From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 9, 1972

From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 9, 1972

9 May 2012

CROSSGAR — Pound notes flew from the pockets of four bank robbers as they dashed for cover in the grounds of a Crossgar monastery yesterday afternoon. The raiders had just brought off an armed hold-up at the Northern Bank in William Street. They abandoned their getaway car opposite the gate-lodge at Tobar Mhuire, owned by the Passionist Fathers.

The lodgekeeper’s wife saw the men, whom she described as young and well dressed, leap form a metallic grey Wolseley car and dash into the greenery at the side of the driveway. A massive search was mounted by Army and police. A tight security net was thrown round the area and Downpatrick and other towns were completely sealed off by road blocks.

Police and bank officials would not release details of the raid, but it is believed a considerable amount of cash was taken just after 2pm. The robbers timed their snatch to a nicety. They must have known that money to meet the wages of workers engaged on the construction of a nearby 70-house estate would be paid about 3pm.

DOWNPATRICK — Downpatrick Cricket Club’s Strangford Road headquarters was twice raided by thieves over the weekend. In the early hours of Saturday morning the raiders smashed the kitchen window and rear door of the pavilion. Then, before making off with over £150 worth of drink and cigarettes and £20 in cash, police believe they sat drinking for some time.

Emergency repairs were carried out but the premises were raided again on Monday morning. There was more damage to doors and this time some £40 worth of drink was taken.

TOLLYMORE — Damage estimated at £17,000 was caused by the blaze at Tollymore Forest Park’s natural history museum on Wednesday morning. The greatest loss was the destruction of nine priceless exhibits — and just what a loss could be judged from the faces of 50 Belfast schoolchildren arriving for an educational tour just hours afterwards.

Stepping from their bus they saw only a heap of rubble which once housed a fascinating study of Mourne wildlife. George Hanna, park warden, was visibly emotional as he looked over the remains of the museum.

Forensic experts who combed the scene believe the blaze was started maliciously. The outbreak was discovered by estate dwellers Mr. Pat Douglas and Mr. Bob Robinson, who heard what they thought was gunfire. It was, in fact, the shattering of glass as window panes gave way to the intense heat.

Newcastle firemen had just returned from a fire at Castlewellan when they were diverted to the park. Their prompt action stopped the flames from completely gutting the adjacent fancy goods store and cafeteria.

KILLOUGH — East Down Rural Councillors Paul Stewart and Edward Nelson feel that a lake behind the former Killough brickworks should be utilised to help water demands in the area.

Some months ago Mr. Stewart advocated the purchase of the lake and at Monday night’s council meeting he again put forward this suggestion and his fellow councillor, Mr. Nelson, was in agreement with him.

“The water is lying there going to waste,” Mr. Stewart told the Recorder this week. “Last year water supplies were rationed throughout the East Down area and this supply could have been used to alleviate the situation to some extent.”

KILLYLEAGH — Killyleagh’s old graveyard has a history going back a long way. In fact, many of the headstones in it date back to the 1600s. During recent months, however, vandals have paid it the occasional visit and left behind them a trail of destruction.

One man who feels strongly about the damage is Mr. Samuel Osborne, of Ardigon. “This place is full of history and it is sad that anyone should come in here to cause damage,” he said. “How people can do such things is beyond me.”

NEWCASTLE — The former Ritz cinema in Newcastle will soon be getting a face-lift now that Ardglass businessman, Mr. Brendan Mulhall, has been given an entertainments licence by Newcastle Urban Council. Over £4,000 will be spent on renovations. Mr. Mulhall plans to start operations early next month.

CASTLEWELLAN — An unsuccessful attempt was made to set fire to Castlewellan Orange Hall over the weekend. A window at the back of the building was smashed and a quantity of straw was pushed inside and soaked with paraffin. It was then set alight, but burnt itself out without causing any material damage.

STRANGFORD — Members of Strangford Village Improvement Committee at their annual meeting on Thursday last discussed the progress made during the last year on matters affecting the appearance of the village.

Comment was made on the progress being made with the extension to the Links housing estate and while this was welcomed it was regretted that it had not been possible to incorporate a recreation area for young children in the plan.

BALLYNAHINCH — Ballynahinch was ‘alive to the sound of music’ last night when a BBC recording team taped a concert given by County Down’s young musicians in the local technical college. The programme, introduced by Mr. Havelock Nelson, can be heard on BBC Radio 4 on May 23.

DUNDRUM — Top attraction at the Bay Inn Disco, Dundrum tomorrow week is a fabulous go-go dancer who will gyrate to records played by a Toronto disc jockey. Free T-shirts will be handed out to lucky customers who can ‘freak-out’ to special lighting effects including a ‘way-out’ flaming fire scene.