From the pages of the Down Recorder May 6 1971

From the pages of the Down Recorder May 6 1971

6 May 2015

BALLYNAHINCH — Organisers of Ballynahinch Civic Week, which starts on Saturday, are hoping that the recent spell of sunshine continues as it will guarantee and biggest and best event to date.

The industrious committee have been working flat out in recent months to bring interesting entertainment which will appear to all sections of the community. They have done their part and now it is up to the citizens to support the functions in order to make them successful. A copy of the programme is printed in this issue — cut it out and mark all the functions you will to attend. Free programmes are also available at the Civic Week office in High Street.

Discos will be run every day in the marquee for the young and at the dance in the marquee on Monday UTV personality Leslie Dawes will help select the Civic Week Queen. Brian Moore, front man of ITV’s On the Ball and London Weekend Television’s  The Big Match will present the trophies to the winners of the civic week penalty prize competition.

DOWNPATRICK — Downpatrick’s Lower Market Street, which since the passing of the railway some twenty years ago has been considered an eyesore, will probably become the most attractive area in the town within the next year or so. Plans for a new bus terminus and garage, submitted by Ulsterbus, were approved by the local Urban Council on Monday night and a report from the County Planning Officer regarding the development of the area offers hope of a shopping centre nearby.

DUNDRUM — Hardly a building in Dundrum’s Main Street escaped criticism when Mr. Charles Brett, chairman of the Ulster Archaeological Heritage Society, gave his report on what could be done to improve the attractiveness of the village.

Speaking at Tuesday night’s meeting of Dundrum Development Committee, at whose invitation Mr,. Brett carried out the survey, he said Dundrum was an attractive village in rather a dreary state and in need of a face lift.

“There is a lot of evidence that if a town looks attractive in Northern Ireland it will attract visitors,” he said. “There is a strong case for improvement here.”

He stressed that he had been invited by the committee to make the survey and was an impartial outsider. “I’m not connected with any Government department, nor am I a ministry inspector. I only wish to inform you of the impression that your Main Street gives a visitor and what might be done to improve its appearance,” he told an audience of over 100.

NEWCASTLE — Newcastle Urban Council have been so annoyed by advice and criticism offered by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board that they are to write to the Board’s chairman expressing their displeasure.

The Board wrote that tourist development schemes for Castle Park and the re-training of the Shimna river has been recommended to the Ministry of Commerce for the payment of grant subject to the costs being defined by experts.

Pointing out that the council was probably aware of the downward trend in the number of bedrooms available for overnight visitors, the Board hoped that this major scheme would revive the resort and encourage re-investment in quality accommodation as estimates suggested that something in the region of 200 more bedrooms would be required within the next five years.

KILLYLEAGH — When Michael Fitzsimons sets out from Killyleagh on July 24 for his historic trip to the world scout jamboree in Japan, he will, without doubt, be the youngest person from the town to go to the Orient.

He will travel to London with the rest of the Northern Ireland contingent of 10 and join the United Kingdom contingent of approximately 480. They will fly via the polar route to arrive in Tokyo on July 27. Michael will receive hospitality from a Japanese family for a few days after the jamboree and he is sure to come home with many stories of adventure — and lots of films too as he has just bought a new camera.

However, all this adventure costs money and already there are arrangements being made to help with the expenses. The first event towards the funds will be held at Killyleagh Castle on May 14 when the band of the Black Watch will travel from Armagh to beat retreat. This event is by very kind permission of Lt.-Col. D. A. Rowan-Hamilton who, in his usual public spirited way, is tangibly honouring the boy from Killyleagh who will presented this part of Co. Down in Japan. Admission is 10p for adults and 5p for children.

A special parade service will be held in Killyleagh Parish Church on June 6 when the preacher will be the Rev. J. C. Pedlow, minister of Downpatrick Presbyterian Church and chairman of Downpatrick Scout Council.

KILLINCHY — Three members of Killinchy Young Farmers’ club were successful at the area stock judging competition at the Ballydian farm of Mr. Jim Kirk and now progress to the finals to next month. They are Philip Campbell (18-21 years group), William Robert Neill (21-25) and Martin Baxter (21-25).

CROSSGAR — The War Memorial Hall, Crossgar, was a hive of activity on Thursday of last week when a bring and buy sale organised by members of the Women’s League in connection with Rademon Non-Subscribing congregation realised over £250 for the manse repair fund. Stalls included work, cake, grcoery, plants and white elephant, and a stall run by the children of the Sunday school. Mrs. John Patterson, of Kilmore Post Office, won the beautiful doll by guessing the name ‘Sharon’.

CASTLEWELLAN — The Easter General Vestry of St. Paul’s Church, Castlewellan, took place in the Orange Hall last week when the rector, the Rev. Robert Greer, presided. In a brief address, he spoke on the theme of responsibility and stewardship in church finance He congratulated the congregation on their increased giving during 1970 and mentioned the rapidly increasing costs and charges which were affecting the church. He greatly appreciated the help and support which he had had from members of the outgoing select vestry and others during the year, and the kindness which he and his family received.

ARDGLASS — The Regal Ballroom, which in the past has been the venue fore some for the biggest groups and show bands in Britain, maintains its tradition on Friday night when it introduces one of Ireland’s newest show bands. On stage is the Billy Brown super band, an amalgam of top artistes drawn from the cream of Irish show bands and featuring Billy Brown, himself well known to the locality from the days when he was a member of the famous Freshmen.

His outfit is making quite a name for itself, although it is only a few months old, and show band commentators are predicting that will not be long before it becomes the No.1 in Ireland.

WOODGRANGE — “Although I am an MP for Bannside and North Antrim, I am always glad to come to County Down,” the Rev. Ian Paisley told an estimated audience of 3,000 at Woodgrange on Saturday night. The occasion was the dedication of five new drums from Woodgrange Pipe Band when visiting bands from Spa, Castlewellan, Clough, Dromara and Temple, led by Mr. Paisley, marched in brilliant sunshine from the Orange Hall to a nearby field for a religious service.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Cecil Harvey, from Crossgar, who read the opening prayer and on behalf of the local pipe band invited Mr. Paisley to dedicate the instruments.

CINEMA — Two special three-night attractions will be on the Grand Cinema screen in Downpatrick next week. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday you can visit the most popular place in the West — The Cheyenne Social Club. For the remainder of the week it’s fun and medical malarkey when the uproarious ‘Doctor’ team burst upon the screen in Doctor in Trouble.