From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 15, 1979

From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 15, 1979

15 May 2019

ARDGLASS — The future of Ardglass harbour is expected to be spelled out next month with the publication of a special report into the spending of £1 million on breakwaters around the harbour entrance.

The report has been commissioned by the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority, who admit it would be difficult to justify the expenditure, but agree that a more sheltered haven would attract a lot more landings.

Criticism has been levelled that Ardglass has been neglected by Stormont, while the fleets at Portavogie and Kilkeel have been built up. There is strong evidence that more people want to invest in Ardglass, the biggest buyer of fish in Northern Ireland.

Twelve boats currently make night landings in Ardglass, but 50% of the landings in Portavogie and 15% of the Kilkeel landings go to Ardglass for processing.

The theory is that if more money is available for Ardglass, more boats would be based there. At present to accommodate new high power boats, the harbour is being deepened at a cost of £171,000, while £60,000 is being spent on an ice plant.

Captain J N McCaughan, of the Harbour Authority, explained the problems of Ardglass to members of Down Council’s Industrial Development Committee and promised that attention would be focused on them.

He agreed a more sheltered haven would attract more boat landings, including those which currently use the Isle of Man and Scotland.

DOWNPATRICK — Six boys carried out a “revolting” orgy of destruction when they broke into several schools in Downpatrick.

The boys, all from Downpatrick and under the age of 17, appeared at the local juvenile court before Mr Wishart Mills, Resident Magistrate, who slammed them as a “disgrace to the community”.

Mr Mills was clearly shocked by the widespread destruction committed by the boys. The break-ins had resulted in over £1,000 worth of damage, with £118 stolen and only £2 recovered.

“You all deserve a good birching and that is what you would get if this was the Isle of Man,” he said.

Mr Mills agreed to defer sentencing in order to allow time to see if a full effort is made to pay for the damage caused.

CASTLEWELLAN — A former Castlewellan woman was one of the heroines at the appalling fire in the Woolworth’s store in Manchester last week when she helped lead customers to safety from the blazing building.

Fifty four year-old Ruby Kelly, a cashier in the store where the disaster occurred, explained her actions in simple terms — that she knew the way out, but the customers didn’t, so it wasn’t too difficult to lead some of them to safety.

Said Ruby: “I guided a group towards the stairs and as we got there everything went dark with the smoke. It was impossible to see properly.

“I had ladies around me and I kept talking so that they would be able to hear my voice. I knew that once we got on the stairs we would be all right.”

Ruby, who has a heart condition, felt the full effects of the smoke once she got on to the street and ambulance men on the scene decided that she should be taken to hospital.

“Looking back on her ordeal in the flame and smoke-filled building, she remarked: “I wasn’t frightened, but I didn’t want any of the customers to see that.”

KILLYLEAGH — Killyleagh Scout leader Clive Scoular has landed a plum Scouting appointment. He has been appointed Commissioner of Scouts in Co Down by the Chief Scout of Great Britain, Sir William Gladstone.

It is another personal achievement for Clive, who has been Scout leader at Killyleagh Parish troop since its formation 11 years ago and he will now have responsibility for over 2,500 boys who are members of the scouting movement in Co Down, including sea scouts, cubs and beavers.

He has built up Killyleagh Parish troop from raw beginnings 11 years ago and today they are acknowledged as one of the best troops in Northern Ireland. They are the only troop in the province to publish a magazine on a regular basis.

DUNDRUM — Laughter filled the air when the local youth club’s drama group presented a three-act comedy, ‘The Case of the Honourable Alicia’, in the Aquinas Hall on Monday night.

The cast included Martin Cardwell, Mary McShane, Tracie Kerr, Eoin Flinn, Seamus Rice, Catherine Rice, Geraldine McCormick, Mary Donnelly and Kieran Fitzpatrick.

The drama group started in January and this was their first major production. The company built all its own scenery and provided most of the costumes and effects.

KILLOUGH — The people of Killough have decided to temporarily halt moves to declare the village a Housing Action Area.

The decision was taken recently at a special public meeting in the village and it was agreed that the proposal should first be thoroughly investigated and then another meeting called before taking a final decision.

A representative of the Housing Executive told the meeting that once an action area was declared, increased grants were available above the normal and up to 100% in some cases.

One of the outstanding benefits of a housing action grant was that owners could still retain ownership of their houses after rehabilitation work was carried out.

The meeting also criticised Down Council and the Planning Service, claiming they were holding up moves to declare Killough a Conservation Area.

DERRYBOY — Mr Raymond Thompson has been appointed principal of Derryboy Primary School, Crossgar. Forty four year-old Mr Thompson, who is married, was educated at Regent House School and completed a course of professional training at Stranmillis College. He began his teaching career in Knockbreda Primary School in 1965.

He is particularly interested in youth activities. He is a qualified sailing instructor at Seaboard Sailing Centre in Killyleagh and is a member of Killyleagh Yacht Club.

Mr Thompson will take up his appointment at Derryboy in September in succession to Mr S Allen, who will be retiring.

SEAF0RDE — The £12,500 purchase price obtained for a labourer’s cottage at Drumgooland Road, Seaforde, has been described as “indicative of the current trend, but not breathtaking”.

The cottage was one of two sold by Messrs Alexander Reid & Frazer for the Housing Executive at a public auction in Downpatrick. The cottages stand in half acre sites and are in need of improvement. They are without kitchens, bathrooms or toilets.

The current market price for serviced and easily accessible sites in the locality is reckoned to be around £10,000 per acre. Average individual sites for new homes are selling at between £6,000 and £10,000 each.

BRIGHT — The Ballee, Bright and Killough branch of the Mothers’ Union celebrated the 30th anniversary of its foundation at a service of thanksgiving in Bright Parish Church, which was followed by a buffet supper for members and their guests in Bright Parochial Hall.

The anniversary cake was cut by Mrs D Ferguson and Mrs J Milligan. Members were particularly interested to hear the branch secretary, Mrs Betty Orr, read the minutes of the first meeting in 1949.

CROSSGAR — Members of Kilmore Parish Church met in the Parochial Hall, Crossgar, where Mr Hugh McClure and Mr Austin Nelson presented gifts of a carriage clock and a cheque to Rev A F Parkhill and his wife on the occasion of their recent wedding. A musical programme by Mr G Maude and his daughters followed.

BALLYNAHINCH — At the NI Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club’s opening show in Holywood recently, Mr and Mrs Kennedy, of Creevytenant Kennels, were on top form. Their nine-month old pup, Creevytenant Barley Corn, won five trophies.