Those were the days: Table Tennis Champions

25 YEARS AGO - May 18, 1989: 45 Years in the W.I. - The May meeting of Brookeborough W.I. was a special occasion when two of the members, Mrs. S. Bloomfield and Miss B. Hurst had honorary membership conferred on them. The President, Mrs. Mulligan paid tribute to the two women for their long and faithful service to the W.I. as both are 45 years with the organisation. They were presented with a plaque and certificate to mark the occasion. Mrs. R. Knox was presented with a Belleek vase for winning the bowls at area level.

Chancellor and Canon Installed at Service - A service marking the appointment of Chancellor and Canon in the Diocese of Clogher took place last week. At the service in St. Macartin’s Cathedral, Clogher, Canon R.J. Leger, rector of Lisbellaw was installed as Chancellor of the Diocese and Canon Thomas Moore, rector of Killadeas and Trory parishes, was installed as Prebendary of Donacavey. The Rev. R.S. Cunningham, rector of Monaghan, was installed as Bishop’s Examining Canon. The service was conducted by the rector of St. Macartan’s Cathedral, the Very Rev. Nevil O’Neill.

Young Musician’s Concert - The final Young Musicians at Lunchtime Concert at Enniskillen library will be given by Pat Mulhern, a 4th form student from St. Michael’s Grammar School. The concert takes place next Thursday. This will be the first time a Tuba player has performed at a Lunchtime Concert. Paul has been playing the Tuba since primary school.

The “Friends” are coming - MAP - Once again it is time for the “Friends of St. Ronan’s Church” to make their pilgrimage to Colebrooke for their annual service on Sunday afternoon. The “Friends” were formed about 15 years ago, mainly by people from the Colebrooke and Brookeborough areas who have settled mostly in Belfast and the east of the Province, but have never forgotten their old parish church.

Lakeland 10K fun-run final countdown - With only three days to go until the 1989 Lakeland 10K fun-run starts, already entries are coming in thick and fast. The race as usual, is starting at Enniskillen Townhall on Saturday, 20th May at 2.00 p.m. sharp. With top prizes and many down the field category prizes a strong entry from running clubs is expected. Local runners from Fermanagh will be able to compete for the 1st Fermanagh person home in each category as well as all the primary prizes.

50 YEARS AGO - May 14, 1964: Fivemiletown Pupil’s Success - MAP - A pupil from Fivemiletown High School, Mina Graham, has been successful in winning a prize in an essay competition for Ulster teenagers. The essay was titled “What Northern Ireland means to me.” The promoters were the Young Unionist Council, Belfast. Her essay was considered by the panel of judges to be of such merit, that it was among those considered for the major award. Congratulations to Mina, and her teachers.

Farewells at Enniskillen - The outgoing Enniskillen Borough Council met for the last time on Thursday evening last, when the Mayor (Alderman W.F. Bryson) bade farewell to three members who were retiring from the Council - Messrs. John Richardson and Crawford Little (Unionist) and Michael Donnelly (Nationalist). He paid tribute for their work on the Council and thanked them for their services.

Elections in Fermanagh - The Contests in Enniskillen - Next Wednesday, May 20th, is polling day in the election for Councillors for Enniskillen Borough Council. There are 21 candidates for 15 seats - ten Unionists, six Labour and five Nationalists. The polling booths will be open from 8.30 a.m. until 8.30 p.m., the count is expected to start at 9.30 p.m., and the result should be known before midnight.

Clogher W.I. - At the May meeting of Clogher Women’s Institute, Mr. J. Hume, fabric designer, deputised for Mr. R.H.B. Mills, Director of Messrs. Stevenson and Sons, Moygashel, in giving a display of dress and furnishing fabrics in the famous “Moygashel” fabrics. Mrs. B. Robinson proposed a vote of thanks to the speaker.

Personal - Miss Ann Lynn, Analore, Clones, has joined the medical staff of the R.A.F. with the rank of Flying Officer. Miss Lynn qualified in general and midwifery nursing at Whips Cross Hospital, London, and is second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lynn, Analore.

Irvinestown Man’s Appointment - MAP - A man who began in journalism as Irvinestown correspondent for the “Impartial Reporter” in the early 1930s, has just been appointed Deputy News Editor of the Bristol “Evening Post,” which has a circulation of 200,000 copies a day. The executive appointment for Joseph Gallagher came exactly 15 years after he joined the “Evening Post” as a reporter from the now defunct Jersey “Morning News” in St. Helier. He has now been the Post’s chief crime reporter since 1952. On leaving Irvinestown, Mr. Gallagher worked for three years on the “Donegal Democrat.” 75 YEARS AGO - May 18, 1939: ‘Brown Sugar’ - Dramatic Achievement in Fivemiletown - The Valley Players, a new amateur theatrical party in Fivemiletown, gave two very excellent performances of ‘Brown Sugar,’ a three-act comedy by Lady (Arthur) Lever in the Parochial Hall, Fivemiletown, on Tuesday and last (Wednesday) evening.The programme was itself imposing and impressive with a photograph of the players reproduced. These players were Freddie Williams, George Cronin, Louie Johnston, Derrick Johnston, Phyllis Montgomery, Babs Morrison, Lily Boyd, Robert Bamford, William Henderson, Archie Givan, Stella Watson, Sam Gamble, Sam Crawford, and they are to be warmly congratulated on their production.

Personal - As His Grace the Duke of Abercorn has to leave home on 4th June, his proposed visit to Enniskillen to open the new British Legion Hall has been put back from the 7th June to the 31st May. He will lunch on the occasion with Mr. and Mrs. Hermon at Necarne Castle.

Greeting the Governor - When his Grace the Governor of Northern Ireland comes to Enniskillen on Wednesday, 31st inst., to open the new hall for the British Legion, he will be saluted by a Guard of Honour of ex-service men, which he will inspect.

Clogher Cathedral - A visit to the pulpit of Clogher Cathedral, the Church of his father, the late Mr. David Irwin, principal of Clogher P.E.S., by his son Rev. Albert Irwin, B.A., now a curate in a Lancashire parish, attracted large congregations to both services on Sunday. Mr. Irwin’s discourses were plain and to the point and were much enjoyed by the congregations. Mr. Irwin’s father had been hon. secretary of the Cathedral select vestry for many years.

Personal - Lord Craigavon, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, has accepted the invitation of the Enniskillen and County Fermanagh Reception Committee to be present at the luncheon to the Royal Inniskillings on the occasion of the laying up of the old regimental colours of the 27th Regiment at Enniskillen on Sunday, June 11th.

Obituary - Hon. Robert Weir - Hon. Robert Weir, who climbed from a rural school teacher’s desk in Ontario to a Dominian Cabinet Minister’s post, died on 8th March beneath a load of grain which upset on a snow-laden road near his beautiful Saskatchewan farm. The former Minister of Agriculture was 56 years of age, and was the son of a Fermanaghman.