The Looking Back column of The Impartial Reporter has this week received two old photographs of interest - dating from the early sixties.

One was taken at Derrygonnelly Mart in 1961 and features the presentation of cups. Earl Grosvenor is pictured third from right, while Robert McFarland, from Enniskillen, is second from right. The second picture is from Irvinestown Farmers’ Mart and shows the late Thomas Armstrong of Roscor, Kilskeery, Chairman of the mart, and Robert McFarland, who is being presented with a cup on behalf of the Mart for an Aberdeen Angus calf.

Robert, a well-known retired estate agent and auctioneer, recently came across the old photographs of interest and kindly shared them.

25 YEARS AGO - Dec 7, 1989: Carol singers light up the Christmas spirit - The Christmas lights have been going on all over Fermanagh as the county prepares for the festive season. Ceremonies were held on Friday evening in Enniskillen, Lisnaskea and Irvinestown where all the various Christmas decorations were switched on.

Spirit of peace shines through the fog - In spite of the thick fog blanketing the countryside and disrupting traffic, several hundred gathered in Irvinestown on Friday evening for the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights. There was a large proportion of children and teenagers as well as parents in the crowd which surrounded the Christmas tree, enjoying the music of Irvinestown Accordion Band as they waited for the arrival of Santa Claus and the “Lady of the Lake,” Miss Rosaleen McElholm.

Former Councillor Comes Home to Switch on Christmas Lights - Several hundred children from all the schools in the Lisnaskea area gathered around the town’s Christmas tree for the switching on of the Christmas illuminations. The boys and girls joined together singing Christmas carols, accompanied by their teachers. St. Cecilia’s band provided the music under the direction of Mr. M. Doogan. The singers were conducted by Mary Gilligan and the organist was Rhona McNally. The president of Lisnaskea Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Ian Foster, introduced the proceedings, welcoming everyone present. He told them he hoped that the lights would help to brighten up the festive season and help to make it better for shopping at Christmas. Mr. Foster then invited a former President of the Chamber, Mr. Jack Leahy, now living at Larne, to switch on the lights on the Christmas tree and along the main thoroughfare.

Belleek for sale at Sotheby’s - (photo caption) - This 19th century Belleek ‘Naiads Flower Pot’, moulded with a decoration of tritons, dolphins, reeds and bullrushes is estimated to fetch between £700 and £900 when it comes up for auction at Sotheby’s in London on Tuesday, 19 December, 1989. It is included in a sale of ceramics, glass and art pottery which also contains two Belleek baskets, a circular example dating from 1891-1926, estimate £700/900 and an earlier example with a rectangular wicker-work base dating from 1863-1891 impressed Belleek Co. Fermanagh, estimated to fetch between £600 and £800.

New Gallery’s Exhibition - A new gallery in Enniskillen is hosting its first art exhibition called “Nostalgic Ireland” this weekend. The Devenish Gallery, above Speediframe, in Forthill Street, opens with a private viewing of Alan Quigley’s recent works. The Lisburn artist’s work, which includes several characters from the Fermanagh countryside, will be on display for two weeks before Christmas.

50 YEARS AGO - Dec 3, 1964: Irvinestown Chamber of Commerce - Shopping Week - Irvinestown Chamber of Commerce, which is sponsoring the shopping week, is the youngest Chamber in Northern Ireland, being formed in May of this year. This effort is intended to bring to the notice of the general public the excellent shopping facilities which are available in Irvinestown. The children’s arts and crafts exhibition is well worth seeing - it has attracted over 800 entries. Another highlight of the week will be the prize distribution by the Ulster Dairy Queen.

Big Week at Irvinestown - MAP - A colleague tells me that he thinks that the Shopping Week being organised by Irvinestown Chamber of Commerce may even help the standard of exhibits at next year’s County Show. The reason is a remarkable exhibition of painting and handicrafts, the work of more than 800 school-children within a ten-mile radius of the town. Children in both primary and secondary schools from Kesh to Enniskillen have entered into the spirit of the Shopping Week. Some of the paintings have real artistic merit, especially when one realises that they were painted by children. The standard of the woodwork, too, is a tribute to the ability of the woodwork teachers in Fermanagh schools.

Fermanagh Road Traffic - 8,000 Cars Enter Enniskillen Daily - Roughly 8,000 vehicles were now coming into Enniskillen every day, the County Surveyor (Mr. C.A. McClure) informed Fermanagh County Council on Friday, when he gave some interesting figures for traffic on the various main routes in the county. The rate of increase in vehicles varied between five per cent. per annum, and on most roads the busiest period was between five p.m. and seven p.m. The peak periods in the mornings were not nearly as high. The Enniskillen to Tamlaght section of the Belfast trunk road was now the busiest in the county and was showing the highest rate of increase, Mr. McClure stated. The Enniskillen-Tempo road showed no increase, and it must be assumed that more through traffic was now using the trunk road instead of the Tempo road. The Irvinestown road was now second busiest and the Sligo Road was third.

New Clerk of the Peace - MAP - Captain C.N.M. Rowntree, M.B.E., has been appointed Clerk of the Crown and Peace for County Tyrone. He has been Under Sheriff for County Tyrone for the past 16 years.

New Rector - Rev. William Henderson, Redhills, Co. Cavan, has been appointed Church of Ireland rector of Kilrush, Co. Clare. 75 YEARS AGO - Dec 7, 1939: Things in General opens - Although we have two weeks of autumn yet to go, winter has already poked its nose in. There was ice yesterday, and snow fell heavily on Sunday and Monday last.

Flooding in Clogher Valley - Following incessant rain flooding occurred in many localities around Clogher on Thursday evening. The roads were inundated at Findermore and other places while water several feet deep on the Clogher-Augher main road near Summerhill made conditions unpleasant for motorists and pedestrians during the black-out.

A Kesh Presentation - Rev. R.J. Doonan Honoured - The esteem in which the Rev. R.J. Doonan, B.A., former curate of the parish of Drumkeeran, Kesh, was held was shown in a tangible form on 28th ult. when he was the recipient of a presentation from his parishioners and friends. The Orange Hall, Tubrid, was crowded to its utmost capacity. After an enjoyable tea the chair was occupied by Rev. R.R. Walker, who said they were gathered together to do honour to one whom they all held in highest respect. Mr. Doonan’s services to the parish had been far reaching.

Lough Erne Level - Lough Erne, on Monday, was six inches above the statutory level.

Tributes to late Mr. Maguire - At the commencement of the business at the Lisnaskea Rural Council, Mr. Jos. Johnston, J.P., said that since the last meeting the Council’s solicitor, Mr. W.P. Maguire, had passed away. He never met a nicer man and they were all sorry at his passing. He (the Chairman) had met the late Mr. Maguire in the latter’s capacity as Chairman of the Old Age Pensions Committee, and on various other occasions, and always he was the perfect gentleman.

In Enniskillen Court - A tribute to the memory of the late Mr. W.P. Maguire, solicitor, was paid at Enniskillen Petty Sessions on Monday. Major Dickie, R.M., said that before opening the Court he would like to pay a tribute to the memory of Mr. Maguire.

Clogher’s Work Appreciated - Miss J.E. Bailey, of Ormiston Cottage, Clogher, has received a charming letter from Captain Willcox, organising Secretary of the Earl Haig Fund, acknowledging with grateful thanks the splendid collection made on behalf of the Fund in the Clogher district.