Category: 2024

Christmas Lunch 2024
On Wednesday 4th December 2024 the Club held its annual Christmas Luncheon in the Golf Club for members and guests.   The principal guests were Mr Peter Waterson, President of Omagh Rotary Club and Mrs Anne McBain, President of Omagh and District Ladies Probus Club.   No less important were the widows of former members, wives of current members and ladies from the Ladies Club.  Guests were greeted on arrival by Club President, Felim O’Neill and offered a glass of Christmas cheer.  The function room was warm and welcoming with a Christmas Tree in the corner and festive decorations in the windows.  An extensive menu was available from the Golf Club Restaurant, each course thoroughly enjoyed by all present.  Entertainment after the meal was provided by singers and musicians from Omagh Academy who delighted with a programme of Christmas carols and songs from the shows. A lovely friendly atmosphere prevailed throughout and thanks were expressed to the Omagh Golf Club Captain, Mr John Wallace for the arrangements and Mrs Mary Hughes for an excellent meal.

 

OMAGH PROBUS CLUB, WEDNESDAY 27 November 2024

The speaker on Wednesday, 27^th November was Mr Harman Scott, who, by his own admission, was a poor substitute for his daughter, Naomi.  Members were very much looking forward to welcoming Naomi back to the club and hearing more of her experiences as an international businesswoman.   In an e-mail to the Club she expressed her regret that she was unable to make it due to unfinished business in Mozambique.  Her plans, she explained, had been disrupted by civil unrest in Mozambique following a contentious general election.

Naomi’s Father Harman Scott, manfully stepped into the breach with some reminiscences about his life as a university student in Belfast in the 1950’s and after graduation as civil engineer working for Road Services in Co Tyrone.  One of Harman’s interests has long been in family histories and along the way he touched on his own forebears in Donegal, Kerry and Fintona where he grew up. Could he number among his ancestors a notorious highway man called Jo Scott, who died in a fight in Donegal circa 1800?   He was unsure.

Haman’s enduring interest in cars and motor sport included anecdotes about attendance at Tourist Trophy races on the Dundrod circuit in the 1950’s when competitors included motor facing greats such as Juan Manual Fangio, driving a Ferrari, Sterling Moss in a Mercedes, and Mike Hawethorne behind the wheel of Jaguar.   Harman himself owned a series of sporty two-seaters and toured all over Europe in the days before children imposed the requirement for a family car.

Club members enjoyed Harman’s trip down memory lane and his reflections about some of the people he had met on the way –  some opinions best not recorded.

Probus, Wednesday 20th November 2024.
Speaker: Mr Kenneth Collins, Club Member and Local Historian

Kenneth’s talk could well have been entitled “ Collins to the Rescue” in that he stepped in at the last minute to fill in for a speaker who was unable to make it. Kenneth’s talk was about a fine old property known to many as Clanabogan House. Now a successful B&B, it is a home with history.

It was built in 1809 by Samuel Galbraith and called New Grove. At that time Clanabogan did not have a church and Mr Galbraith felt that the Bishop might be moved to establish one if there was a plot of land and a rectory.   In 1834 he extended New Grove to create a residence suitable for a new minister and set aside an acre of ground.   In 1873 a fine new church designed by Welland and Gillespie, Dublin, was opened.   In 1889 renowned architect Sir Thomas Drew, who designed St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast, remodelled the interior using marbles from Cork, Kilkenny, France and Italy.   A separate rectory was built in 1887 and is still in use.

The graveyard at Clanabogan is the final resting place of Dr. Edward Charles Thompson, FRCSI. who was the prime mover in the building of Tyrone County Hospital.   TCH opened in 1899 replacing the old Omagh Infirmary built in1796 on the site now occupied by the Danske Bank. Tyrone County Hospital closed in 2017 and was demolished in 2022 to make way for a private housing development. Kenneth regretted that no trace of the former hospital remained and hoped a “blue plaque” or some such, could be erected to mark the site.
He was warmly thanked for his talk by all present.

 

Omagh Probus Club, Wednesday 13 November 2024
Speaker: Mr Richard Scott, Topic: Remembrance

Each year on the Wednesday closest to Remembrance Sunday, Omagh Probus Club invites a speaker with a connection to those who served their county and who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The guest of Honour on Wednesday 13 November 2024 was Mr Richard Scott, MBE, one of the founders of MAPS [Military and Police Support] Omagh. As an ex-police officer in both the RUC and PSNI and former Chair of Omagh British Legion, Richard has a long association with families affected by conflicts recent and past.

His own experience of the being on duty on the day of the Omagh Bomb in August 1998 has shown him that traumatic memories are a constant presence in the minds of those who have had to deal with traumatic events.  Often such feelings are better expressed in poetry than prose and he recited some verses written by Club President Felim O’Neill to tellingly make the point.

MAPS is a voluntary organisation supported by some 30 volunteers who daily, lend a listening ear to those who drop in, because talking helps to quell the demons that disturb sleep and rob the innocent of peace of mind.  Maps has helped over 1000 persons since its formation and has won recognition and awards [MBE’s for its founders] and in 2017 The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award, crowned this year by the NI Veterans Group of the Year Award 2024.

Richard was thanked for his memorable contribution to the Club on a day when members looked back at the service and losses of friends and family.

Wednesday 6 November 2024: Book Lunch

Pre-Covid Omagh Men’s Probus Club welcomed guests for Lisburn Probus Club to hear about a book which they had had produced.  It was a collection of memories and reminiscences recorded by club members and published with the title “Blue Remembered Hills”.  It was the inspiration for a similar undertaking by the Probus Clubs of Omagh with contributions from members of both the Ladies and Men’s Club.  The intervention of Covid-19 slowed down the best efforts of Probian Hugh Ward to bring it together, but after a long gestation it finally appeared in print on Wednesday, 6 November  smartly bound with the title “From a Distance.”

The launch took place in Omagh Golf Club when the Men’s Club played host to the Ladies Club, many of whom had contributed to the publication. Following refreshments and the President’s welcome, Mr Hugh Ward introduced the volume which he had edited and brought to publication. Sales were brisk since the book came to hand as lovely Christmas Gift for friends and family. The book is set to become a snapshot in time of memories dating from the end of World War II to the present, but with the mind’s eye focussed on what it was like to grow up in Tyrone during the 50’s and 60’s

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.

 

PROBUS SUMMER OUTING:  THURSDAY, 6 JUNE 2024

 Members of Omagh Ladies Men’s Probus Clubs on a joint outing to Castle Espie Wildfowl and Wetland Trust Reserve, Comber, Co Down

Photograph: Courtesy Brigid Watson, Sustainable Journeys Ireland

80 years to the day when Allied Troops stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, Members of Omagh Men’s and Ladies Probus Clubs headed for the shores of Strangford Lough on a visit to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre at Castle Espie, Comber County Down.   Seated comfortably on a luxury coach provided by Lynch Travel, Castlederg, the 30 strong party departed Omagh at 10.00 am.    Following a brief stop at Oxford Island Discovery Centre, just to break the journey, the group arrived at Castle Espie at 12.45 pm.  Over refreshments in the café the party received an  introductory talk about the Reserve before leaving on a tour of the site led by  Brigid Watson, whose CV included a spell as Head of Geography in CBS Omagh.

The reserve is home to a wide variety of waterfowl species – ducks, geese, swans, gulls, moorhens, coots, curlews, egrets, herons and more.  Each Autumn over 16,000 Brent Geese – about 70% of the European population – arrive from Northern Canada to spend the winter on Strangford Lough   The geese are not the only migratory birds to touch down in Castle Espie, their overall numbers and variety making the reserve very popular with Northern Ireland’s ornithologists.  Castle Espie works closely with the Slimbridge Nature Reserve in Gloustershire to ensure the survival of endangered species, with some notable successes in saving birds from the verge of extinction.

On the way home the party stopped off at Canavan’s Restaurant, Garvaghy, for an evening meal, a convivial event which rounded off an outing thoroughly enjoyed by members and guests alike.