Month: October 2024

Wednesday 30 October 2024.  Speaker, Club President, Mr Felim O’Neill
Topic: Roman Britain

In his own account of the conquest of Britain, Julius Caesar wrote “Veni, Vidi, Vici” – I came, I saw, I conquered.  Not so, explained the President; Julius Caesar’s first visit to the shores of Britain in 55 BC was little more than a “recce” and he was forced into a hasty retreat back across the Channel by hostile Celtic warriors.  He returned a year later in 54 BC with three legions of troops and cavalry and won a decisive battle over the Celts at London. On his return to Rome he was elected Emperor.

One hundred years later Claudius became the Emperor and, in need of a military victory to establish his credentials, dispatched a general with troops to quell unruly Celts in England.   His victory over the Celtic Kings was celebrated with a triumphal parade in Colchester, the then capital of England. In the years which followed the Romans secured their hold on Britain, the only serious challenge to their authority being a rebellion led by Queen Boudica in 61 AD.

For the next 3 centuries Britain had a succession of Emperors, some loyal to Rome but some increasingly self-serving, amassing wealth and power. Felim demonstrated impressive command of his subject which developed from his hobby as a detectorist. Metal detecting along the Thames when he lived and worked in London unearthed many coins from different eras of Roman occupation. All bore the image of an Emperor, which led Felim into a lifelong study of who they all were and when did they rule in Britain. His research has given him unrivalled knowledge of the history of Roman Britain, an interest which he was happy to share with Club members on the morning of Wednesday 30th October 2024.

Wednesday 23 October 2024 : Speaker: Mr David Kyle-Ewing
Topic: Motor Homes and Motor Homing

As former chairman of the Motor Caravan Club Northern Ireland [MCCNI] and member of Omagh Probus Club, David brought to the meeting many years of experience of owning, maintaining and driving a motor home all over Ireland North and South as well as in Great Britain and mainland Europe. He began by explaining that motor homes come in all sizes and, with price tags ranging from £55,000 to £2million, you get what you pay for in terms of size, comfort and luxury. However, all new motor homes have batteries from which to run fridge/freezers, cookers, microwaves, showers, TV’s etc. Camp sites with full facilities for overnight stops are abundant and bookable, making planning for family holidays relatively straight forward for those who can read maps and navigate European motorways.
Over time a motor home can save money on travel and accommodation and provide comfort and convenience while touring at home and abroad. David has found not only adventure on his travels but also made many friends through rallies, campgrounds and online forums. When parked up on “Aires” in France and elsewhere he related how he had met amazing people with great stories to tell of their adventures. As a family the Kyle-Ewing’s have visited some 16 countries, many more than once, and in every case loved their unique scenery, culture and friendliness.
The costs of running a motor home – Road Tax, Insurance, Servicing and Maintenance – were among topics that came up in the wide-ranging question and answer session which followed David’s talk.   A warm vote of thanks was given on behalf of the club by Hugh Ward.

Wednesday 16th October 2024 Speaker: Mr Victor Russell:
Proprietor of Russell’s Clothing and Shoe Shop, High Street Omagh
Topic: “My Life and Times”

In keeping with a long-standing tradition in Omagh Probus Club that new members speak about “Their Life and Times”, Mr Victor Russell gave a fascinating talk about Russell’s family business on Omagh High Street. Victor’s first foray into business was in his teenage years when he and a friend created a fledgling philately business – buying and selling colourful postage stamps from around the world. It did not fly. At University he took a degree in Business Studies followed by a post-graduate course in Economics. During his time at “uni” he travelled extensively in the United States, paying for his trip with his earnings from work on an ice cream van.

Back home in Omagh employment in London beckoned but he was drawn into the family business on the short term to help out when his father became unwell.  What began as a temporary arrangement became permanent, provoked in part by a car bomb in 1978 at the old Town Hall which did severe structural damage to Russell’s.  Victor took the opportunity to rebuild, refurbish and reconfigure the shop, with a new frontage, new counters, new displays and, most significantly, new stock.  To make a long story short, Victor’s life’s work has been to stay abreast of the times, ever on the alert for changes in fashion and new trends.  The level of success which his shop enjoys has been achieved by securing a number of franchises, notably Kickers and United Colors of Benetton, as well as making regular buying trips to major footwear events in Europe, notably in Milan in Italy.

Victor illustrated his talk with a wide selection of photographs taken down the years. Now semi-retired Victor is happy to let his son, Josh, take over, while he enjoys a well-earned retirement, from one of Omagh’s most successful and respected businesses.

 

Wednesday 2 October 2024.  Speaker Mr Peter Archdale, Ornithologist 

Omagh Men’s Probus Club resumed meetings after the summer recess on Wednesday 2nd October 2024; meetings are held weekly at 10.30 in Omagh Golf Club and are open to all men retired or semi-retired.

The first speaker of the new year was Mr Peter Archdale. Peter is an ornithologist who takes a keen interest in local bird life, trapping them, ringing them and releasing them back into the wild. His talk was illustrated by photographs of the Mist Nets which are used to catch the birds, and pictures of the many species and varieties caught in the nets. Up to 40 birds could be ensnared in an hour or so on a calm sunny morning. Between June 2022 and June 2024, 1064 birds were netted in Peter’s garden. Each one was identified, weighed, measured and given a health check before being released unharmed. In all 35 different species were recorded; most were common varieties such as bluetits, and finches but also trapped were some rarely seen in gardens such as goldcrests, jays, and great spotted woodpeckers.

Mr Archdale’s talk was entitled “Why ring birds”. The data which he and his fellow enthusiasts collect is fed into a national database which provides an overall picture of the health of the bird population in Great Britain. When pooled with similar data from other countries in Western Europe, Africa and North America an amazing picture emerges that informs conservationists about which species and regions need special consideration. During his talk Peter went online to demonstrate a number of websites with fascinating information about local and national birdlife. Of particular interest is the website of the British Trust for Ornithology, www.bto.org. Well worth a visit, as is www.bto.org/cuckoos.

Recently Peter hosted a group of volunteers from different parts of Northern Ireland. In addition to training about the techniques of bird ringing ethical behaviour in conservation was emphasised.