From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 13 1971

From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 13 1971

13 May 2015

DOWNPATRICK — Downpatrick has won its fight for the full retention of its hospital services. The news was greeted enthusiastically yesterday by all who had mounted a massive campaign for this purpose since 1966.

The information came in the second review of the 1966 Hospital Plan and was announced at Stormont by the Minister of Health and Social Services.

Downpatrick’s share of the £25.89 million plan for the development of hospital services over the next four years is a new district hospital on a site adjoining the Downshire Hospital.

A £250,000 geriatric unit nearing completion at the Downshire will form the first phase of the new hospital and the next stage – a maternity unit costing a comparable amount — will be built nearby to replace the existing one at Quoile Hospital.

Eventually all hospital services for the area will be centralised at Downshire Hospital and the ageing Downe and Quoile buildings will not be needed. The most important aspect of the Review, however, is the pledge to maintain all existing services at Downpatrick at least at their present level.

Mr. Malachy McGrady, who, until his recent appointment as vice-chairman of the Northern Ireland Hospitals Authority,  was chairman of the Downpatrick Hospitals Management Committee, said: “This is the end of any uncertainty and doubt and the beginning of a new era for the Downe Hospital. The campaign which was started a few years back has now terminated successfully and everyone concerned is to be congratulated.”

MINERSTOWN — For the past two weeks at Minerstown Post Office it has been a case of don’t leave your mail in the box, leave it at the counter,

The reason?  A starling has been nesting of five eggs in the post box and to help her bring out her brood safely residents have been handing their mail instead to the local post mistress, Mrs. Alice Kerr.

“Everyone is concerned that the starling should be allowed to hatch her eggs and no-one minds having to leave their mail at the counter,” Mrs. Kerr said.

It is certainly nice to see that there are still those around who respect the wishes of nature.

MOURNES — It was a busy weekend for the members of Mourne Mountain Rescue Team. They were called out late on Saturday night to search for members of an Army youth team reported missing after setting out on a navigation exercise.

The RUC mountain rescue squad and members of a CCPR course at Tollymore Mountain Centre joined in the search which was carried out in thick mist and latterly rain until 5.30 on Sunday morning.

The Mourne team took to the hills again until 2pm on Sunday, unaware that the party had made their way to the Silent Valley at 8am and reported to the police that they were safe and well. The missing climbers — a leader and three 13 year-olds — were none the worse for their adventure.

The team answered another call at 8.35pm on Sunday when an Annalong man was reported missing in the Hare’s Gap area. They returned at 4.30 next morning to discover that the man, who had apparently become separated from a party of climbers, had mad egis way home at around 2am..

KILLYLEAGH — Members of Killyleagh Town Committee are concerned at the increase in vandalism in the area and will suggest to the RUC that a foot patrol patrol in the town would alleviate the hooligan menace.

This was decided at last week’s monthly meeting when it was also decided that £300 should be donated to finance Michael Fitzsimons’ trip to the Scout Jamboree in Japan. Mr. S. Osborne, council representative, stated that litter bins would be provided in the near future for the town.

BALLYNAHINCH — The fifth Ballynahinch Civic Week got off to a glorious start on Saturday when five silver bands marched through the town in brilliant sunshine after the official opening of the event.

This was the prelude to what has become accepted as one of the leading events in the entertainment calendar. And this year’s programme leaves nothing to chance. Mr. H. Bent, joint chairman of the Civic Week Committee, presided at the opening ceremony.

KILLOUGH — Guest speakers at this week’s annual meeting of Killough Village Improvement Committee were Mr. Joseph Smith and Miss Cassidy, members of Downpatrick Sports Advisory Council, who explained in detail the aims and objects of the body they represented.

Villagers were given an opportunity of putting forward their views on various matters concerning the area and one topic of discussion concerned the harbour, a local fisherman complaining that he experience difficulty in mooring his boat at low tide. It was wondered if a deep-water slipway could be provided to facilitate boat owners.

The need for a children’s playground with adequate facilities was also stressed and members thought this should be provided near a housing estate. 

Officers elected: chairman, Mr. E. Nelson; secretary, Mrs. A. Cadiot; treasurer, Mr. J. Irvine; committee, Mr. W. McStay, P. Rogan, V. Teague, Commander Ashe, G. Johnston, J. Kelly, T. Cope, Miss E. Cadiot, D. Dryden, J. McLean, Father O’Neill, Archdeacon Farrell.

BALLYKINLAR — Thirty-four members of the Ulster Defence Regiment, drawn from all seven battalions, completed a fortnight’s officer course at Ballykinlar run by 3 (Co. Down) Battalion. The course covered all aspects of the job of a Second Lieutenant, not only the firing of weapons, map reading and the use of radio, but also the giving of orders and the leading of patrols, ambush drills and drills for movement in a helicopter.

A number of distinguished visitors flew into the camp to see the course in action and talk to individual members, amongst them the Colonel Commandant UDR, Sir John Anderson.

DUNDRUM — Over £175 was raised for the Northern Ireland Council for Orthopaedic Development at a fashion show held in the parochial hall, Dundrum, on Friday night. About 200 people attended the event organised by Mr. William Keown, a clothing and retail draper, disabled from birth.

Owner of the Central Stores, Mr. Keown used fashions from his own shop and from firms with which he is associated. Local girls acted as models. The cheque for the proceeds was presented after the show to the Council’s appeals organiser, Mr. Roderick Hamilton.

CASTLEWELLAN — East Down Rural Council has been informed that Mr. Gerald Annesley would consider selling the Market House in Castlewellan to them for £4,500. When the matter was discussed at a recent meeting of the council’s general purposes committee it was agreed to refer it to the council architect, Mr. George Sampson, and Mr. Seamus Fitzpatrick, the local councillor, to submit a report regarding the cost of adapting the building as a community centre.

NEWCASTLE — Newcastle Business and Professional Women’s Club were treated to a vista of prose and poetry of the Kingdom of Mourne at their monthly meeting by Mr. N. Browne, a lecturer at Belfast College of Technology. Welcomed by the president, Mrs. E. Slader, the speaker pointed out how writers from the southern half of the county had been influenced by local history, myths and legends.

He spoke of Richard Rowley, the laureate of Mourne, and quoted from his poems and from his play, ‘Apollo in Mourne.’

TYRELLA — Objections have been raised to the granting of an entertainments licence for a marquee to be situated at Tyrella Beach. The applicant, Mr. Brendan Mulhall, of Harbour Road, Ardglass, will be afforded an opportunity to put his case before East Down Rural Council at its next monthly meeting.