From the pages of the Down Recorder, June 17, 2000

From the pages of the Down Recorder, June 17, 2000

17 June 2020

NEWCASTLE — Two week-old Kirsty McKibben, from Newcastle, is alive today because of the skills of the medical staff at the Downpatrick Maternity Unit who kept her alive minutes after she was born at the side of a road.

Had the hospital been closed, Kirsty’s parents, Sharon and Gary, have no doubt their fourth child would not be with them today at their Murlough Court home, off the main Castlewellan Road.

Cradling the latest addition to the family in their arms, the doting parents issued an appeal to senior officials at the Department of Health not to close the baby unit in Downpatrick.

Sharon, who was due to have her baby at the Royal Maternity in Belfast, went into labour just after 4am on May 27 and with no time to go to the Royal, her husband opted to drive her to Downpatrick.

“As we made our way to the hospital, Sharon was holding on and screaming with pain,” her husband recalled.

“Just outside Newcastle we saw an ambulance parked and stopped to see if the paramedics could help, but they were already with another patient and suggested they all for help, but I decided it would be quicker to keep driving to Downpatrick.

“Sharon was still in tremendous pain and I prayed something would happen. My prayers were answered when we met a second ambulance which I managed to stop.”

Gary explained that as the paramedics attended to his wife, the baby’s head had already appeared but the umbilical chord was wrapped around tiny Kirsty’s neck.

“I helped the paramedic move it before Kirsty was delivered at the side of the road,” he said. “She was placed in the ambulance and taken to the maternity unit where staff cut the umbilical chord before working to keep Kirsty alive.

“Our daughter is living proof of the need to ensure maternity services are retained in Downpatrick.”

DOWNPATRICK — Members of a Loyalist flute band, who plan to hold a parade in Downpatrick at the end of the month, have been urged to move the event away from the county town.

The call has been issued by the residents’ group, the Down Peace Forum, which has warned that if the Red Hand Defenders fails to switch its event in just over two weeks’ time, it will stage a rally against what it calls a “sectarian parade”.

Members of the Loyalist band had notified the Parades Commission of their plan to hold a parade on June 30 and have indicated 25 other bands have been invited to take part.

A spokesperson for the Down Peace Forum said that after consulting with its members and voluntary and community groups in the Downpatrick and surrounding area, a decision has been taken to hold a counter rally.

KILLYLEAGH — A Killyleagh woman has been named Northern Ireland’s best neighbour.

Anne Montgomery, who recently won the province-wide heat of the Kleeneze sponsored competition now goes forward to the national finals.

Anne has already bagged £100 worth of Kleeneze vouchers and a unique commemorative plaque, but is now in the running for a holiday of a lifetime.

She was nominated for the award by her neighbour Kim Neill, who recently had a baby and was struggling to stay on top of things.

She recalls: “Anne was a tower of strength and helped out by lending a pram, highchair and blankets. She also offered a shoulder to cry on and would go to the shops whenever I needed groceries.”

BALLYHORNAN – Portaferry lifeboat was launched on Monday evening to rescue a teenager who was stranded on a boat off the Ballyhornan coastline.

The 14 year-old boy was on a boat which was moored 50 feet offshore when the inshore lifeboat was launched.

The boy, who suffered no injuries during the incident, was rescued and brought ashore at Ballyhornan, where he was reunited with an 18 year-old boy who had made it to shore from the boat himself.

Members of the Ardglass Coastguard unit were also called to assist with the operation.

STRANGFORD — Water Service representatives have moved quickly to quell concerns about the future of one of Strangford’s best loved landmarks.

A Victorian water pump at Quay Lane has been an integral part of the village’s back for many years, but Strangford’s residents received a shock last week when it was whisked away.

The pump was removed by representatives from the Water Service amid cries of protest from residents.

But the government body has moved quickly to stamp out concerns about the pump’s future, confirming that it has simply been removed for essential repairs.

The pump, which served as an artesian well prior to mains water being pumped to the village in the 1930s, had been leaking for a period of time.

“Ownership of the pump is unclear,” a representative from the Water Service admitted. “But we have taken it away to repair a leak in the pipe work. We are hoping to replace the pump.”

DUNDRUM — One graceful creature has flown smoothly into Keel Point outside Dundrum to cause an unlikely ripple.

Birdwatchers, tourists and residents alike are in a flap over what have proved to be one of the area’s most unusual examples of wildlife yet — a black swan.

The dusky bird has joined a flock of classic white swans just outside the coastal village, and while it appears to have unselfconsciously blended into its fold, the black beauty is continuing to ruffle the feathers of wildlife enthusiasts.

The swan, an Australian native, is one of a few which are privately owned throughout the UK and wildlife experts believe it has escaped captivity.

KILLOUGH — The history and life of Killough is the subject of a new book to be launched tomorrow in the village by A former resident, Senator Maurice Hayes.

‘Killough – The Church on the Lough’ brings together essays on the village history and collected stories by vice-principal of Ballykinlar Primary School, Christine Walsh, retired school matron Margaret Manley, archaeology lecturer Finbar McCormick and retired engineer and maritime historian Harry Madill.

Published by the Palatine Trust, the book is divided into three sections and delves back over the last 800 years to provide some revolutionary reading on the picturesque port and fishing village.

PORTAFERRY — The world-renowned Galway Hookers are set to sail back to Portaferry this month. The Hooker festival will combine sailing, music and dancing along Portaferry’s shoreline. 

The sailing programme will include a mini regretta, which will provide a flavour of what is to follow with the main regatta on Sunday.

Bluegrass, traditional Irish, Ulster Scots, Tex Mex and Latino rhythms will drift over the shore throughout the three-day celebration of sailing. Children will also be kept entertained with several workshops planned including an introduction to kite making.

“As always, the Galway Hookers are the main attraction and the backbone of the event, but you do not have to be a sailing enthusiast to make the most of the festival,’’ promised Ards Borough Council’s community relations officer Paul Killen.

SAINTFIELD — Over 800 people flocked to Rowallane Gardens on Sunday to participate in a special recording of Songs of Praise to celebrate Saintfield’s millennium week.

Sunday was very much a community affair and was the culmination of months of hard work and preparation by clergymen and helpers from the local churches.

Representatives from the First and Second Presbyterian churches, Church of Ireland and the Roman Catholic Church worked together for the event, which kick-started this week’s celebrations.