Lisburn News

A Royal surprise
for pupils

THERE was a Royal surprise for Beechlawn School pupils in June 1988 when seven schoolboys met Prince Edward at Hillsborough Castle.

The boys had no idea they . would be meeting Royalty
spending the previous night camped at the Hillsborough school.

Upon being told to gather their belongings, the puzzled boys arrived at the castle where the Prince strolled around the garden and spoke informally to guests, much to the local pupils' delight.

Cost to keep
council

LISBURN ratepayers paid out a grand total of £7,335 to their elected representatives on the Borough Council during the last financial year, it was revealed in July 1977.
The cash formed part of the `legacy' of local government reorganisation.
Until four years before councillors carried out their duties free of charge.
Attendance allowances accounted for £6,257 of the total, of which the remainder - £1,078 - went on travelling expenses.
It was revealed that the new Mayor received the highest amount with £490.

PAST TIMES

Looking back at news from Lisburn's past

Robert Petticrew, who was for many years a jeweller in Bow Street, pictured at the family farm in Boardmills with his mother in the 19th century. The shop is now the Edinburgh Woolen Mill.

New Post office

RESIDENTS of the Moss Road / Harmony Hill district of Lisburn were to have a new sub Post Office in July 1966.

News was given in a letter from the Post Master General, Mr Edward Short to Lisburn schoolteacher, Mr Sydney Stewart, organising secretary of the South Antrim Labour Party.

Mr Short explained that the question of establishing a post office in the district had been under consideration for some time. The position was being reviewed every six months.

He pointed out that a proposal to build a Civic and shopping centre between Harmony Hill and Moss Road - which they said might have provided a more suitable site for a Post Office - had previously deterred the setting up of a post office in Moss Road.

Since doubts had arisen over the new centre and in all the circumstances, it was decided to go ahead in the Moss Road shopping area.

Mr Short added that suitable arrangements were being made to establish the post office as quickly as possible".

Mr Stewart said the South Antrim Labour Party had been approached by local people and urged the party to do something about it.

He said: "As organising secretary I got in touch direct with the Post Master General and this is the result."

Some residents had previously faced either a one mile or three mile journey to a Post Office.

Jobs shock as factory closes

The days before digital This was one way to get new books and music (and knitting patterns) in 1988

THERE was a jobs shock for Lisburn in July 1977 as a falling off in demand for ball bearings was forcing a local company, which employed 132 people, to cease operations at the end of October.

The firm, Fafnir Bearing Company on the Ballinderry Road, which was open for around 14 years, at one time employed some 360 workers.

News of the closure came at a time when there were 2,076 people registered as unemployed in the Lisburn area, the highest for some time.
The unemployment figures were made up of 839 men, 695 women, 271 boys and 271 girls. Of the total 466 were school leavers, 225 males and 241 females.

Marks and Spencer gave the Star an exclusive preview of their plans for a new superstore at Spruce-field - their first out of town venture in Ireland.

The Fafnir parent company was in New Britain, Connecticut and balls from the Lisburn plant were mostly sent to the United States with some to Wolverhampton where the company's United Kingdom operations were carried on.

The Lisburn workers were given the news by the company's Managing Director who said in a statement that the sales of bearings in the United States had been at a low level for some considerable time and there was no prospect of any major improvement in the foreseeable future.

The Lisburn workers were still dealing with orders, with negotiations taking place between unions and management.

The firm was a close knit one, with the labour force including a number of men and their wives, as well as relatives.

The premises was expected to be put on the market, and it was hoped another industry would move in. Meanwhile, the Fafnir workers were making plans for the future.

The days before digital This was one way to get new books and music (and knitting patterns) in 1988
Marks and Spencer gave the Star an exclusive preview of their plans for a new superstore at Spruce-field - their first out of town venture in Ireland.

Olympic first for local badminton star

THE honour of being the first badminton player to represent Ireland at Olympic level fell perfectly to Lisburn ace Lisa Lyness in June 1999.

The Wallace High School teenager was undergoing an intensive training programme for the Under 19Euro Olympics which would be held in Denmark in July

The local girl started playing badminton at just six years old, with her competitive streak kicking up a notch with her first Irish cap.

Speaking ahead of the Olympic event, Lisa said: "It's a great honour to be taking part. All of the top players in Europe will be competing so it will be of the highest quality."

Tribute paid to hospital staff

TRIBUTE was paid to staff from Lagan Valley Hospital in a letter from a noted English journalist, which was sent to the Minister of Health and Social Services in July 1971.

Mr John Chartres, from The Times wrote about the "wonderful treatment" he received on a stay at the hospital.

He added: "It is true that I was admitted as a private patient but there are certain things which money cannot buy and there I received it in abundance

Ulster Star
27/07/2012