From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 11, 1976

From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 11, 1976

11 May 2016

CARRICKMANNON — Parents attending Carrickmannon Primary School, near Ballygowan, are to fight a decision to shut the school. They say they will fight to the “bitter end.”

The alternative accommodation suggested by the South Eastern Education and Library Board, at Ballykeigle, Ballycloughan and Alexander Dickson primary schools, could not accommodate the 60 pupils, the parents said in a statement.

“As the standard at Carrickmannon has always been high, the parents and the pupils alike will find it difficult to accept any other proposal,” the statement added.

A letter from the parent-teacher association at the school, protesting at the proposed closure, had already been read at a meeting of the Board. It asked the Board to send representatives to meet the association to discuss the matter.

Members of the Board pointed out that the closure had been approved by the Department of Education and new building in the area had taken account of the decision, which was made five years ago.

BISHOPSCOURT — About two dozen jobs at the civil radar complex at Bishopscourt will be lost when the unit switches ver to remote control in September 1977.

Although the RAF have denied reports that they are about to pull out of their base nearby, some people are viewing the move as another phase in a British withdrawal from the province.

The Civil Air Authority in London has confirmed that the Bishopscourt unit will cease operations next year. Bishopscourt’s role in radar surveillance will then be taken over by a new Scottish traffic control complex at Prestwick airport.

Plant the complex will, however, be worked by remote control from the new Scottish facility. Ministry of Defence personnel, who also work at the unit, will remain. A spokesman for the CAA said it was too early to say what would happen to the workers affected by the decision.

DOWNPATRICK — Plans to equip Downpatrick Technical College with a £427,000 extension have been given full support by the Department of Education and work is scheduled to start nearly next month.

The main building contract has been awarded to the Downpatrick firm of H J O’Boyle, on a tender of £362,000. All contracts are in the final stages of preparation. The site has been cleared and two temporary classrooms added to the 12 already located around the building to give the college leeway until the new extension has been completed.

Work is expected to take around two years and officials are hopeful that the new building, which will provide East Down with some of the most modern technical education facilities, will be ready of the opening of the 1978/79 school year.

As well as a number of specialist and general purpose rooms, the extension will have a lecture theatre which will be available for use by outside bodies. Student accommodation will be catered for by a large students’ common room and the existing dining room will be enlarged to provide full catering facilities on the premises.

BALLYTRIM — A teacher who gave nearly 30 years for her life to the children of Ballytrim Primary School, near Killyleagh, received something in return on Friday night.

One of Miss Florence Morrison’s former pupils, Mrs Eleanor Dickson, presented her with a cheque and a Tyrone Crystal glass to mark her retirement. Shirley Thompson, the youngest pupil at the school, presented Miss Morrison with a bouquet of flowers and when Miss Morrison collected her car which she left in for a service she found a news radio fitted.

Miss Hamilton, who taught at Crossgar before coming to Ballytrim, thanked the staff, pupils and past pupils for the gifts. She said, however, that she was more thankful for the companionship of the children and the co-operation from their parents throughout the years.

BALLYNAHINCH — Ballynahinch, the central town in Co Down, found itself as the centre of attraction when its first full civic week in five years swung into operation on Monday.

Thousands of visitors have passed through the town’s boundary limits in the opening few days and joined with the many local people to give the festivities a tremendous boost.

Fears that car parking facilities would prove inadequate were unfounded and traffic passing through the town has been unaffected, except in some cases when short delays have been reported.Lady Clanwilliam performed the opening ceremony in St Colman’s Secondary School on the Crossgar Road on Saturday afternoon and immediately afterwards the festival swung into top gear.

The ‘fun for everyone’ theme has gone down well . Streets have been thronged as children, parents and grandparents joined in the events or gave their support to the competitors.

KEARNEY — Lack of cash is forcing the National Trust to lease slime of its houses in the tiny village of Kearney, near Portaferry. The Trust, which bought the village in 1965, does not have enough money to restore the derelict cottages and houses.

These are now to be offered to lessees. Strict conditions will be laid down to ensure they are restored to their original character and design. The Trust hopes the decision will bring life and purpose back to Kearney within a matter of years.

An 1845 survey shows that the village had a substantial population supported by agriculture and fishing. Local tradition holds that there was a boat which was entirely ‘manned’ by women.

KILLINCHY — Retired nursing officer Mrs May McCreery, from Killinchy, just can’t sever her connections with her profession — she plans to spend part of her newly found spark time looking after senior citizens in the area.

May has been used to working hard all her life. She was the first district nurse in the area, the first health visitor and the first nursing officer.

May, who trained in Essex and Londonderry before coming to Killinchy in 1942, was presented with a cheque from her colleges at Pound Lane Clinic in Downpatrick to mark her retirement after 40 years’ service.

Now she intends to work in her rock garden, spend some time at other numerous hobbies and help out with the senior citizens.

SAINTFIELD — First Saintfield Presbyterian Church’s new minister, the Rev David McKee, was installed on Thursday night. Many other ministers, including the Moderator of the Presbytery, the Rev W D McBride, were in attendance.

After the installation everyone retired to the church hall where the reception for Mr McKee and his wife was held. The Rev Norman Woodrow, the local Church of Ireland vicar, extended the vote of thanks to the ladies. Mrs J M Pringle, the clerk of session’s wife, replied.

CROSSGAR — Crossgar boy Mennell Watson stole the thunder of the Southern riders with his performance at the Dublin Spring Show. The 16 year-old rider took the Billy McLernon Trophy as the best junior rider.

Another Crossgar rider, Margie Lowry, chalked up two third places, a fourth, fifth and two sixth places on her two mounts, Abigail and Nor.

SAUL — Divisions from Artana, Annacloy and Glassdrumman Ancient Order of Hibernians joined with the Saul Division for the annual parade to St Patrick’s Church, Saul, on Sunday. The parade was headed by the Divisional banner and St Patrick’s Accordion Band.

Fr McAleese, the Saul PP, conducted the May devotions. Hymns were played before and after the devotions by St Patrick’s Band. The parade then left for St Patrick’s monument gates and back to St Patrick’s Hall.

BALLYKINLAR — Downpatrick firemen answered a call to Ballykinlar camp on Saturday night when a chimney caught fire in one of the married quarters’ houses.