycle races, tug-o-war, swimming races and a fancy dress parade which is sure to attract hundreds of sightseers to the square.

The regatta night dance at Strangford Sailing Club is expected to draw crowds from all over, including from the Ards. Music will be supplied by The Highlights.

In Strangford itself the visitor will be assured of a warm welcome and each of the three local pubs is a place of character. High class catering makes a call to the Lobster Pot worthwhile. Across the square at the Cuan Guest House and Lounge, Dennis Ellis, the genial landlord, presides. Up the street Johnny Smyth’s is the Mecca for football enthusiasts.

EDENDARRIFF — Dessie Noade, all 12-and-a-half stone of him, won the Golden Arrows darts competition in the Traveller’s Friend at Edendarriff. His prize? — his weight in beer.

That means that Dessie, from Ballyvange, Downpatrick, wins all of 17-and-a-half gallons — and that should ensure that he remains popular in the area for a long time to come.

He left the Traveller’s Friend a very happy man last Thursday after beating Dundrum competitor Brendan McCormick in the final. He received the trophy from Mrs. Rose King. Mr. Don King, owner of the Traveller’s Friend and sponsor of the tournament, thought it proved a great success, drawing an entry of over 140.

DUNDRUM — Dundrum’s annual regatta and sports has been extended to a two-day event this year because of a heavy programme of events which should make it one of the most popular yet. The regatta will be held on Friday, July 19, starting at 10.45am.

Saturday, July 20, will be the day when most events will be held. A fancy dress parade at 1.30pm will start the day’s events and entrants are asked to meet at the bottom of School Hill. During the afternoon there will be children’s races, sponsored by the Milk Marketing Board who will provided milk for all competitors. There will also be novelty races for mothers and fathers.

A highlight of the day will be an open air pop concert with music provided by Mary Lou and the Harvest. A formula for the success of the regatta is, according to Mr. Russ Whatmough, committee secretary, that people come along and enjoy themselves and, of course, that the weather be favourable.

CROSSGAR — During the course of his address to the pupils of St. Colmcille’s Secondary School at the annual prizegiving before the end of term, Mr. T. C. Hanna said the school year just ended had been an unusual one for teachers throughout the province.

He felt that the main reasons for this were the unprecedented number of days lost through strikes of one kind or another, and the raising of the school leaving age.

Referring to the prolonged bus strike, Mr. Hanna said the apathy shown by the general public at the disruption to children’s education had brought home to teachers the enormity of the job facing them. It had also caused many to reflect on the value that society places on education and the work of the teacher.

SAINTFIELD — Saintfield Secondary School has enjoyed one of its most successful years as far as sport is concerned — although oddly enough, they’ve had to wait until last week for a first success.

During the year the U-15 basketball team were runners-up in their section of the league, the U-13 basketball team lost by a single point in the final of the cup, the U-13 football team were beaten 3-2 in the quarter-finals of the cup and in athletics the U-13 boys’ team finished runners-up in the North Down Schools Sports.

After this series of near misses, Saintfield has finally won. Last week they won the North Down Schools tennis tournament, beating St. Columbanus, Bangor, 6-0 in the final. The team was David Rea, Colin McKelvey, William Wilson and Paul Kelly.

ARDGLASS — The triangular sports meeting for the James Milligan Cup was held in the grounds of St. Nicholas’ Primary School, Ardglass. The visiting schools were St. Brigid’s PS, Downpatrick, and St. Mary’s PS, Killyleagh.

This event, first staged last year, provided a memorable afternoon of effort, enthusiasm and excitement. The question of who would win the cup was in doubt right up to the very last minute. The Ardglass team put in a storming finish, winning both inter-school relays, but just failed by one point to equal the points total of St. Mary’s. St. Brigid’s were a very close third.

Fr. White, P.P., Ardglass, presented the James Milligan Cup to the victorious Killyleagh team and medals to the prizewinners.

TYRELLA — The children of the parishes of Rathmullan and Tyrella combined for their special service in St. John’s, Tyrella, on Sunday afternoon. They were trained by the organist, Mrs. G. Carson, and her daughter, Heather, for special items of praise.

Miss Linda Shields was in magnificent voice for her solo, ‘All things bright and beautiful.’ She was accompanied on the violin by David Alexander. The lessons were read by Barbara Carson and Alan Kirby. Linda Shields, Barbara Strain, Willie Fitzpatrick and Nigel Hutchinson were the collectors.

KILLYLEAGH — Last Monday evening completed a very successful year for the Killyleagh Parish cub scout pack when Andrew Cranston and William Garrett were presented with the highest award in cub scouting — the gold arrow.

Three bronze arrows were also presented to Mark Colgan, Stephen Hand and Lee Patterson. A total of 34 proficiency badges were presented.