From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 16, 1972

From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 16, 1972

16 May 2012

SAINTFIELD — Ulster Vanguard followers from all over County Down will mass at a huge rally in Downpatrick on Wednesday week, the eve of the local government elections in the area. The news was broken at a packed meeting in Saintfield Orange Hall on Tuesday night.

Mr. John Lennon, who chaired the meeting, said: “It will let the other side see that we can also demonstrate and show our strength.” The announcement was greeted by loud cheering. Speakers lined up for the planned massive gathering include the Vanguard leader, Mr. William Craig, and the Rev. Martin Smyth.

Tuesday night’s meeting was held to recruit Vanguard club members from the East Down area. Over 300 men and women signed forms indicating support for the movement. Mr. Craig, who was the scheduled speaker for the evening, was involved in a minor car accident and was unable to attend. The audience were given a detailed run-down on Vanguard’s composition, aims and objects by Mr. Ernest Baird, executive member.

In the absence of Mr. Cecil Harvey, the meeting was chaired by Mr. Lennon, of Carryduff, who referred to the “tragic situation in the country.”

NEWCASTLE — A Newcastle master mariner has been appointed captain of one of the world’s largest oil tankers on the South Africa-Persian Gulf-Europe run. He is Cecil Ramsden, who at 36 years of age is believed to be one of the youngest skippers ever to be given command of a mighty vessel such as the 219,000 tons Gondwana, owned by the South African Marine Company.

When not at sea, the former member of 1st Newcastle Scout Troop lives at Tullybrannigan Road with his wife and four children, including two sons. And the sea just hasn’t called for Cecil. His wife, formerly Miss Lily Curran, was a keen Sea Ranger with the local troop before her marriage.

ARDGLASS — Ardglass fishing skipper, Frank Zych, was a proud man on Tuesday when his new fishing boat, the 52-foot Polonia, was ceremoniously launched at Portavogie by his daughter.

Frank, affectionately known as ‘The Pole,’ left his homeland after the war and since coming to Ardglass has shown himself to be a fisherman of no mean ability. A popular figure, he was shrewd enough to realise some time ago the sophistication needed to succeed in modern fishing and with the help of Messrs Palmer, of Portavogie, who built his new boat, has now a vessel which is probably the most advanced of her size in the United Kingdom.

Frank and his two sons will now sail the Polonia, which is powered by a 240hp marine diesel Caterpillar engine. The launching, it was said, marked what is hoped will be a new era for the traditional boat building industry.

BALLYNAHINCH — Ian Jess, the 15 year-old Ballynahinch piper, who beat the Scots at their own game, was honoured at a party given by relatives and friends in the local Orange hall on Friday night. Ian went to Scotland two weeks ago and brought home a silver cup and salver, which had never before left the home of piping.

On Friday Mr. Edward McVeigh, chairman of the local pipe band, said how closely he had followed Ian’s career since the lad had joined the band as a six year-old. Mr. McVeigh said he envied his good friend, Mr. Tommy Gourley, who had a grandson of whom he could be so proud.

CASTLEWARD — The ashes of The Dowager Lady Bangor, who died in an English nursing home, will be scattered at Castleward, Strangford, the family’s former home. Aged 94, she was the widow of the the sixth Viscount Bangor, former Speaker of the Northern Ireland Senate, who died 22 years ago. Lady Bangor was Miss Agnes Elizabeth Hamilton, daughter of Mr. D. Mervyn Archdale Hamilton, of Co. Monaghan, before her marriage in 1905.

KILLOUGH — Killough Village Committee this week discussed the recommendations of the Sports Advisory Council regarding the village, particularly the siting of a sports field and children’s playground. The chairman, Mr. E. Nelson, told the meeting that the Housing Executive would be going ahead with a block of houses between Castle Street and School Road as originally approved by the rural council. Questions were also asked about progress on the new car park and slipway.

Officers elected for the coming year were: chairman, Mr. E. Nelson; vice-chairman, Mr. A. Carroll; secretary, Mrs. A. M. Cadiot; treasurer, Mr. J. Irvine; press officer, Mr. W. McStay.

DOWNPATRICK — Downpatrick CID are investigating a series of robberies and attempted burglaries which were stated in the town on Friday night. A 12 volt battery and spare car wheel were stolen from Mr. J. Cassidy, of Glebetown Drive, and an electric kettle and fire were taken from workmen’s hut at the Ready Mix Concrete site at Killough Road. Targets for attempted break-ins were Murphy’s grocers, Saul Street, Quoile Filling Station, Church Street, and Law’s Garage, Church Street.

CASTLEWELLAN — Parts of Castlewellan lost electric supply on Monday morning because of a fire in the junction box of the transformer outside the Intermediate School. Newcastle firemen extinguished the blaze in two minutes and power was soon restored.

BALLYKINLAR — Mr. Patrick G. McErlain, of Marian Park, Ballykinlar, emigrated to Australia on Monday. His assisted passage was sponsored by the British Boys’ Movement which, with the support of the British and Australian Governments, helps selected young men between the ages of 16 and 19 years to settle in Australia.

BANGOR — Delegates from East Down attended the quarterly meeting of the Ulster Liberal Council in Bangor on Friday last when the decision by 83 per cent of the population of Eire to go into the European Common Market was welcomed. Delegates passed a motion congratulating the people of Eire on their enthusiastic acceptance of Europe, and their rejection of isolationist attitudes.