Lisburn News

Jobs boost for Lisburn

THERE was a welcome jobs boost for Lisburn in May 1972 when it was announced that the labour force at Bridgeport Brass Limited's factory on the Ballinderry Road was to be increased by at least 100 people.

he Managing Director signed an agreement to take over 'Roman's manufacturing facility for producing patches, plasters and tyre repair materials, which were previously made in the Hendon factory of Holds Products Ltd.

In 1972 Bridgeport employed 360 people in Lisburn on a three shift system and was one of the world's largest producers of tyre valves, with factories in the USA, Argent' _„ and Italy.

No election held in Hillsborough

IN May 1958 there was no election to be held in Hillsborough.

For the first time in nine years there was to be no poll for the Hillsborough Rural Council after only sixteen candidates handed in their nomination papers for the sixteen seats to the returning officer.

All of the retiring members were returned unopposed, as well as one new member who was nominated for the vacancy in the Edenderry electoral division caused by the sudden death of the previous member, who had served on the council for six years.

PAST TIMES

Looking back at news from Lisburn's past

Largymore Primary School football team of 1961/62. They were the first team to win "The Double" without defeat in the entire season of the local primary school league. In fact they won every single match. The school were so proud of the achievement that they presented each player with a solid silver medal and organised a special lunch with a presentation at the school. The closest match was in the cup semi-final against Hilden P.S. who were winning 1.0 at half time but after a good talking to from Mr Ernest Shaw, school Principal and coach, they were able to turn this round and win 2.1. The team went on to beat Central RS. in the final by 3-1. Back row: Hugh McClurg, Ritchie Gorman, Albert Wilson, Robin Neil, Geoffrey Tait, Tommy Greer, Sammy Bittle, Davy Moore. Front row: Jim Keery, Billy McMullan, Eddie McNeil, Bill Higgins,capt. Bill Bruce, Jim Hanna and Willie Chambers.

Executive speaks out to allay 'ghetto' concerns

IN May 1985, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive moved to allay concerns of local residents that a 'ghetto' would be created in Lisburn.

The Housing Executive insisted that new homes planned for the Ballymacoss area would satisfy the needs of Lisburn Borough.

They were responding to claims by an Assemblyman that they planned to "plant a Republican ghetto in Ballymacoss.'

It had been claimed that land adjacent to the Ballymacoss - Ballymacash areas has been earmarked for the relocation of residents from the Divis Flats in Belfast.

The Housing Executive commented: "Land has been acquired from the Industrial Development Board at Ballymacoss Hill in order to provide housing within the five year period 1984 - 89 to satisfy the needs of the Lisburn waiting list."

It was pointed out that this could include applicants from anywhere in the Province but in the case of Lisburn the vast majority of applicants came from within the borough area.

The Assemblyman who raised the issue also wrote to the Housing Executive seeking assurance that there was no plan for a 'ghetto' in Lisburn.

Multi million pound deal for Lisburn electronics firm

IF only mums could buy the back to school needs nowadays at those prices from Lewis Bros at Chapel Hill back in the late 60's.

IN May 1985 a Lisburn electronics firm joined forces with one of the foremost corporations in the world, the tie-in being worth a reported £10 million.

Computers are essential to today's lifestyle but back in 1985 they were a less common sight and it was an exciting development for Lisburn to be at the forefront of this new technology.

The link between Circuits and Systems Design Ltd and IBM, which then controlled 70 per cent of the world's electronics business, led to the creation of around 100 jobs.

The front page of The Star reported fears for businesses in Hillsborough as traders made angry protests over parking restrictions introduced in Lisburn Street. There was also news about the estimate for a swimming pool at £261,500.

CSD, who created a new company, CSD Manufacturing Ltd, began recruiting technicians and engineers, who worked from a factory in the Knockmore Industrial Estate.

It was envisioned that the local workforce would become specialists in computer hardware and software, as well as in robotics.

It was planned that the staff at the Lisburn plant would be trained by IBM in special facilities in Munich and Florence.

CSD hoped to manufacture and service robots, industrial computers and manufacturing systems for general plant automation.

At the time the CSD Chief Executive explained that IBM were a massive multi-national operation which at that time employed more people than lived in Northern Ireland.

IF only mums could buy the back to school needs nowadays at those prices from Lewis Bros at Chapel Hill back in the late 60's.
The front page of The Star reported fears for businesses in Hillsborough as traders made angry protests over parking restrictions introduced in Lisburn Street. There was also news about the estimate for a swimming pool at £261,500.

Church marks 350th anniversary

IN May 1972 the 350th anniversary of the foundation of the First Presbyterian (Non ?, Subscribing) Church in Dromore was celebrated, with the congregation being piped into the church by the Dromara Highland Pipe Band.

A memorial tablet was also unveiled during the service to commemorate the historic occasion.

Slip up at church sale

THERE were a few red faces in May 1969 when organisers made a slip up at a local church sale.

Someone at the sale mistakenly sold gloves belonging to the chief guest, Alderman Sarah Crothers, who had officially opened the function in Stoneyford.

After the sale Mrs. Crothers could not find her kid gloves and only later realised the mistake that had been made at the sale to raise money for Stoneyford Parish Church.

Ulster Star
03/02/2012