The Impartial Reporter at 200: Looking back through the archives

As part of the social fabric of its circulation area, The Impartial Reporter captured the good, the bad and the ugly in its pages and continues to do so.

Below are some of those stories.

Army personnel patrol after a bomb was left outside the Police Station in Rosslea. 2003. (Image: Impartial Reporter) A man who abandoned a car bomb at the gates of Rosslea Police Station was caught on camera.

Security cameras monitoring the front of the Police Station show the distinctive green MG Metro car used by the bombers approaching along the Clough Road from the direction of the Border around 8.40pm. After pulling up at the main entrance the driver, who is wearing what appears to be a baseball cap, gets out of the vehicle. Although it is not raining he immediately pulls the hood of his jacket up over his head and puts his hands in the air as if to surrender.

Those on guard duty at the time heard the man shout: "Don't shoot, there's a bomb in my car."

the army bomb disposal officer was called in to examine the suspect car. He carried out a controlled explosion on the vehicle around 11pm. In the back of the car he found a beer keg with 130 pounds of home made explosives. The device was primed and ready to explode. The officer defused the bomb in a security operation.

Aine McGirr, Shauna Goodwin, Elaina Roulston, Bernie McCusker and Laura McFarland. 2010. (Image: Impartial Reporter) This group of girls were some of the many young people glammed up and enjoying a disco at the Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown in 2010. 

John McLaughlin of Duncainr Harriers, the winner of the Fermanagh Fun Run, being congratulated by Council chairman, Mr. Raymond Ferguson. 1981. (Image: Impartial Reporter) With the hugely popular Spooktacular just around the corner we take a look at another popular run that took place in 1981.

The Fermanagh 'Fun Run' attracted almost 400 athletes from all over Northern Ireland as well as the Border counties of Cavan, Leitrim and Donegal.

The 10-mile course saw runners start in Enniskillen and finish at Main Street, Irvinestown.

Jenny Bristow was happy to sing a copy of her book for Henrietta Fawcett (left) and Sarah Melarkey (right). 2014. (Image: Impartial Reporter) The Killyhevlin played host to a food and fashion event in October 2014 to raise money for Clic Sargent and Diabetes UK.

While some took the runway for a bit of modelling others whetted their appetite by taking in a cookery demonstration by Jenny Bristow who also signed copies of her book for some in attendance.

The business centre of Enniskillen completely blocked for more than two hours by the Civil Rights demonstration. 1970. (Image: Impartial Reporter) In October 1970, John Hume was in Enniskillen to take part in a Civil Rights demonstration at which he called for the people of Fermanagh to boycott the council.

The meeting was called to protest at the imprisonment of 20 civil rights' supporters who had not paid fines imposed after incidents in the county council offices earlier in the year.

More than 1,500 people attended with a large police and army presence in the town as an army helicopter patrolled the skies.

The main street was blocked by the crowd gathered around the platform at the Diamond for more than two hours.

A scene from the Enniskillen Collegiate School's production of 'Calamity Jane'. Included are (from left), Amy Stuart as 'Danny', Deborah Morre 'Calamity Jane' and Rachel Gordon as 'Wild Bill Hickhock'. 1995. (Image: Impartial Reporter)