The Impartial Reporter, September 30, 1965: I have just been for a trip on the River Erne in that unique land-and-water vehicle, the amphibious “Amphicar,” writes the “Impartial Reporter” motoring correspondent. This de luxe car, comfortable and well-fitted out, has a smart appearance, fit to drive to weddings, or anywhere else, and yet it sails safely on rivers, lakes, or even in the sea. The “Amphicar” attracted a good deal of attention at lunch time on Friday when it stopped outside the “Impartial Reporter” office to pick up a photographer and myself. With Mr. Donald Elliott, representing the Northern Ireland distributors, James Elliott and Co., Ltd., of Portaferry, Co. Down, at the wheel - or should I say helm - we drove directly off the Broadmeadow shore into the River Erne. Looking Back, 50 Years Ago (below) highlights the car’s visit.

25 YEARS AGO - Sept 27, 1990: Councillor is still going strong - The grand old man of local government in Fermanagh, Mr. Jim Lunny, has celebrated his 80th birthday, receiving congratulations from colleagues and friends far and near. Looking fit and spritely, Mr. Lunny has no thoughts of retiring from public life. “I will go on as long as I can do the job, as long as the people want me,” he says with enthusiasm, looking forward to the next local government elections in 1993. Mr. Lunny “father” of the council on which he has served as Chairman for two terms, still takes part in a busy round of committees, associations and school governors.

Top Students - Two Portora students, Ian Irwin and Mark Reid, have achieved joint top place in Northern Ireland in GCSE (1990) Craft, Design and Technology. (Photo) They are standing beside their projects, a model hovercraft and a farm accounts filing cabinet. Ian is now in Greenmount, and Mark has returned to Portora for A Levels. This is the second time in three years that a Portora student has achieved this pinnacle. Trevor Graham achieved top place in Biology in Northern Ireland in 1987.

Musical evening - The magnificent setting of Crom Castle was the venue for a musical evening organised by the Enniskillen Committee of the NSPCC last Thursday. Window dedicated at Devenish in memory of Chancellor Allister - A stained glass window erected to the memory of the late Chancellor Wilfred Allister, by his parishioners and friends, has been dedicated at Devenish Parish Church, Monea. The dedication ceremony took place during morning service on Sunday, attended by a large number of parishioners and friends of the Allister family.

Health Officer - MAP - The newly-appointed Chief Environmental Health Officer for Fermanagh, Alan Shaw, has 32 years experience in the public health service in the county. He succeeds Clarence Phenix, just retired. Mr. Shaw is a son of the late Reggie Shaw, a plumbing contractor in Enniskillen for many years, and Mrs. Elizabeth Shaw, who owned the newsagents shop, now Crawford Veitch’s.

Girls join the Japanese Challenge - Six students at Enniskillen Collegiate School are all set to sample life in the Orient without having to leave the classroom! Leeanne and Tara Whaley, Gillian Hamilton, Ruth Acheson, Barbara Cranston and Lesley Pierce will have their first lessons in Japanese tomorrow.They are taking part in an exciting schools-industry initiative.

50 YEARS AGO - Sept 23, 1965: New on Lough Erne - The amphibious motor car, the “Amphicar,” which can travel over land or water, will be visiting Enniskillen on Friday afternoon, sailing around the town.

Broadcast - “Harvest Thanksgiving” in the B.B.C. Home Service on Sunday next will be broadcast from Clogher Presbyterian Church and will be conducted by the minister, the Rev. John Miller.

Church organist’s record - MAP - The organist of Clogh Parish Church, Rosslea, Co. Fermanagh, for the past 45 years has been Thomas Condell, of Shankill, Smithborough, County Monaghan. He walks to church by a direct route, a distance of only half a mile from his home. Because of border restrictions, by car it would mean a run of 20 miles. In his long service, Mr. Condell has only missed a few Sundays, when he was ill in hospital. He has played under seven incumbents, and his present organ (his second), is suffering from old age. A new instrument is in the offing. He is a farmer, who, like Tommy Watson, of Pubble, Tempo, trains local bands. As well as being organist, Mr. Condell is a Sunday School teacher.

MAP opens - I have sad news for music lovers - indeed for the whole Diocese of Clogher - Anthony Smith, the organist and choirmaster of St. Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen, has accepted a teaching post in London, which he will take up at the end of January next. Mr. Smith has been in charge of the music department at Portora Royal School for the past 13 years; eleven years ago he was appointed Cathedral organist to succeed Lloyd Simon, who died in 1955.

Feast of Song - Choirs from a number of parishes scattered throughout the Diocese of Clogher came together on Sunday evening for the annual Choral Festival under the baton of Mr. Anthony Smith, A.R.C.O., in St. Macartan’s Cathedral, Clogher. There was a grand assembly of music lovers, and during the service the congregation was given a wonderful feast of music, hymns and psalms. The ancient Cathedral, with its pipe organ, was an ideal setting.

Long Service - To mark his 25 years service in the Savings Movement, a badge has been presented to Major D. Devine, Enniskillen, chairman of the Co. Fermanagh Committee.

Athletics - Regarded as “the finest field event prospect in Great Britain,” Ian Mowat, of Enniskillen has been selected for special coaching at the “Ovaltine” young athletes course in England next April. 75 YEARS AGO - Sept 26, 1940: M.A.P. - Many parents in this district are particularly anxious at present as they have children, or near relatives, in London - the front battle line for the moment. Last week I told of the gallant exploit of Miss Clarice Crozier, of Ballinamallard. This week brings news from Miss Betty Graham, who is now in the Civil Service in London. Her home is at Magheracross, Ballinamallard, and her father received a telegram stating that the house she resided in was bombed and destroyed, and she had lost all she possessed. A similar fate has befallen a sister of Mrs. Egbert Trimble, of Enniskillen, who is resident in London.

D.F.C. - The names of three Ulstermen are included in the latest list of awards to members of the Royal Air Force for gallantry displayed in operations against the enemy. Acting Wing-Commander David Wilson Reid, of Tempo, Co. Fermanagh, will receive the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Young of the Inniskillings - Ex-officers and men of the Royal Inniskillings, who served with the late Lieut. Colonel H.N. Young, D.S.O., will regret to learn of the death in action, of his only son, Lieut. Anthony Nugent Young, R.N., of the Fleet Air Arm. This officer was a noted glider. In 1938 he broke the English single-seater gliding record by remaining in the air for 15 1/2 hours. His father, who was killed by a shell on October 25, 1918, was a well-known and popular officer of the Inniskillings. He had served in France and in Italy, and had won the D.S.O. and a Bar.

R.U.C. Changes - After six years service in Newtownbutler Constable Charles Lyttle is being transferred to Lisbellaw. As official driver of the police car he figured in many exciting chases with smugglers. He is being replaced by Const. W. Ferguson who comes from Lisbellaw. Constable John Redpath, Newtownbutler, is being transferred to Tempo.

Pears - Pears grown in Fermanagh, some of which weigh 1 1/2 lbs. are shown in a fruiterer’s window in Townhall St., Enniskillen.

Silver Jubilee - M.A.P. - On Monday 23rd., Rev. Arthur J. Jenkins celebrated his Silver Jubilee as Minister of the Presbyterian congregation in Enniskillen. The little ‘Welshman’ is a most popular figure throughout the Presbytery of Clogher. Actually he has served the Enniskillen congregation more than 25 years for during the illness of the late Rev. S.C. Mitchel, Minister, he acted as temporary pastor for nine months.