From the pages of the Down Recorder, June 3, 1992

From the pages of the Down Recorder, June 3, 1992

1 June 2022

DOWNPATRICK — The local economy has been dealt another body blow with the announcement that one of the area’s largest employers is to shed almost a third of its workforce.

The Downpatrick textiles firm of Ollard Westcombe Ltd has announced that approximately 30 jobs are to go at its Bridge Street factory in which it describes as a “consolidation move”.

The lay-offs will be phased over the next two to three months, although most will take place at the end of this month.

The company, which manufactures webbing, canvas and related products, says it has been forced to take the action as a result of a downturn in the market.

A company spokesman said no workers have been laid off as yet. Most of the redundancies will be on the shop floor, reducing the overall workforce to around 70.

The spokesman said: “Due to a decrease in demand for the company’s products, there is an absolute need to reduce the size of our workforce which has made it inevitable that redundancies will be created.”

He continued: “We would emphasise, however, we are extremely confident that with this consolidation the future of the company is sound.

“All efforts are being made by the company to assist those involved to find alternative employment as fas was possible.”

KILLOUGH — A call has been made this week for preservation of an important environmental area at Killough.

The SDLP’s Mr Malachi Curran is pressing to the Strand Lough protected and developed as a nature reserve and an amenity park.

Mr Curran said he will be raising the matter at a meeting of Down District Council.

“I would like to see the council acquire the lough. The owner is willing to sell and the Department of Agriculture has indicated to me an interest in carrying out a scheme there,” explained Mr Curran.

“I would like to see what is there, particularly the reed beds, preserved as a nature reserve. A picnic area with car parking for 20 cars could be provided by the Department.

“The lough should be stocked with trout with protection of the natural habitats of the lough. I would also like to see walks on the lough shores.”

Mr Curran, the chairman of the Down Economic Development Agency, said such a provision would make “a major contribution” in assisting of tourism in Lecale.

“This would be a major facility on the Locale coast and the first type of provision by the council of this type of nature reserve,” added Mr Curran.

DOWNPATRICK — A new warning has been issued this week about the threat to Downpatrick’s maternity and emergency hospital facilities.

It comes from Mr Raymond Blaney, chairman of the local trades union co-ordinating committee, and follows an application on Friday for self-governing trust management status for the hospitals.

Spelling out his fears to Downpatrick Chamber of Commerce, Mr  Blaney warned: “Don’t let confusion about trust status fool anyone about the insidious threats it contains for Downpatrick hospitals.”

Mr Blaney viewed trust status as setting up the machinery for charging economic prices for the services offered.

And he added: “If the costs of maintaining a unit were to exceed the revenue, the unit will be closed.”

He said that the reconstituted Eastern Health and Social Services Board, which is now without representation of trades unions or local councillors,” don’t know the extent of the headaches that are on the way.”

Describing the move towards self-governing trust statuses a leap in the dark, he said that unlike the situation in England, a much wider range of health care services than those offered by the hospitals would be reviewed by the new pattern of management.

KILKEEL — Cranfield beach near Kilkeel has won a prestigious Seaside Award in recognition of its clean bathing waters and foreshore.

Cranfield was the only beach in County Down and one of just two in the whole province to earn the award, which is presented by the Tidy Britain Group. None of the beaches in Down District was entered for the award.

The Seaside Award is a new accolade for beaches which meet the highest standards in the European Community. The judges awarded the distinctive blue and yellow flag to Cranfield after ruling that it is a “clean and well cared for beach”, where much attention is being paid to safety.

BALLYKINLAR — Residents of a Ballykinlar housing estate have protected over the implementation of a renovation scheme.

The tenants at the village’s Marian Park estate have called in South Down MP, Mr Eddie McGrady, to help win their case.

The SDLP MP has been presented with a petition by the residents. He has passed it on to Housing Executive chiefs.

“The residents are deeply concerned that their houses will be reduced from a three bedroom family house as a result of the renovation programme. I would urge the Executive to review and reverse this decision at the earliest opportunity,” said Mr McGrady.

NEWCASTLE — A young Newcastle girl has won first prize in a major UK science competition.

Catherine Donnelly, a lower sixth pupil at the Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch, was last week named as the winner of the Daily Telegraph Young Science Writer of the Year Award.

Catherine wrote an article on research currently being undertaken at the Department of Agriculture micro-biology research division in Belfast. 

Entitled ‘Love and Lets Dye’, her article recorded the work of Dr Martin Collins and his team which is looking into the production of commercial quantities of nature food colourants from fungus.

Her achievement is all the more notable as her entry was in the 16-21 age group which attracted entire from university students, including some form Oxford and Cambridge.

CROSSGAR — A new £250,000 technology block is to be constructed at St Colmcille’s High School, Crossgar.

The development, which has been on the cards for some time, will mean the construction of a purpose-built block containing a planning area, systems room and manufacturing room.

The construction of the new block is part of the Government’s commitment to increased provision for information technology which was included in the recent education reforms.

St Colmcille’s headmaster, Mr Colm Hanna, said the technology block will be a big boost for the school.

KILLYLEAGH — Alan Morrison, Down District’s top motocross star, and former Irish champ, will not be completing in the most prestigious event in Ireland this season.

Morrison, the gifted Killyleagh rider, will shun the Killinchy World meeting on June 27th, as his dispute with the Motorcycle Union of Ireland rages on.

Alan told the Recorder he’s definitely not taking part in the big international meeting.

“I can’t go back before the end of the suspension date. To do so would be admitting guilt. I didn’t do anything.”

Alan, who was suspended by the Union along with Paul Chambers and Philip Neill, following incidents which took place at an Irish championship meeting in Goreanstown last year, refuses to re-apply for his licence.

The Union has indicated that Alan can have his licence after he was initially suspended for six months. But Morrison, who argues that he shouldn’t have been suspended in the first place, is waiting until the day of his suspension has expired.

“I’ll race just as soon as the date of the suspension comes around and not before,” says Alan.

He admits that this season has passed him by and his self-imposed exile has cost him. “Killinchy is a marvellous meeting. I’ve been there over the past five or six years and it’s great to be competing in front of local fans.”

“But I won’t be in this year. It’s bound to be a great occasion, it always is, and with the feature being the 250cc World championship round, I’m sure record crowds will attend.”