From the pages of the Down Recorder, December 19, 2001

From the pages of the Down Recorder, December 19, 2001

15 December 2021

DOWNPATRICK — The Downe Hospital this week suffered a two-pronged blow which emphasises the fragile nature of local health services.

On Monday, the Down Lisburn Trust cut over one third of the hospital’s surgical beds, a move which has been deplored by medical staff at the Downe.

Just a few hours later, a serious flood forced the evacuation of patients from the coronary care unit, confirming the crumbling nature of the 200 year-old building.

The two events are likely to put pressure on Health Minister Bairbre de Rum, who is to meet a delegation from the Downe early in the New Year.

The closure of ten surgical beds is causing major alarm and, in an unprecedented move, senior medical staff at the Downe issued a statement criticising the Trust’s decision.

Medical staff say the decision to close the beds was not fully discussed with them and have made it clear they cannot approve of any reduction in what they have described as an already diminished service.

“The medical staff at the Downe Hospital deplore the recent action of the management in suspending elective surgery at the hospital,” said the statement.

“It is proposed that ten beds, out of a total of 28 beds which are available for both surgery and gynaecology are to be closed, supposedly on a temporary  basis until January 20.”

“We appreciate that until this financial year the Trust has been the only one to remain within budget and praise them for this,” they said.

SAINTFIELD – The repercussions of the September 11 terrorist attacks in America have dealt a Christmas blow to workers of a Saintfield factory.

Forty five members of staff from Saintfield Yarns are set to lose their jobs as part of a major cost cutting exercise announced by management late last week.

Redundancies are expected to affect all departments within the factory, which employees 180 people, but will principally hit the team of night shift operators.

Saintfield Yarns announced the cutbacks late last week, confirming that the redundancies were necessary because of a culmination of circumstances outside the factory’s control. 

Company director, Mr Philip Sandford, said the market served by Saintield Yarns had been “decimated” since September 11 with one of their biggest customers announcing its closure in recent weeks.

KILLOUGH – A Downpatrick firm has this week unveiled details of a major investment plan which is set to double its workforce.

MacNabb Brothers, which specialises in waste management, agricultural contracting and metal fabrication, has purchased the former Killough 

Brickworks site, and hopes to create up to 20 new jobs.

The local firm, which is currently based at Ballystrew on the outskirts of Downpatrick, is to relocate the entire business to the Killough site which was recently used as a lorry park by Quinn Transport.

Some preparatory work is currently underway in Killough and the company hopes that all of the businesses will move to the brickworks site early in the New Year.

Mr Dermot MacNabb said the company looked at a number of possible sites before plumping for Killough which boasts a large covered area and expansive parking for vehicles.

He explained that due to the success of the various aspects of the family business it had become necessary to move to larger premises to facilitate the continued investment and expansion of the local firm and create new opportunities for the rural area.

BALLYNAHINCH – Nationalists and loyalists have once again clashed in Ballynahinch during more sectarian trouble.

The latest incident came as loyalists returned to the market town after attending a band parade.

Police say a number of bandsmen were involved in what they have described as some “argy bargy” with officials being verbally abused. 

A crowd of nationalists then approached from the Windmill Street area and after several bottles were thrown, they were involved in a number of minor disturbances, with both factions trading insults.

Eventually, after being spoken to by police, nationalists were persuaded to make their way back down Windmill Street.

Police remained on duty in Ballynahinch until after 1.30am and as some loyalists were leaving the bar, they shouted abuse at several officers.

In the wake of the latest sectarian incident in Ballynahinch, Chief Inspector Geoffrey Gamble said once again police officers were caught in the middle between rival actions.

“Unfortunately, this is happening all too often in Ballynahinch,” he said.

ARDGLASS – An Ardglass man who has been at the heart of the village’s fishing industry for over 20 years, is hoping that he will this morning be given permission to destroy two of his trawlers.

Mr Basil Wills is one of 11 local men hoping that their applications to give up their boats will be accepted as part of a £5m decommissioning programme funded by the European Commission.

Applications from 11 Ardglass fishermen are among dozens being examined by the fisheries section of the Department of Agriculture.

The decommissioning programme has been drawn up to entice a number of fishermen to quit 

the flailing industry. The white fish and prawn market has been his particularly hard by recent cuts in quotas, pushing many local fishermen to seek a way out.

Department officials had been expected to announce which boats would go on Thursday, but their announcement has been delayed and is now expected at some time today.

Mr Wills hopes that he will be given permission to destroy two of his trawlers as part of the decommissioning scheme.

He said the industry has gone badly downhill over the past two years, leaving fishermen with little choice but to opt for an alternative job. 

“In the earlier years there would have been five-strong crews on each of my boats but it has become  increasingly difficult to find crews in recent time,” he said.

SAUL – Staff at St Patrick’s Primary School in Saul have their fingers crossed as the Education Minister prepares to announce his funding decisions for the next financial year.

The school, which caters for 129 children, operates mainly from mobile buildings and has only one permanent classroom within its grounds.

Hopes are therefore high that the rural primary will feature on Mr Martin McGuinness’ list of schools which will be granted a new building in 2002.

In spite of the accommodation difficulties faced by staff and pupils St Patrick’s has been highly praised in a recent inspection report for its high education standards.

The report, which was recently issued by the Department of Education, follows an investigation into the information and technology provision, mathematics and the pastoral care arrangements of the school.

Opening with praise for the welcoming and friendly atmosphere of St Patrick’s, the document highlights the good team spirit among staff and their commitment 

to the children’s well-being.

School principal, Miss Catherine Sharvin, was noted for her “thoughtful and effective leadership,” while vice-principal Mrs Susan Sealey, was described as a good support to Miss Sharvin.