The Impartial Reporter, February 18, 1965: The new rector of Lack Parish, Rev. E. N. Rowe, chatting with the churchwardens, Messrs. George Bratton (on left) and Frank Crozier, Lack.

25 YEARS AGO - March 8, 1990: Into the final! - Mount Lourdes pupil, Ciara Lavin, has “talked” her way into the final of a prestigious public speaking competition. Ciara won the Fermanagh heat of the Soroptimist International Public Speaking Competition for Girls back in November and competes in the final at Greenmount College, Antrim on Saturday. In the regional heat, Ciara impressed the judges with her speech on “Do we learn from books or experience?”.

Off to the Palace - MAP - This week a member of Derrychara Youth Club based at Enniskillen High School, 19-year-old Selwyn Johnston, has been over at St. James’s Palace in London to receive the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award in the presence of HRH, Prince Philip. Selwyn, whose home is at Castle View in Henry Street in Enniskillen, was accompanied to the Palace by his mother, Betty. He is at present a student of Fermanagh College of Further Education. His principal project for the award was to undertake a cycling expedition of more than 200 miles around Ulster studying how land is being used - and abused!

Rowing - New Race Record - The Erne Head of the River, on Saturday, lived up to its promise by providing a superb display of skilful rowing and hard racing. With a blustery wind and strong stream flowing conditions, though difficult were fast and the first four crews home beat the previous record time of 19 mins 20 secs. Belfast Rowing Club started first with University College Galway two lengths behind and Neptune a similar distance further astern. After a mile Galway had drawn up on Belfast and Neptune were almost level with the two leaders. These three raced neck and neck for some way until Galway dropped back leaving BRC and Neptune racing side by side over the main body of the course. By a feat of superbly skilled coxing by Mike Bailey and Liam Williams both crews simultaneously shot through the same arch of the West Bridge before sprinting for the line at Portora boathouse. When the results were announced Neptune were the winners in the exceptionally fast time of 18 mins 26 secs.

Portora - The Portora Boat Club crews with St. Michael’s College boys on board did well with the Junior B crew finishing fourth out of ten in the Novice class and the Junior C crew being convincing winners of their class pennant.

50 YEARS AGO - March 11, 1965: Y.F.C. Debating - Ballinamallard and Kesh Teams Win - The Ballinamallard Junior Y.F.C. team has brought honour to County Fermanagh by winning 1st place in the section for 12-16 year-olds in the Y.F.C. group debating competitions held at Belfast Royal Academy on Saturday. In the team were Lorna Crane, Mina Cluff and Derek Humes, all students at Ballinamallard County Secondary School. A team from Kesh County Secondary School took third place. The members were Ruth Barton, John Robinson and Hazel Ewing. Mr. Joe Patton, chairman of the Public Speaking Committee, welcomed Mrs. Terence O’Neill, who presented the awards. Mrs. O’Neill said she had been born and bred in the country, and had a great affection for the work of the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster. She emphasised the importance of a training in public speaking such as that given by the Y.F.C.U. in those competitions.

Personal - Rev. Cyril Haire, who conducted the service in Clontarf Methodist Church, Dublin, televised by Telefis Eireann on Sunday, is the elder son of Mr. and Mrs. I. Haire, Montmore, Fivemiletown.

Rowing - “Erne Head of the River” - Now firmly established, the Lough Erne “Head of the River” race, organised by the Portora Royal School Boat Club, attracts crews from all over Ireland. It will be rowed on Saturday over the course from above Lisgoole, past Enniskillen to finish at the School boat house. An entry of 18 to 20 crews is expected, and the event is timed to start at 2.30pm. This year Portora 1st VIII are defending the title they won last year. Trinity College, Dublin, 1st VIII are at present in training on the Erne. Entries have been received from - Portora 4 crews; Queen’s 4; University College, Dublin, 4; Trinity College, Dublin, 2; Coleraine Academical Institution 2; Methodist College 1; Bann Rowing Club 1; Royal Belfast Academical Institution 1; Carlow 1.

Early Dancers - MAP - I have on many occasions heard people complaining about late-comers at dances throughout the county. Now I see that the Carry Bridge Aqua Club is making an effort to get the dancing started on time by having special prizes for the early arrivals.

75 YEARS AGO - March 7, 1940: Judge Martin C. Maguire - Mr. Justice C. Martin, a native of Fermanagh, and the first Fermanagh-man to reach the High Court Bench in Ireland, was the guest of honour at a dinner given by St. Macartan’s College Union (of which he is President) to celebrate his appointment. Amongst those present were Rev. Canon Keown and Archdeacon Tierney. After a number of felicitous speeches had been delivered, Judge Maguire, in reply, said he was very happy to come there to pay his little tribute to the dear old school, the standard of which was as high to-day as it was then, if not higher, and St. Macartan’s had every reason to be proud of its achievements. It had given bishops to three dioceses and many other distinguished men to the Church.

Fermanagh Child’s Music Successes - Carol Little, Clabby, Fivemiletown, gained 3rd place for Violin Solo at the Portadown Music Festival with 163 marks. She also took 2nd place for Pianoforte Solo (under 13 years) with 179 and a half marks, half a mark less than the first prize winner. The adjudicator, Mr. John Vine, when presenting her with a medal, said that during all the years he had been adjudicating, he had never heard such good sight reading. She got 10 marks out of 10. In his remarks he said she was a very musical and most promising player.

Hall - The new hall at Garrison, County Fermanagh, is now completed, owing to the energy of Rev. E. Coyle, P.P., to have a social meeting place.

Ladies’ Night in Fivemiletown - To augment the funds of Fivemiletown Golf Club the lady members organised a Leap Year Dance which was held in the Club House on 29th ult., and it was an outstanding success. Mrs. Bloomfield carried out the duties of M.C. in a charming manner. There was not a dull moment, the dance going with a swing to the excellent music supplied by A. Mack and his Rhythm Band. The hall was decorated and an excellent supper was served by the ladies at midnight.

Ladies Have a Night Out - Things in General - The Fivemiletown ladies had a great night on the 29th ult. They had a dance, and as it was leap year there were plenty of ‘Ladies Excuse Me,’ and ‘Ladies Cutting-in,’ dances.