A RETIRED woman living in Kesh who has been involved in a thriving community group based in Bannagh Hall for almost 25 years has admitted her surprise at being nominated as one of Fermanagh’s 20 Community Heroes.

Since being named treasurer of Bannagh Community Project in 1991, Pat Hey has played a central role in the organisation and the wide variety of activities that it offers.

Speaking to the Impartial Reporter this week, Mrs Hey said: “I love the inclusiveness of Bannagh. Everybody is there because of a common interest in some particular thing.

“Together we have achieved a useful facility for the surrounding community and raised many thousands for charity by holding everything from fayres to vintage fashion shows in Mahon’s Hotel!” After being named as the organisation’s treasurer, she then became involved in the senior youth club as leader. Having spent 20 “really enjoyable” years at the head of the youth club, she has now handed over the reins to the next generation.

Mrs Hey has continued to serve on the committee of Bannagh in various roles. In the past few years, she has also become interested in learning to paint.

“As a result, I have joined Bannagh Art Group and secured funding for an art project. Our tutor is Mrs Heather White, and the group is really fun and relaxed,” she said.

Over the years, she also organised flower-arranging sessions for Bannagh Women’s Group, as gardening is one of her loves.

She added: “Cookery classes, dances and barbeques are also among the fun things I have helped to run. Sometimes maintenance of the hall and committee meetings are as good an entertainment as any!” As well as her central role in Bannagh Community Project for much of the last 25 years, Mrs Hey has also served with distinction in many other local organisations.

During the last quarter of a century, she has been involved in the Kesh Carnival Committee, along with her husband Stephen. The couple have run a pet show, garden competition and helped out in fancy dress. Bannagh floats were always a regular feature.

Mrs Hey has also been a member of Kesh WI for 25 years and has had many a good night’s craic! She served in various roles over the years for the WI and has just finished six years on the Northern Ireland Women’s Institute Arts Sub Committee.

Currently secretary of the Fermanagh Talking Newspaper Association, she has been involved with this organisation for the last 18 years in various roles, under the good guidance of friend and former chairman, Mr. Eugene Kelly.

“This very worthwhile service is run entirely by volunteers, and is enjoyed by over 150 people in Fermanagh,” she said.

Having served as leader of the senior youth club at Bannagh Hall for 20 years, Mrs Hey was also a leader in Magheraculmoney Brownies, Kesh for 10 years.

Both she and her husband are now members of Kesh Senior Citizens, also known as the Evergreens, but so far they have only been involved in a gardening and an art group.

Admitting that she was “very surprised” to learn of her nomination as one of the Fermanagh Trust’s Community Heroes, Mrs Hey revealed that it was something of a double celebration as the couple have just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary!

They have three children, Peter, Jenny and Sally, and two grandchildren, Max and Lucas. The celebrations will continue at the end of this month when daughter Sally is to be married.

Reflecting on her many happy experiences as part of a wide variety of community organisations in the county, Mrs Hey added: “I have had 26 years of involvement in Bannagh, Kesh and the wider communities in Fermanagh, which I have always found friendly, caring, relaxed and fun!”