From the pages of the Down Recorder, November 18, 1975

From the pages of the Down Recorder, November 18, 1975

18 November 2015

DUNDRUM — Dundrum people this week appealed to the Housing Executive to help preserve their community The development committee of the village and the surrounding district would like the Executive to allocate any houses built in the future to locals. They are not against outsiders, explained the committee’s chairman, Mr Derek Cummins, but rather it is a wish to maintain the village as a complete unit.

Mr Cummins gave the example of several young couples who have had to move outside the village get a home. Most of the couples had lived in Dundrum the greater part of their lives and wanted to set up home in the village.

The points system, however, ruled against them and they had to move to the bigger towns to get a house. Mr Cummins and his committee want to see this trend stopped and they feel that the Executive can help them achieve this.

If there are houses left after locals had been offered a chance of accepting the properties, then people from outside the village would be welcome say the committee.

CASTLEWELLAN — Police are investigating an early morning incident in Castlewellan in which a 25 year-old man was alleged to have been beaten up by soldiers before being bundled off in the back of a security forces vehicle.

People in the town are to hold a protest meeting to voice their feeling against army tactics, which they regard as harassment. A police spokesman said the incident was being investigated and any information obtained would be passed on to the Department of Public Prosecutions who would decide whether or not to prosecute.

NEWCASTLE — The enthusiasm of members of Newcastle Youth Club gradually died during a 13-month wait for club premises and eventually the club was forced to disband.

A long battle to secure a quick tenancy agreement between the club and Down Council sadly dragged on and this week councillors were told that the club will be vacating the Annesley Mansions.

A few items of furniture and fittings in the club have been donated to the local Gateway Club and when the electricity meter is read and the contents of the premises removed, the key will be delivered to the council’s offices in Newcastle.

Mr William Stewart, club secretary, outlined the history of the club. He recalled a public meeting in January 1973 and the formation of a committee several months later. In November of that year there had been a successful meeting of potential members and the council had agreed to lease the Annesley Mansions. However, the key could not be secured until January this year, by which time enthusiasm had died.

STRANGFORD — Strangford police have called for motorists to take extra care on the stretch of roadway at ‘The Rock’ on the main Downpatrick-Strangford Road which is now considered the most dangerous accident black spot in the area.

This follows yet another accident when two people were injured after an Austin Allegro had crashed on Thursday afternoon. The driver and his passenger both received injuries. Only one vehicle was involved.

ANNADORN — An Annadorn lady ended a long associated with Annadorn Primary School when she retired as caretaker and dining attendant after 23 years’ service.

Mrs Maria Stewart, of Annadorn Road, Downpatrick, served her last meal to the schoolchildren on Friday — but they did not let the occasion go unnoticed for they had organised a surprise presentation.

Mrs Stewart has been associated with the country school since she was four years old. She gained her early education there and after leaving she helped her mother who was caretaker at that time. Then Mrs Stewart took over as caretaker and dining attendant and, according the principal, Miss Adelaide Richey, has given 23 years’ impeccable service.

KILLOUGH — Two men stole two legally held firearms from the home of Mr William John Rice, Downpatrick Road, Killough, on Friday night. It is thought that the men made their getaway in a Ford Cortina which had been stolen in Ardglass earlier and which was abandoned two miles from the scene.

DOWNPATRICK — Staff at the Salon G-Gi hair salon in Downpatrick came a very respectable eighth out of an all-Ireland entry of 50 at the Clairol colour championships in Belfast recently. The salon’s model took sick just before the competition, but they were fortunate to acquire the assistance of Joan McIlhone, from Crossgar, who substituted so ably at very late notice.

SAINTFIELD — Saintfield police are currently baffled by what seems to be an extravagant local farmer who can afford to lose eleven cattle. Nine weeks ago the cattle, probably valued at more than £2,000. were found straying on land in the Saintfield area — but since then no one seems to have been troubled enough to contact the police. Anyone with information should contact Saintfield RUC.

KILKEEL — Public health chiefs have ordered an investigation into claims that raw sewage is being pumped into the harbour at Kilkeel. If the claims are substantiated, local councillors aim to serve a nuisance abatement order on the Department of the Environment.

For some time people living near the harbour have been complaining about the smell of sewage from the quayside. They say that untreated human waste is constantly floating on the surface of the water, carried out and in again by the tide.

Now conditions have become so bad that Kilkeel Chamber of Commerce has sent an angry protest to Newry and Mourne District Council. The chamber warned that the sewage was creating a health hazard.

PORTAFERRY — A Portaferry housing estate has been well placed in the Housing Executive’s Best Kept Small Estate competition. The McNeilly estate, which was built in 1970, was well thought of the judges.

The competition, which was conducted by the Central Gardens Association of Northern Ireland, awarded points to the estates which had the best kept appearance, good gardens, least litter and no vandalism.

CLANVARAGHAN — The Most Rev W Philbin, Bishop of Down and Connor, converted the sacrament of confirmation on 50 children from the parish of Drumaroad and Clanvaraghan in the Church of St Mary of the Angels, Clanvaraghan.

The Bishop was assisted by the Rev Fr Sean Cahill and the Rev Fr Patrick Galligan. Mass was celebrated by the Rev Fr Joseph Maguire, PP. Rev Fr Oliver McGuigan, Castlewellan, and Rev Fr Francis Toner, Castlewellan, were also in attendance.

GOLF — A golfer injured while playing on a Newcastle course was awarded £7,000 damages in the High Court. Draughtsman David V Curry, of Abbey Park, Belfast, received the award in an action against Desmond Davenport and the trustees of the Royal County Down Golf Club.

On June 21, 1971, Mr Curry was playing on the No 2 course when he was injured by a ball played or struck by Mr Davenport from the third tee. His right eye had to removed and it is now replaced by an artificial one.

SOCCER — The local soccer scene lost one of its most respected stalwarts when Mr Bobby Dalzell passed away suddenly in hospital. Mr Dalzell, of Shimna Close, Newcastle, has been closely connected with soccer since his early days as a player until his resignation as president of the Newcastle and District Football League last year.

Domestic commitments forced his to resign his position, but he remained close to the local game and played a part in the recently formed Newcastle youth League.

Bobby worked behind the scenes in football too and found himself responsible for many of the wearisome tasks. In fact, Bobby’s  whole life seemed to revolve around soccer and it was through this game that he met his countless friends.