The home and business premises of the late RJ Hudson
This was once the home of Mr R J Hudson, grandfather of the Rt Hon Jeremy John Durham Ashdown, known to us better as Paddy Ashdown, former leader of the Liberal Democrats, 1983-99. Mrs Edith Clark writes:
“In this house the business of newsagent, bookseller and toy merchant was carried on by Mr R J Hudson. In addition, he also practised as an auctioneer. Forceful of personality, he influenced most of the cultural and social side of life in the district. Following in the footsteps of his music-loving father, he trained choirs and conducted the local choral society. He arranged a weekly dancing class in the Market House at which tuition was given by a Mr and Mrs Gardiner from Belfast, during the years 1905 and 1906. He provided facilities for the pupils to practise in a large loft at the rear of his premises as his guests. Here adults and members of a junior class which included his children, were provided with healthy recreational facilities during winter months.”
He possessed a well-stocked library for the literate. In matters educational, Mr Hudson was a member of the Newry Street Schools Management Committee and was partly instrumental in bringing about the opening of Rathfriland Classical School, which gave tuition in Grammar School subjects.
In the year 1898 at the cost of £210 Mr Hudson purchased the Orient Express motorcar, one of the first to be seen in Co Down. It was a vehicle without a windscreen or hood and had very high seats. It was steered by a horizontal bar and could carry three passengers, two in front and one on a narrow back seat. To climb Dromore Street the driver had to weave a zigzag path.