Impartial Reporter, May 17, 1990: Twenty-five years ago, Mr. Owen McTaggart is pictured weighing in a catch at the Broadmeadow during the P.&O. Fishing festival.

25 YEARS AGO - May 17, 1990: Classic is just Champion! - Three former world match angling champions are among the 383 competitors in the P.and O. European Ferries’ Classic Fishing Festival which is taking place in Fermanagh this week. The £15,000 event has attracted some of Europe’s top fishermen including the former world champions: Bobby Smithers, from Dublin; Kevin Ashurst, England; and Clive Branson, Wales. With P. and O. taking over sponsorship of the Classic, entries almost exceeded the record for the annual spring festival of 389. Of these, the vast majority - 290 - are from England. However, there is a strong Irish contingent of 46, including members of the local Erne Anglers’ Club, as well as 28 Germans, 8 Austrians, 8 Welsh and 3 Dutch. This year’s Classic certainly has a cosmopolitan flavour.

Boat Rally’s 25th Anniversary - The Erne Boat Rally, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, sets afloat next weekend. The official opening will take place at Belturbet Jetty at 8.30 p.m. on Friday, 25th May, when the Commodore, Mr. Colin Beattie, is piped aboard.

Judges pick Teresa from a lovely bunch of Roses! - Teresa Reilly said she was “shocked” after winning the Fermanagh Rose of Tralee Final 1990, in Enniskillen, last week. The final night was a glittering occasion, attended by several hundred people, in the Lisgoole Suite of the Killyhevlin Hotel. Teresa, a 24-year-old dark-haired girl from Aughaweenagh, in Kinawley, said she had only taken part in the competition for the “fun of it.” She said she did not expect to win, and had never entered anything like it before. After being chosen from the 15 finalists, a glittering crown was placed on Teresa’s head, before she had to do a victory walk.

Year of Achievement for U.F.U. President - Lisnaskea dairy farmer, Ronnie Farrell, this week began returning to managing his herd with his son Roderick again, after completing a busy year as President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union. Mr. Farrell handed over the office of President to his successor, Mr. John Warden at the U.F.U.’s annual meeting at Loughry College on Friday.

C.E.’s President Installed - The new President of the Christian Endeavour installed at the Enniskillen and District’s annual rally, was Mrs. Maeve Wilson, from Clogher. She takes over from the Rev. Denis Anderson, from Castlederg, as President in the centenary year. The annual rally was held in Enniskillen Methodist Church, where Young Peoples’ Societies took part.

50 YEARS AGO - May 13, 1965: At the Palace - MAP - A young man who has brought credit to Fermanagh and his school, is Ian Mowat, of Beresford Place, Enniskillen, who was at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday to receive his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. With him was his mother, Dorothy. Ian gained his award under four headings: fitness, for which he chose athletic pursuits and rowing; a 50-mile hike through the Mourne Mountains; gaining proficiency in adults first aid and receiving life saving awards. He was the senior champion last year at Portora Royal School, and the junior champion previously. Ian is the second youngest son of the late Sergt. Bruce Mowat.

Carrying on “a Great Tradition” - Methodism was introduced into the Augher district of County Tyrone in 1767. Ninety-eight years later the present Methodist Church in Augher was opened by Rev. J. Donnelly, of Belfast, who preached, according to the records, “to a large congregation.” The account of the opening services says that “his sermons would likely to have pleased John Wesley had he been present. “ This year the Augher Church celebrates its centenary, and at a special service, held on the evening of May 5, to commemorate the event, the special preacher was Rev. Samuel H. Baxter, D.D., President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, who re-dedicated the church and vestry and at the same time dedicated a stained glass memorial window and new furnishings.

35 Years’ Service - In Boho A.O.H. Hall, presentations were made to Mrs. Katie McGuinness, of Sligo Road, Enniskillen, retiring principal of Carrickbeg primary school, Boho, after 35 years’ service.

Motoring - Enniskillen Club - After the excitement of the Circuit of Ireland finish at the Ulster Farmers’ Mart in Enniskillen last month, the Enniskillen Motor Club resume their own competition programme with a driving test to be held at St. Angelo at the end of the month. Reports show that this meeting should be one of the best organised by the club, with an entry list which will include several of the international class Circuit of Ireland drivers.

Kinawley’s New Incumbent - The Rev. Matthew Jas. Frederick Lynn, M.A., St. Munchin’s Vicarage, Shelbourne, Limerick, Dean’s Vicar and assistant clergyman of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick, has been unanimously appointed incumbent of the Parish of Kinawley and Holy Trinity. He was formerly on the staff of Portora Royal School.

75 YEARS AGO - May 16, 1940: Brookeborough P.O. - Things in General - Miss E. West, the popular postmistress at Brookeborough, who has retired after over 30 years tenure of the office, having followed the late Mr. R. Funston, is a member of the West family, of Littlemount, and is succeeded by another Littlemount lady in the person of her niece, Miss B. Dalton, who has been assistant in the office for several years. The new appointment has given much satisfaction locally, and Miss West’s many friends will be pleased to know that she is not relinquishing her connection with the office.

Personal - The many friends in sport of Mr. Ernest H. Howe of Drumawill, Enniskillen, will be pleased to know that he has been made captain of the ‘Irish International soccer team’ to represent the Irish side, at a big R.A.F. camp in England. A grandson of the late Mr. J.M. Geddes, B.A., he was educated at Enniskillen Model School and Portora Royal School. He joined the R.A.F. in January last.

Ulster and Mr. Churchill - Mr. Churchill, new British Premier, has received the following telegram from Lord Craigavon, Premier: ‘Congratulations and best wishes from my colleagues and myself in the Government of Northern Ireland, we wish to assure you of every possible assistance Ulster can offer in the vigorous prosecution of the war.’ Huntsmen’s Day at Galloon - The Maguires on Top - A novel and interesting sports programme was gone through at Galloon Island, near Newtownbutler, on Sunday last. The first item was a competition for the singing of hunting songs. Upwards of 20 competitors took part and first prize was won by Mr. Atty Maguire, Lehinch, who sang a song composed locally which described a hunt which took place at Lisnaknock, Newtownbutler, many years ago. Second prize was awarded to his brother, Mr. John Maguire, Lehinch, who rendered a song composed by Mr. Jack Lynch, Lammy. This depicted a famous hunt which took place at Corseenagh a few years ago. Over 30 people took part in a competition for the blowing of hunting horns, and first prize was awarded to Messrs. John Maguire, Lehinch, and Michael M’Caffery, Galloon, who both tied for first place. A special prize was awarded to Mr. Atty Maguire, Lehinch, who gave a good performance. In a competition for cheering and calling of dogs, first prize went to Mr. Hugh Montgomery, Drumclay, Newtownbutler.

Impartial Reporter, May 17, 1990: Twenty-five years ago, Mr. Owen McTaggart is pictured weighing in a catch at the Broadmeadow during the P.&O. Fishing festival.

25 YEARS AGO - May 17, 1990: Classic is just Champion! - Three former world match angling champions are among the 383 competitors in the P.and O. European Ferries’ Classic Fishing Festival which is taking place in Fermanagh this week. The £15,000 event has attracted some of Europe’s top fishermen including the former world champions: Bobby Smithers, from Dublin; Kevin Ashurst, England; and Clive Branson, Wales. With P. and O. taking over sponsorship of the Classic, entries almost exceeded the record for the annual spring festival of 389. Of these, the vast majority - 290 - are from England. However, there is a strong Irish contingent of 46, including members of the local Erne Anglers’ Club, as well as 28 Germans, 8 Austrians, 8 Welsh and 3 Dutch. This year’s Classic certainly has a cosmopolitan flavour.

Boat Rally’s 25th Anniversary - The Erne Boat Rally, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, sets afloat next weekend. The official opening will take place at Belturbet Jetty at 8.30 p.m. on Friday, 25th May, when the Commodore, Mr. Colin Beattie, is piped aboard.

Judges pick Teresa from a lovely bunch of Roses! - Teresa Reilly said she was “shocked” after winning the Fermanagh Rose of Tralee Final 1990, in Enniskillen, last week. The final night was a glittering occasion, attended by several hundred people, in the Lisgoole Suite of the Killyhevlin Hotel. Teresa, a 24-year-old dark-haired girl from Aughaweenagh, in Kinawley, said she had only taken part in the competition for the “fun of it.” She said she did not expect to win, and had never entered anything like it before. After being chosen from the 15 finalists, a glittering crown was placed on Teresa’s head, before she had to do a victory walk.

Year of Achievement for U.F.U. President - Lisnaskea dairy farmer, Ronnie Farrell, this week began returning to managing his herd with his son Roderick again, after completing a busy year as President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union. Mr. Farrell handed over the office of President to his successor, Mr. John Warden at the U.F.U.’s annual meeting at Loughry College on Friday.

C.E.’s President Installed - The new President of the Christian Endeavour installed at the Enniskillen and District’s annual rally, was Mrs. Maeve Wilson, from Clogher. She takes over from the Rev. Denis Anderson, from Castlederg, as President in the centenary year. The annual rally was held in Enniskillen Methodist Church, where Young Peoples’ Societies took part.

50 YEARS AGO - May 13, 1965: At the Palace - MAP - A young man who has brought credit to Fermanagh and his school, is Ian Mowat, of Beresford Place, Enniskillen, who was at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday to receive his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. With him was his mother, Dorothy. Ian gained his award under four headings: fitness, for which he chose athletic pursuits and rowing; a 50-mile hike through the Mourne Mountains; gaining proficiency in adults first aid and receiving life saving awards. He was the senior champion last year at Portora Royal School, and the junior champion previously. Ian is the second youngest son of the late Sergt. Bruce Mowat.

Carrying on “a Great Tradition” - Methodism was introduced into the Augher district of County Tyrone in 1767. Ninety-eight years later the present Methodist Church in Augher was opened by Rev. J. Donnelly, of Belfast, who preached, according to the records, “to a large congregation.” The account of the opening services says that “his sermons would likely to have pleased John Wesley had he been present. “ This year the Augher Church celebrates its centenary, and at a special service, held on the evening of May 5, to commemorate the event, the special preacher was Rev. Samuel H. Baxter, D.D., President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, who re-dedicated the church and vestry and at the same time dedicated a stained glass memorial window and new furnishings.

35 Years’ Service - In Boho A.O.H. Hall, presentations were made to Mrs. Katie McGuinness, of Sligo Road, Enniskillen, retiring principal of Carrickbeg primary school, Boho, after 35 years’ service.

Motoring - Enniskillen Club - After the excitement of the Circuit of Ireland finish at the Ulster Farmers’ Mart in Enniskillen last month, the Enniskillen Motor Club resume their own competition programme with a driving test to be held at St. Angelo at the end of the month. Reports show that this meeting should be one of the best organised by the club, with an entry list which will include several of the international class Circuit of Ireland drivers.

Kinawley’s New Incumbent - The Rev. Matthew Jas. Frederick Lynn, M.A., St. Munchin’s Vicarage, Shelbourne, Limerick, Dean’s Vicar and assistant clergyman of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick, has been unanimously appointed incumbent of the Parish of Kinawley and Holy Trinity. He was formerly on the staff of Portora Royal School.

75 YEARS AGO - May 16, 1940: Brookeborough P.O. - Things in General - Miss E. West, the popular postmistress at Brookeborough, who has retired after over 30 years tenure of the office, having followed the late Mr. R. Funston, is a member of the West family, of Littlemount, and is succeeded by another Littlemount lady in the person of her niece, Miss B. Dalton, who has been assistant in the office for several years. The new appointment has given much satisfaction locally, and Miss West’s many friends will be pleased to know that she is not relinquishing her connection with the office.

Personal - The many friends in sport of Mr. Ernest H. Howe of Drumawill, Enniskillen, will be pleased to know that he has been made captain of the ‘Irish International soccer team’ to represent the Irish side, at a big R.A.F. camp in England. A grandson of the late Mr. J.M. Geddes, B.A., he was educated at Enniskillen Model School and Portora Royal School. He joined the R.A.F. in January last.

Ulster and Mr. Churchill - Mr. Churchill, new British Premier, has received the following telegram from Lord Craigavon, Premier: ‘Congratulations and best wishes from my colleagues and myself in the Government of Northern Ireland, we wish to assure you of every possible assistance Ulster can offer in the vigorous prosecution of the war.’ Huntsmen’s Day at Galloon - The Maguires on Top - A novel and interesting sports programme was gone through at Galloon Island, near Newtownbutler, on Sunday last. The first item was a competition for the singing of hunting songs. Upwards of 20 competitors took part and first prize was won by Mr. Atty Maguire, Lehinch, who sang a song composed locally which described a hunt which took place at Lisnaknock, Newtownbutler, many years ago. Second prize was awarded to his brother, Mr. John Maguire, Lehinch, who rendered a song composed by Mr. Jack Lynch, Lammy. This depicted a famous hunt which took place at Corseenagh a few years ago. Over 30 people took part in a competition for the blowing of hunting horns, and first prize was awarded to Messrs. John Maguire, Lehinch, and Michael M’Caffery, Galloon, who both tied for first place. A special prize was awarded to Mr. Atty Maguire, Lehinch, who gave a good performance. In a competition for cheering and calling of dogs, first prize went to Mr. Hugh Montgomery, Drumclay, Newtownbutler.