James L Wilson (Jim) commenced writing his life story ‘Minding The Coppers’ so that there would be a record of life in Wheathill, Co. Fermanagh for his family and friends and future generations of his family. Little did he realise that it would turn into a novel. This was until he bumped into his cousin and well known local historian Marion Maxwell who saw the potential and encouraged him to keep going.

After many months of writing, the book was successfully launched at the Larganess Centre, Florencecourt on Wednesday, November 23. Packie Drum, Chairman of the Killesher Historical Society, which hosted the event, congratulated Jim on the book and said that it was an important contribution to the history of Killesher.

In addressing the audience Marion, who wrote a foreword to the book, described how it was so important to have a record of farming in the 1950s and 60s, work in the Kent Plastics factory, Enniskillen and Jim’s work in the Police Service in Northern Ireland during ‘The Troubles’. A particular contribution to local history is a detailed diary that Jim kept during the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Jim’s book, she stated, was also a very enjoyable read with an account of his school days and general ‘tomfoolery’ among the country community.

In acknowledging the many people who had assisted him with the book, Jim paid tribute to Marion for her help and encouragement over many months. He also paid tribute to his sister Muriel Scott and his sister in law Barbara Wilson for proofreading the text and to his brother David who formatted the book and arranged the printing.

Jim and his brother David then took the audience through a short summary of the book. Many of the audience had grew up the Florencecourt area and attended local schools and so thoroughly enjoyed Jim’s stories and old photographs. Jim’s recollections range from the sad and tragic death of his father when Jim was just eleven years old to some harrowing memories from his service in the Police. He also describes, however, some Hallowe'en pranks and hilarious stories from the Donkey Derby at Clabby.

Minding The Coppers is available to purchase at Enniskillen Castle Museum, Cathcarts Shop, Bellanaleck, Wheathill Post Office Florencecourt, Harold Johnstone’s Drapery Shop Blacklion, Marble Arch Caves Marlbank, Florencecourt, Ely Centre Forthill street, Enniskillen and South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF), Lisnaskea.