From the pages of the Down Recorder, November 20, 1973

From the pages of the Down Recorder, November 20, 1973

20 November 2013

NEWCASTLE — Newcastle could be near to losing thousands of pounds and selection as the venue for the finish of the 1974 Circuit of Ireland Rally — all because of a decision of Down District Council affecting the giving of subions.

The trouble is that last month the council made a decision to restrict their generosity to what they called needy organisations — and the test can only be decided by inspection of applicants’ balance sheets.

At Monday’s meeting the council found themselves hamstrung by the decision when the Ulster Automobile Club applied for the use of Donard Park for the finish of the rally next Easter and also for the grant.

It was stated that the club had been given permission by the old Newcastle Urban Council to finish the rally at Donard Park subject to the confirmation of the district council. It was also stated that the contribution expected would be in the region of two or three hundred pounds.

Mr. Cecil Maxwell said that the council were being asked to support tourism in Newcastle and they had to remember that Newcastle was the main tourist area in the district.

Hotels had had a lean time in the troubles of the past years and if there was a chance or these people flourishing for a couple of days it was up to the council to help them.

DOWNPATRICK — There are several reports of the tanks of private cars being siphoned by petrol thieves in Downpatrick. The police say that they have not received any complaints, but motorists who park their cars in the street at night are asked to be particularly vigilant. Garages are reporting increased sales of locking caps for vehicles.

Batteries also seem to be at a premium in thieves’ books these days. One has been take from a tractor parked in a field off the Clough-Castlewellan Road and another from a vehicle on the Seaforde-Ballynahinch Road.

BALLYNAHINCH — The natural development of Ballynahinch is being stifled by officialdom, according to local councillor Mr. Edward McVeigh. He says the fault lies with planners and the Housing Executive.

Mr. McVeigh, who is chairman of Down District Council, made it quite plain to councillors at Monday’s meeting that he was not seeking to tear strips off the officials, but wanting to make a clear statement of fact. He said Ballynahinch ha been classified as a “non-growth area”. Because of the attitude of the Ministry of Development’s planning executive, it was virtually impossible for the young people of the town to obtain a site on which to build their own houses or even to get tenancy of a public house.

“For years I have been telling people that once we got control of the Glassdrummond townland our housing problem would be over,” Mr. McVeigh said. “Now that we have it, the Ministry of Development have slapped a revocation order on it and the situation is worse than ever.

“When the Housing Executive took over control of public housing two years ago the old rural council were on the point of inviting tenders for the first phase of a big scheme at Windmill Street. Since then nothing has been done and the latest information I have is that the scheme which the council drew up is being redrawn on metric measurements.

CASTLEWELLAN — the Moss Lane Spinning Company Ltd., of Oldham, Lancashire, is negotiating with the Ministry of Commerce about the building of a factory at Hilltown Road, Castlewellan.

Moss Lane is an associate of the Frank Donkerley group of companies, which already controls the Standard Mill, Annsborough. Negotiations are still understood to be at an early stage, but the Ministry of Development has already granted outline approval with conditions.

CROSSGAR — St. Colmcille’s Secondary School, Crossgar, now 14 years in operation, last week inaugurated its Past Pupils’ Union. The school assembly hall was packed to capacity for last Thursday’s meeting, reflecting the support for the formation of a union.

For some time the principal and staff have been considering the suggestion that such an association should exist in the school. The officers elected were as follows:

President, Miss Margaret McNamara; chairman, Mr. George Green; vice-chairman, Miss Patricia Keenan; secretary, Miss Bridie Price; assistant secretary, Miss Gladys Walker; treasurer, Mr. Dan McCartan. Committee: Miss B. Blythe, Mr. L. Brennan, Mr. P. Gibney, Miss N. Bell, Mr. E. Dornan, Miss P. Ward, Mr. J. Gibney, Miss M. Murray, Mr. P. Mageean.

CASTLEWARD — An old barn at Castleward will be converted into a £10,000 concert hall and multi-purpose social centre if a project planned by the National Trust is successful.

Castleward, formerly the seat of the Ward family for more than 200 years, has become the Trust’s most popular Ulster property, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Mrs. Rosemary Chesney, the Trust’s public relations officer, said yesterday that there was an obvious need for a concert hall hall capable of being used for instrumental concerts, exhibitions, lectures, illustrated talks and the like.

ARDGLASS — Ardglass boxer Raymond Ross is included in the Irish international team to face Romania at the National Stadium, Dublin, tonight. It is a tremendous honour for the 24 year-old local fighter and comes just seven days after a sensational second round victory over the experienced Bobby Redmond at the renowned Arbour Hill tournament held last Friday.

A characteristic left hook put Redmond, conqueror of Derry international Charlie Nash, on the canvas for a count of five before the referee stopped the fight.

Ray is a former Russell Youth Club boxer and when that club folded he boxed with various clubs over the country and included a spell in England. He has recently set up a club in Ardglass and local youngsters can be sure of getting the benefit of an awful lot of experience from this 24 year-old ‘veteran’.

QUOILE — The public are to have access to the Steamboat Quay area of the Quoile river under a scheme to be undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture. For many years the old quay was a popular spot with the public until access was closed by the landowner some years ago.

The Ministry states that with the consent of the landowner the quay area will be involved in a scheme for the Quoile basin.

BALLYGOWAN — Motorbike scrambling should shortly be booming thanks to 21 year-old Maurice McCabe and his whizz kids of the NI Junior Motorcycle Club at Ballygowan. The club, formed in June of this year, is the only one of its kind in Co. Down, which offers young enthusiasts an opportunity to be schooled on the track.

SEAFORDE — Liz Fisher, of Seaforde young Farmers’ Club, failed narrowly to repeat her club success in YFC area public speaking competition at Downpatrick Secondary School. Liz, who dominated her club’s competition, was by a point in the 16-18 years group impromptu section by Karen Wallace, from the Spa club.

KILLYLEAGH — The Bishop of Down, Dr. George Quin, conducted a service of confirmation in Killyleagh Parish Church on Sunday morning. The following young people were presented for confirmation by the rector, the Rev. R. E. Conn:

Brian Shields, Don Bridges, Timothy Stevenson, William Bennett, Adrian Woodside, Helen Curry, Ruth Curry, Alison Curry, Janet Briggs, Christine Withers, Gwendoline Oldroyd, Olive Marshall, Maureen Black, Diana Black, Hilary Killops, Angela Bridges and Helen Tweedie.

KILLINCHY — Some 35 members of Killinchy YFC paid a visit to the local factory of Northern Ireland Spinners, which is engaged in the spinning and dyeing of carpet yarns. The company, which is a subsidiary of the Spence Bryson group, took over the factory in 1968 and employs 250-260 people working in shifts..