From the pages of the Down Recorder, September 7, 1976

From the pages of the Down Recorder, September 7, 1976

7 September 2016

NEWCASTLE — The Tourist Board have hit back strongly at allegations that they have neglected interests in and around Newcastle over the past few years.

In a letter to the Recorder this week they included details of recent tourist development schemes in the Newcastle area, including major developments to Donard Park and Castle park, new facilities on Central Promenade, plus the creation of several major car parks and road improvements.

“In addition a £300,000 scheme for a tourist recreation and leisure centre at Annesley Mansions has been recommended by the Board and is currently the subject of a feasibility study by the Department of Commerce,” the letter states.

“The Board has been glad to recommend a high level of expenditure on these schemes since such improvements to leisure amenities will undoubtedly increase the resort’s ability to attract both holidaymakers and investment to the tourist industry.”

The letter adds: “It should not be forgotten also that many hotels in the Newcastle area have been in receipt of considerable financial aid under the Hotels Grants Scheme.”

An allegation that the town was not always included in the Board’s marketing programme was also refuted.

DOWNPATRICK — Down councillors have thrown their weight behind the campaign to save Downpatrick’s racecourse from closure, but how far they are prepared to go is as yet undecided.

There is talk that money could be made available as sponsorship, although at the moment no-one is prepared to commit the council to spending it.

Councillors must tread carefully. Downpatrick Race Club, as a private enterprise, cannot be bailed out by a public body using public funds and it could well be that financial help from the council will only be considered as a last resort.

For the moment their support will be vocal rather than financial. At a meeting this week they decided to urge the Department of Agriculture to maintain its grant for the course.

The plea for help was put forward by the council chairman, Mr Eddie McGrady, who referred to the racecourse problem as a “rather sad position.” He said the course had become part of the way of life in the area.

SAINTFIELD — Large crowds came to Saintfield at the weekend for celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary if the rebuilding of the parish church. The vicar, the Rev Norman Woodrow, later described the bicentenary as “an outstanding success.”

Events held over the three days, from Friday to Sunday, included a flower festival in the church and an exhibition in the parish hall. Saintfield’s old railway station, which is considered to be the best best preserved in the province, was opened to the public.

On display along with the flowers was some of the church silver and a ‘beggar badge’ which was issued by the church entitling people to beg in the parish.

Another fascinating item was the key to the house of Hugh McKee, who took part in the Battle of Saintfield in 1978 and as a punishment he was burned to death in his own house along with his wife and nine children.

There was also a display of the work done by the parish Sunday School, which raised £220 for relief work in Bangladesh, and Academy Primary School had a display featuring the Market Hosue in Saintfield. This exhibit won them fourth prize in a competition connected with European Heritage Year.

An estimated 1,600 people from all over Northern Ireland visited Saintfield over the three days.

BALLYNAHINCH — Police ‘no parking’ signs have been placed on one side of Lisburn Street in Ballynahinch as an effort to beat traffic problems.

The problems of the area were highlighted several months ago by Councillor Winston Gaskin, who urged that action be taken before a life was lost.

He claimed that cars parked on both sides of the street were a hazard and pointed out that the situation was complicated by motorists speeding along the road on their way to and from the town. His solution to the problem was to place double yellow lines on the carriageway.

Within the last fortnight Mr Gaskin and Sergeant Noel Gibson of the Ballynahinch police have met with police Traffic Branch to put their case.

The Traffic Branch suggested that the signs be placed along the road for an experimental period to study where motorists can park their cars.

CROSSGAR — Middle-of-the-night vandals armed with a saw cut down a rather special tree in Crossgar. In the early hours of Tuesday morning someone sawed down the lone hawthorn tree which stood at the edge of a building site at Lislea Drive.

Only last week the tree was featured in the Recorder because it was rumoured to be a ‘fairy thorn,’ a tree which brings disaster on anyone who cuts it down. Workmen on the site said they would not cut it down.

The reaction the next day from both residents and workmen was “they must have had little better to do.” All were surprised and annoyed at what had happened. The tree is lying on the ground where it fell and the workmen say they are not going to move it.

DUNDRUM — Several hundred people attended a farewell concert in honour of Miss Margaret McDonald in the Bay Inn, Dundrum, at the weekend.

Miss McDonald was born in Yorkshire and came to Dundrum to ‘retire’ in 1970, but soon became actively involved in many community activities. She was a very capable secretary of Dundrum Development Committee and assisted numerous other groups, including the Tenants’ Association and Dundrum Football Club.

Her remarkable energy and talents were freely given to a number of charitable organisations which include the Ulster Cancer Foundation and St Vincent de Paul. She also helped organise the annual children’s Christmas party and senior citizens’ outings.

Mr Seamus McGlennon presented Miss McDonald with a handsome silver tray as a token of appreciation from the people of Dundrum.

KILLINCHY — The Newcastle lifeboat will pay a visit to the Safety Afloat competition at Ballydorn Anchorage, near Killinchy, on Saturday. The lifeboat’s visit will be one of the highlights of the competition, now in its second year.

While at Ballydorn, the hon secretary of the Newcastle station, Captain the Earl of Roden, RN, will give a commentary of the vessel and its rescue gear. The competition is organised and sponsored by Down Cruising Club and British Airways.

MAGHERA — The new branch of the Riding for the Disabled Association in Downpatrick got underway yesterday at Newcastle Riding School, Maghera.

Ten children from Downpatrick Special Care School took part and one of the group’s leaders stressed that they will benefit both mentally and physically from this type of activity.

The idea was first mooted publicly after an event at Comber two months ago organised by the association. Already more than 20 helpers have agreed to help the new group which aims to provide facilities for riding for all disabled people.

The Riding for the Disabled Association was formed in 1966 with 14 member groups after the idea had originated in Scandinavia.

PORTAFERRY — Portaferry Camera Club are on the look-out for new members and are inviting all amateur photographers to spend two evenings a month with them this season to improve techniques. The club start their new season on Monday night in the Market House when Mr P Magennis will give a lecture on slide making.

GLASTRY— Colin Gilmore, lead singer with one of Ireland’s leading showbands, Colm and the Sundowners, was married recently to Miss Una Kelly, of Strawmore, Draperstown. He is the son of the late Mr and Mrs David Gilmore, from Glastry, Kircubbin.