October 1, 1964: - A happy snapshot of the late Billy Maxwell at his favourite sport. See Looking Back, 50 Years Ago, which records the passing of Mr. Maxwell.

25 YEARS AGO - Oct 5, 1989: Proud moment for the ‘most caring person’ - A widow whose aim in life is to go on helping people as long as she is able has been voted the most caring person in Britain. Mrs. Maureen Muldoon, mother of seven, from Windmill Heights, Enniskillen, who spends the greater part of her time helping the elderly and handicapped, and visiting the sick, won a £1,000 holiday when she came first at the week-end out of six finalists from all over the United Kingdom in the Tunstall Telecom Caring Awards, judged in York. On her return home on Saturday Mrs. Muldoon, who has six grandchildren said: “I had a wonderful time. I find it unbelievable that I won it.” Gail plans return visit for Dallas experience - A 19-year-old hairdresser who spent seven weeks in the United States as part of Committee Ten’s programme for bringing Protestants and Catholics together is planning a return visit. It was four years ago that Gail Kenwell, from Cooneen, Fivemiletown, went to Dallas and now she is going back to meet the Forrester family which hosted her on that occasion and to work on the famous Southfork ranch where one of the Forresters is employed as a tour guide.

New Manager - MAP - The new manager of the Northern Bank, Sam Robinson, is already a familiar figure to many in Fermanagh and the Clogher Valley as he has been manager of the Northern Bank in Fivemiletown since 1986 when he succeeded Mervyn Wallace.

Tributes from all sides for outstanding public servant - Tributes have been paid by members of Fermanagh District Council to its Director of Finance, Mr. Cyril Coalter, who attended his last meeting on Monday. Mr. Coalter retires from Local Government at the end of October. Mr. Gerry Burns, the clerk and chief executive, paying his tribute to Mr. Coalter, said he wanted to express publicly his thanks and indebtedness to him as a colleague, and as a friend through his years with the Council.

Triple Gold for Swimmers - Swimmers from the Enniskillen club came home with triple gold at the weekend. Gary McAnespey, Raymond Gallagher and Paul Mulhern each won gold at the Larne sprints gala on Saturday afternoon. McAnespey broke the record for the 50 metres butterfly for the third year in a row. Roisin Young won two silver and a bronze at the gala.

50 YEARS AGO - Oct 1, 1984: Clogher Diocesan Synod - Clogher Diocesan Synod met on Tuesday in the new Cathedral Hall, Enniskillen. The Right Rev. Dr. A.A. Buchanan, Bishop of Clogher, occupied the chair. The President, addressing the Synod, said: “Our meeting today is the climax of ten busy days. Last night there was the opening of the new Cathedral Hall, and my first word should be one of appreciation of the building in which we now meet, and of all the arrangements made here on our behalf. On Sunday night we completed a week of commemoration of St. Molaise of Devenish. We began in Clogher, and ended in Enniskillen..” Mr. William J. Maxwell - The death took place suddenly last Friday of Mr. William John Maxwell, chemist, Enniskillen. He was 55. The son of the late William J. Maxwell and Mrs. Maxwell (now aged 94) of Killynure, Enniskillen, he was educated at the Model School and Portora Royal School. He served his apprenticeship with Mrs. I. Topping, Chemist, Church Street, Enniskillen, before setting up in business on his own in Belmore Street. He was for a number of years Pharmacist to the old County Hospital and the new Erne Hospital. Mr. Maxwell was very widely known throughout the county because of his work and because of his friendly personality and good nature, and further afield as a dedicated angler.

Personal - Mr. and Mrs. M. Jenkins, are home again from their German holiday. The itinerary covered Dusseldorf, Cologne, Viersen, the Rhine Valley and Bruggen on the Dutch border. At the latter venue the magic of “Merlin the Mystic” and “Yvonne the Mysterious” evinced great acclaim.

S. Fermanagh Trip - Faulkner Returns - A pleasant afternoon was spent by the Minister of Commerce, Mr. Brian Faulkner and senior officials of his ministry on Monday seeing the beauties of Upper Lough Erne. Mr. Faulkner was completing a tour of the Ulster Lakeland which he began nearly a year ago, and at the conclusion of his trip, said he was pleased and delighted by what he had seen. The Minister, who was accompanied by his senior assistant secretary, Mr. K.R. Shineld, and Mr. J.A. Whitlaw, private secretary, travelled to Fermanagh by the regular air service operated by Derby Airways from Aldergrove to St. Angelo. Here he was welcomed by Mr. Douglas Hudson, Chairman of Fermanagh Tourist Association.

Personal - Des Dolan, hair stylist, will be absent from The Brook from 9th until 22nd October, while attending the world championship in Bosle, and also the Paris hairdressing festival.

75 YEARS AGO - Oct 5, 1939: Big Fire in Enniskillen - Flour Mill Gutted - The premises of the Enniskillen Milling Company are now a mass of ruins as a result of a disastrous fire which occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning. The premises are situated on the Irvinestown road, Enniskillen, and were completely gutted. It was one of the biggest fires in Fermanagh for half a century, and the damage is estimated at upwards of £15,000. Huge quantities of timber, meal, oil, and some petrol burned in a fierce blaze for over five hours, the flames rising a hundred feet into the air and lighting up the countryside for miles around.

Clogher Synod - Clogher Diocesan Synod met this year in the Protestant Hall, Clones on Friday. The Right Rev. James MacManaway, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese, occupied the Chair. He appointed Sir Edward Archdale to act as his assessor. In his address the Bishop said that to-day they met together not merely under the shadow of a most shocking war, but well-nigh within the sounds of the great guns, the bombs, and all the infernal inventions that were being used for the destruction of human beings. Let us now, as never before, humbly entreat the All-Powerful God that He may be pleased to bring this devastating war to a speedy conclusion, and that while it lasts it will be His gracious will to protect those who are involuntarily engaged in this death struggle, and to cover their heads in the day of battle.

Wire baskets - It has been decided to remove a seat on the footpath beneath the shade of the Coffee Van at Fairview, Enniskillen, and to take measures to ensure the safety of pedestrians in connection with the waste paper baskets attached to lamp-posts in the town, in view of dangers created by the black-out.

Noted Pettigo Preacher - Things in General - Many will know that Rev. A. M’Crea, the special preacher in the Methodist church, Enniskillen, last Sunday, is a native of Pettigo. He has travelled widely and is a most human person. On Sunday when he was describing a certain sea captain there was subdued laughter when he called him ‘a big, blustering, blaspheming decent man.’ Note These Dates - Harvest Services in Enniskillen Presbyterian Church, Sunday and Monday next. Erne ‘Bus Service alterations (see advt.)