Omagh Probus 40th Anniversary Dinner
Author: OPC
Mark Lusby: Old Derry
Wednesday, 4th October 2016: Mr Mark Lusby: Old Derry
Using old glass plate photographs Mark gave members an illustrated talk on the city in the years during and immediately after the Second World War. He began by showing rare aerial photos of United States army and navy installations along the Foyle. The main camp for US Servicemen was located on land now occupied by Springtown Industrial estate. The grounds of the Beech Hill House Hotel was the site of several Quonset [Nissan] Huts, barely visible from the air among the trees. A large Communications Centre existed where Altnagelvin Hospital now stands and Du Pont occupies the site near Lisahally Docks where Atlantic Convey escort vessels were repaired and made ready for further patrols. Throughout the war and in the years immediately following farming was the mainstay of the local economy. There was a thriving market for local produce with considerable quantities being exported by ship and train. Several old photos showed scenes of activity long since gone from the city, such as “The Beast Market” outside Butcher’s Gate. Derry’s walls are the largest ancient monument in state care and the only city walls ever to have been fortified twice. His old photographs recorded that during the troubles access to the walls was restricted by barbed wire entanglements and sand bagged observation posts. Recent photos show how things have moved on.
Introduction to aromatherapy for Probus Ladies
At the October meeting of Ladies’ Probus, President Audrey Hodge informed members that an honorary member, Aimee Day, had died since the last meeting. Respects were paid to this formerly enthusiastic member.
The speaker was local aromatherapist, Fiona Curran who was a trained midwife before moving into aromatherapy full time. She informed members of the benefits of many different essential oils which members were able to sample. Fiona explained the difference in oils which may be unfamiliar to many amateurs and she explained how she would mix and then use the oils for various therapies. Many questions were answered and the thanks of the club were expressed by Val Burch.
Arrangements were confirmed for afternoon tea at the end of November, a date which marks the beginning of the twenty fifth year of Omagh & District Ladies’ Probus which was the first ladies’ club in Ireland. The next meeting on 2nd November will be the AGM and there will be a speaker from local Red Cross.
Visit to the Hill of The O’Neill
Malawi Memories shared with Ladies Club
At a recent meeting of Omagh and District Ladies Probus, President Audrey Hodge welcomed everyone back after the summer season and updated members on previous events including the very successful All Ireland Rally and summer outings, in addition to sharing future planned activities.
The Autumn Programme started off with an enlightening and thought provoking talk given by local man Edwin Johnston who, along with five other members from First Omagh Presbyterian Church, recently visited rural Malawi.
Club Members heard of the group’s travel there and their sharp cultural shock, starting on arrival at Lilongwe airport and continuing as they travelled by minibus on increasingly poor roads to Embangweni which was to be their home for over two weeks.
Their work was based at Louden Station Mission Area, set up by Scottish missionary Donald Fraser, which consists of a hospital, primary school, secondary schools with boarding facilities, a school for the deaf, etc.
Through his extensive picture library, Mr. Johnston gave a comprehensive flavour of life there which emphasized the poverty, challenging terrain, local superstitions, primitive resources, hygiene difficulties, teenage pregnancies and early marriage etc. which impact strongly on the lives of local people. These factors, coupled with a huge population keen to access education and hospital services, highlight the many needs of this remote region of Northern Malawi.
Amazingly, local school class sizes range from 100 to 150 children being taught, often outdoors, with few resources. The local hospital also struggles with limited equipment to provide a much-needed service to a population of over 100,000 people.
Probus club members were humbled to hear of the generosity of the local people as they cheerfully presented their visitors with prized personal possessions such as goats, chickens and vegetables. They also were left with the knowledge that although Omagh volunteers had given of their time and energy to get “hands on” in helping improve the environment of the local community in Embangweni, much still needs to be done in this region.
Anne McBain thanked Mr. Johnston, on behalf of the club, for his interesting and comprehensive talk.
Ladies’ Probus members visit Waste Water Treatment Plant
On Wednesday 3rd May 2017, some members of the Ladies’ Probus Club visited the Waste Water Treatment Plant outside Omagh. There, they were shown round the entire treatment process and made aware of what has to be done to ensure that we can all enjoy clean water.
Probus Ladies Summer Outing
Rotary Club President addresses Probus Ladies members
ROTARY CLUB PRESIDENT addresses Probus Ladies members : May 2017
Omagh Ladies Probus Club members were pleased to welcome the president of Omagh Rotary Club, local man, Dr Ian Leitch, to address their meeting.
In his introduction, Ian spoke briefly about his personal and professional life, leading to his interest in and involvement with Omagh Rotary Club.
He shared the primary aim and aspirations of the first Rotary Club which originated in 1905 in Chicago by Paul P Harris and its growth to a worldwide membership of over 1.2 million.
Members were delighted to hear of the amazing support this organisation gives to a large number of charities, local, regional and worldwide, ranging from providing sensory gardens to bringing health services to Third World countries.
Ian also shared information on many of the innovative projects which are supported by the Rotary Club. These include the Jole Rider Project through which bikes are refurbished for use in Bikes 4 Africa project, Shelter Boxes and Child Vaccinations against Polio.
He was thanked by club President, Audrey Hodge
Programme Spring 2017
| Date | Speaker | Topic |
| 4 January | Rev Donal Bennett | New Year Reflections |
| 11 January | Annual General Meeting | Election of Officers for 2017 |
| 18 January | Deborah Maxwell | Omagh Leisure Centre |
| 25 January | Business Meeting | All-Ireland Rally May 2017 |
| 1 February | Emma Sloan | N.I. Blood Transfusion Service |
| 8 February | Marie McClenaghan | “Aware”: Mental Health Support |
| 15 February | DVD provided by PSNI | Scams and internet fraud |
| 22 February | Members’ Forum | |
| 1 March | Kevin Harper | Cancer Research UK in NI |
| 8 March | Business Meeting | Up-date on 2017 Probus Rally |
| 15 March | Rachel Ludlow-Williams | Sustainable Transport |
| 22 March | Patrick Bogues | My sister. Louise |
| 29 March | Meeting with IMTAC [Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee] | |
| 5 April | Probus Inter-club Quiz | |
| 12 April | Dr John Moore | South West College of Further Education |
| 19 April | Frank Loughran | Omagh Credit Union |
| 26 April | Jim Corr | Traveller’s Tales |
| 3 May | Business Meeting: Planningfor the All Ireland Probus Rally 17-18 May | |
| 10 May | Joint Meeting with Ladies Probus – Final arrangements for the Rally | |
| 17 May | All Ireland Probus Rally 2017, hosted by the Probus Clubs of Omagh | |
| 24 May | Ian Johnston | End of Life Matters |
| 31 May | Desmond Smart | Some Old Words |
| 7 June | Annual Club Outing – this year to Londonderry | |
| Summer Recess: Club activities resume on Wednesday 4th October | ||
| 4 October | Mark Lusby | US Forces in Derry World War II |
Annual Club Outing
Wednesday 7 June 2017: Annual Club Outing: Visit to Londonderry
On a bright sunny morning with the promise of fine weather, 25 members of the Men’s and Ladies Probus Clubs boarded a coach at Omagh Golf Club bound for a day out in Derry. First stop on arrival at the maiden city was the Warehouse Coffee shop for refreshments before a conducted tour of the Guildhall and the Tower Museum, led by informed and entertaining guides. This was followed by an “open top” bus tour of the city through the Waterside, over the Foyle Bridge and back to Guildhall Square via the Bogside. The on-board commentary through the headphones drew attention to many of the landmarks of the troubles including memorials and gable wall artworks. In the afternoon the party was given an informative talk on the history of the city while walking the walls with a knowledgeable guide. This included a look inside St Augustine’s Church – “the wee church on the wall”. Back on the coach the party moved on to Beech Hill Country House Hotel where they learned something of the role played by the house as an garrison for US Forces based in Derry during the Second World War, before sitting down to an enjoyable evening meal. Thanks were expressed to Club President John McCandless for organising and arranging such an interesting visit to his native city.