From the pages of the Down Recorder, June 25, 1974

From the pages of the Down Recorder, June 25, 1974

25 June 2014

NEWCASTLE — Mr. Cecil Baxter, principal of Newcastle Technical College, is about to retire after a career in teaching spanning 41 years. At a presentation ceremony attended by staff, students and management committee members, it was stated that he had only been off work for seven days in all that time.

Mr. Baxter was presented with a silver salver, Waterford crystal goblets and a golf umbrella. Mrs. Baxter, who is also on the teaching staff, received a crystal rose vase and a bouquet.

Mr. Baxter is actively involved with many organisations outside college and next month he and Mrs. Baxter will attend the garden party at Buckingham Palace to mark the 150th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. In November they will go to Australia for an extended holiday.

His teaching career brought him to Lurgan, Downpatrick, Banbridge and Omagh before being appointed to Kilkeel and eventually principalship of the combined Kilkeel and Newcastle colleges in 1961.

Col. Kenneth Smith, chairman of the management committee, said the rise in enrolment from 495 students to 1,322 during Mr. Baxter’s stewardship was testimony to his ability.

BALLYNAHINCH — Two off duty solders are recovering in hospital from bullet wounds received after gunmen, operating from a white 1100 car, made attacks on civilians and police in Ballynahinch in the early hours. The soldiers received stomach, leg and back injuries, but the police miraculously escaped unscratched.

The gunmen drove into High Street shortly before 1.30am and directed fire at two reserve constables on beat duty. Somehow the bullets missed their target, but one pierced the front window of Kernohan’s hardware store and two struck the front door.

Twenty yards further down the street, shots were fired at a group of civilians standing outside the White Horse Hotel. Again, no-one was injured, but one bullet did pierce a window. the car then turned into Main Street and this time fire was directed at a crowd standing outside Ginesi’s cafe. The two soldiers dressed in civilian clothes were hit and a number of bullets pierced windows in the cafe and adjoining property.

DOWNPATRICK — Disruption of domestic refuse collections reached such a serious state in Downpatrick that the council chairman, Mr. Edward McGrady, ordered overtime working until the situation returns to normality.

Mr. McGrady said there was consternation in the town and he has received many messages of complaint that bins had not been collected for up to two weeks in certain parts.

As the works manager, Mr. James Mitchell, is absent on study leave, the chairman consulted the clerk, Mr. Seamus Byrne, and immediately ordered that the outdoor staff should work after normal hours each day until the backlog was dealt with.

Mr. Byrne said there was a considerable amount of public annoyance about the irregular service. He had tried to explain to callers that the works manager’s department had been plagued by vehicle breakdowns and later delivery of replacement lorries.

CASTLEWELLAN — UDR men on mobile patrol were travelling along the Castlewellan-Annsborough Road when they thought they heard a vehicle back firing. But when they examined their Land Rover in daylight they received a shock — lodged in the panel was a bullet.

SAINTFIELD — Gate receipts, as expected, broke all records at the 30th annual Saintfield Show, which offered Co. Down exhibitors their main testing ground this year. Brilliant sunshine brought families flocking around the many side shows and competitions and throughout the afternoon the entertainment was of the highest quality.

The postponement earlier this year of the Royal Ulster Show meant that entries at Saintfield reached an all-time high with farmers and breeders grasping the opportunity of seeing where the good stock is.

Mr. John Beck, show secretary, who was delighted by the large turn-out, was impressed by the local traders appointed to service the show. The catering was expertly handled by Lillian’s, who provided morning teas, lunches and afternoon snacks. The Millbrook Lodge Hotel was responsible for refreshments and the presentation of cups and trophies by Rogers was indeed excellent.

The grand parade, donkey derby and the old time drive attracted huge crowds to the main arenas during the afternoon. The commentary given on the parade by Mr. Tom Devenny, director of Saintfield Livestock Mart, added to the success and enjoyment.

KILLINCHY — Mr. Francis Alexander Lyle Harrison, of Killinchy, has been given a Knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for public services in Northern Ireland. He is already a Member of the British Empire.

A distinguished Queen’s Counsel, he was educated at Campbell College, Belfast, and Trinity College, Dublin. He was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 1937 and to the Inner Bar in 1948. He was for many years counsel to the Speakers of both the Northern Ireland Commons and Senate.

KILLYLEAGH — Twice a day Col. Denys Rowan-Hamilton leaves his Killyleagh Castle home to perform a very important public duty — he opens the public toilets near the castle gates.

It’s not that he wants or needs the job. It was forced on him when the two cleaners employed by the council were threatened by a hooligan element that they would suffer unless the toilets remained open after 8pm+.

The colonel told Down Council that the men were so frightened that they had refused to close the doors any more and had given him the keys.

DUNDRUM — Mrs. Graham, wife of Dr. Graham, from Kircubbin, received a compound fracture to her left leg when she was knocked down by a motorcycle in Main Street, Dundrum. She was taken to Downe Hospital.

DRUMANESS — The public clock at Drumaness recreation hall, which has been out of action for a considerable time, is to be reactivated. One of its faces needs a minute hand and the mechanism is in need of an overhaul. Down Council has accepted the tender of the only person interested in doing the work, Mr. T. A. Carragher, at a cost of £60.

KILCLIEF — When a Kilclief resident spotted a lifejacket drifting on the Strangford Narrows it sparked off a search by a Coastguard patrol. A wide area of the lough, including both sides, was thoroughly checked, but nothing was found and the search was abandoned.

It seems that the jacket, which bore no markings, may have fallen from a yacht in the lough and the original fears of someone having been drowned are unlikely.

RADEMON — The Rev. Charles M. Kelly, formerly of Rademon Church, was re-elected and installed as Moderator of the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The present Clerk of Synod is the Rev. John Radcliffe, of Downpatrick.

CROSSGAR — Crossgar Girls’ Brigade, after a very successful season, arranged a day trip to Stranraer. Mrs. Hamilton, captain of the brigade, was in charge of the party which consisted of 25 girls and nine adults.

ARDGLASS — Ardglass striker Gerry Ross was officially crowned the Down Recorder leading goalscorer on Wednesday night at his club’s annual dinner in the Ardglass Arms Hotel. With 39 Newcastle League Division 2 goals to his credit, Gerry outpaced Marty McVeigh (Castlewellan), Tom Hanna (Drumaness) and Mickey Swail (Saintfield) in the 1973-74 goal hunt.

Gerry, a gifted winger who once had a spell with Irish League club Cliftonville, was among the top five scorers since the start of the competition and retained his consistent finishing throughout the season. The trophy, together with an inscribed tankard, was presented by Graham Hamilton, of the Recorder sports desk.