When you go into the water you don’t think about the cancer, your mind clears

When you go into the water you don’t think about the cancer, your mind clears

29 November 2023

ARDGLASS – Residents of an Ardglass housing estate are to go to the High Court in a bid to block the construction of a fish processing factory near their homes.

People living in the Seaview estate have instructed solicitors to seek a judicial review of last week’s planning decision which gave the go-ahead for the construction of the £1m factory in the field beside the estate.

The residents say they believe the Department of the Environment has acted “unfairly and contrary to natural justice”, claiming planning officials did not give proper consideration to the views of the large number of objectors to the development.

After a lengthly deliberation, planners gave local businessman, Mr Kenneth Kennedy, permission to build the new factory on the Strangford Road which he claims will be built to stringent European regulations.

However, the residents, who handed in a petition and 34 letters of objection to the planners, say that while they welcome Mr Kennedy’s willingness to invest in Ardglass, the factory should be located elsewhere.

“We are not opposed to development by Mr Kennedy in Ardglass and he deserving of all the help he can get,” said Seaview residents’ spokesman Mr Paddy Connor. “Any sensible person would welcome the creation of more jobs in an area of high unemployment. 

“However, the Planning Service has been a dismal failure in its inability to identify a suitable site in the Ardglass area for this kind of development,” he said.

BISHOPSCOURT – The first day of the Bishopscourt racetrack inquiry has heard there may be 25 days motoring racing a year at the ex-RAF airfield if the track gets the go-ahead.

A senior Department of the Environment official has admitted noise levels for residents in the area could be a nuisance given that aircraft are also to be allowed to use the 128-acre site.

Mr Richard McAuley of Downpatrick Planning Office, spoke first at yesterday’s meeting in Down Museum, saying 63 letters of objection and 12 in support were received on advertising the “Outdoor Activity Centre” plans in May.

A combination of motorcycle, go-kart and saloon car racing on at least 21 days per year is proposed, in addition to 52 days disabled horse-riding, one gymkhana and the possibility of between 53 and 131 days use by aircraft.

CROSSGAR – Mrs Margaret Magee was the toast of the countryside for her hundredth birthday yesterday in the Crossgar pub she has run for the past 47 years.

It was an occasion which brought relations across the world from Australia to join her and her married family, Jean, Eddie and Margaret and grandchildren.

Amid the reading of messages of greeting and goodwill, which included salutations from the Queen and from the Lord Lieutenant for County Down, Major William Brownlow, Maggie, as she is known to her friends, simply asked how may had been received.

In her shop, as she calls it, the former wine and spirit grocery run by Clelands and bought from Nevin’s in 1946 she was in her element.

Ireland’s oldest barmaid, who hasn’t never touched a other than a teaspoon of brandy for medicinal purposes, was well buoyed up for the occasion – without as much as a sherry or a glass of wine.

The stories of how she and her husband Jimmy, got additions to the war-time quota of 16 cases of porter and five gallons of spirits are well-known by regulars.

Born at Kilwaughter, near Larne, she met Jimmy while she was serving her apprenticeship at the Slieve Donard Hotel. She had a childhood longing for her own pub.

DOWNPATRICK – The future of the Market Street Day Centre in Downpatrick is not in doubt, senior health chiefs have confirmed this week.

Earlier this year it has been feared that the centre would fall victim to massive Eastern Health Board cuts at a time when its senior officers were trying to cope with a £13.5 deficit.

However, it was revealed this week the that a major refurbishment programme – costing just over £100,000 – has just been completed at the centre which cater for the elderly and mentally physically handicapped.

The Down and Lisburn Unit of Management has pumped the cash into the local facility, upgrading its internal fabric and extending its day activity level.

But it is still not clear whether or not local managers, staff and centre users will have to vacate the facility on a temporary basis to allow essential maintenance work to take place.

Investigations into structural defects caused by cracked sewers at the complex have been completed and architects are now trying to work out if the sewers can be repaired with minimum disruption.

SAINTFIELD – Angry farmers in the Saintfield area are to form themselves into an action committee to combat huntsmen who, they claim, are damaging their property and worrying livestock.

And one of them, Mr James Greer, has even gone as far as to challenge the organisers of such events by throwing down a gauntlet, inviting them to take part in a public debate, “anytime, any place, anywhere”.

Mr Greer, who was  interviewed on television last week about the tactics and roles of huntsmen in the Saintfield area, said farmers were now “calling time” on the organisers  of such events in the Saintfield area.

“We are simply saying that enough is enough,” he declared. “These people are trespassing and pose a major threat to sheep and cattle in the Saintfield area.”

Mr Greer, who owns 100 acres of land, said local farmers had decided to form an action committee to oppose the “antics” of the huntsmen with a united voice.

“If necessary, we will fight the huntsmen with as much vigour as it takes and if necessary, prosecute them through the courts.”

Mr Greer said farmers had enough on their plates without having to worry about whether or not the huntsmen and hounds would be tearing across their lands, causing damage to fences and worrying livestock.

KILLYLEAGH – The International Leathers Company in Killyleagh, is rapidly carving a new niche for itself in the quality end of the world’s expanding leather trade, it has emerged.

There have been a number of significant changes over the past number of months which have helped ensure the long-term future of the company’s 55-strong workforce.

The company has also recently responded to major changes in UK legislation with regard to effluent control, by employing consultants to ensure that all the necessary steps were taken to comply with the new laws.

“International Leathers has changed its overall strategy, markets, financing and production, along with its customer base, which has also changed dramatically over the past 18 months,” said the past company’s marketing manager, Karen Mulligan.

The UK recession resulted in a decrease in the demand for clothing leather, which prompted International Leathers to concentrate its efforts on the export markets, focusing particularly on Germany and Canada.

“The company is now represented in no less than 12 countries worldwide and the export side of the business is expected to account for more than 70 per cent of this year’s total sales.

MAGHERADROLL – The sexton of Magheradroll Parish Church, Mr Tommy Hazley, has retired after 39 years but will continue his work on the church’s magazine.

The 83 year-old said he was as much as told to take the position almost four decades ago by the Rev Canon Walker, and didn’t know if he would still be there even a year later.