From the pages of the Down Recorder, June 11, 1974

From the pages of the Down Recorder, June 11, 1974

11 June 2014

COUNCIL — When SDLP leader Mr. Edward McGrady succeeded the Unionist Mr. Edward McVeigh as chairman of Down District Council he said that if the council was to achieve anything it would be the projection of the message of understanding.

As soon as his election was announced, he was congratulated by Mr. McVeigh, who became vice-chairman and who assured him of the Unionists’ fullest support and continued help in the efficient running of the council. Mr. McGrady won the chairmanship by nine votes to seven, two members abstaining and two being absent.

Returning thanks for the honour bestowed on him, Mr. McGrady spoke appreciatively of the spontaneous assurance by Mr. McVeigh and hoped that the chamber would reflect all that was best in Lecale and Down where a great Christian tolerance had already been shown.

He said they had tried and had succeeded very well in understanding each other and in showing that it was not necessary to throw bricks at each other or to shoot people. “As a collective body we can be a beacon of light in an otherwise dark province.”

KILLYLEAGH — Killyleagh and Shrigley town committee, who need something in the region of £1,000 to complete their programme for a community centre, are pinning their hopes on a garden fete to help raise the bulk of the cash. The fete will be held at Killyleagh Castle, by permission of Col. Denys Rowan-Hamilton, one of the organisers behind the drive for a centre.

The town committee took over a Nissen hut several months ago and, helped by a £450 grant from Down District Council, have already swung into a major renovation scheme. But their money is running out and they have yet to furnish the building as well as completing structural work.

Mr. James Murray, committee chairman, told the Recorder that to purchase a lot of necessary furnishing equipment would take something in the region of £1,000 and they would also have to engage a lot of voluntary workers.

NEWCASTLE — A request to hold a Christian musical event at Newcastle’ Donard Park sparked off a heated debate at Down District Council. The council were exploring the system of booking for the park when Cllr. W. J. McCombe drew their attention to children playing football there on a Sunday and said people were disgusted by the noise.

Cllr. W. J. Finlay said: “They’ve no call to play on a Sunday.” Cllr. Paddy O’Donoghue replied: “Why not?”

The council’s recreation officer, Mr. Alan Moneypenny, told the council that a youth league had been established in Newcastle and had proved to be a successful community exercise.

Cllr. O’Donoghue said that the council should establish the fact that there was nothing preventing people playing football on a Sunday. Cllr. Terence McKee remarked: “Hear, hear.”

Cllr. Finlay: “We are getting like heathens talking about a continental Sunday.”

STRANGFORD — Mechanical problems put the Strangford ferry out of action from Thursday to Saturday and but for the fact that a replacement part was available in Kilkeel the vessel could have been off for much longer.

The crank shaft flywheel on one of the main engines was the cause of the trouble and Roads Service technicians worked round the clock to have the vessel operating on Saturday morning.

A Roads Service said that while it they carried an extensive range of spare parts, it was impossible to cater for every type of breakdown. He said that great credit was doe to the crew for being able to bring the vessel alongside the quay with only one engine.

Because of the fuel crisis the frequency of crossing has been cut in half and although at the time of going to press supplies had not been delivered, it is expected that the normal schedule will be operation this weekend.

BALLYNAHINCH — The installation of the Rev. William Norman Duncan as the new minister of Edengrove Presbyterian Church, Ballynahinch, took place on Thursday evening. He succeeds the Rev. Joseph Lavery, who retired last July.

The sermon was preached by the recently installed minister of First Presbyterian Church, Ballynahinch, the Rev. J. Lamont, and after the service those present moved to the church hall where a warm welcome was extended to Mr. and Mrs. Duncan and their three children.

MOURNES — People from all over the province participated in the 18th annual Mourne Wall Walk. A total of 705 started out, showing that the event has retained its popularity.

The walk began and finished outside Rourkes park estate, two miles from Annalong and there were 500 successful finishers. It was a cold day, but luckily no mist appeared. Six walkers suffered from exposure and three people were lifted off the walk by helicopter.

The 3rd County Down section of the UDR provided the radio communication network and the Newcastle RUC and Mourne rescue teams were on stand-by. At one stage they searched three hours for a girl reported missing, but they later learned that she had been assisted down the Glen River Valley.

Six dogs also participated, one of which was entered officially and checked at every marshal station along the 22-mile route.

DOWNPATRICK — Through the death of Mrs. Kathleen Rafferty, Downpatrick has lost a servant whose devotion and dedication to her role in the community leave a gap which will be hard to fill.

A woman whose musical talent was of the highest calibre, she passed on her accomplishment to the numerous students who were privileged to have been instructed by her at St. Patrick’s Primary School or as private pupils in her home in Irish Street.

Imbued with all the finest qualities, she offered her services to the community through her participation in countless social functions. Resident pianist in any musical function in St. Patrick’s Hall, she was also a prominent member of St. Patrick’s Choral Society. A music teacher from the age of 18, her life revolved around helping others.

SPA — An army technical officer saved Spa Golf Club’s clubhouse from devastation when he defused an incendiary device, which consisted of a one gallon plastic container filled with an inflammable liquid wrapped with an inflammable material and attached to a timing device.

The relatively new clubhouse is of a wooden construction and had the device gone off it could have caused considerable damage.

KILLOUGH — The Port St. Anne Sailing Club, Killough, is to recommence. This was agreed at a recent meeting held in the SOS Inn, Killough, chaired by Mr. Gerry Curran. Applications for membership are now being considered and should be sent to the secretary, 55 Castle Street, Killough.

BALLYCULTER — Ballyculter’s LOL service was attended by the largest gathering for several years. The preacher was the Rev. John Moore, from Portaferry, and the service was conducted by the Rev. W. E. Kennedy. Ballyculter accordion band led the parade.

CARRYDUFF — June 15 is the new date for the postponed Carryduff Parish garden fete — complete with it steam railway to carry passengers through all the fun of the fete. The locomotive is a Great Eastern Railway scale model.

CROSSGAR — Children’s Day services were held at Lissara Presbyterian Church. At the morning service the sacrament of infant baptism was administered to Lesley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Eynon.

The children’s choir, trained by the organist, Mrs. J. McKeown, sang several pieces and led the praise. The readers were Ivor Harper and Anne Clements. Mark Dickson, Helen and Robin Deboys received prizes for attaining the highest marks at the recent Presbyterian examination.