Google Street Map of Groomsport

 

Copeland Bird Observatory

 

Ring-Billed Gull

Click on Picture for more

 

Day Trip to Copelands for Twitchers

The planned day trip to the Observatory on 24th May has still plenty of places available. The day will consist of a full conducted tour and free time to walk around the west and north sides of the island. Suitable clothing and a packed lunch and drink will be necessary, and day visitors are asked to take all their left-overs and rubbish home. Depending on demand, another day trip may be arranged in June. The charge is £12 per adult and £8 per person under 17.

 

First Breeding Record in Ireland

 

The story began on the 25th April 2004 when Anthony McGeehan found an adult Ring-billed Gull at the Common Gull colony on Big Isle, Copeland Islands, Co. Down. The bird appeared to be holding territory. It, or another adult, was then seen again by Wilton Farrelly at the same location on the 8th May.

Click Here for more on Copeland Islands...

 

Secretary: Neville McKee

mobile 07770368856

Website:http://www.cbo.org.uk/

 

Worried About Cancer?

Ulster Cancer Foundation

Call Free - 0800 7833339

Monday - Friday 9.00am - 6.00pm

Speak directly to a cancer care nurse for: Easily understood information, Services in you area, Someone to talk to

infocis@ulstercancer.org

 

 

 

 

N.I. Ombudsman

 

Tom Frawley is the current Northern Ireland Ombudsman.
"The purpose of my Office is to ensure that every citizen in Northern Ireland is served by a fair and efficient public administration that is committed to accountability; openness; and quality of service."

If you have a concern or complaint, he can be contacted at Ombudsman

Trading Standards Service is to promote and maintain fair trading, and protect consumers

 

Consumerline is a telephone and online consumer advice service for Northern Ireland.

"Our telephone advisors will listen to each caller's query and provide clear, practical advice on a wide range of consumer issues."

 

Mailing Preference Service

With UK consumers generating over £25 billion worth of postal sales per year, it's fair to say the majority welcome the information and special offers they receive by post. However, it's also understandable why some people might take a different view.

The MPS is there to make your choice known - so you get the mail you want and need.

Unwanted, unread Direct Mail has no place in anyone's home. And if you're not interested in receiving it, they will update their records for Direct Mail companies to see and adjust their lists as you request.

 

Problems with Mailings from Overseas?

Mailings from overseas promoting lotteries, or get rich quick schemes, are more often than not misleading and fraudulent.

Our advice is not to reply and to put it straight in your recycling bin.

It's a difficult problem to solve but the Office of Fair Trading is working on it, you may like to send any copies you receive, including the envelope, to the European Enforcement Team at the Office of Fair Trading at Fleetbank House, 2-6 Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8IJ.

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You can use CoveBay.net to send an email to the Prime Minister Gordon Brown,on the issues that matter to you most.
Click On: Prime Minister

 

Chief Constable's Report 2006

The 2006 report emphasises the reduction of crimes reported in the last 12 months. A reduction of 2% in reported crime last year is claimed by the PSNI as proof of their "constantly updated police methods, and technigues" . Crime statistics are relegated to the back of their report. Clearance rates for all crimes are just 23.6% - that is less than 1 in 4 crimes solved.

Domestic Burglary clearance is 11.3%, and theft from motor vehicles 4.6% clearance rate.

The cost of Policing in N. Ireland was £743 million. Police pay £484 million, with £150 million of that spent on Police pensions.

Local Police Contacts

The Community Beat Officer for Groomsport is Constable Anne Hiles stationed at Bangor PSNI Tel Number 02891474983
Anne is part of the Outer Sector Team led by Sergeant Keith Hutchinson also available at the above number.

Constable Hiles runs 2 police surgeries a month in the Parish Hall Groomsport on Wednesdays 3-4pm.

There are no specific statistics relating to Groomsport, but figures quoted in the recent District Commanders report refer to the North Down Area which incorporates Holywood, Helens Bay, Crawfordsburn, Bangor and Groomsport.

Domestic Burglaries are down 34%, robberies down 24%, violent crime has increased by 10%.

Non Emergency telephone number is 0845 600 8000

Crime Stoppers number is 0800 555 111

North Down District Policing Partnership

Tel: 028 91278054

E Mail dpp@northdown.gov.uk

 

 

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History of Eagle Wing

The year 1636 brought about a new era for Ulster. The 'New World' of the British Colonies on the opposite side of the Atlantic was beckoning to the restless Presbyterian residents of North Down and East Antrim for the chance of liberty and opportunity in the pursuit of their religion and economic well-being. It was out of the desire to forge their own identity that the Eagle Wing story unfolds.

The Eagle Wing, a small wooden sailing ship of 150 tonnes was built for the move to America, ready for the risk of travelling the vast Atlantic Ocean. The Eagle Wing set sail from Groomsport on September 9th with 140 passengers who prayed to God for safe carriage, amongst them were Ministers representing Ulster and Scotland, in respect to Scottish Presbyterian families who had come to Ulster some 30 years earlier.

Dark clouds hovered as the ship headed in the direction of Newfoundland. The winds grew powerful and as a storm grew its force tore the sails and the seas created a leak. The fear grew with the storm and after much consultation and prayer the decision was made to turn the ship back in haste to the shores of Ireland, which were nearer than those of Newfoundland, concerned that it was God's will that they return home as He had spoken "by His winds and other dispensations".

The courageous attempt to start a new life in America had disappointingly been aborted, however on the return of Eagle Wing to Ulster there was a natural outpouring of relief and thanksgiving.

 

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Photo by Tommy Shannon

What is the history, and your memories of Groomsport House? .Who built it, and who were the first family? If you have any local knowledge of this magnificent building, photographs and stories, please send them to editor@covebay.net