Local News 2011

Home

Easiest win of the season

The Star reported in November 1972 that the Hillsborough Boys under thirteen's coasted to their easiest victory of the season in the first round of the knock-out cup in Hillsborough. They were three goals
at the ínterval and kept the pressure up at the second half to run out easy winners.

Bright eyed Dave and his Royal letter
IN December 1972, a bright cheery eight year old bounced into the Star office clutching a very important letter. It was important because it was from from the Queen's lady- in-waiting and was impressioned with a red stamp from Buckingham Palace.

The eight year old boy wrote a letter to the Queen and Prince Philip, congratulating them on their 25 year marriage a week before the Silver Wedding celebration.The eight year old who lived in the Tonagh Estate admitted he had help from mum but his letter was a purely a one-man effort.

A letter was returned to him thanking him for his good wishes.

She's a real champ

IN December 1972, the Star reported that Leisa, a dog at Richmond championship show was awarded with bitch challenge certificate.

The Irish champion had won her way through to the coveted title of the 'international champion. The famous little Yorkie had 76 first prizes, 45 best of breed and five best in show awards to her credit. Having beaten the best of her breed in England, where incidentally, there was only one other international champion of this breed, she returned to Ulster with flags flying, a happy ambassador for this famous kennel.

Orange Hall 50 years old

LEGACURRY Orange Hall held a special service to mark their 50th anniversary in May, 1969.

Secretary, Mr WI Halliday, welcomed the large gathering and the speaker was Rev RL Hutchinson, rector of Tyrella.

PAST TIMES

Looking back at news from Lisburn's past

Moira main street makes way for the livestock in this old picture first printed in the Star in 1958.

The end of a 10 year smell saga•••

THE front page story in the Star on September 20, 1969 announced a potential breakthrough in the long running smell problem at the Burnhouse on the Moira Road.

The headline 'The end of a 10 year smell saga?' brought hope to the local residents at Lissue where the plant was based.

It was reported that the next summer would see the owners install a German odour control system.

After years of consultations and research by experts it was hoped the public, who had to endure the smell, could look forward to a final solution to the problem.

At the time, Mr Robert W Wilson, managing director of Robert Wilson and Sons stated: "The problem has been in obtaining a system that would be sufficiently effective. Similar systems to the one we are to install are already proving effective at processing factories in England and abroad."

The Star reported the system worked on a catalytic principle, burning odours released during processing. It was chosen after intensive research by directors of the firm on the continent and in America.

The cost of the project was high but details of the expense were not revealed.

Pressure to get rid of the problem was brought by Lisburn Rural Councils over the years.

Fenton brings Linfield to Lisburn

LINFIELD manager Ewan Fenton was set to bring his team to Lisburn for a treat for local fans back in May, 1969.

Fenton, who played for Blackpool and appeared in the famous Cup final in 1953 along with Matthews and Mortensen, also said he would play in the match at the Barbour Playing Fields.

In the Linfield squad at the time were Eric Bowyer, Dessie Cathcart, Warren Feeney, Sammy Pavis, Ken Coulter and Jim Brown.

Woodlands Hotel set to close doors

Page from the past 20/12/1969 LISBURN was set to lose one of its main hotels, the Woodlands, which was in the process of being bought by a construction company when the Star broke the news in September, 1985. The Woodlands, which first opened as a hotel on the Belfast Road in the early 60s, was described as an institution.

The buyers of the new project were Mivan Construction Ltd, Crumlin, who were to provide up-market housing on the site.

Mivan confirmed to the Star that the sale had been agreed in principle. No purchase price had been disclosed.

"The site will be developed into good quality four-bedroomed detached houses," revealed sales sales manager Mr John Doonan.

Woodlands was to continue to trade as a hotel until after the New Year.

The principal directors were reported to be on holiday and there was no indication of the fate of the 60 full-time casual staff.

The imminent passing of the Woodlands was regretted by Lisburn Chamber of Commerce secretary Alderman Samuel Semple, a borough councillor and former Mayor.

Perhaps this advertisement caught your eye when published in the Ulster Star in 1972 and you booked a holiday at the then popular Butlin's Mosney, near Dublin.

"The Woodlands is an institution in Lisburn. One of the more serious aspects of its closure as a hotel is the extent of the job losses," he commented. Alderman Semple said the Woodlands was an excellent function centre for the borough. "The Chamber has been happy to patronise it over the years."

In addition to loss of employment the economy of the town was hit, with the considerable consumer supplies no longer required by the hotel. The end of the Woodlands era was to be discussed as the next meeting of the Chamber.

"We can only hope that an entrepreneur comes along and seizes the the opportunity to provide a replacement," said Alderman Semple at the time.

The Woodlands was not primarily a functions hotel but also accommodated guests and there was been a consistent demand for the 25 available rooms.

"We have been full up on most days," said a staff member in the Star report.
Organisations in the town and district of course, held dinners and other events in the Woodlands which was also the headquarters of the weekly Lisburn Rotary club luncheons.

The hotel provided space for exhibitions and business meetings and in more modern times was one of the main entertainment places in the borough, staging dances and cabarets and hosting some of the biggest names in the showbiz world.

What was once a private house was to be transformed yet again, Mivan planning to build luxury homes.

"They will be somewhat similar to the show-house we constructed for the Ideal Homes exhibition," said the sales manager.

The Mivan homes were priced in the £50,000 price range but building was expected to be underway until possibly the spring. No decision was revealed on the number of houses in the development.

Ulster Star
25/11/2011

Telephone Directories

PAST TIMES

Woodlands Hotel set to close doors