From the pages of the Down Recorder, March 23, 1976

From the pages of the Down Recorder, March 23, 1976

23 March 2016

SAINTFIELD — Parents of children attending a Saintfield primary school may form a deputation to meet officials of the local Roads Service branch of the Department of the Environment.

The parents association of St Mary’s Primary School met again on Monday night to discuss ways of getting the Department to lay a pavement on the Old Grand Jury Road which leads to the school.

They heard that the school management committee, the South Eastern Education and Library Board, local councillors and the Traffic Branch of the RUC support them in their bid.

Parents have labelled the road as a “deathtrap” and have warned that some of the children going to or coming from the school could be killed or seriously injured by speeding motorists. They have written to the Department who say they are trying to put the scheme in their minor works programme for the incoming financial year.

The parents, however, feel that the Department are stalling. Meanwhile, one child was injured recently in an accident with a lorry.

KILLYLEAGH — Killyleagh shopkeepers must have been surprised when their sales of Smarties considerably increased recently.

They need not have worried. It was part of a concentrated effort by the young people of First Killyleagh Presbyterian Church to help supply medicine to some of the 15 million leprosy sufferers throughout the world.

The young people had been told that the number of one penny pieces that can be fitted into a Smartie tube would supply medicine for one leper for one year.

When ‘Mission to Lepers’ Sunday came along the minister, the Rev J Harper, received the young people’s contribution and found the total leprosy collection came to £126. The following Sunday Mr Harper returned the Smartie tubes — this time full of Smarties — to the delighted young people.

CASTLEWELLAN — Castlewellan GAC, originally formed 56 years ago, passed another milestone in their history when they officially opened their new social club.

The premises, formerly the old transport garage, will house pool tables, colour television and darts, and will have a seven-day licensed bar with occasional dances.

Mr Dan Rooney, chairman, who has been associated with the club since 1945, officially opened the social club and thanked everyone who had worked so hard in preparing the premises.

All work was done voluntarily by members and by outside helpers. Special mention was given to Rodgers Bros, of Castlewellan, who supplied the material. Work commenced in September 1975 and was completely after only five months.

Further plans are in the pipeline to help out the club among the forerunners in the county. Their park, at The Meadow, is to be developed into a new playing field costing £23,000 and plans to extend the social club to include committee rooms, changing rooms and showers are being drawn up.

The president of the club is Fr MacNabb and the other office bearers are as follows: vice-chairman, Pat Keown; secretary, Gerry Dougherty, assistant secretaries P J McAlinden and Colm Carruther; treasurer, Frankie Rooney; assistant treasurer, Aidan O’Neill. There is a 24-strong working committee and five trustees — Pat McAleenan, Pat Rodgers, Pat Savage, John Guiness and Dan Rooney.

DOWNPATRICK — Two distinguished members of the Downpatrick branch of the Royal British Legion were honoured at a special function last week.

Mr Sean Robinson, chairman of the Downpatrick branch, received his gold medal award for invaluable services to the committee by Mr J Newtown, captain, who also presented a certificate of appreciation to Mr. Michael Mills, who has been associated with the branch for 15 years.

Mr Robinson has been a member of the Legion since 1851 and becomes only the second local man to receive gold medal.

CROSSGAR — The Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster celebrated its 25th anniversary at Crossgar Free Presbyterian Church last Wednesday.

The Moderator, the Rev Ian Paisley, preaching to a large congregation, recounted how the Church was established in the face of great opposition and said that in spite of this cynicism it was now the fastest growing Church in the country.

In fact, its membership had doubled since the last census and now the church had property valued at millions of pounds. Mr Paisley said these achievements were not gained without sacrifice. “Twice as your Moderator I have been behind prison bars with my ministerial colleagues.”

The Church’s silver anniversary was held at the annual meeting of the Crossgar church. The Rev Cecil Menary, who chaired the meeting, spoke highly of the members of the congregation and office bearers who had given him their support over the years.

The reports were as follows: Session, Mr Cecil Harvey; treasurer, Mr Hamilton Dick; Bible Study, Mr George Lennon; Sunday School, Mr Roy Moore; Children’s meeting, Mrs F Strain, Youth Fellowship, Mr Noel Dick.

BALLYNAHINCH — Colleagues and friends paid tribute to Mr William Madine at a function to mark his retirement after 42 years’ service in the electricity supply industry in the Ballynahinch district.

Mr Madine’s long career began in the days of the old Ballynahinch Electric Light and Power Company, in which he commenced as an apprentice, and ended with him being senior operational assistant in the Ballynahinch district.

NEWCASTLE — A United States 100 dollar bill will be one of the prizes at stake on Friday when Newcastle Town Committee start their all-American season with a Yankee Doodle night at the Harbour Inn.

Everyone is invited to go along with an all-American spirit and according to the committee the local ‘Uncle Sam’ will be there to greet you with a “howdy partner.” Cowboys, cowgirls and representatives of all Indian tribes will be welcome, as will historical figures out of the American past. 

Meanwhile, Mr Bill Martin, the town committee’s press officer, has taken over as chairman. Mr John Toner, former chairman and manager of the Slieve Donard Hotel, has gone to work in Co Antrim.

DRUMANESS — An upstairs bedroom was completely gutted in a Drumaness house on Tuesday afternoon. Apparently a nest on top of the chimney at 11 Red Row caught fire and fell into the bedroom, setting it alight. Ballynahinch firemen were in attendance.

MAGHERAHAMLET — The annual social concert and prize distribution in connection with Magherahamlet Presbyterian Church took place recently. The minister, the Rev C D Adams, opened the evening. The children and young people of the congregation were responsible for a programme which was very much enjoyed by all. They were trained by Mrs Martin Johnston, assisted by the Misses Alice Patterson, Audrey Carlisle and Pauline Rodgers.

TYRELLA — In spite of the atrocious weather conditions there was a good crowd attending the East Down Foxhounds point-to-point races at Tyrella. The highlight of the day was a double recorded by leading rider Ann Ferris. Another lady rider, Miss Y Armstrong, was injured after being rolled on by her mount.

SEATTLE — An American has written to the Recorder this week looking for our help to find out information about his great grandparents.

Ron Cross, from Seattle, tells us that his relations, Mr and Mrs Thomas Hagan, left Downpatrick for the New World in 1848. Thomas, his great grandfather, was born in 1820. His wife, Eileen (née Kelly) was born four years later.

They had three children, all born in Downpatrick — Mary Ann in 1842, Elizabeth in 1845 and John Willian in 1947.