Lisburn News

Sunday golf bunkered

IN 1985 Sunday sport became a live issue in Lisburn.

First shots were fired in what promised to be a protracted and perhaps acrimonious debate.

Councillors grappled with the thorny issue subject in earnest at a meeting of the recreation and allied services committee.

Under discussion were the opening hours for the new municipal golf course, which was nearing completion at Aberdeighy, Lambeg.

Sunday golf was ruled out with the committee recom-mending to the full council that a professional be engaged on a six day basis, Monday to Saturday. They °' did so despite a warning from the chief recreation officer Mr Greg Ferris that six day opening could mean managerial problems.

Park clean up

In 1985 steps were being taken by Lisburn Borough Council's recreation and allied services committee in an effort to stamp out drinking in Wallace Park.

A call for such steps was made by Alderman Ivan Davis. He said the council had bye-laws for the park which prohibited drinking and the laws should be enforced.

Mr Davis alleged that `hooligans' were taking over the park and it was time the council showed its authority and enforced the laws. He referred to instances on Friday and Saturday nights in the park. Parts of the park including the area around the duck pond were in a terrible state.

PAST TIMES

Looking back at news from Lisburn's past

Rig football team that played in the Lisburn Amateur League. Among the players he recognised include Bobby Patterson, Jim McClelland and Brian Spence as well as its manager Woolsley Ward. Can you help him with the other names?

A man who originated from Lisburn has returned to his home city for a two month holiday and found this photograph believed to be taken in the 1950's of the Rig football team that played in the Lisburn Amateur League. Among the players he recognised include Bobby Patterson, Jim McClelland and Brian Spence as well as its manager Woolsley Ward. Can you help him with the other names? If so ring Robert Morrison on 90- 621013.

New era for rural school pupils

IN 1986 upwards of 100 children stepped into the future when they returned for the new school term.

The most modern primary school in Lisburn opened at Maghaberry to replace the old Soldierstown and Maghaberry buildings.

Completed at a cost of £275,000 the bright new building incorporated several unique features. The striking elements included the bright, modern and spacious design, replacing the drab image of the traditional classroom.

The four classrooms inside were built around a 'practical' area - a new feature enabling children to come together and experiment with paints, water and sand. The rest of the building was purpose built to cater for its pupils on a more domestic basis. The idea was that the transition from home to school would not be so great as to have an unsettling effect on some children. Principal of the new school was Mr David Taylor, former principal of Fort Hill Primary. It was Mr Taylor's hope that the new school would grow in the coming years as it forged dose links with the local community." He also praised the Board of Governors for their enthusiasm and hard work.

Job creating agency LEDO gets the chop

Back in 1986 you could snap up a car for a bargain price at a local dealership

LISBURN'S own job creating agency LEDO was given the chop in August 1986.

The shock announcement came at a time when unemployment in the borough was an all time record level. Two factions from within the organisation were at loggerheads about the decision to bring the organisation to an end.

Chairman, Rodney Dowling, a local businessman placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of Borough council representatives whose interest over a period he described as being lukewarm.

IN 1986 the Lisburn Chamber of Commerce was calling on the Environment Minister to confirm plans for a new shopping centre in Lisburn

However, Councillor William Beattie, a former chairman, put the organisation's demise down to the political climate and said it wasn't anything he hadn't expected.

Mr Dowling said: "The writing has been on the wall for some time. Attendances at meetings have been dropping off and the annual meeting had to be abandoned because insufficient numbers turned up.

"It's so disappointing that only the Mayor, Councillor Walter Lilburn, Alderman Samuel Semple, Mr T.J.D. Keith and Mr T Smyth were present."

Councillor Beattie said: "Its premature closure comes about because of the adjournment of the borough council. The finances will run out soon without the organisation being able to phase out soon without the organisation being able to phase out as planned and a more permanent self sufficient job promoting agency phased in.

"Plans for such a permanent agency funded by EEC, LEDU, and the council for a limited period should have been up and running but this has been shelved for the forseeable future.

"LEDO has done a good job even though it never got time to bring forth its full potential under a new Lisburn Development Agency."

The Mayor, Councillor Walter Lilburn, expressed his regret at the closure and said: "The decision was taken primarily because we cannot allocate sufficient funds to the organisation.

"I do think however that we as a council have fulfilled our obligation by pumping in something like £1000,000 over the last three years."

Councillor Lilburn paid tribute to those involved: "The organisation brought many small businesses together. It is unfortunate that events have brought this on," he said.

Back in 1986 you could snap up a car for a bargain price at a local dealership
IN 1986 the Lisburn Chamber of Commerce was calling on the Environment Minister to confirm plans for a new shopping centre in Lisburn

New street name plates

NEW street name plates were erected in Hillhall estate in August 1985.
Some wall mounted signs were also ordered and would be erected as soon as they arrived.
Councillor Seamus CIose said that he had received many complaints from people who had explained to him that doctors, nurses, home-helps and even on occasions ambulances and the emergency services had had difficulty finding their way round the estate.

£2.2m canning line for Lambeg

IT was reported in 1985 that Coca Colas £2.2m investment at the Lambeg plant would be realised when the new canning line stated production. The investment would eventually mean that the company would beat off competition by doing all their own canning.

Ulster Star
03/02/2012