From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 1, 1979

From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 1, 1979

1 May 2019

DOWNPATRICK — A jobs boom that could provide £50,000 a week in wages is on the cards for Downpatrick — if the Department of Commerce can provide factory accommodation in a hurry.

Two Continental-backed firms have been attracted to the employment-hungry town, but the problem is that only one government advance factory is available for letting.

The big question is this. Does it go to a firm which pledges 400 jobs for men, plus work for up to 600 more in ancillary industries — four of which already exist in the area — or does it go to a cheese manufacturing concern which promises 100 jobs for women?

It is understood that production machinery already ordered by the larger company is scheduled for delivery in nine months’ time and that if the Downpatrick site is not made available in the meantime the firm will set up plant in Southern Ireland.

The firm does not wish to be identified by name, but it’s formation arises out of unexpectedly big sales of Belgian-made furniture in the UK and the Irish Republic.

The parent firm is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of upmarket household furniture, as well as hospital furnishings.

They have an annual turnover of £400 million and began exporting to Britain and Ireland three years ago. Their share of the market has grown to such an extent that they have decided to begin manufacturing here.

NEWCASTLE — Mrs Ann Davey received a double shock on Saturday. First, her Chrysler Alpine car was stolen and then it drove straight past her on the Hilltown to Newry Road.

Mrs Davey, of Brook Cottage, Newcastle, had reported the theft to local police and, after having seen her car being driven later in the day, she again contacted the police station.

The Newcastle police finally found the car abandoned on a quiet road at Fofanny where it was obstructing traffic. The car was returned undamaged to its owner, but three local youths are assisting police with their enquiries.

In one way Mrs Davey gained out of the incident — the car was recovered with a full petrol tank.

KILLYLEAGH — The condition of Killyleagh’s roads and footpaths came under strong criticism at the monthly meting of Killyleagh, Shrigley and District Town Committee.

It was claimed by the committee that there has been no replacement kerbstones or resurfacing to the town’s footpaths in over 20 years and this gave the town an overall shabby appearance.

In particular they put five streets under the microscope — Cross Street, Shore Street, Irish Street, High Street and Catherine Street — and lashed out that the footpaths were not only shabby, but dangerous and needed better attention.

in Irish Street one pothole was described as hazardous and the committee have called for immediate action.

The well-attended meeting received good news following their demand for action on repairing the footpaths from Killyleagh to Shrigley and at Cuan Beach. They were informed by the Department of Environment that they will take action with work starting soon and both projects may possibly be completed before the end of the summer.

The unsatisfactory situation where schoolchildren attending the local high school are continually soaked when sea water lashes over the sea wall at Seaview Road was also discussed in some depth. The committee are anxious to find a solution to the problem and will talk to the DoE about widening the road.

PORTAFERRY — Members of Portaferry Development Association have claimed that Ards Borough Council has conned them over plans for a sewage disposal scheme in the town.

This week they held an emergency meeting in St Columba’s Secondary School to consider the situation. Among those who attended were Lord Dunleath and local councillor Paddy Doherty.

The Association says that in 1976 the council proposed a new scheme by which sewage would be treated through filter beds before being pumped into Strangford Lough.

A spokesman for the association said that the filter beds have been scrapped from the scheme and that raw sewage is now to be pumped into the lough.

“We genuinely feel that we have been conned by the council,” he said. “We found out about the change in the plans too late.” 

BALLYNAHINCH — The boys of Ballynahinch High School have handed over a colour TV set to Dr Barnardo’s in Belfast. The boys purchased the 22” set with more than £300 which they raised in a 24-hour sponsored football match earlier in the year.

The idea to organise the match came from the boys and they were supervised by four members of staff.

The boys were David Crainey, Kenneth Geddis, Francis Strain, Brian Crainey, Kenneth Hall, Mark Crawford, Graham Early, Stephen Early, Alan Davis and Walter Lyons.

DUNDRUM — Dundrum Regatta and Spots Committee met on Tuesday night to finalise their plans for this year’s regatta , which will be held on Saturday, June 23.

The traditional time for the regatta was early August, but this year the committee decided to go for  date in June when there is a better chance of good weather.

To prepare the village for the annual event, the regatta dance will be held on Midsummer’s Night. a top band and a well known personality have been booked for the occasion.

The main events will take place on Saturday, June 23, and the community are returning to the old style of a century ago, which will involve all ages. Yacht racing will take place on a newly designed course with greatly improved prizes.

Negotiations are well advanced to bring in a group of advanced water skiers to give a demonstration and in the evening a band will lead the fancy parade to the sports field.

CARRYDUFF — Foundation work was completed this week on a project which will provide Carryduff with a modern and spacious new library.

When complete the library will have a full range of books and tapes and a multi-purpose area for exhibitions and evening use by the local community.

It will form part of a proposed community area comprising an old people’s home, nursery school and landscaped pedestrian way.

It will be open initially on three afternoons and three evenings each week and every Saturday morning. It is hoped that art exhibitions, craft displays and travelling exhibitions will be held.

DRUMANESS — Police are investigating two break-ins in the Drumaness area. Late on Tuesday or early on Sunday morning thieves broke into to the Co-op store in the village and among the items taken were tools and cigarettes valued at £500. The following night thieves also entered Drumaness Mill where they removed wiring and piping.

CROSSGAR — The War Memorial Hall in Crossgar was packed to capacity on two nights last week for the eighth annual concert in connection with Crossgar Choral Society.

The presentation this year was ‘Songs from the Shows’ and solo parts were taken by Anne Sage, Jean Montgomery, Maureen Bingham, Avril Thompson, Ann Hay, Marie McHugh and Messrs Albert Sage, David Wilson, Jack Breheny and Roy Bennett. Three Little Maids was sung by Claire McHugh, Catherine Sage and Donna Morgan.

Mr W A Rourke expressed a comprehensive vote of thanks to all who had  ontrinuted to the enormous success, especially Mrs Stella King (accompanist) and Mrs Angela Bradley (choreographer and producer).

CASTLEWELLAN — Police are investigating a recent spare of sheep and cattle worrying in the Castlewellan area. Dogs have been spotted chasing livestock and police have issued a warning that owners must keep their pets under control.