From the pages of the Down Recorder, September 19, 1972

From the pages of the Down Recorder, September 19, 1972

19 September 2012

DOWNPATRICK — Martin Carson, a 21 year-old civil servant, from Downpatrick, has just returned from his holiday of a lifetime. He has been to the Olympic Games in Munich and his journey there and back has taken him on a marathon hitch-hike of over 2,000 miles across six countries.

“I was away for 30 days and was fortunate in being able to spend 16 days in Munich,” he said. “I hitch-hiked through England, France, Belgium, Austria, Germany and even in Ireland, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

“The idea of attending the Olympic Games is something I had thought about since they were held in Mexico. So when they were scheduled for Munich I decided I had to go.

“I was fortunate in having a friend on the Irish boxing team. And I was able to see Mary Peters competing in her different pentathlon events.”

KILLINCHY — The motive of the kidnapping of Belfast company director, Mr. Patrick Mackie, of Killinchy, still remains a mystery. But one theory is that the 42 year-old member of Mackie’s Foundry was mistaken for someone else.

Mr. Mackie, whose home is at Mahee Island, was captured by four armed men in the Falls area of the city on Tuesday morning. He was released unharmed eight hours later. While Mr. Mackie was held captive he joined the kidnappers in a game of bridge.

STRANGFORD — In a fortnight’s time the Strangford Ferry will be taken to Belfast for its annual refit. It will be out of service for three weeks — and thousands of people who depend upon its reliability will have their travel schedules upset. Officials of the Ministry of Development met a County Council deputation on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of making a second ferry available. The cost in round figures would be £20,00.

NEWCASTLE — Novelist Martin Waddell, who grew up in Newcastle, will be talking about his life and work in BBC Radio 4’s ‘Speaking Personally’ tomorrow. Mr. Waddell, author of four books about his creation Otley, the spy — one of which was made into a successful film — has said that he comes from a family of eccentrics and churchmen. Some of them were good writers, but Martin confesses to a great great uncle who wrote 16 volumes on his religious experiences which no other Waddell ever opened.

CROSSGAR — A Crossgar policeman was taken to Downe Hospital at midnight on Saturday after he had been struck by a Mini car. Constable Gerald Smyth was on duty at the Crossgar-Saintfield road when the accident happened. He sustained head injuries and was kept in hospital until Tuesday for observation.

CASTLEWELLAN — Two vehicles were extensively damaged in a collision on the Banbridge Road, Castlewellan, on Friday night. But both drivers sustained only slight injuries.

RAHOLP — At the Slaney Inn, Raholp, on Friday night members and friends of the Downe Drama Club held their first social occasion of the new season. This was a break from rehearsals of the first play of the year, Paul Twyning, by George Shiels, which is already well under way and in the capable hands of Dennis McDaid.

Other projects lined up are The Lovers, by Brian Friel, which will be produced by Michael Hamil; Sam Hanna Bell’s That Woman From Rathard, produced by P. J. Lennon; and Many Young Men of Twenty, produced by Maureen Rice. It is worth noting the enthusiasm which abounds within the club. Recently four members attended a drama course at Gormanstown. Mary McKeating, Michael Hamil, Jim Tumelty and Dennis McDaid all agreed that it was well worthwhile and most enjoyable.

BALLYNAHINCH — The annual meeting of St. Patrick’s Bowling Club, Ballynahinch, was held on Sunday when the following officers were elected: president, Very Rev. Canon McMullan; chairman, Fr. L. Boyle, vice-chairman, Mr. A. Gilgunn; sec/treas, Mr. W. Gilkinson; match sec., Mr. P. Rice. Formed in 1971, the club now has two dozen members who meet on Wednesday and Friday nights. The membership fee is £1, but children accompanied by adults are admitted free. When the club was formed Mr. Peter McCreanor donated a mat and underfelt. The Downpatrick club kindly lent another mat and recently an anonymous donor presented the club with another mat.

SAINTFIELD — A Saintfield man, Samuel J. Cusack, of Lisban Road, was injured in an accident on Wednesday while riding his motorcycle. He received attention from a local doctor before being taken to hospital.

CARRYDUFF — The Church of Ireland registrar for Down and Dromore, the Rev. J. H. R. Good, has been appointed rector for the grouped parishes of Killaney and Carryduff. The appointment was made at a meeting of the board of nomination in the diocesan rooms in Belfast, the Bishop of Down and Dromore, Dr. George Quin, presiding.

KILLYLEAGH — The annual meeting of Killyleagh Women’s Institute was held in the Lecture Hall last Thursday, Mesdames McBriar, McBride and Ewart acting as tellers. Committee and office bearers elected for the coming session include: Mrs. M. Gibson, chairman; Mrs. McNiece, vice-chairman; Mrs. E. Lennon, secretary; Miss I. Bain, treasurer; and Mrs. Carruthers, Mrs. Cranston, Mrs. Ferguson, Mrs. I. Minnis, Mrs. Simpson, Miss B. Stevenson, Mrs. H. Walkingshaw and Mrs. Watt.

SPA — A Morris 1100 owned by Mr. William Carruthers, of Spa, was stolen from his home on Sunday night. Ballynahinch police later recovered the vehicle and a man is now assisting inquiries.