Lisburn News

Business as usual at Finaghy Post Office

IT was business as usual at Finaghy Post Office, which was damaged by fire in April 1966.

However, the stationery shop attached to the Post office was completely ruined.

Stock valued at around £4,000 was lost and owner Robert Douglas estimated reconstruction costs to be at least £3,500.

Finaghy was the last Post Office to be attacked in a spate of incidents in which 10 sub-post offices in Belfast were set on fire.

Parent power
rises against
new nursery
school rules

In 1999 a group of outraged parents launched a petition against new government regulations for nursery school places.

Parents who wanted their children to attend Pond Park Nursery School were up in arms at legislation which they claimed discriminated against local children and those with special needs.

The new ruling gave priority to children from socially deprived backgrounds and those whose fourth birthday occurred in either July or August.

PAST TIMES

Looking back at news from Lisburn's past

Members of the Larkfield Intermediate netball team that won the Antrim County Championships in February, 1969

Traffic safety issues

IN 1966 there was serious concern about traffic in the city centre.

The two-lane traffic in Castle Street and Market Square East and the dangerous practice of some drivers cutting across the traffic in the outside lane when turning right into Market Square South, was mentioned in a letter from the Lisburn Road Safety Committee, which was read at a meeting of Lisburn Borough Council.

The committee said it was felt that in order to prevent that and possible accidents that an advanced sign should be placed in Castle Street showing 'Inside lane-Bridge Street; outside lane - Market Square'. The committee added that they would be pleased if the council would consider having that done.

Councillor Samuel Weir said he felt the committee's suggestions were very necessary.

Suggestions from councillors included having two lanes of traffic going into Market Square South and having a diving line in the road.

The Mayor suggested and on-the-spot investigation and agreed that something: was necessary. The matter was referred to the Traffic Sub Committee.

Estate deputation protest against land development

Friends' School launched a £100,000 appeal in 1972 as part of an ambitious expansion project. The plan included a new boarding department and the entire refurbishment bill was estimed at £300,000.

IN April 1966 á deputation representing some forty-four ratepayers if the Warren Gardens-Woodland Park area attended the Lisburn Borough Council's General Purposes Committee to discuss the Northern Ireland Housing Trust's proposals for the development of the land in the Warren Gardens-Woodland Park area.

Mrs. E Armstrong and Mr M Lunn acted as spokesmen for the deputation.
Mr Lunn said that the Trust's development in Warren Gardens was not suitable and rumours of multistory flats and shops fronting Warren Gardens had been heard and people who had bought houses at a large figure would not take kindly to that type of development.

A great way to tackle a cold was to take a Hot Club Lemon as we advertised back in 1969. The ad stated: Be SAFE-take it NOW-take it OFTEN.

Mrs. Armstrong objected to existing owners of houses in the area being made the subject of a large estate when the Trust would have something in the region of 1,000 dwellings between the Moira Road and Warren Gardens.

It was pointed out that the council had not received any detailed plans from the Trust as yet and the deputation made it clear that that was the reason why they had met at this stage.

The deputation thanked the committee and withdrew after being assured that their objections had been noted, but that nothing could be accomplished until such time as plans had been lodged with regard to types of dwelling and layout of the estate.

No more controversy

CONTROVERSY surrounding the naming of a street in Ballymacash came to an end in April 1966. A sign had been erected in the area referring to Orange Hall Lane as simply Hall Lane, resulting in a flood of letters to the Star. The sign was subsequently changed to 'Orange Hall Lane'.

Celebrations for Friends Old Boys

THERE were celebrations from Friends Old Boys in April 1966 when they secured a place in the Senior Hockey League.

A win over bottom of the table Bangor put them into an unassailable position above Banbridge.

"We have gained entry through the front door and not the back," said a delighted Ken Boomer, who steered his young team through a happy season.

Safeway store shuts up shop

IN April 1999 the Star reported the Safeway store on the Moira Road, the former site of Wellworths and now home to Lidl, was preparing to shut its doors.

It was reported that the closure would result in the loss 1 of 89 full time and part time jobs.

The firm's Retail Operations Director said they were disappointed to have to announce the closure. At the time he described Lisburn as a 'vitally important location' in the province but said the company had recognised the shortcomings of its Moira Road premises.

Ulster Star
27/01/2012