From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 27, 1971

From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 27, 1971

27 May 2015

NEWCASTLE — Newcastle guest house owners this week strongly criticised the new grading system introduced by the Tourist Board. With only one grade A residence in the town, landladies think that too much is asked of owners to make their properties meet the stringent requirements laid down by the Board.

Mrs S. Hamilton was informed that to obtain the top grade for her Sunnyvale guest house she would have to install central heating. “Who wants central heating in the middle of the sumner?” was her puzzled reply.

A separate bathroom for staff is another requirement which Mrs D. Priestley, owner of Arundel, thinks in unnecessary. “This is the reason my place has been B graded, yet my staff are mainly part time and go home at night.”

The landladies were also upset about the methods of food appraisal. “How do they know if the food is good or not when they don’t taste it?” they said.

DOWNPATRICK — Mr Edward K. McGrady was re-elected chairman of Downpatrick Urban Council at the annual meeting last week.

Mr Cathal O’Hare who made the nomination, said Mr. McGrady had filled a difficult position extremely well. Mr Wilfred McLaughlin seconded the proposal and Mr Maurice Hayes associated himself with the remarks.

Mr McGrady thanked the members for the courtesies extended to him over the past year, adding that they, more than anything else, had made for the council’s smooth running during the last term.

KILLYLEAGH — Staff members of the Co. Down Sailing Centre at Killyleagh were the first to arrive at the entrance to Strangford Lough in response to a fishing vessel’s radio call for help. The vessel was coming into the lough when its tow, a 2,000 gallon tank, got out of control in the swirling tide, resulting in the vessel going aground on reefs just inside the tip of the Ards peninsula.

The master’s urgent signal was heard by Portpatrick radio station in Scotland, which called out Portavogie Lifeboat, and by the sailing centre’s chief instructor, Mr Roger Rickard. Mr Rickard and Mr Gordon Bennett, bosun at the centre, dashed across the lough in Killyleagh Yacht Club’s new rescue launch and were at hand before the arrival of the lifeboat.

The fishing vessel, Carol Anne, from Donaghadee, was refloated on the next tide after firemen from Portaferry had pumped out water which had leaked in. She made her own way to Portaferry later and was understood to be towing two 2,000 gallon tanks to Scotland.

BALLYNAHINCH — The Rev. Thomas Gordon, who has been minister of Ballynahinch Congregational Church for the past four years, has accepted an unanimous call from Helensburgh Congregational Church in Scotland. His induction will take place in July.

ARDGLASS — The programme for this year’s Ardglass Festival, which will provide something for everyone was finalised this week. One feature which will be widely welcomed is a flower show, organised by Major J. Colgan, who has hopes that from it will spring a gardening club for Ardglass.

The angling congest will take place on three days with a prize for each day. The biggest fish win the prize, with one provision, conger eels will not count. There will also be a prize for the smallest fish.

Another new feature is a dog race. There will also be an art competition, a farmers’ night, a ladies’ football match and a fancy dress parade which opens the festival on Saturday, July 17. The festival will finish with a regatta, though not of the yacht kind. The committee has in mind a number of unorthodox events, such as a barrel race and perhaps a duck derby on water.

The committee has still to decide whether or not to hold a bonny baby contest. If a neutral judge with a fast car can be coaxed into presiding, the event will definitely take place.

CLOUGH — Mr James T. Rea, of Craigduff, Clough, has been appointed chairman of Downpatrick Hospitals Management Committee. He succeeds Mr M. B. McGrady, who has had to relinquish the post after five years’ tenure because of his appointment as vice-chairman of the Hospitals Authority, of whose finance committee he is chairman.

Mr Rea was deputy president of Singapore City Council from 1952 to 1955 and president for the next three years until his retirement. On returning home in 1958 he was invogted to become a member of the Northern Ireland Housing Trust. He is closely involved with the activities of Seaforde Young Farmers’ Club.

CASTLEWELLAN — The first Ulster Forestry Show will be held in Castlewellan Forest Park on Saturday, June 5, when there will be something for all interested in the countryside. The event will be attended by the Governor of Northern Ireland who will present the prizes for the various competitions and by the Duke of Abercorn, the show’s president.

The main attraction will be a spectacular free-fall parachute display by the Parachuting All-Stars, an internationally known civilian team from England. Forestry competitions will be held during the day in tree felling and other forestry skills.  These will provide an interesting spectacle and there will also be demonstrations of clay pigeon shooting, forest fire fighting competitions and model aeroplane flying displays by the international team who will represent Ireland in the world championships later this year.

KILLOUGH — Thirty-one dwellings at the Charles Shiels Institution in Killough are to be provided with bathroom accommodation. Various other renovations will be attended to, including work in the kitchens and electrical re-wiring.

Two years ago, a garden party was held in Killough to mark the centenary of the Charles Shiels charity and to honour the memory of a poor local who became a wealthy 19th century merchant and philanthropist and in later years earned himself the title of the ‘poor man’s friend.’

SAINTFIELD — The Saintfield YFC and District Agricultural Show, to be held at Saintfield Demesne on Saturday, June 19, will be bigger and brighter than ever before.

The outstanding spectacle of the parade and probably the whole agricultural section is the competition for the best turnout of horse and cart.

DUNDRUM — Work is expected to begin soon on a new £40,000 Roman Catholic voluntary school in Dundrum, which will cater for about 130 schoolchildren from the village and Seaforde and Clough. It will be situated at the rear of the parochial house in which a class is presently held to alleviate crowding at the 81 year-old building.

SPA — Almost £100 was realised at a garden fete held on Saturday last at Echo Hall, Spa, the home of Mr and Mrs John B. Johnston. The money will go swards the Ballynahinch Project Life Saver Fund, which has a target of £10,000 to help finance the building of a swimming pool in the town.

BRIGHT — Over 200 people from the parish of Bright braved the elements on Sunday afternoon to attend an open-air Mass at Quoniamstown Mass Rock on the farm of Mr John Magee. Three priests, the Revs. Sean Rogan, Hugh Starkey and John Hanna, who are natives of the parish, were present in addition to Fr. S. O’Neill, parish priest, and Fr. G. McLaverty, curate at Legamaddy. Musical items were rendered by Killough accordeon band.

BALLEE — Ballee Non-Subscribing Presbyerian Church celebrated its 200th anniversary on Sunday at a special service conducted by the minister, the Rev. G. R. Buckley. ure readings were given by Mr David Chambers and Mr David McKeown.

Mr William Chambers made a presentation of a candelabra and silver salver to Mr Harold Caven to mark 37 years’ service as honorary secretary of the congregation and paid tribute to his work and worth.