Popular Enniskillen pantomime star, Mark Allen feels “very honoured” to have been nominated as one of the Fermanagh Community Heroes.

The local stage star, who is a stalwart with the Lakeland Players for many years, is recognised for ‘making people laugh’. He is also acknowledged for the many years he has spent as an active scout leader with St. Michael’s Scouts in Enniskillen.

Preparing to play the Dame in the annual panto presented by the Lakeland Players, the Enniskillen man’s association with the group is a long held one, stemming from his first year when he helped out back stage. He mentions it was his late father, Dominic Allen who got him involved in the first place.

The following year, he recalls that he had a small part on stage and then he started to play some of the bigger roles.

He had done a couple of gang shows with the Scouts and he had some idea about acting, but he admits that it was not to the same extent as the pantomime performances.

He has played the Dame for the past 20 years and will play this character in the 2016 New Year panto, Dick Whittington.

Mark says he enjoys his involvement and regards it as “great fun,” while he also acknowledges the “great friendships” that are formed.

His enthusiasm never dwindles and he says you would not do it if you did not enjoy it. A lot of work is involved in the annual production, admits Mark, who believes “every show is different” and “every show is a different challenge.” And he confesses that he still experiences some nerves until he goes on stage.

He describes the Players as a “great team” and a “fantastic group to be involved in.” Other family members of Mark’s have also got involved in the annual shows and at one time there were three generations of the Allens involved; his father Dominic, his wife Kate and their two children Darwin and Edwina, while two nephews have also been involved.

Something of a family tradition, Kate continues to help out back stage, and is still a member of the Players.

Mark feels that the annual pantomimes give people “a bit of crack” on dark winter nights and he says they are like a tonic to some people. He highlights the yearly shows’ colour and he describes the children in them as “fantastic.” He says they are the “stars.” Over the years the number of shows has grown and they are now presenting about 13 shows during the yearly run at the Ardhowen Theatre.

Describing them as “an amateur group but with a professional attitude,” he highlights everyone’s commitment.

Another major interest for Mark has been the scouting movement. He joined St. Michael’s Scouts when he was eight years old and enjoyed an association spanning over 40 years. He served as a leader from the age of 18 and he mentions that his whole family would have been involved. His service was also at County and National levels. However, due to other commitments, he has taken a break from the Scouts, although he says his wife Kate is still involved and serves as deputy group leader.

He regards Scouting as a “brilliant organisation” to be involved in, and he acknowledges the opportunities it affords and the confidence it gives people.

A Building Supervisor at Erne Integrated College from it opened over 20 years ago, he has one other voluntary role he performs around Christmas as one of Santa Claus’s helpers, going into the County Care Nursing Home amongst other places. “My father Dominic got me involved in that too,” says Mark, whose involvement in voluntary efforts stems from his father, who had also played a voluntary role in the community and did a lot of fundraising. He was very much involved in starting up Devenish Partnership Forum, being one of the founders.

Speaking about his recent nomination for Fermanagh Community Heroes, Mark admits it came as a surprise.

He says he feels “very honoured to be nominated and privileged” and is of the view that the award is not just for him, but for all those he’s involved with.

He is appreciative of the support of his wife Kate and family, while he also pays tribute to the backing and encouragement he received from his late father Dominic, who served for many years as President of the Lakeland Players until his passing, and would have starred in their productions too. His mother Winnie had also been a source of great encouragement, he said.

Summing up his thoughts on his nomination, Mark is of the opinion there could be ‘lots more nominations’ in the community. He feels there are “a lot of people out there volunteering” and there are many in the county worthy of nomination.