From the pages of the Down Recorder, November 14, 1972

From the pages of the Down Recorder, November 14, 1972

14 November 2012

DOWNPATRICK — A police clampdown on control zone parking offenders has sparked off a renewed demand for permitted parking facilities in the centre of Downpatrick.

It comes primarily from traders in the Irish Street, English Street and Church Street areas, who fear that the opening of a large shopping complex beside the town’s main car park at Market Street in a fortnight’s time will severely affect their trading prospects.

Mr. William Thompson, whose meat business is within the English Street control zone, said: “A lot of the town’s business is being handed to the town’s new shopping centre by the urban council, not through any fault of its own. It just happened that this development occurred beside the town’s main car park.

“But that is not to say that parking facilities should not be made available to those traders in the traditional centre of the town.”

Church Street grocer, Mr. Osfred Hamilton, who, like Mr. Thompson, has delivery vans shuttling to and from his shop, is also irked. He had this to say: “I just cannot do without the vans coming to the shop door.

“I cannot have all the goods ready for delivery at one time, nor can I go away to the car park every time I want a van. Unless something is done soon business in this part of the town is going to be in a mess.”

Other traders, including some in Market Street, also feel sore and are asking for the situation to be given urgent attention.

CROSSGAR — A public meeting in Crossgar has made a call for the provision of recreation grounds in the village. The meeting was called by local councillor, Mr. W. L. Cochrane, after publication of the planner’s report on community needs in East Down, which suggested that Crossgar should have a community hall.

At the meeting in the War Memorial Hall, which was full to capacity, Mr. Cochrane said that as the village already had five halls, he did not consider that another was required. He was told, however, that there was a substantial demand for playing fields and he wanted to know the feelings of local people so that he could present them to the rural council.

The attendance included representatives of all sporting organisations and it was pointed out that the hockey and cricket clubs had reached such a high standard that they would be unable to maintain their positions in their respective leagues unless they had suitable pitches.

BALLYNAHINCH — Members of the county planning office attended the monthly meeting of Ballynahinch Chamber of Commerce on Monday night. The planning officer, Mr. John Parson, and his assistant, Mr. Martin Stone, spoke on the development of the town and with the assistance of maps explained the proposed use of land in the area. It was stated that the present population of 3,600 would increase to 5,300 with the building of additional homes.

Most members were critical, in some way or another, of the plans, which not only covered housing but the provision of playing fields, an amenity centre, swimming pool, car parking facilities and factories under the Local Enterprise Development Unit.

BALLOO — A 72 year-old farmer, Prudence Craig, of Thornyhill Road, Killinchy, died from multiple injuries sustained in an accident at Balloo on June 30, an inquest was told in Downpatrick on Friday. An open verdict was returned.

Constable Robert J. Russell told of going to the scene of the accident at Eternity Wells. Only one vehicle was involved. The driver made a statement of seeing a lady with a raised umbrella who walked out from a side road into the path of the car.

The jury was told that a charge of careless driving against the driver had been dismissed at Downpatrick Court.

SAINTFIELD — A valuable addition to the historical literature of County Down is the recent publication of a history of Saintfield and district. An attractive booklet has been produced by Mr. Aiken McClelland.

Apparently about 1816 the young ladies of Saintfield “had an air about themselves.” According to a report of that year, the dress of all the middle classes was far beyond their rank in life, especially before marriage. “to see the girls going to public worship, or to a fair, you would conclude that they were gentry.”

CASTLEWELLAN — Police investigating a shooting incident at Castlewellan on Tuesday night believe that the men responsible used a car hijacked a car at Dundrine a short time earlier. A discharge from a shotgun shattered a fan light at a house in Upper Square. The car, a Ford Capri, was later found abandoned at Dundrine.

KILLYLEAGH — A senior citizens club has been formed in Killyleagh. For some time the local town committee has been concerned at the lack of social amenities for many sections of the community and it was felt the time was ripe to do something in this respect.

NEWCASTLE — Two new members were welcomed to Newcastle Road Safety Committee’s meeting in the Technical College on Thursday. Mr. C. A. Baxter, presiding, spoke of the extra dangers on the road due to the time change, slippery roads and dark conditions, and emphasised the need for pedestrians to wear reflective arm bands.

ARDGLASS — Edward Joseph Rice, of Kennedy Park, Killough, received a fractured skull when he came off his motorcycle in Kildare Street, Killough, on Thursday night. He hit a parked car owned by Nurse McGrath, The Crescent, and was taken to Downe Hospital.

ST. JOHN’S POINT — Another supertanker lightening operation was carried out off St. John’s Point on Wednesday when the Shell tanker Drupa off-loaded 63,300 tons of crude oil into a Norwegian vessel.

Deep draught supertankers have to be lightened in this way to permit them to enter certain shallow water refinery ports in the United Kingdom. Dundrum Bay is a favourite place for the operation.

BISHOPSCOURT — The sum of £114 was raised at a tea party and bring and buy sale in Bishopscourt House at the weekend. The function was held in aid of the Voluntary Care and After Care Committee and the organisers wish to thank all those who supported it.