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NB. A reminder at the bottom of the page of Home Words says: “The improvements in Ballyculter School houses have been most efficiently carried out by Mr George Stockdale, builder, Downpatrick”.
The magazine Home Words. Arrangements have been made in London for binding the year’s numbers at wholesale price of (one shilling). All readers desiring to have their numbers bound to send them to Castleward Downpatrick with money enclosed. The twelve monthly numbers must be tied together and owner’s name and address written on the title page. They are to have attractive cloth covers with gilt letters, ornamental design and parish title on cover. A Harvest Thanksgiving Service was held in the Parish Church of Ballyculter. The Church was neatly decorated with suitable texts, fruit and flowers. The sermon was preached by the Rev. T.J. Welland. The collection amounted to £12-12s which was given to the India Famine Relief. We acknowledge the sum of £1-2s-6d from the labours of Castleward demesne. 16s from Killough subscribed by the children of Lord Bangor’s School there. End of Year 1877. Comments:- On Ballyculter School. It is interesting to note the builders were Mr George Stockdale. The family name of Stockdale is still in Ballyculter today. The school was built in 1823 by Lord Bangor as a voluntary one and the Trust headed by Lord Bangor and his successors provided the money. Then sometime later the Educational Committee contributed to the funding. The improvements must have been around 18771878 some 55 years later. It certainly has stood the test of time. For 60 years
Ballyculter School 38