The Impartial Reporter, September 2, 1965: Mrs. W. Elliott of Drumconnis, Ballinamallard, and her daughters Heather and Sandra, admire a vase of blooms in the flower section of Fermanagh Show. See County Show report in 50 Years Ago, below.

25 YEARS AGO - Sept 6, 1990: New Rector is welcomed - Derryvullan parish church (Tamlaght) was filled to overflowing, some having to hear the service relayed to the parish hall, on Friday night. It was the institution service for the Rev. John Wesley Stewart, B.D., as rector of the combined parishes of Derryvullan and Garvary, by the Bishop of Clogher, the Rt. Rev. Brian Hannon. Many of Mr. Stewart’s former parishioners of the Ballybay group, travelled for the service.

Flower power! - Tommy Curley, from Irvinestown, has got an unusual ability - “sunflower-power.” The man from Pound Street, who grows his own vegetables and flowers (most of them to give away), also grows eye-catching sunflowers in his neat back garden - but certainly not the normal type. His latest “production” has already got seven “heads” in blossom and about nine more are coming out.

Wealth of stories - The latest book about Fermanagh: “A View from the Hanging Rock” launched at a reception at the Ardhowen Theatre on Friday afternoon, may be a slim volume yet it contains a wealth of information, facts and stories from Kinawley-Florencecourt districts. The material has been collated and published by the recently formed Killesher Historical Society. More than a dozen members of the society, composed of farmers, clergymen, teachers and people from various walks of life in the community, have contributed articles, many of them recalling events from the past and pieces of history almost forgotten.

It’s back to the books - Children from all over County Fermanagh were back at their desks this week for the start of the new school term. Youngsters stepped into new school-uniforms and shoes - as homes everywhere were “evacuated” for the big return. The two-month long summer holidays had come to an end and it was back to the books.

Pipers earn ‘quite a reputation’ - Fivemiletown Pipe Band has earned itself ‘quite a reputation’ following an outstanding season this year in the piping and drumming contests. They were crowned Ulster grade three “Champion of Champions” recently when they collected first place at the Ulster Championships in Lisburn. The band, under the leadership of Pipe Major Kenny Morrow, has had a remarkable season, scooping three firsts, two seconds and a third in the ‘champion of champion’ series. At the 39th Ulster championships at Warren Park, Lisburn, Fivemiletown made sure they won the series by taking the Ulster Championship grade three title, two points ahead of Killeen.

50 YEARS AGO - Sept 2, 1965: Fermanagh County Show - A new feature at the Fermanagh Show this year, the all-Ireland baby beef championship, provided an added attraction for the hundreds of spectators who gathered around the large central ring in Enniskillen for the dairy cow contest. Visitors and show officials unanimously voted it a record show in many ways, with an increase of 150 in the number of entries in spite of the absence of poultry. The two-day Show enjoyed ideal weather conditions and although the going was rather heavy on the water-logged course at the Broadmeadow, the equestrian events were carried out without curtailment. In every section of the Show tributes were paid to the Secretary (Mr. David Elliott) and his assistants, stewards and officials, for the excellent arrangements for the County’s biggest event of the year.

“Blue Riband” - The two English judges, Mr. Frank Abbey, of York, and Mr. S. Wilson, of Carlisle, took nearly three-quarters of an hour to select the winner of the “blue riband” of the Show, The Farmers’ Challenge Cup, which is awarded for the All Ireland Champion dairy cow. The winner was “Kilfennan Ann 4th,” a pedigree Ayshire, entered by H. Lusby and Son, of Kilfennan, Waterside, Londonderry.

Clones Show - The outstanding feature of Clones Agricultural Show which was held on Tuesday was the very big increase in the cattle sections, nearly doubling last year’s figure. In the Hereford section the entries were exceptional, being in the standard usually associated with the top shows in the country. The showground is in a unique situation, right on the Fermanagh-Monaghan border, between the Northern and Southern Customs Posts, so that exhibitors from both sides of the Border have no Border formalities to observe. The entries in the livestock sections were fairly equally divided between North and South. To the North, however, went the supreme championship of the show, which was won by the most successful exhibitor, Richard O. Hermon, of Necarne Castle, Irvinestown. His eight-year-old Aberdeen-Angus bull, “Enoch of Ballymacan,” carried off the Coyle Cup for the champion animal in the show, as well as two firsts in the Aberdeen-Angus classes.

Enniskillen Youth on Ulster Team - Competing for the Northern Ireland men’s athletic team for the first time against Eire at Santry Stadium on Saturday last, Ian Mowat, of Portora Royal School, won the 16lbs. shot with a personal best throw of 125ft. 5ins.

75 YEARS AGO - Sept 5, 1940: Fivemiletown’s New Minister - Things in General - Rev. Victor G. Byers, the newly elected minister of Cavanaleck Presbyterian (Fivemiletown) congregation, in succession to the Rev. J. M’Causland (resigned), will be installed on Wednesday next, 11th inst. Mr. Byers is a young man, a son of the Manse, and Cavanaleck will be his first charge. He was educated in St. Andrew’s College, Dublin, and rowed stroke in the senior four. He graduated at Trinity College, Dublin, with honours in Philosophy, and was a member of the University Golfing Society and played hockey for Finglas Club. He took the Divinity course at New College, Edinburgh, and the Assembly’s College, Belfast, and was a scholar at the latter.

Maguiresbridge P.E.S. - Mr. Moore Graham, Belfast, has been appointed principal teacher of Maguiresbridge P.E.S. in room of Mr. J. M’Adam, who has resigned after 35 years’ service.

Clever Newtownbutler Family - Miss E.V. Clarke, daughter of Mr. P. Clarke, Ports, Newtownbutler won first place in the Fermanagh University Scholarship. She has been called to interview for the King’s Scholarship. Her brother, Thomas Vincent, gained five distinctions in the Certificate examination.

Brookeborough Badminton Club - At a social night in the British Legion Hall, Brookeborough, in connection with the local Badminton Club, a presentation was made to Sergeant-Instructor L.E. Irvine, who had been secretary for the club for ten years, and now has been transferred to Enniskillen.

Lough Erne Level - The level of Lough Erne at Enniskillen, on Monday, was 39 inches below the statutory level.

Corn-stalks - Some stalks of lea oats of the White Potato variety in the Kinawley area contain 168 ears or grains. There is every prospect of a record crop, though it was not got sown till the second week of May owing to the wet Spring. The plots of winter wheat are now cut and the crop is up to average.

Weekly Mass for Peace - A special weekly Mass for peace and the protection of Ireland from the horrors of war was celebrated in St. Michael’s Church, Enniskillen, on Monday. It was celebrated at the request of hundreds of Enniskillen people.

Note These Dates - Technical classes re-open at Lisnaskea, Monday, 9th inst. Dance at Killadeas, Wed., 11th inst. Technical classes re-open at Enniskillen, Monday, 16th inst. Fete at Florencecourt, Wed., 11th inst. Silage demonstration at Skea Hall, Thursday, 12th inst. Football dance in Enniskillen, Monday, 16th inst.