From the pages of the Down Recorder, March 30, 1976

30 March 2016

BALLYNAHINCH — The news clubhouse and grounds at Ballymacarn Park, which put Ballynahinch Rugby Club’s facilities among the best in junior rugby, were officially opened at a special function.

The president of the Ulster branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union, Mr C F Kennedy, performed the opening ceremony in front of several hundred spectators and past and present members of the club.

The new clubhouse, which took only nine months to complete, is already ranked among the best and provides a picturesque view to Slieve Croob and the distant Mourne Mountains. It contains four spacious changing rooms and showers with a body drying area. It also houses ladies’ and gents’ toilets.

The bar and large hall for social activities is served by a kitchen and contains a chair store and committee room. Three of the attractive features of the social hall are the suspended ceiling, the large mahogany windows and the mosaic hard floor. The architects were the McKee-Kirk Partnership.

Behind the success of the club, of course, is the hard working officers. These include club coach George Ferguson, match secretary Joe Carlisle and club treasurer Ronnie McKee.

MOURNES — Two members of the Army Air Corps who took part in a mountain rescue in the Mournes last month received ties of merit at a ceremony this week.

Flight Lt Gordon Spate and Cpl Eric Anderson set out on February 28 looking for a family of three, including a child with a heart condition. The rescue, which lasted four hours, was successfully completed at midnight.

An army spokesman said of the rescue: “They had everything against them, fog, rain and a high wind. At times Cpl Anderson had to lean out of the helicopter to tell the pilot where they were. This award is rarely given out.”

KILCLIEF — The people in the village have given a warm welcome to the children who come to Glebe House, which has been bought by the Harmony Community Trust and converted into a holiday home for children and women in need.

The house is set in 16 acres of grounds which contain a large orchard, kitchen garden and fields. Plenty of trees and shrubbery give a natural adventure play area for the children. An added bonus is Strangford Lough which is only half a mile away.

The people in charge are Helen Honeyman

and Ed Greer. Helen trained as a teacher and com-

munity youth worker. Ed was a teacher before he took up the post. Ed is accompanied by his wife, Nora, and 12-month baby, Kristen.

Helen explained why the children need to taken away for a holiday. “It’s partly because they have family problems and partly dues to the troubles,” she said.

“The problems these children have to live with are really dreadful. Unless there is relief for the children caught in such dreadful situations then irreparable damage is done. That’s why we must give them long-term support.”

Glebe House also caters for mothers and children who have no hope of having a holiday anywhere else.

DOWNPATRICK — The Scotch Bar, Downpatrick, which was bombed out of business almost a year ago, has opened its doors again.

Not unnaturally, the sight that greets customers will be entirely different from their memories of the old surroundings.

Not only has the place changed considerably, but so has the business. The Scotch Bar is now a bright, modern off-licence. It’s an entirely new venture for the proprietor, Mrs June Cogger, and the success of her old bar will stand her in good stead.

CROSSGAR — Acting as a pressure group the executive committee of the Crossgar and District Community Association had considerable success with environmental problems, members heard at the annual meeting recently.

They were also told

the committee had been instrumental in getting agreement for children’s playgrounds at Kilmore and Westlands housing estates. On the social

side the secretary pointed to the successful Tidy Town week held in June when various competitions from shop window dressing to best kept gardens were held.

Mr William Cochrane drew attention to a fund raising effort in which the committee worked with the War Memorial Hall management committee in order to clear some of the more pressing debts.

The following were elected to serve on the executive committee for 1976-77: Mrs T Hewitt, Mr D Harper, Mr D Cahill, Rev S A Matthews, Miss Patricia Bell, Mrs A Dougherty, Mrs C B Williams, Rev H B G Forde, Fr D McHugh, Mr C Bell, Mrs F Copeland, Mr R Dickson, Mrs D Lennon, Mr N Taylor, Mr E McHugh, Mrs P Rooney, Mr W J Cochrane, Mr T Hewitt, Mr G Maude, Mr W Ellison, Mrs M Bell and Mr F Copeland.

ARDGLASS — Ardglass people’s anxiety that water shortage could lead to loss of life in the event of another major fire was spelt out to officials at Down Council’s meeting this week.

Mr Cecil Maxwell said one of the business premises gutted in a February fire could have been saved if water had been available. He had received a deputation of local people who wanted an assurance that supply would be made adequate.

NEWCASTLE — Since 1971 Newcastle Glee Singers have embarked on the more difficult modern American musical and have coped well. The Rogers and Hammerstein Flower Drum Girl is no exception.

Producer Angela Bradley and director John Scullion produced excellent results from a smaller than usual cast; indeed the choreography was sparkling, vivacious and very good dance presentation for its youthful amateur performers.

The children were quite excellent and uninhibited. The seasoned campaigners all gave excellent performances and it would not be amiss to single out Frank Bradley, Rita and Pat Rodgers, Marcella McMullan and the Glee Singers’ first lady of song, Aline Hanna. The Glee Singers are to be congratulated on an ambitious presentation.

SAINTFIELD — SAINTFIELD Parish Church Hall was crowded when nearly 200 members, guests and friends attended the annual dinner of Saintfield Parish Indoor Bowling Club.

The club chairman, Mr T Orr, welcomed all present and spoke of the tremendous progress the club had made. The president, the Rev N Woodrow, spoke of the great work done for the club by the secretary, Mr W Robinette, and on behalf of all members he presented Mr and Mrs Robinette with a voucher for a full dinner for two at the Four Winds Hotel.

Mr Robinette thanked the members for this kind and generous gesture and said that any work done by him was always a pleasure because of the great co-operation he always received.

DRUMANESS — A Drumaness music group, formed more than 18 years ago, are changing their image. The Cavaliers, who have been entertaining audiences all over Co Down for longer than most, have hit on a new name — The Blue Js.

With their new name comes a new image. A new outfit of blue suits, red shirts and black boots will be the trademark of the Blue Js. The only member of the original group is Crossgar man Gary Gordon — the other lads are all from Drumaness.

The secret of success of the group has been the wide range of music they perform. Each member doubles on vocals, assuring audiences of music from Jim Reeves to the Rolling Stones.

SPA — The membership of Spa Young Farmers’ Club has increased to 62, members and friends heard at the club’s annual parents night recently.

Margaret Campbell, secretary, read a comprehensive report on the year’s events and the successes of the club. The audience were also told that the number of certificates awarded to members showed a marked increase.

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