DOWNPATRICK — Two new Downpatrick youth bodies were granted a short-term lease of premises for club and meeting rooms at a special meeting of the local urban council last Thursday evening. The Downpatrick Youth Advisory Association and the Downpatrick Youth Movement have taken over the former premises of Murphy Jewellers in Irish Street which they hope to open as a youth club for all teenagers in the town.
During the week Youth Movement members have been repairing and decorating the building which they hope will be ready for an official opening in several weeks. It is hoped that the new youth club will consist of a coffee lounge with piped music, a billiards and table tennis room, a darts room, television room and a special handicraft room.
At Thursday night’s council meeting, the chairman, Mr. Edward McGrady, expressed his delight over both organisations coming together for the good of the young people in the town and wished them every success in their venture.
SHRIGLEY — Dr. John Coggins, new manager of the Atlantic Tanning Co., Ltd., Shrigley, told the Recorder this week: “We are optimistic, we are going to make a good go of it.”
Atlantic was set up a few years ago as a hide leather factory, using mainly bovine materials. United Chrometanners, whose factory adjoins, has a substantial shareholding in Atlantic.
Dr. Coggins added: “We have our ideas about where we are going,” he said. “We intend to increase production, which will involve increased employment.
DUNDRUM — Dundrum’s new £50,000 primary school was officially opened on Sunday last, almost 90 years after the first primary school was built in the village in 1883. Concelebrated Mass was offered in the Sacred Heart Church at which the celebrant was Fr. Bernard McLaverty, P.P. He was assisted by Fr. G. McKinstry, C.C., Newcastle, and Fr. J. Brannigan, of the Missionary Order. The sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. J. Maguire, Drumaroad.
After Mass there was a procession from the church to the new school where Fr. McLaverty led the blessings. Mr. Jarlath Carey, headmaster of the new school, attended the ceremonies with his staff, Miss M. Lundy, Dundrum, Miss D. Halpin, Downpatrick, and Miss K. Hanna, Downpatrick.
The new school, which for the present will be known simply as Dundrum New Primary School, opened its doors last week and has an enrolment figure of just over one hundred pupils.
BALLYNAHINCH — More than 150 angry farmers from the Ballynahinch area have joined the province-wide chorus whose demands for Government aid to counter soaring production costs will be put the Minister of State, Mr. Peter Mills, in Belfast today.
From the discussion in Ballynahinch Technical College on Tuesday night the situation locally is anything but rosy. Not one hand went up when people were asked how many intended to increase production in the near future. The feeling was that while most will try to hold firm, a considerable number will cut back.
The Ballynahinch farmers were anxious that the Government should be asked to arrange for bridging loans at reduced cost to enable farmers to cover financial problems.
ARDGLASS — The untreated sewage flowing into the sea at Ardglass, which was highlighted recently in the Recorder, is to be investigated by consulting engineers to East Down Rural Council. In his monthly report to the council on Monday night, Mr. Frank Nixon, public health officer, stressed that Ardglass was the last place in the entire area which did not have an adequate sewage treatment system.
“As far as public health is concerned, we cannot condone raw sewage being discharged into the sea,” he said.
CASTLEWELLAN — It looks as through the Castlewellan farmers fighting council water rate bills will have their case taken to court after all. In a sudden, though not wholly unexpected, turnaround, East Down Rural Council voted on Monday night to reject the compromise solution suggested by the Commissioner of Complaints.
Councillors, worried by the possibility of a surcharge on the amount they may have had to hand back, decided not to accept the deal. They had originally told the farmers they would accept any decision made by the commissioner, but after a meeting with him last month they had asked for a compromise solution to be drawn up for their consideration.
RAFFREY — Raffrey Presbyterian Church’s annual flower show and sale at Saturday was as big a success in every way as those of previous years. The sale was opened by Mrs. R. J. Magee, from First Saintfield, who was introduced by the Rev. J. Carson.
A vote of thanks to all who helped in any way was proposed by Mr. E. Burgess, clerk of session, and seconded by Mr. R. Morrison, treasurer. Miss Jacqueline Wells presented a gift to Mrs. Magee. Wellington Memorial Silver Band led the fancy dress parade which was organised by Mrs. E. Kenmore. The door stewards were Mr. J. Cleland and Mr. F. MacFarlane.
NEWCASTLE — Almost 100 scouters attended the county scouting conference in the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle, last weekend. Mr. W. J. Neill, Assistant County Commissioner, officially opened the conference and welcomed the scouters.
On Sunday morning the scouters the morning service at Newcastle Presbyterian Church which was conducted by the Rev. S. R. L. Fullerton. Later, at a ceremony in the hotel, the County Commissioner presented the County Scout Challenge Flag to Killyleagh Parish Troop.
SEAFORDE — Seaforde Young Farmers’ Club couldn’t have asked for a better day for their Harvest Jamboree on Saturday when sunshine and a village fete atmosphere combined to spell success for the venture. It was opened by Mrs. J. Willis, of The Hill, Drumaness, who complimented the members on the hard work which had obviously been put into the organisation of the event. The Harvest Fling that night was to music by Electric Express and the Harvest Queen, Miss Joan Kilgannon, was chosen.
KILLINCHY — Crossgar Assemblyman, Mr. Cecil Harvey, conducted the election of office-bearers at the annual meeting of the Killinchy branch of the Vanguard Unionist Party. Mr. S. Allen was appointed chairman and Mr. J. Cleland vice-chairman.
KILKEEL — A World War 2 mine picked up by a Kilkeel trawler a few days ago was the second to have been ‘fished’ in the Irish Sea within a week. The trawler Shernerich, owned and skippered by Mr. David Wilson, of Kilkeel, netted the mine some miles out and brought it to a safe point off the harbour. It was blown up in deep water by a naval mine disposal squad. Last week a 500lb mine was picked up by a trawler and exploded off Ardglass.
COMBER — VG have brought supermarket shopping to Comber. A 1,600 sq. ft. self-service establishment has just been opened at Castle Street. The manager is Mr. Derek Robinson, who has wide experience in this field and his assistant is Mr. Thomas Stewart.
They have a staff of eight to help the buying public. Friday will be the late shopping night.
NEW ZEALAND — The Recorder may be a local newspaper, but that hasn’t prevented copies from being sent all over the world, as Downpatrick Lions Club found out this week. They received greetings from a former Downpatrick man, Mr. J. R. Lennon, now living in Te Aroha, New Zealand.
He is a past president of his local Lions Club and when he saw the report of the Downpatrick club’s charter presentation at a dinner in Newcastle recently he decided that the two should get to know each other. He has sent pennants and copies or their news sheet and other information regarding the club and now the Downpatrick club are in the process of repaying the compliment.