From the pages of the Down Recorder, March 4, 1980

From the pages of the Down Recorder, March 4, 1980

4 March 2020

EDENDARRIFF — Plans to build a £1.5 million race track in memory of Tom Herron, the local man who became an international road racer, have been drawn up this week.

An application for planning permission to develop the site at Edendarriff, near Ballynahinch, is in the hands of Downpatrick planners and if the go-ahead it given soon it is hoped to have the international standard track in operation by the 1981 season.

Plans are still at an early stage, but Mr F Scott Herron, father of Tom, who was tragically killed at the North West 200 last year, is keen to carry out the idea, which was always Tom’s dream.

Tom’s brainchild was to build a general purpose track suitable for motorcycling, go-karting, trials and car racing, and attract the world’s best in each sport.

Now that Tom is gone, Mr Herron is anxious to carry out his son’s wishes by building a two-and-a-half mile track that can take full international status.

Mr Herron owns the land and there would be sufficient room to build grandstands, pits and all the other requirements, including plenty of space for car parking.

“The province is crying out for such a track that can be used by these sports,”Mr Herron said. “With the promise of top international stars prepared to come over, it would be a boost for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and sport in general.

“It was Tom’s idea to build such a track, with immaculate safety standards. It’s the least we can do in his memory to promote his brainchild. I’m certain we could get the backing of everyone if permission is granted.”

BALLYNAHINCH — Down Council chairman, Mr Eddie McVeigh, has renewed his plea to local planners to help the Housing Executive rind sites for housing development in Ballynahinch.

Mr McVeigh said the Executive were anxious to build in Ballynahinch, but they had been repeatedly thwarted because they had been unable to find sites which met with the planners’ approval.

Mr McVeigh was speaking after planners turned down an application from the Executive to build on the Magheraknock Road. The application was refused because the planners considered the site was outside the area considered suitable for residential development.

The planners consider there is sufficient land available for residential development in Ballynahinch. This is the comment which constantly annoys Mr McVeigh.

DOWNPATRICK — Controversy over road proposals for Downpatrick town centre can be settled by compromise, according to the local chamber of trade.

Traders are strongly opposed to DoE Roads Service recommendations for a through road which were published in the Recorder last month.

They dislike the thought of a main road with high retaining walls cutting the town in two and are keen to meet officials in the hope that agreement can be reached.

Mr Jim Cassidy, newly elected chairman of Downpatrick Chamber of Trade, is quietly confident that the designers’ commendable ideas can be better merged with local needs as the business people and residents see them.

“There is considerable opposition for very valid reasons to the plan,” he said. “We believe that the town centre should not be carved up by a road crossing Scotch Street, Irish Street and St Patrick’s Avenue.

“The feeling among members is that a major traffic route should by-pass Down Cathedral and join the Newcastle Road. Without doubt, the traffic load in the town must be eased.

“Ours is not a modern town, but has character that should not be destroyed in an attempt to modernise everything.”

KILLYLEAGH — Killyleagh Town Committee is to throw its full weight behind an anti-litter campaign.

The committee are considering launching a special design scheme for three schools in the town and are investigating the possibility of mapping out a programme to make local people more aware of the litter problem.

The schools’ competition is an exciting idea aimed at getting pupils in the local high school and two primary schools to design a clean-up scheme, with prizes for the winners.  A best kept garden competition is another idea.

The town committee hopes to tie all the events into Down Council’s anti-litter campaign later this year when a prize of £150 will be awarded to the best kept town or village in the council area.

Some members of the town committee, however, fear Killyleagh could get off to a bad start in the competition because of the major housing redevelopment schemes at Shore Street and Irish Street, and the overall shabby appearance of roads and footpaths in the area.

DUNDRUM — Ambitious plans to make Dundrum Regatta and Sports bigger and better were drawn at the Regatta Committee’s annual meeting in the Bay Inn on Monday night.

Ideas to cater for teenagers, introduce a more varied programme and revert to a date in mid July were considered at the well attended meeting.

Before the election of officers, which saw Mr Hugh Graham re-elected as chairman and Mr Pierce Rice appointed secretary, the committee congratulated Mr Dan McNeill for his 50-year association with the committee, 21 of which were spent as chairman.

One of the more pleasing aspects to come out of the meeting was the formation of a group, to be known as the teenage committee, which will should out what teenagers want to see in the programme of events, this ensuring young, middle-aged and elderly will be catered for. The dates for this year’s Regatta are July 25-26.

LOUGHINISLAND — Loughinisland hasn’t had a public phone kiosk since it was knocked down by a lorry three years ago. Now an irate Down Council wants a face-to-face meeting with a telephone sales representative.

When Mr Seamus Byrne, council clerk, read out a letter at this week’s meeing from the chairman of the NI Postal and Communications Board to the effect that although a line was not available at present and that they hoped to have the restored by the end of the year, the councillors’ patience snapped.

Said Mr Jim Magee: “This is totally unsatisfactory. God forbid that a tragedy should happen at Loughinisland for nobody could phone for a doctor, an ambulance or the fire service.”

PORTAFERRY — Anger is coming to the boil in Portaferry in the long-running battle over the town’s sewerage disposal problems. The local development association say they have been conned — and 700 residents agree with them.

The row relates to the possible side effects of the Department of the Environment’s scheme to meet the town’s needs on whig work began last year and was abandoned a few months ago.

For more than ten years there has been intense opposition to a sewerage collection tank located close to the town’s slipway. It doesn’t function as intended and cannot meet the needs of the expanding population.

CROSSGAR — Lissara Presbyterian Church was packed to capacity on Thursday evening for the installation of the Rev Samuel Armstrong.

The service was conducted by the Rev James Lamont, Moderator of the Down Presbytery. The Rev W Kerr, clerk of the Presbytery, issued the statement of the standards of the Church, while the charge to the minister and congregation was given by the Rev J C Pedlow. The offering raised £839 for the Students’ Bursary Fund.

After the installation the ladies of the congregation served supper in the church hall. Mr Armstrong, who received a standing ovation, thanked all who contributed to the success of the evening and looked forward to a successful ministry in Lissara.