The Champion Ploughman at the Fermanagh Ploughing Society’s match at Girgadis, Trillick, 50 years ago, was William Grey, of Lisnahanna, Trillick, winner of the Lawder and Fallis Cups, and two special prizes. Photo from The Impartial Reporter, March 25, 1965. See Looking Back below.

25 YEARS AGO - March 28, 1940: Outstanding response at Graan - Novena encouraged people not to abandon hope in life - There was an “outstanding response” to the Novena of Hope at The Graan in Enniskillen with thousands flocking to Enniskillen for the nine days of special prayer. It was the first religious event of its kind to take place in Fermanagh and was organised by a native of Bellanaleck, Father Brian D’Arcy. He returned to the county at Christmas as superior of The Graan and thought a Novena would be a good way of giving people here hope. Father Augustine who led the special praise with Father D’Arcy said there had been never been a better attended event. The church was full half-an-hour before each session with the congregation spilling over into the sacristy and prayer room.

Frank goes under the Mastermind Spotlight - Local teacher Frank Rogers is put to the test when the spotlight falls on him during “Mastermind” on BBC1 on April 8. The head of the history department at Mount Lourdes Grammar School in Enniskillen is only the third person from Fermanagh to take part in the programme. However, Frank, a native of Belleek, feels there are dozens of people in the county who would have no trouble qualifying for Mastermind and giving a good account of themselves. It was a friend who had been on the programme who encouraged Frank to “have a go.” Out of around 5,000 applicants, 400 were called for interviews.

Irvinestown to host Fleadh - Irvinestown is to host the Fermanagh Fleadh for the first time this summer. The event takes place from June 8 until 19, organised by the Irvinestown branch of the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. Preparations are already underway with the local branch members and the Fleadh committee working to try and ensure an enjoyable weekend of traditional music, song and dance.

Physios Work on Display - Advances made in physiotherapy were highlighted at two open days in the Erne Hospital, Enniskillen last week. The event was part of “National Physiotherapy Week.” Chairman leads the way for Spring tree week - Fermanagh Council Chairman, Mr. Caldwell McClaughry, took a lead to mark Spring Tree Week. The Chairman helped pupils from Kesh Primary School to plant six ornamental plum trees at Mantlin Road, Kesh.

50 YEARS AGO - March 25, 1965: Ploughing Match - Trillick Man Wins - Ploughing at a match for the first time, 21 years old William Grey, of Lisnahanna, Trillick, “swept the board” by winning all the major awards at the Fermanagh Ploughing Society’s annual contest. Fine weather, with excellent conditions for ploughing, and for the hundreds of spectators, favoured the event, which was held on a field owned by Mr. A. Ager, at Girgadis, Trillick. The entries, totalling 13, were from Fermanagh and Tyrone. There were no horse-competitors, as has been the case for a considerable number of years. The Lawder Cup, for the champion ploughman; the Fallis Cup, for the best beginner, and the special prizes of five gallons in tractor oil, donated by William Aiken, garage-owner, Irvinestown, a four-stone pack of flour, given by S.R. Elliott and Sons, Darling St., Enniskillen, were all won by Billy Grey.

Enniskillen Anglers Re-form Club - The Enniskillen Angling Club, which caters for fishermen in the Enniskillen area, has been reformed after having been dormant for the past two years. The decision to get the Club going again was taken at a meeting in Enniskillen Townhall on Monday evening, convened by Mr. Charles Connor, who feels that an active Angling Club would be an asset to members of the fishing fraternity in and around Enniskillen.

Shopping Made Fun (Lipton To Open Magnificent Supermarket Next Tuesday) - Lipton have taken the bad temper out of shopping. Coloured murals decorate the walls. These are being used for the first time depicting dairy, tea, bakery and market garden scenes. Shopping’s fun for young and old alike. As one woman of 90 said of a sister Lipton store: “There’s nothing quite like it.” Men will like shopping at Lipton, too. No infuriating waiting, no hesitant housewives to hold up the entire store. The pace is right for the efficient male! Two pay desks, each staffed by one girl to add up and one to pack your goods, ensure there is no delay. Baby is no handicap in supermarket shopping either. He (or she) can be popped into a baby basket, a special version of the shopping trolley, and wheeled around as mother shops.

75 YEARS AGO - March 25, 1940: Sligo Cup - At Sligo Feis Ceoil on Tuesday, the Urlar Perpetual Elocution Cup was won by Miss Mary Timoney, Enniskillen. In the piano class (under 13) Miss Joyce Dickson, Enniskillen, was first.

Appointment - Miss Rose Curran, who has been appointed teacher in Kinawley public elementary school, has for some years been teaching in Wales. She is a daughter of Mr. Francis Curran, principal teacher of Kinawley P.E.S.

A Coincidence - In ‘25 Years Ago’ in our issue of the 21st inst., it stated that ‘Commander N. Archdale, R.N., had arrived home at Riversdale last week and has since returned to Sir John Jellicoe’s fleet.’ On Thursday last, Midshipman E.F. Archdale arrived at Riversdale with his father Vice-Admiral N. Archdale, the officer referred to in ‘25 Years Ago.’ Superintendent - Rev. C.F. Maguire has accepted the invitation of the Fivemiletown Circuit to remain another year as Superintendent.

War on Border Poteen Makers - Owing to the continued prevalence of illicit spirits along the Border the hunt by R.U.C. for poteen makers still continues. Recently a number of men who took shelter from the rain in a lime kiln were surprised by the police who flashed lights upon the men and searched them for poteen, but nothing was found. The increase in poteen making is attributed to the higher cost of liquor and much of the illicit spirits is stated to come from Eire.

Local Marathons - Things in General - I have told of a concert in Maguiresbridge which lasted from 8 p.m. til 1 a.m. - a record for this form of entertainment. A badminton tournament was held in Pettigo recently. Although play began early in the night it did not finish until 5 a.m. Some of the spectators were dozing or asleep while the players towards the end seemed to be dazed. Little wonder. The Pettigo Club do things well, however. So popular was the last tournament that they intend to run another on Wednesday, 3rd April.

MAP - Mr. Sterling Maguire, manager of the local office of the Electricity Board, is leaving Enniskillen for London to take up an appointment as senior mechanical engineer assistant in the Air Ministry. He will be on loan to the Air Ministry for the period of the war, but he has the option of staying on in his new post should he desire to do so.