NEWCASTLE — Newcastle’s problem site in front of the town’s new Roman Catholic Church may be taken over by the Urban Council and used as a public open space. This is the latest move in the series of discussions about the future of the site since the parish priest objected to the granting of detailed planning permission in respect of the Presbyterian Church’s scheme to build a shopping centre.
In March the Council felt that the two churches should reach agreement and that in the meantime the matter be referred to the Ministry of Development. This month, Mr. Joseph Keenan drew attention to the steps that the council could take to acquire the site to develop as an amenity area and considered that they should endeavour to obtain it by agreement.
Mr. A. P. Cairns, chairman, considered that the Council had been placed in a very difficult position. He was still of the opinion that the problem should be settled between the developer and the objector.
Mr. Keenan proposed and Mr. Richard Hall seconded that the district valuer be asked to begin negotiating with the Presbyterian Church to acquire the ground for use as a public open space. There voted for the motion, Councillors Keenan and Hall, against, none. The other members did not vote.
DOWNPATRICK — Representatives from the building authority of the RUC will meet Downpatrick Urban Councillors next week to discuss the possibility of siting the new £2.5 million police college in the town. The council have suggested a site on the former Downshire Hospital farm, which this week is being advertised for letting.
Initial talks will be held between acting town clerk, Mr. O. P. O’Connor, and a police representative. The new training centre is expected to need the site of about 80 acres, which the farmland could easily cope with.
SAINTFIELD — Production at McCleery and L’Amie’s Saintfield factory has been at a standstill since Tuesday because of a wages dispute. The trouble arose when eight girls operating newly installed winding machines were given £2 a week merit money on the basis that their new jobs carried additional responsibility.
Objections to the payment were registered by other employees who argued that it was unfair of the management to decide who should be given the extra money until a wider selection of girls be given the opportunity to try operating the machines. Then came a demand for a five pence increase in the hourly rate, or £2 a week — for all employees, plus a guarantee that this would not prejudice the annual wage negotiations.
On Wednesday morning shop stewards and management failed to come to an agreement. A company spokesman said: “We can only pay a certain amount and the demands before us exceed that figure.”
DRUMAROAD — The festival of Irish dancing in Drumaroad community centre on Sunday attracted a large number of entrants from Drumaroad, Clanvaraghan, Downpatrick, Teconnaught and Glassdrumman.
The Feile was well organised by Miss Evelyn McKee, with Mr. Seamus Byrne as Fear a Toighe. The adjudicator was Miss E. Milligan and Mr. Sean Bogues provided the accompaniment on the violin. Fr. J. Maguire welcomed the competitors. Dancing was of a high standard and reflected the involvement of the people of the area in their gaelic culture.
KILLYLEAGH — The girls of Second Killyleagh Presbyterian Church Junior Auxiliary raised £74 for missionary funds with a successful sale held in the Lecture Hall, Irish Street, on Friday night. Rev. J. C. Boggs introduced Mrs. S. Wilson, of Second Comber Presbyterian Church, and invited her to open the sale. Miss Lynn Houston proposed, and Rosemary Hagan seconded, the vote of thanks to Mrs. Wilson, and Sandra McClurg presented her with a small token of appreciation.
TECONNAUGHT — Miss Peggy Kelly was chosen as Miss Teconnaught on Saturday when a May ball was held in St. Columba’s Hall. Peggy is 17 years old and still at school.
BALLYVANGE — Mr. John Doris has been appointed chairman of the management committee for the Ballyvange community centre, Downpatrick. At a meeting this week of urban councillors and representatives from the Ballyvange Tenants’ Association, a management committee was formed to handle the affairs of the new community centre.
The committee comprises of six councillors, Mr. Doris, Mrs. R. Kelly, Mr. E. K. McGrady, Mr. C. Maxwell, Mr. F. Boyle and Mr. T. McKee, and three members of the tenants’ association, Mr. J. Kennedy, Mrs. McKendry and Mr. R. Crawford.
CROSSGAR — The people of Crossgar will be asked to approve the draft constitution of a local community association at a public meeting in the War Memorial Hall on Wednesday night.
For some weeks a steering committee has been working on the draft and next week it is hoped that office bearers and members of an executive committee will be appointed. The association will serve as an advisory body to local representatives on the new district council and area boards.
ARDGLASS — At the monthly meeting of Ardglass Women’s Institute the senior citizens of the area were entertained to a supper party at St. Nicholas’s School. Mrs. McMordie welcomed the guests. Guest artistes were Renee Ritchie, who delighted the audience with a medley of old songs, and the Fitzsimmons group, from Strangford, played popular tunes.
KILCLIEF — A chimney fire at Kilclief Parochial House on Wednesday was Downpatrick firemen’s only call this week.
KILMORE — Members of Kilmore Parish Church gave a special Easter performance of the King of Glory in mime recently when the narrators were Mrs. N. McKillen and the Rev. H. G. B. Forde.
ANNALONG — At Donard Park on Saturday Annalong Rangers wrote another chapter in the history of the Newcastle League when they won the Harry Clarke Memorial Cup for the third consecutive year with a 2-0 victory over Kilmore Rec in the replay. Everything seemed to be heading for a repeat of the goalless draw a fortnight ago, but the deadlock was broken in the last ten minutes when J. Hanna moved upfield to make one goal for C. Aiken and to score a second himself.