From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 3, 1977

From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 3, 1977

3 May 2017

BALLYNAHINCH — Ballynahinch Civic Week, due to start on Saturday, has had to be called off because of the United Unionists Action Council strike.

The Civic Week committee meet on Monday night, just hours before the strike began, and decided they had little choice but to cancel the programme until a later date.

It was decided that a cancellation was in the best interests of the town. Police, who would obviously be committed during the strike, could not guarantee adequate cover for traffic control and this was one of the main reasons that swayed the committee’s decision.

There was also the possibility of no electricity should the strike reach the heights of the 1973 protest and the possibility that people from other towns would not travel due to intimidation or through the lack of petrol.

However, it is a bad blow for the town, especially as considerable expenditure had already been made. Thousands of programmes had been printed and the amusements, from Cloughmills, near Ballymena, had already arrived.

The committee are determined to rearrange the programme some time during the summer months.

PORTAFERRY — The SDLP have put forward a new candidate for the local government elections in Ards Borough Council  area. Mr Paddy Doherty, who lives in Portaferry, will step into the political arena for the first time when he seeks the seat formerly held by Mr Brendan MacPolin.

Mr Doherty, one of the best known personalities in the GAA scene, was a member of the famous Down team which brought the All-Ireland football championship to the North for the first time. A year later he captained Down to a second success and was there again in 1968 when Down recorded their third great victory.

In 1960 Mr Doherty won the UTV sportsman of the year award and travelled with the Down teams on their tours to the USA in 1962 and 1968. He now lives in Portaferry with his wife, Angela, and has four young children, Patricia, Michael, Gary and Fiona.

KILLYLEAGH — A 27-year era came to an end at the weekend for Killyleagh woman Miss Bessie Stevenson.

Bessie has been postmistress in Killyleagh for the last 17 years and her retirement from the Post office ends a three-generation connection with the Stevenson family, which started when her grandfather was appointed postmaster in 1905.

After he died, Bessie’s uncle took over and he was still there when she started in the Post Office 27 years ago. She was assistant postmistress for ten years before being promoted to her present post. Since then she has been organising the postal services in Killyleagh with an efficiency and dedication which have won her widespread respect and popularity.

Bessie said it was with mixed feelings that she had taken the decision to stand down. “It is the type of job you can only do as long as you are capable. However, I have had a happy time as postmistress and I have made many friend, some of whom I will never forget.”

Bessie vividly recalls the time she foiled an armed robbery just a few years ago.  She managed to sound the alarm and the would-be raiders ran off empty-handed. “It was the most frightening experience of my life,” she declared.

She also remembered the time when Killyleagh had its own postmen, but now these have all gone and all the deliveries are done from Downpatrick.

DOWNPATRICK — Members of the Downpatrick clergy joined 200 members of his congregation at a special presentation to mark the retirement of the Rev J Radcliffe, minister of Downpatrick Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church for the past 35 years.

The presentation took place in Down Parochial Hall and was attended by clergy from other denominations. Mr Radcliffe was presented with a cheque by as senior member of the congregation, Mr Hugh Kelly. Mrs Radcliffe was presented with a cameo brooch by Mrs Alec Moffett.

DUNDRUM — Dundrum Sports Association has abandoned hope of being allowed to develop a site to provide playing pitches in the town. The shock decision has been taken after an 18-month wait for planning approval and is sure to cause a storm of controversy.

The site, on the Newcastle Road, was claimed by the association in September 1975 and since then a series of events to raise cash for the pitches has met with outstanding success. Now, it seems, a remarkable community drive has been thwarted by an inexplicable delay on the part of the planners.

Despite repeated requests, the Downpatrick-based planning officials have refused to give a firm indication on whether or nor approval of the development scheme might be expected. In frustration the Sports Association has turned to Down District Council and has asked councillors to consider providing playing fields on a site between a housing estate on the Dromara Road and Moneylane presently being used by the gaelic team.

They have asked that two full-sized pitched to accommodate soccer and gaelic teams be provided, together with changing facilities and car parking space. Councillors have agreed to buy the site if it is available and have instructed their officers to clarify the position with the owners as soon as possible.

CROSSGAR — Ninety-four children and one adult were confirmed by the Most Rev Dr Philbin at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Crossgar.  The confirmants came from Teconnaught, Killyleagh, Saintfield, Carrickmannon and Loughinisland, as well as from the home parish.

A concelebrated mass was celebrated by Fr McHugh, Fr Brady and Fr John McCarroll. Confirmants, parents, sponsors and clergy were all entertained to tea after the ceremony.

NEWCASTLE — Tribute was paid at Newcastle Court to the late Mr Bob Hanna, who was a summons server in the district. Resident Magistrate John Petrie said Mr Hanna was a very popular character and he extended his sympathy to his family on their bereavement.

Mr Colman Hanna also paid tribute to Mr Hanna on behalf of the solicitors and barristers who practised at the court. Tributes also came from the police and court staff.

INCH — The splendour of Inch Abbey is the setting for this Sunday’s Songs of Praise to be broadcast on BBC1.

The soft grey stone and the varied hues of greenery form a perfect union of peace, Christianity and nature, which is brought to life by the singing voices of united choirs from the area, recorded in the open air amidst the ruins of the Abbey.

The choirs are under the direction of BBC music maestro Havelock Nelson, while his colleague, Gloria Hunniford, will be seen chatting to some of the Downpatrick people about their lives, their faith and the hymns they have chosen.

ARDGLASS — An above par fashion show proved a popular event at Ardglass Golf Club. The show was organised by the club’s entertainments committee secretary, Miss Pat Wallace, in conjunction with Mrs Margaret Bell, of Raymar Fashions in Crossgar.

Mrs G McClure, lady captain, presented Mrs Bell and the commere, Mrs Diane Gibson, with bouquets of flowers in thanks for a most enjoyable evening.

GAA — St Patrick’s High School, Downpatrick, made history at Croke Park on Sunday when they won the All-Ireland Colleges B competition for the first time by defeating Carrignavar, from Co Cork, by 1-8 to 1-6.

The Downpatrick team, who have already won the MacLarnon Cup, came from behind in the second half to take the treasured title.

Team: M Crilly, J Lyttle, J Fitzsimons, D Rooney, J Rooney, M Burns (capt), D O’Kane, A Evans, S McMullan, B Deeny, C McCurry, G McStay, T McShane, F Mongan, G Trainor. Sub: K Rodgers for T McShane.