Photograph from The Impartial Reporter, September 10, 1964: Professor Owen O’Mahoney, famous for his “Meet the Clans” programme on Radio Eireann, regales Dr. Edward Forster, of Rosslea, and his wife, Rosemary, with amusing anecdotes during an interval at the National Trust Ball at Castlecoole, Enniskillen.

25 YEARS AGO - Sept 21, 1989: Joy’s Healthy Food Wins “Homemaker” Award - Joy Funston made a breakthrough in YFCU competitions last week. She became the first member from Fermanagh to win the YFCU’s “Homemaker” competition. Joy (22), above, who is currently secretary of Kesh YFC, won the competition against seven other finalists at Antrim Technical College, with her views and ideas on healthy food and healthy eating. She receives a trip to the Royal Show at Stoneleigh next summer. The eight finalists representing clubs throughout the province were asked to prepare a healthy picnic lunch, design a poster showing the benefits of healthy eating and present a written piece about their menu selection. Afterwards, each candidate was interviewed by the judges, Mrs. Gill Lamont and Mrs. Liz Wilson, from Portrush Catering College. Joy’s picnic lunch consisted of sesame sausage plait, crunchy pasta salad, tossed green salad, mushroom pate and wholemeal bread and fresh fruit salad and flakemeal biscuits. She also incorporated her own homemade lemonade.

Diane’s Shaping up nicely - Many women often admit they must get into shape, but Diane Logue took it quite literally. Diane, a 26-year-old nurse, is only a “novice” when it comes to body building, but last week she surprised everyone when she finished runner-up in the Miss Ireland figure competition. A member of the St. Michael’s Weightlifting club she has trained for months to get into top competition shape. That involved training with weights twice a day, six days a week and strict diet for six weeks before the competition. All her hard work paid off when the results of the Miss Ireland Competition was announced in the Park Avenue Hotel, Belfast.

Ancient Doll’s House goes on display - A doll’s house that has been in the Belmore family for over a century is currently part of an exhibition at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. The toy was made in Sydney, Australia, when the fourth Lord Belmore was governor general, between 1868 and 1872. He brought it back with him and it has been at Castlecoole ever since, where it was on display until 1978 when it was put into storage. The exhibition, “The world of Dolls’ Houses” opened on September 2. It is sponsored by Halifax Property Services, with the proceeds going to “Save the Children” fund to mark the charity’s 70th anniversary.

Captain Lowry - Captain and Mrs. Lowry of Blessingbourne, Fivemiletown, have also allowed a doll’s house that belonged to Captain Lowry’s grandmother to be part of the exhibition. and Mrs. Peggy Gallagher, from Fivemiletown, who has made lace for European royalty, is donating a miniature piece to be sold in aid of “Save the Children.” 50 YEARS AGO - Sept 17, 1964: An R.U.C. Occasion - History was made at Enniskillen R.U.C. Depot, on Tuesday afternoon when the first passing-out parade was held for recruits who have completed their training. It was the first passing-out parade ever held in the Depot, where R.U.C. men have been trained for the past 30 years. Normally the young constables finish their six months training and are posted to various stations throughout Northern Ireland. The Deputy Inspector General of the R.U.C., Mr. J.A. Peacocke, inspected the parade, which was commanded by District Inspector C.H. Rodgers, Deputy Commandant of the Depot. During his inspection, the Inspector General was escorted by County Inspector T. Crozier, Commandant of the Depot, and Head Major J.F. Johnston. On parade were the 17 recruits who were passing-out.

Clogher Presbyterian Church - The Rev. John William M’Crum Millar, B.A., B.D., son of Mr. William Miller, R.M., Omagh, has received a unanimous call to become minister of Clogher Presbyterian Church, which has been vacant since Rev. Brian Murphy was moved to First Derry. Mr. Millar was ordained in March, 1962, and is at present assistant minister to Rev. J.W. Orr, in Bloomfield, Belfast. He is a grandson of the late Rev. David Millar, minister of First Armagh.

Belcoo Trials - Sheep Dogs Compete - In brilliant sunshine a large gathering of farmers and their families, sheep owners and dog lovers, watched the first sheep dog trials held at Belcoo on Saturday by the recently formed Belcoo Sheep Farmers’ Association. The events were staged on the cottage meadow, a delightful setting on the shores of Lough MacNea, with the Hanging Rock and Cuilcagh in the background. The field was kindly loaned for the occasion by Mr. David Elliott. The competitors came with their dogs from Fermanagh, Tyrone, Donegal and Leitrim, while a number of leading figures in the world of sheep dog trials, travelled from the sheep rearing districts of Derry, Antrim and Down. The local competitors found they had plenty of opposition, but acquitted themselves more than favourably. The group of enthusiasts from the Belcoo district who were responsible for organising the trials plan to make it an annual occasion. Photo caption - Mr. J. Wallace, Enniskillen, presents the Silcocks Tankard to Mr. Patrick Magee, Belcoo, who received the award for the best handler in the Holywell district.

Irvinestown Shopping Week - Plans for Irvinestown’s shopping week in December were approved at the monthly meeting of Irvinestown Chamber of Commerce, held in St. Mary’s Secondary School last week, Numerous contacts have been made and there has been wholehearted support from many quarters, the committee reported. The opening ceremony will be performed by the Ulster Dairy Queen. Throughout the week leading provincial wholesale firms will put on a series of food demonstrations. The shops will remain open until a late hour and will feature attractive window displays. To enliven the proceedings there will also be nightly band parades and numerous additional attractions. Champion Tree-Fellers - Northern Ireland forestry men competed on Sunday for the final of the tree-felling contest. Winner was A. Johnston, of North Derry; runner-up was Frank Gilliland, East Fermanagh.

75 YEARS AGO - Sept 21, 1939: British Warship Torpedoed - Enniskillener Amongst 1,100 on Board - The British Aircraft-Carrier, H.M.S. Courageous, with 1,100 men on board, was sunk by a German submarine at 8 p.m. on Sunday. The survivors were picked up by destroyers and merchant ships, and, an official statement said, ‘the submarine was immediately heavily attacked and is believed to have been sunk.’ Nearly 700 survivors, including 70 officers, of the Courageous were landed by destroyers which had been attending the vessel.

Enniskillen Man Saved - Amongst those on board the Courageous was Mr. Harry Creighton, son of Mr. W.H. Creighton, Belmount, Enniskillen. Mr. Creighton, who is safe, is 19. He was a supply assistant on the vessel. Paymaster Sub-Lieut. I.F. Westmacott, the Captain’s secretary, stated that he was having his supper when he suddenly heard two violent explosions which seemed to lift the ship. ‘All lights went out and crockery fell over,’ he said. ‘I got out of the wardroom and made my way to the seaplane platform on top of the quarter deck. People waiting there did not realise that the ship was going to sink so soon. Suddenly an order was given for everyone to get into the water. Some men went to the Carley floats and others got boats out.’ The Rush for Petrol - Scenes in Enniskillen and Clones - Petrol rationing was to have commenced on Saturday last, and motorists who had put off the ‘evil’ day made a last-minute dash in Enniskillen to obtain supplies on Friday. Everywhere there were large queues at petrol pumps. All kinds of utensils were used for taking away the petrol. Some people brought creamery cans and petrol tanks taken off old motor cars. In some instances people offered 2s per gallon.

Creamery Cans as Containers - Never in the history of Clones was there seen such a rush for supplies of petrol as was witnessed all day last Friday, up till midnight, at all the local garages and petrol pumps. So great was the crowd of motorists queued up at the different petrol pumps to obtain supplies that there was a traffic jam.

Personal - Mr. L.W. Parker, Enniskillen, has been re-elected on the Pharmaceutical Council of Northern Ireland.

Coming Entertainment - To pay and look pleasant will be easy this time! Because Lady Margaret Lowry-Corry (Divisional Superintendent) and Dr. Arthur Dickson (County Director) of the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade here, locally, have arranged an entertainment so that funds may flow for their equipment. By buying seats you will receive tea, listen to plays and music, and forget depressing news for a few hours. Starting at 3.30, everyone should get home in good light.

Attack by Badger - When Mr. R. Johnston, Magheraveely, was cutting a field of corn for Mr. Sam Keary, U.D.C., Clones, he was attacked by a large badger, which he had much trouble in despatching with a stick.

Potato - Major Jack Clerkin, Lacky, Clones has dug a potato which weighs two and a quarter pounds.