From the pages of the Down Recorder, November 28, 1972

From the pages of the Down Recorder, November 28, 1972

28 November 2012

DOWNPATRICK — Congratulations to everyone involved in the creation of Downpatrick’s new Downtown Shopping Centre in Lower Market Street came from Urban Council chairman, Mr. Edward McGrady, at yesterday’s official opening.

The old railway station site of eight acres is being transformed into an ultra modern complex, comprising an Ulsterbus terminus, car park, shopping centre and in the future a welfare centre and library. The local authority have planned for the future in combining all these essential services at one location.

Total shopping area is in the region of 15,000 sq. ft. and Superite Prices have acquired approximately 9,000 sq. ft. for a department store and food hall. The shop units are occupied by a good cross section of trades, including a restaurant, jeweller, home bakery, ladies’ boutique, hair dressing salon and a bank. A filling station will come into operation shortly.

BALLYNAHINCH — Firemen worked for almost an hour to rescue a man trapped in the wreckage of a car involved in a head-on collision with another car near Ballynahinch on Saturday. The accident occurred on the main Ballynahinch to Newcastle road at Rice’s corner.

The man who was trapped is Mr. Donald McAllister (17), of Lisburn Road, Ballynahinch. Before freeing him, firemen had to cut out the door panel and one of the seats of the car, which was lying upside down in a ditch.

Mr. McAllister was driving his Ford Cortina towards Ballynahinch at about 4am. He and his three passengers were taken to Downe Hospital for treatment. The other car, a Renault 4, was being driven by John Francis Creanor, Largey Road, Kilcoo.

CROSSGAR — The Rev. J. C. Pedlow, Downpatrick, presided at a function in Lissara Presbyterian Church Hall last week when members and friends met to honour their minister, the Rev. S. G. M. Logue, and Mrs. Logue, who are shortly leaving the district in response to a unanimous call Mr. Logue has received to Donemana congregation , after ten years’ ministry in Lissara.

Mr. T. J. Hewitt, clerk of session, spoke in eloquent terms of the work and worth of Mr. Logue during his ministry in Lissara and his help and thoughtfulness in times of sickness and trouble. He also spoke of the capabilities of Mrs. Logue who played an active part in the women’s activities of the church where she had endeared herself to all. Mrs. T. J. MacMillan, on behalf of the congregation, presented a gold brooch to Mrs. Logue and Mr. Logue received a piece of Capo de Mont porcelain, together with a substantial cheque.

Mr. Logue spoke of the help and guidance he had received from the late Mr. T. N. J. MacMillan, Mr. T. J. Hewitt and the session committee and members of the congregation down the years. He was much moved by the generous gifts presented which would always be cherished and remind them of their days at Lissara.

KILLYLEAGH — Northern Ireland’s oldest woman, Mrs. Rebecca Boggs, of Killyleagh, celebrated her 106th birthday on Saturday browsing over greetings from well wishers. She didn’t want any fuss and the occasion was marked quietly at her Dufferin Place home where she lives with her son, the Rev. J. C. Boggs, minister of Second Killyleagh Presbyterian Church.

Until quite recently Mrs. Boggs did most of the housework. But I do nothing at all now,” she says, and agrees that she has earned a rest from it. Witty and alert as ever, she is annoyed that her hearing is letting her down. “I don’t like not being able to hear what’s being said.”

Mrs. Boggs was born on the island of Drumfin, Co. Sligo, in 1866. She was a schoolteacher in Enniskillen and Londonderry before moving to Killyleagh in 1928. Her mother lived to be 97 and three sisters were all in their nineties when they died. Two other sons are also Presbyterian ministers.

NEWCASTLE — Newcastle Chamber of Commerce wants the town to have a swimming pool of international proportions and “not a toy”, as one member put it at a meeting this week. When the matter was discussed at length on Monday evening it was agreed a large pool would be an attractive amenity for tourists, and for staging water galas.

It was decided to make further efforts to see if a pool could be provided and to bring the matter to the attention of those responsible for providing such amenities.

CASTLEWELLAN — Newcastle police are investigating an explosion which killed approximately 340 hens in a battery unit belonging to Mr. McKibben on Mr. Charles McCrum’s land at Drumee, Castlewellan, on Tuesday night. Several residents reported hearing a loud bang at about 10.15pm. It is understood that only a few of the cages in the battery, which contained 2,500 birds, were damaged.

LOUGHINISLAND — Four young children, all under the age of 10, are believed to have been responsible for the destruction of a weekend cottage at Loughinisland on Sunday afternoon. They gained access by breaking a window and it a fire which got out of control. The cottage, furnished as a weekend residence, is owned by Mr. John O’Prey, 51 Rushfield Avenue, Belfast. Almost all of the interior was destroyed.

KILMORE — Mr. John J. Patterson presided at the annual meeting of the Kilmore and Rademon branch of East Down Unionist Association on Tuesday night. The speakers were Mr. Brian Faulkner and Mr. John McRobert, who is secretary of the association.

SAINTFIELD — Saintfield parish building fund benefited by £500 at the weekend, the proceeds of an auction held on Friday night and a sale on Saturday. The stalls were manned by the ladies of the parish and the auction was conducted by Mr. James Ireland, a local auctioneer. The proceeds will go towards the cost of building a new hall for the parish.

LISTOODER — Over 200 members and friends attended Listooder Ploughing Society’s annual dance in Carryduff Unionist Hall on Friday night. Music was supplied by the James McVeigh Band and dancers took part in spot and novelty items.

The society will hold its annual dinner dance early next year. Its annual ploughing match will take place on Saturday on the lands of Mr. T. J. Horner, Ballywoollen, Crossgar.