From the pages of the Down Recorder, June 28, 1977

From the pages of the Down Recorder, June 28, 1977

28 June 2017

KILLYLEAGH — Thirsty householders in Killyleagh can look forward to an improvement in their water supply. A new scheme which will double the water supply to the town has just gone out to tender and work should begin by the end of the summer.

This welcome news comes in a week when many houses in Killyleagh were deprived of water for over 36 hours because of supply difficulties. The no-warning break in supply was the second this summer and it brought an angry reaction from local people.

Colonel Denys Rowan-Hamilton, who lives at Killyleagh Castle, lashed the water supply as being “fifth rate” and he claimed that it was unable to carry the required water supply to the town.

“The present situation in completely unacceptable, especially at a time when over 100 new houses are being built in the heart of the town,” he said.

A spokesman for the Department of Environment’s Water Service admitted that Killyleagh’s supply was “unsatisfactory” but he had good news for townspeople.

He explained that the supply difficulties had been caused because the mains system was not large enough to cope with demand. The new scheme would solve the problem by providing a second, larger, main alongside the existing one.

DUNDRUM — Tuesday afternoon marked the end of a 27-year era for Downshire Primary School in Dundrum and for Mr W J McMurray.

Mr McMurray has retired as principal of the school, a post he has held for 27 years since he came to the village from Tandragee in 1950. Since then he has witnessed many changes in education and seen many children through his care, but through everything he has enjoyed his stay.

Mr McMurray was presented with a Parker Knoll recliner as a mark of the esteem in which he was held by the pupils and teachers of the school. His wife received a silver tea service.

KILLOUGH — More than 100 angry residents of Killough displayed the burning feeling of neglect over housing matters and community services at the village committee’s annual meeting.

They were to have met the Housing Executive’s area manager, Mr McGivern, but illness prevented him from attending the meeting.

Mr Edward Nelson spoke with a strong condemnation, particularly of the Department of the Environment’s attitude to grass-cutting. He said Killough felt neglected by everyone. Two years ago their two excellent road cleansers were able to keep the village streets free of weeds and grass by using some weedkiller.

Last year the Department of the Environment stopped this and the weeds and grass were cleared at the end of August. This year attention had been given to the area only once. The result was obvious.

Mr Nelson pointed out that although it has been known for years that a bigger water main was required, people were still having to carry water upstairs to flush lavatories. He wondered how the building of new houses would lessen water pressure still further.

He added that Killough was the only village without a play area. The slipway planned for years had been abandoned and the presence of untreated sewage was hazardous to people swimming.

Councillor Cecil Maxwell said many of the problems in Killough were the problems of all the towns and villages in the area. The council was striving to have action taken, but money was not available.

BALLYNAHINCH — Wrestling at Ballynahinch is almost sure to be run on a regular basis — that’s the outcome of Saturday night’s successful bouts at the Millbrook Lodge Hotel. Steve Logan, the wrestler everyone loves to hate, and Johnny Saint, the current world lightweight champion, were among the stars present.

Logan won his bout with Pat Red Kelly by two falls to one, both he and his opponent receiving two public warnings each. Saint showed why he is a world champion by easily defeating Darkie Arnott.

PORTAFERRY — The Government has announced a firm starting date for a £75,000 scheme to end the problem of sewage pollution on Strangford Lough. Although tests are still being carried out to determine the best method of solving the problem, work on a new sewage plant at Portaferry has been scheduled to start in September next year.

The decision to start the work next year follows personal assurances gov en earlier this year by the Minister for the Environment, Mr Ray Carter, that measures would be taken to end the chronic pollution problem in the area, which is caused by the discharge of raw sewage along Portaferry’s seafront.

CROSSGAR — The best kept secret in Crossgar was revealed on Saturday night when the results of the Best Kept Town Week competitions were announced.

A large crowd of parents and children were present in the War Memorial Hall to see the local exhibitions and to learn who had won the prizes.

The centrepiece of the attractively decorated hall was an exhibition of photographs of ‘old Crossgar.’ These traced the history of the village during the last century and drew many interesting comparisons with the town today.

MOUNT STEWART — One of Co Down’s most famous houses, Mount Stewart in Greyabbey, will be opened to the public for the first time on Saturday.

Given to the National Trust by Lady Mari Bury in April last year, Mount Stewart is in the process of being completely restored to its former grandeur.

Although the house will not be opened officially until 1978, the National Trust Committee for Northern Ireland felt that the public would appreciate the opportunity of seeing the house as this stage as a preview and of watching the work in progress. All public rooms, with the exception of the staircase and bedrooms, will be on view.

Mount Stewart has close associations with Lord Castlereagh, the British Foreign Secretary. Castlereagh grew up at the house and was one of the most important figures in early 19th century Europe.

ARDGLASS — A Belfast Post Office engineer who broke both his heels in an accident in Ardglass in February, 1975, was awarded £17,000 in the Ulster High Court. Michael Allen had to jump off a telegraph pole which toppled over.

STRANGFORD — Six lambs belonging to Mr Joseph Gilchrist, of Blackcauseway Road, Strangford, have been missing for the past two weeks. The lambs, which had been grazing at Millquarter Bay, Kilclief, have a distinctive red dye on their shoulders.

CLOUGH — Mr Thomas Grundie, from Newcastle Road, Seaforde, has retired from teaching at Clough Primary School after 13 years of service.

A presentation was made to Mr Grundie in the school on Thursday after the sports day events. Two pupils, Phyllis Perry and George Cotter, presented Mr Grundie with a Tyrone Crystal ashtray and a cheque.

SEAFORDE — Seaforde Young Farmers’ Club attained second place at the annual Quizbowl and Talent Competition, organised by the South Eastern Education and Library Board in St Mary’s Hall, Newcastle.

Their act, Chandie, a folk group, consisted of Joseph McMullan, with Emmett Barte and Stephen McMullan on guitars. Northern Ireland athlete Mike Bull presented them with a trophy for their songs, Bury Me Beneath the Willow and Sloop John B.

WOODGRANGE — Woodgrange Orange Hall, just outside Downpatrick, reopened on Friday night after extensive renovations. Before the renovations the hall was very drab and old in appearance, but now it has a new look.

The refurbished hall was reopened in its 101st year by Mr Robert Casement, District Master, Lecale LOL No 2. The dedication was by the Very Rev R W Kilpatrick, Dean of Down.