From the pages of the Down Recorder, March 14, 1972

From the pages of the Down Recorder, March 14, 1972

14 March 2012

NEWCASTLE — Forty-one people who defied a Government ban by taking part in an anti-internment march at Castlewellan and Newcastle on January 23 were fined and given six-month prison sentences, suspended for a year, at Newcastle Court on Monday.

They all pleaded guilty. Thirty-nine of them were each fined £15; one, a young student, was fined £1, and a 70 year-old pensioner had to pay £5. Summonses against Unity MP Frank McManus and Newry Civil Rights Association leader Rory McShane, who is also charged with organising the march, were adjourned until March 27.

The cases, originally down for hearing at Newcastle on March 3, had been adjourned because similar charges against four juveniles had occupied the court until 3.40 in the afternoon. Then there were stormy scenes outside as defendants became inpatient at the delay. The crowd stamped their feet in the hallway and someone switched off the lights and heating in the courtroom.

In sharp contrast, Monday’s hearing proceeded without a hitch. But extra police were on duty outside and people going into the court were searched. A small group displayed placards on the footpath opposite the courthouse, but it was a peaceful demonstration.

DOWNPATRICK — Work on a £150,000 shopping centre at lower Market Street in Downpatrick will commence within a week and the developers, Town and Country Enterprises, Carryduff, hope it will be in operation early in November. Negotiations for the purchase of the old railway station site, comprising one and a half acres, have been taking place for almost two years and were finally completed within the last few days.

The centre will comprise a large 9,000 sq. ft. department store, nine lock-up units and a petrol filling station. In all, the retail shopping space will cover an area of 15,000 sq. ft. The department store will be connected to the other shop units by a covered mall which will produce an arcade effect, and most of the main shopping area will be surrounded by a covered walkway to protect customers from weather conditions.

The new development will provide the town with its first centralised shopping area. It will be supplementary to other services in that particular part of the town, being in close proximity to the new Ulsterbus terminus and beside the proposed welfare centre and library.

BALLYNAHINCH — The fortnightly meeting of Ballynahinch Business and Professional Women’s Club was held in the Clinic, Mrs. J. McAlister, vice-president, presiding. Mrs. M. Price, president, was elected to attend the annual conference which will be held later this year in Edinburgh.

Mrs. D. Walsh, who represents the club on the East Road Road Safety Committee, has been appointed secretary of the local sub-committee, and another member, Mrs. McAlister, has been elected to the committee. This committee has several interesting items on its agenda, including road signs, street parking and other traffic problems.

Mr. Norman Morrow, a teacher at the Croob Park Primary School, intends tutoring pupils on cycling proficiency. Tea hostesses for the evening were Mrs. L. Smylie and Mrs. F. Cray.

CASTLEWELLAN — Members of Castlewellan Town Committee at their annual meeting on Monday night resolved to continue their efforts to have a new factory erected and to bring new employment to the area. Mr. H. Hutchman is the new committee chairman and other appointments were: vice-chairmen, Mr. S. Fitzpatrick and Mr. W. McCoubrey; secretary, Mr. T. King; treasurer, Mr. T. McCann.

Committee: Messrs H. G. McAleenan, F. Lennon, H. McVeigh, M. McEvoy, J. Keown, M. Brannigan, J. King, S. McCammon, E. Scott, H. Smith, J. Deane, F. Patmore, B. Brannigan, P. Murray, A. King, H. King and J. Connolly.

KILLYLEAGH — A special Mothering Sunday service was held in Killyleagh Parish Church on Sunday afternoon when a large congregation of parents accompanied by their children attended. The service was conducted by the Rev. R. E. Conn, who also gave the address, and the lesson was read by Mrs. D. Erskine. The collection was taken up by Mrs. N. Cheevers, Mrs. A. Smith, Mrs. E. Tweedie and Mrs. M. Bridges. Miss Leah Nicholson presided at the organ. At the conclusion of the service the Sunday School and church attendance prizes were distributed by the rector.

DOWNPATRICK — Local jeweller, Mr. Jack Murphy, held tghe interest of Downpatrick YFC members with an intriguing demonstration of watch mechanisms at Tuesday’s monthly meeting. He stripped a watch to explain the functions of the various parts. He then reassembled the timepiece and tested it for accuracy.

His next topic was diamonds, and he detailed their different settings and value. Mr. Murphy was thanked by Christopher Barr and Joy Kelly, and the meeting concluded with supper.

A ploughing match was held recently at the farm of Mr. James Kelly, Ballyalton. The judge was Alton Kelly and the results were: 1. Craig Caven, 2nd Jack Kelly, 3rd Caven Johnston.

DRUMAROAD — Mr. James O’Boyle, secretary of the Drumaroad Housing Action Committee, has written to East Down Rural Council regarding the council’s refusal to receive a deputation in connection with various matters in the area..

KILLINCHY — East Down Rural Council has received a request from N.I. Spinners Ltd. for permission to discharge effluent into Killinchy sewerage works. The council’s consultant engineer is to carry out an inspection and report back.

DRUMANESS — Charlie Oakes, former idol of the Drumaness Mills fans and a star of two league title-winning sides in the 1960s, made a winning return to the village on Saturday as manager of local rivals Downpatrick Rec. But unfortunately for Charlie and the Rec, the Mills, who had already suffered an early season defeat by the Down team, were in no mood for sentiment and won 1-0.

In fact, only a combination of Houdini, Dick Turpin, and maybe the wiles of Charlie himself, could have wrestled the points from a much improved Mills outfit.