From the pages of the Down Recorder, October 1, 1974

From the pages of the Down Recorder, October 1, 1974

1 October 2014

BALLYNAHINCH — Northern Ireland’s newest hotel, the Millbrook Lodge, Ballynahinch, with its attractive grounds, has much to offer the public.

With the original house of Georgian structure modernised in such a way to offer all modern comforts yet retain its historical charm, the Millbrook has already built up an exclusive clientele. In fact, it is rapidly becoming one of Northern Ireland’s night spots and attracts patrons from over a wide radius, including Belfast.

Following the successful country and western sessions each Wednesday night, which have proved very popular with the over 20s, the management decided to introduce a new country music show on Saturday nights. Named Mary Anne’s, after one of the hostesses at the hotel, this lively country style pop music has been pulling in the crowds.

The Millbrook restaurant, discreetly furnished, has an old world charm and can accommodate about 100 diners. The cuisine is superb and a magnificent range of dishes is sure to please the most discerning palate. Add to this the hotel’s unobtrusive table service and extensive wine cellars, you have the secret of dining at its best.

NEWCASTLE — A well known local Methodist minister and former Ulster rugby player, the Rev. Walter Hill, and his wife, Susan, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last Wednesday night in Newcastle Methodist Church Hall. A large crowd of members, family and friends from the Newcastle, Dundrum and Downpatrick circuit were in attendance.

CASTLEWELLAN — Three men, believed to come from the Castlewellan area, are recovering in hospital from gunshot wounds they received in a shooting incident in Milewater Road, Belfast. One was shot in the chest and his condition was said to be serious, while the other two were hit in the legs.

The men were among a group who were travelling to work in a van when a gunman, wearing a hat and scarf over his face, opened up. Altogether 18 shots were fired. The gunman then made off down Duncrue Street in a blue Ford Escort which had been luring at the scene.

The car had stolen a week earlier at Gainsboro Drive, Belfast, and was later found at Ashley Gardens.

DOWNPATRICK — Services at the three Downpatrick hospitals, as with others throughout the province, face serious disruption as a result of the decision that health service engineers will work to rule as from Monday. Altogether a total of 12 men, including engineers and boilermen, will join the protest organised by the Confederation of Health Service Employees.

ARDGLASS — The motor yacht Tremona, once the home of an Ardglass man, the late Hugh Jenner Parson, who rounded Cape Horn many times, made only its second journey in two years when it left harbour on Friday.

On the last occasion the vessel went to the Isle of Man, skippered by Frank Zych, but this time it made the overland journey to Belfast with the driver of a Northern Ireland Carriers trailer on command.

After lying in the North Dock of Ardglass harbour for the last six years, the Tremona was lifted out of the water in the first stage of an operation which will see it undergoing a complete overhaul. The new owner, the Belfast garage proprietor, James Maguire, intends to use the boat for cruising holidays. However, it will not be a commercial undertaking.

EDENDARRIFF — The first public auction to be held at Edendarriff for 31 years will take place on Saturday when store lambs, breeding ewes, cars and machinery will be up for sale.

The last auction at Edendarriff was in 1943, but the recent response from farmers in the area was so great that they approached auctioneers to ask them to revive the sales. More sales are expected to be held before the end of the year and that next year they will be held fortnightly. The auctioneer will be Mr. Maurice T. H. Nelson.

BALLYKINLAR — A soldier injured in an explosion at Ballykinlar camp has died in hospital. He was Corporal G. Hall, of the Royal Army Ordinance Corps. He was single and came from Whitley Bay.

KILLYLEAGH — The centre of the gatehouse above the archway entrance to Killyleagh Castle was completely destroyed by fire last Thursday night. Most of the furnishings in a room were lost in what was thought to have been a malicious act. Nothing of historical interest or value was destroyed by the blaze.

Downpatrick Fire Brigade’s second appliance turned out to deal with a combine harvester which had caught fire at Finnebrogue. The vehicle was extensively damaged. It belonged to Mr. C. F. C. Lindsay.

PORTAFERRY — A marine aquarium costing about £400,000 may be built next to the proposed public park in Portaferry. The site will cover an area of 16 acres and the central exhibit is to be a large circular tank, 60 feet in diameter, with viewing windows.

DUNDRUM — The toilets at the Twelve Arches, between Dundrum and Newcastle, were badly vandalised in the early hours of Sunday morning. It is thought a number of young men were responsible.

DRUMAROAD — Mrs. Davina Shaw, of Drumaroad, Castlewellan, who is a pupil at Victoria College, Belfast, is to receive a special prize for attaining the highest marks in this year’s Northern Ireland GCE A level chemistry examinations. At Queen’s University next Thursday she will receive £10 book prizes from the Chemical Society’s Northern Ireland section.

STRANGFORD — Miss Mary Kerr, Downpatrick Road, Strangford, is the luckiest of more than 2,000 people who tried to guess a doll’s name in a competition. Trudi was her winning choice and the competition earned £22.50 for the Royal British Legion’s Downpatrick Women’s section.

SAINTFIELD — Saintfield Show Society’s final event of the year was a highly successful dinner dance in the Millbrook Lodge Hotel, Ballynahinch, on Friday night. Cups and trophies won during the year were presented by Mrs. Moyra McKelvey, wife of the president, Dr. J. M. McKelvey, and Mr. W. G. Murray.

Dr. McKelvey welcomed all members and friends and thanked everyone for their generous support both on show day and at the dinner dance. He said that the 1974 show had been particularly successful and he thanked all the sponsors and competitors who had contributed.

Mr. Norman McBriar and Mr. M. Young proposed a vote of thanks to the secretary for his part in organising the function, Mr. J. Scott and his staff at the Millbrook and the band for an excellent night.

MOURNES — Matthew Murphy, aged 42, of Greencastle Street, Kilkeel, and Seamus Sloan, aged 16, of the same address, were rescued by an Army helicopter when they were involved in accidents in the Mourne mountains.

The police said that the boy fell forty feet and broke both legs and fractured his skull. Mr. Murphy was attempting to rescue him when he fell and broke a leg. The Mourne Mountain Rescue Team were called to the scene and the injured persons were carried to a spot where they could be taken to Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry.

When it was about to return to return to pick up young Sloan the helicopter was stoned by a number of youths.

DOWNPATRICK — Downpatrick Art Society held their annual meeting with several new members being welcomed. The society was very pleased with the success of three members, Mrs. M. Clint, Mr. J. Pyper and Mr. J. Manley, who had paintings accepted by the Royal Ulster Academy and shown at the academy’s exhibition in May.

Office-bearers were elected as follows: chairman, Mrs. E. A. Pedlow; joint secretaries, Mrs. Pedlow and Mrs. B. G. Gotto; treasurer, Mr. J. Pyper; committee, Mrs. E. Buchanan, Mr. J. Manley, Mrs. J. Sampson, Mrs. A. Gifford, Mrs. O. Davidson, Mrs. S. Price and Mr. B. Coburn.