From the pages of the Down Recorder, March 27, 1973

27 March 2013

ARDGLASS — Two Belfast families began a lonely vigil at an Ardglass housing estate yesterday, determined to get possession of the last two of 14 houses which become available for occupation this week. Eleven of the houses have been taken over by squatters since Friday and the remaining house is being reserved for the estate’s caretaker.

The families — they come from a former Housing Trust at Rathcoole — moved down with their furniture yesterday and they say they will stay until they get the keys of their new homes. The families, who between them have seven children, have asked that their names should not be published for fear of possible intimidation.

“We have had our fair share of that already and that’s why we are getting out of Rathcoole,” they told our reporter. Three weeks ago one of the families had three shots fired through their living room window, and only a few days ago a fully stocked ice-cream van belonging to the other family was overturned and wrecked. Damage amounted to £4,000.

This is the first major outbreak of squatting in the area. Local feeling appears to be mixed. While the people of Ardglass are sympathetic towards people moving in from troubled areas, there is a feeling they should wait until they obtain legal possession.

CASTLEWELLAN — Farmers in the Castlewellan area, who have been withholding payment of water accounts because of a dispute over meter readings, had supplies cut off last week. At a meeting in Castlewellan on Wednesday night they agreed to send a deputation to East Down Rural Council’s next monthly meeting to put their case to members in the boardroom.

One farmer told the meeting that following an offer from the council to accept payment of the outstanding amount over a period of years he had sent a cheque for double his previous year’s amount. “My water was turned off without warning and my stock of over one hundred cattle was left high and dry,” he said.

KILLYLEAGH — An alert sentry foiled a terrorist raid on the Territorial Army centre at Killyleagh early on Tuesday. Security forces believe the men he spotted and challenged outside the base were probably about to carry out an arms raid.

It was just after 4.30am that the soldier spotted four of five men in a nearby field. He challenged them and, raising his rifle, ordered them to come forward. Then the raiders ran off. The soldier fired one shot at them, but did not claim any hits.

Security forces who searched the area around the base perimeter in daylight found four loaded revolvers, a balaclava-type helmet, a coil of rope and an Army-style combat jacket, all of which were presumably ped by the gang in their haste to get away.

STRANGFORD — A new branch of the East Down Association of the Social and Democratic Labour Party has been formed in Strangford. Mr. John Doris, vice-chairman of the association, conducted the election of officers on Wednesday night and these resulted: chairman, Mr. Daniel Sharvin; vice-chairman, Mr. John Hanna; secretary, Mr. Maurice Denvir; treasurer, Mrs. P. Sharvin.

Mr. Sharvin spoke on the undue delay in providing a new sewerage system for Strangford, the need for a second ferry, and the frustration local people had suffered due to inadequate housing in the Strangford area.

NEWCASTLE — Newcastle Chamber of Commerce had a lively meeting in the Broadway Cafe on Monday night, during which the secretary, Mrs. Rosemary Horgan, reported on her visit to a meeting in the Slieve Donard Hotel in connection with Enterprise Ulster.

Several members expressed concern about traffic density at the north end of Main Street and it was decided to contact the local police about the possibility of having a pedestrian crossing there. The president, Mr. Samuel Hamilton, presided at the meeting which also discussed the proposed development of the Annesley Mansions site.

DOWNPATRICK — A Downpatrick hotelier, Mr. Ray Hayes, was this week appointed to the Southern panel of the Local Enterprise Development Unit. He will represent the Downpatrick and East Down zone. Married with two sons and two daughters, he is an old boy of St. Patrick’s High School, Downpatrick, and is a former Malone rugby player.

His father was for many years town clerk of Downpatrick, a position held by his brother, Maurice, until his recent appointment as a director in the office of the Commissioner of Complaints.

BALLYNAHINCH — Ballynahinch names continue to find places in piping competitions. Dungannon was the latest venue for local lad Ian Jess, who carried off no less than four trophies. He took first place in the junior cup, came second in senior march, was second in senior Strathspey and reel section, and third in the senior jig section. Eleven year-old Thomas Tate, of Willow Crescent, was presented with a special trophy.

TYRELLA — East Down Foxhounds’ point-to-point races at Tyrella on Saturday proved as popular as ever with large crowds and a queue of cars still waiting to get to the course as the first race was taking place. After racing the cups were presented by Miss Diana Kirkpatrick, who was a master of the Foxhounds for many years.

PORTAFERRY — Elliotts of Portaferry have appointed by Mr. John Berner, of Shane Cottage, Killyleagh, as their agricultural machinery representative for the Strangford and Downpatrick area. Mr. Berner has had a wide experience of farming on his own behalf and as a representative for agricultural equipment.

KILLINCHY — Members from Newtownards and Killyleagh clubs attended Killinchy YFC’s annual inter-club quiz and social in Killinchy Orange Hall on Wednesday last. Colin Ramsey welcomed the visitors. After nine interesting rounds a team from Newtownards was victorious with 70 marks, followed by Killinchy with 66 and Killyleagh with 62.

SAINTFIELD — The annual meeting and congregational social of First Saintfield Presbyterian Church was held in the Guild Hall on Thursday last. After the opening devotions, the large crowd present was entertained to a supper provided by the ladies. Apologies were received from the Rev. W. D. McBride and the Rev. N. W. Woodrow.

BALLYKINLAR — Downpatrick fire brigade made four visits this week to Ballykinlar Camp to deal with gorse fires. A malicious call also brought them to the Ballydugan Road on Friday afternoon.

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