The Impartial Reporter, January 4, 1990. Dermot McMenamin from Enniskillen with the first Irish salmon to be landed by an angler in 1990. It weighed 10lbs 4ozs and was landed from the River Drowes near Bundoran on New Year’s Day. This item was highlighted in last week’s Looking Back column.

25 YEARS AGO - Jan 11, 1990: John Lands A Big Catch - A 10-year-old schoolboy’s persistance landed him the second salmon of the New Year from the River Drowes near Bundoran. Most anglers packed up after Enniskillen fisherman Dermot McMenamin caught the first Irish salmon of 1990 and claimed the £700 prize, £200 of which he donated to Enniskillen Integrated Primary School. However, John Henderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Henderson, from Irvinestown, kept casting his bait and late in the afternoon was rewarded with an 8 lb. salmon. The St.Paul’s Primary School pupil won his family a week’s holiday in a cottage at Lareen Park; compliments of fishery owner Thomas Gallagher.

Plane Crash Victims Remembered - The children at Kilskeery Independent Christian School on Monday morning remembered one of the pupils and his mother who lost their lives in the British Midland plane crash at Kegworth a year ago. During morning assembly the Principal, Mrs. Ann Foster, led the prayers for the families of the victims of the crash. The tragedy, in which so many Ulster people lost their lives and others injured, some very seriously, brought sadness to the staff and pupils of the school. On the first anniversary of the accident, they were remembering 16-year-old Peter Hynds, described by Mrs. Foster as “one of the best lads I ever came across,” and his mother, Mrs. Patricia Irwin.

New Rector Appointed - Canon James Frazer, Church of Ireland rector of Derryvullan South and Garvary, Enniskillen, has been appointed as the new rector of St. Macartan’s Cathedral, Clogher.

Commodore Michael takes the helm - About 40 members of Lough Erne Yacht Club gathered on Sunday for the annual meeting and elected officers and committee for 1990; Michael Clarke, Irvinestown, became Commodore, Charles Golden, Goblusk, Vice Commodore, and John Eakin, Omagh, Rear Commodore. Michael Crichton was again elected LEYC Admiral. Karen Fitzsimmons was newly elected secretary, with Fred Ternan, assistant secretary, and Don McConnell was re-elected treasurer with Gerry Dickie, assistant treasurer. Each fleet has its own organising secretary.

“Coronation Street” Star - MAP - A former pupil of Enniskillen Model School, Charles Lawson, has become a star of the chart-topping “Coronation Street” in which he plays the tough Army Sergeant, Jim McDonald, with an Ulster accent. 50 YEARS AGO - Jan 7, 1965: The High Sheriffs - The Governor of Northern Ireland has appointed the following to the office of High Sheriff; County Fermanagh, Mr. William Moore, J.P., The Coagh, Enniskillen. Co. Tyrone, Capt. Robert Hawkes Ellis, Rash House, Omagh.

Personal - Rev. Alfred O’Connor, a former rector of Killesher (Florencecourt) Kilmore Diocese, was on Friday appointed rector of Drumglass Parish, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone.

Well-Deserved O.B.E. - MAP - Ken Porter, pro-manager of the Ulster Bank, in Enniskillen, had a surprise when he picked up a newspaper at the week-end and found his name in the New Year Honours List.

Honour for Ian Leinster - MAP - Also in the New Year Honours List is Squadron Leader Ian Leinster who will receive the Queen’s Commendation for valuable service in the air. Ian (35) was born in Forthill Street, Enniskillen, and is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. James Leinster, proprietors for many years of a cafe in Enniskillen.

Back Home at Newtownbutler - Home on holiday in his native Newtownbutler, is Mr. Bernard Nawn, Aughnahinch, who has been in Canada for the past 15 years. He works as a steeplejack. Also at home for a short holiday are Messrs. Jackie and Frank Timmins, of Derrykerrib Island, who have been in the United States for about 10 years.

Record Catches - These Ones Didn’t Get Away - There were 16 outstanding fish taken by rod and line in Irish waters during the past year, according to the report of the Irish Specimen Fish Committee.

A Lough Erne “Whopper” - A 17 lb. trout taken on Lough Erne was the sixth largest authenticated Irish lake trout.

A New Year Message - According to custom, a New Year message is delivered at the Enniskillen Rotary Club’s first luncheon in the Imperial Hotel in the New Year. The four Christian Churches enjoy this privilege in turn. This year it fell to the lot of the Church of Ireland, and so, on Monday, 4th inst., a New Year message was given, by Rev. L. Skuce, Rector of Inishmacsaint. The President, Harry Darling was in the chair, and having welcomed Mr. Skuce asked him to give them his New Year’s message.

75 YEARS AGO - Jan 11, 1940: New High Sheriffs - Fermanagh - Thomas Charles Bryan Pulvertaft, Gortatole, Florencecourt. Tyrone - Lt. Colonel R.C. Smythe, C.M.G., D.S.O., Augher Castle, Augher.

Canon S.R. Anderson - The canonry rendered vacant by the resignation of Canon C.M. Stack, the Bishop has conferred on the Rev. S.R. Anderson, M.A., Incumbent of Lisnaskea.

Brookeborough’s New School - A handsome new school costing almost £4,000, erected to replace the old schoolhouse at St. Mary’s Church, Brookeborough, was blessed by Most Rev. Dr. M’Kenna, Roman Catholic Bishop of Clogher, following Mass in the Church on Tuesday. The new building is the outcome of persistent effort on the part of Rev. P. McQuaid, who raised one third the cost in addition to acquiring the site, while the Fermanagh Regional Committee bore the remaining two thirds. The new building with its modern class rooms, equipped with central heating and electric lighting, stands on eminence on the other side of the road and forms a contrast to the old schoolhouse which served its day for over half a century. After mass a procession was formed from the church to the School and the Bishop, after blessing the building, congratulated Father M’Quaid and his parishioners on the splendid building.

Fire in Enniskillen - Brigade’s Smart Work - An outbreak of fire occurred on Tuesday evening about six o’clock in a small shed attached to the rear of the grocery premises of Mr. John T. Irvine, at Townhall-street, Enniskillen. Paraffin oil is stored in the shed and when the outbreak was noticed by an employee, W. Connor, the shed was a mass of flames. Connor brought a fire extinguisher into play, but was in danger of being overcome by the flames when a neighbour, Mr. George Crawford, jeweller, arrived with a second fire extinguisher. The fire was thus kept at bay until the arrival in a short time of the Enniskillen Fire Brigade under Mr. James Donnelly, surveyor, and members of the R.U.C., and soon it was put under control. The portion of the main building at that point consists largely of wood, and but for the prompt action of the two men with the extinguishers, the building would probably have been destroyed. The premises are part of one of the largest blocks in the town.

Red Cross Dance at Tempo - One of the most successful dances of the season organised by Tempo R.U.C. in aid of the Red Cross was held in the New Hall, Tempo, on the 4th inst. Large parties came from Enniskillen and were high in their praise of the beautifully decorated hall with its carnival effects.