From the pages of the Down Recorder, October 31, 1972

From the pages of the Down Recorder, October 31, 1972

31 October 2012

CROSSGAR — Many Crossgar people are disturbed that County Council planners want to give them a community instead of recreational facilities. There are five halls in the village and the largest is not nearly fully used.

Mr. W. J. Cochrane, the local rural councillor, is not all happy. He is one of a number of people who have called for a public meeting to be held in the War Memorial Hall next Thursday night to prepare a case for presentation to the council.

“I cannot see why Crossgar has to be the poor relation when Ballynahinch and Killyleagh are to get plenty of good facilities. We don’t need a community hall — we need a sports ground. My idea for having the public meeting is to find out what the people of Crossgar want. Do they want a community hall or do they want playgrounds?”

Mr. Cochrane sees his position as being Crossgar’s delegate to the council, rather than as a dictator putting forward his personal views. “That’s how I feel about this. I want to know what the wishes of the people are.

STRANGFORD — Mr. Brendan Sharvin, of Strangford, has been appointed housing manager for the new Down district in the reorganisation under the NI Housing Executive. He has been housing manager for East Down Rural Council for ten years and has wide experience of this work. He will have responsibility for over 4,200 houses formerly owned by the Housing Trust and local authorities in an area stretching almost from Kilcoo to Killinchy.

BALLOO — Peter Ronald Coutts (18), an assistant sales manager, of Lancedene Road, Belfast, died from multiple injuries sustained in a car accident near Balloo on June 10, an inquest jury was told in Downpatrick on Friday. The accident had occurred on a straight portion of road. Both drivers were taken to hospital, but Mr. Coutts died on the way.

After the jury returned an open verdict, the coroner, Mr. J. W. Russell, Mr. James Taylor, foreman, and Chief Inspector Austen Anderson expressed their sympathy to relatives of the deceased.

BALLYNAHINCH — A little bit of history was made on Saturday when for the first time Ballynahinch Rugby Club fielded five teams in league fixtures. Though only three of these games were won, the strength of the club can be judged by the fact that 75 players turned out.

The club has made vast strides in recent years. They nought a farm at Ballymacarn two years ago and one pitch has been graded and sown out. During the last two weeks large earth-moving equipment has been hired and two more pitches have been partially completed. A great deal of of work will have to be done if this progress is to continue, but the committee is confident of its members’ calibre.

SAINTFIELD — It was a poet who asked “Does the road wind uphill all the way?” Other questions about road, especially those in Co. Down, will be answered at a public lecture in the Guild Hall, Saintfield, on Friday, November 10, at 8pm. Dr. J. T. Fulton, of the County Surveyor’s Office, will give the first of this winter’s series of Anderson Lectures when the subject will be ‘Roads of County Down 1600-1900’.

CASTLEWELLAN — Castlewellan Cub Scout Pack now have Miss Ella Ross as an assistant leader, in place of her sister, Jean, who is now in London. The troop are fortunate in having the help of Mr. Stephen Goslyn as an assistant leader. A former patrol leader in 1st Newcastle, he continues as a member of 1st Newcastle venture scout unit.

DOWNPATRICK — After seeing a picture of some doves and a dove cote, the Patterson twins, Anthea and Amanda, of Church Street, Downpatrick, fell in love with these delightful birds. On seeing their interest their uncle, Eric, bought them some birds and their cousin, Kenneth, quickly constructed a cote for them. Now the twins have four fantails and four tipplers - they tumble in flight — and they hope to start breeding the birds.

Their only problem has been in keeping cats at bay, but a high wire fence has so far deterred four-footed trespassers.

KILKEEL — A yachtsman who drifted alone for nearly two days after his cabin cruiser was disabled in a storm was picked up safe and well six miles south-east of Kilkeel on Tuesday, just as hopes for his safety faded. Patrick O’Hare (37), who normally lives aboard the cruiser at Malahide, Co. Dublin, was little the worse for his experience.

KILLYLEAGH — Members of Edengrove Presbyterian Women’s Association held a successful sale and Hallowe’en supper on Friday evening last. The usual grocery cake and white elephant stalls attracted brisk trade and the efforts of the ladies were rewarded with a total of £108 which will go to Missionary work.

ARDGLASS — Mrs. McMordie presided at Ardglass Women’s Institute’s meeting in the Fisherman’s Rest on Wednesday and welcomed Mrs. E. Beggs, who gave an excellent demonstration of attractive ways of cooking chicken, fish and eggs. A vote of thanks was proposed by Mrs. K. Compton and the competition for the best dressed potato was won by Mrs. K. Davidson, with Mrs. C. Watts being runner-up and winner of the birthday prize. After an enjoyable social half hour the evening ended with the singing of the Countrywomen’s Song.

NEWCASTLE — Over £145 was raised for the NSPCC at a coffee party and bring and buy sale at the home of Mrs. D. C. Lindsay, Bryansford Road, Newcastle, last week. Committee members served coffee and acted as stallholders and four girls from the League of Pity — Fiona Annett, Sandra Callaghan, Valerie Fleming and Caroline Wilson — sold raffle tickets.

KILLINCHY — Kil-linchy young farmers will meet members from Downpatrick YFC in the semi-final of the annual county quiz to be held on Wednesday. The Killinchy team members are Gillian Morrow, Beth Robinson, Ian Morrison and Jennifer Morrow. Cars will depart from Killinchy crossroads at 7.15pm for Downpatrick.

RADEMON — The Rev. C. M. Kelly conducted the children’s harvest service at Rademon Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning. The soloist was Miss W. Hayes, who sang ‘Amazing Grace’, and the children’s choir, trained by Mrs. R. Hanna, who presided at the organ, sang the anthem ‘God’s Garden’.

PORTAFERRY Sailing Club’s annual prize night was held in the clubhouse on Wednesday. This year’s prizewinners were as follows: Swallows, W. White & B. Buchanan; Dragons, F. Hanna; Flying 15s, J. Rodgers; Rivers, J. McMullan & W. Weir; Glens, G. Bloch, Folk Boats, D. H. Stevenson; Handicap, P. Clegg, Lightnings, D. Bennett; Wychcraft, B. Magee.