Local News

Killyleagh third in Ulster in Bloom

Taken from the Down Recorder, 20/09/2006

People in Killyleagh have been praised for their efforts in helping the town secure third place in the prestigious Ulster in Bloom competition.

Title favourites Broughshane again took top honours ahead of Moy, with Killyleagh tying with Donaghcloney in third place.

Councillor Eddie Rea, who played a key role in forming a new group to help spearhead Killyleagh’s challenge, is delighted with the town’s success in the large village category.  And he hopes it can do even better next year.

In addition to praising local people for their superb efforts, councillor Rea also singled out Mr. Frank Finlay, the chairman of the group set up to help make Killyleagh blooming marvellous.

He said several years ago the original committee, under the guidance of Mrs. Joyce McClure, Ms. Betty Wilson and Frank Finlay, were most successful in the Ulster in Bloom title race and that without their help, guidance and experience, the recent success would not have been achieved.

“Special thanks must go to Down Council’s staff for their constant attention to watering the baskets throughout the very warm summer and keeping the displays looking their best.

“Thanks are also due to the Dufferin Coaching Inn and in particular, local judge, Mrs. Janice Kirk, who judged the residents’ displays throughout the village.  Winning certificates have been presented to the many householders who took time to make a special effort around their homes.”

Councillor Rea said with an overall competition entry of 134 towns and villages throughout Ulster, people in Killyleagh can feel proud of the excellent work they carried out in such a short period, which involved planning, designing and producing the floral displays.

He also thanked the local council’s parks manager, D.J. Morgan, who set about the challenging tasks of first designing and erecting the floral supports in the town’s main streets, followed by the filling and hanging of the baskets for the colourful displays.

Teamwork

“It was an excellent example of great teamwork by all concerned in having achieved so much in such a short period of time,” he continued.

“The support and backing of the residents at the various committee meetings was a perfect example of community commitment in that they were always very well attended.”

Councillor Rea also thanked local artist, Mr. Leo Casement, who donated two painting towards the cause, saying he was a man who deserves “unqualified thanks for his support.”

The paintings will be auctioned in the near future and it is hoped the money raised will clear all the committee’s debts as a result of this year’s expenditure.

Councillor Rea continued: “Given the fact that Broughshane has dominated the large village section in the competition for years, the Killyleagh committee feels a huge amount of work will have to be done by everyone for next year.

“With this in mind, the committee is dedicating one evening per month throughout the winter in order to put a more elaborate plan in place in order to overhaul Broughshane.”

He added: “With the many new developments and residents coming to Killyleagh, support is growing for initiatives such as exhibited by the Killyleagh and Bloom Committee.  With this is mind, everyone should be congratulated on the excellent work done during the summer months.”

 

Councillor renews appeal for Killyleagh footpath

Taken from the Down Recorder, 6/9/06

A Killyleagh councillor is vowing to continue battling for a new footpath at the Comber Road on the outskirts of the town.

Roads Service officials are refusing to provide a pathway between the Killyleagh YC Showgrounds and Maymore Cottages, arguing the number of people walking along the road is not significant enough to have the scheme included in a minor works programme.

But councillor Billy Walker disagrees and has vowed to keep the issue at the top of his agenda.

For the past number of years he has been campaigning for a new path at what he has described as one of the “busiest and most dangerous roads in the district.” Councillor Walker said while the cost of providing a new path is an important consideration, he fears a pedestrian is going to be killed or seriously injured if one is not provided.

“There have been a number of near misses over the years.  I fear it’s only a matter of time before someone will be killed and I wonder what the Roads Service attitude will be then,” he declared. “Two years ago, a young boy and his grandparents who were walking along the road towards Killyleagh had to jump into a hedge to avoid being struck by a huge articulated lorry.”

Councillor Walker said Roads Service officials recently provided a new path linking Darragh Cross with the village’s GAA ground and says such safety measures are vitally important. He believes the number of people who use this path would not be as great as those who walk along the Comber Road in Killyleagh and called on the Roads Service to provide a new pedestrian link between the football ground and Maymore Cottages.

Councillor Walker continued: “I believe the Roads Service has got it wrong by not identifying the finance to provide a new path in Killyleagh.  Some of its senior officials have privately described the Comber Road as ‘hairy’ and given this fact a new path is a priority. In response to councillor Walker’s concerns, a Roads Service spokeswoman said it has considered the need for a new footpath at the Comber Road. She explained as part of the consideration process, a pedestrian count was carried out on this stretch of road in the autumn of last year. “The numbers of pedestrians using the road at that time and the potential cost of the construction of a new footway were taken into account, but this location did not attract a high enough priority to warrant inclusion in the current programme of work,” she added.  

 

Homes plan for Killyleagh

Taken from the Down Recorder

A number of new homes are to be built at the Seaview area in Killyleagh. Planning officials have paved the way for the homes and associated parking to be developed on land adjacent to 34 Seaview.

Details of the scheme were confirmed at Monday night’s meeting of Down Council’s Public Services Committee.