Protect town’s built heritage

SIR, — ‘At Risk of Closure’ it seems has been a recurrent local plague over past months and years. Just three examples follow — and I know I risk being both unpopular and popular simultaneously.

1. In your May 2 edition you introduced us to the latest example — Downpatrick Courthouse. How can one countenance such a magnificent architectural jewel falling victim to the likes of those who have repeatedly vandalised the former Downe Hospital? Of course, in this, as in all cases (transient economic hardship or no) there are doubtless operational economies that can be made. For a courthouse, improving usage by encouraging crime can hardly be recommended as we already have more than enough people facing the arm of the law. Imagine: that splendid edifice, all boarded up and neglected, adjacent to the magnificently developed Down County Museum with Down Cathedral and St. Patrick’s grave nearby. What a blight on Downpatrick’s principal tourist area.

2. Over the past few weeks your pages have covered, just down the hill from those earlier edifices, the mooted closure of the St. Patrick Centre. Leaving aside the arguments as to whether this striking modern building should have been built in its present location (or anywhere), we now have the situation of its being conspicuously where it is, very visibly adjacent to the commercial hub of Downpatrick.

It has much going for it, not only as the only such facility in the world. Are we seriously going to cast it aside and let it moulder into a notable public eyesore? It is a quite unthinkable situation and I was glad to read that our MP Margaret Ritchie has been supporting it. But it’s future is assured for just one more year, in effect on probation. What then? A re-run of what has lately been taking place? Heaven forbid.

For the relatively paltry financial shortfall involved there must surely be several sources to tap into. More use by local people and organisations of the the splendid facilities this centre offers would also help. Like it or not, Downpatrick is the world capital of our patron saint, Patrick. Nowhere else even comes close.

3. Last, our new hospital, for which so many public-spirited people campaigned for so long over many years. I have had the pleasure (!) of again (!) having to attend its A&E facilities and, later, in its new GP suite. I cannot speak highly enough of the expertise and of the friendly ‘family’ atmosphere throughout.

I was amused to spot, and at the same time delighted to see, a placard inside lauding the increasing numbers of patients in many departments making use of its facilities over recent months (as reported in your columns). Why ‘amused’ you ask? Do we really wish to increase the numbers of sick and accident-prone patients in order just to boost the Downe Hospital’s care statistics? Certainly not, but the alternative of having to trek from (in my case) Strangford to a hospital in Lisburn, Dundonald or Belfast for every minor problem fills me, as an OAP, with horror.

Whilst its new location is handy for people with cars it may not be so for those without — but car, or no car, consider the alternatives just listed.

As a mere blow-in approaching 30 years residence in the area I feel strongly on these points so I urge all (and this includes our elected councillors) who care about Downpatrick and its whole wonderful environs, to fight for what at times almost seems like a concerted attempt to have our historic county town sidelined.

Further, all these facilities cited by me mean jobs which are our lifeblood and not least for the young. One final protest please — and readers may have read me ranting about litter before — can we not make a determined effort to get to grips with this running sore, rather than just nibbling piecemeal at it? Of course, all this involves money at the end of the day, implying ruthlessly reviewing priorities — not easy. Over to younger agile minds.

Yours etc.,

ALAN JOHNSTON,

Shore Road,

Strangford