Ot84

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Issue 84

Thursday 20th March 2014 EVERY FORTNIGHT

p4 As the first ever female member of Omagh District Council, Ann Gormley broke new ground for women in politics

Thousands attend

Omagh St. Patrick's Day Parade ONLY £1.25

p06

FEATURE p30

FEATURE p48

'Internet bullies told my daughter to kill herself' - local mum

McCann Cycle Cup Pictorial

Welcome...

ISSUE 84 | 20TH MAR 2014 18

16

27

08

44

spring fling!

4

Big Interview

6

St. Patrick's celebrations in Omagh

16

Fashion show in Fintona Golf Club

17

TAKEFIVE- An oasis for Omagh?

38

Spring clean your mindset

40

Brookmount Road Centra crowned cream of the crop!

48

McCann Cycle Run Pictorial

50

Animal Magic

The sun has been making an occasional appearance in the skies over Omagh since our last edition - and what a difference a bit of mild, dry weather can make to the mood!

We've never seen so many people out and about keeping fit and enjoying some fresh air - not to mention getting into the spirit of the season at Omagh's St Patrick's Day celebrations on Monday past, where the town centre was jam-packed with people from right across the community for a truly fantastic event!

Keeping with cross-community, this edition we also caught up with Omagh woman Ann Gormley, who made history when she became the first ever female member of the council back in 1994 - and having lobbied for years on cross-community issues, especially those affecting women and families, now she's back for another bite of the cherry at the forthcoming elections in May. The internet is one of the greatest inventions of all time and has made the world smaller then ever before - but it also carries some serious dangers, as one family in Dromore knows only too well. Sophie Smyth was barely in her teens when she fell victim to vicious bullies on ask.fm and resorted to self harm - her story carries a stark warning for parents and children alike when it comes to using the web.

We also took to the streets this edition to get your views on the OASIS project. As one of the town's main car parks closes for a whole year, we wanted to know - do you think it's worth it? Find out what the people we picked on said inside!

Pat has been a busy bee as ever too; there are photos from the emotional reinstatement of Fr Eugene Boland at Killyclogher parish, fabulous fashions in Fintona for cancer research, an abundance of talent at Omagh Academy's spring concert, action from cycling's McCann Cup and the Carmen 10K run, Hungarian Night in the Halfway House, nostalgia at the WF Marshall event in Sixmilecross plus birthdays galore!

Finally Nicola Mulligan returns with her tips on how to spring clean your mindset, not just your home, and get a fresh new outlook for the new season.

That's it for now - don't forget to get in touch if you have an event or story you'd like us to cover in one of our upcoming editions!

READ/BUY OMAGH TODAY ONLINE at www.omaghtoday.com

CONTACT US EDITORIAL

Claire Martin - 077 2563 1646 | claire@omaghtoday.com Post to: Omagh Today, 79 Moylagh Road, Beragh, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, BT79 0UN

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PHOTOGRAPHY

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As the first ever female member of Omagh District Council, Ann Gormley broke new ground for women in politics in this area – and she still believes more women need to step up to make their voices heard.

W

HEN we catch up with Ann Gormley, she’s buzzing after taking part in a panel for International Women’s Day, discussing some of the issues facing women in politics. There aren’t many people in Omagh better qualified to talk about such matters; Ann was the first ever woman elected to Omagh District Council, its first ever female chairperson – and she’s preparing to return for a second bite of the cherry when she contests a seat at the forthcoming supercouncil elections in May. Given her upbringing, it’s no surprise that Ann developed an interest in politics – even as a child she was unafraid to tackle injustice, recalling with a smile an instance in which she parted with her hard earned pocket money for a packet of Opal Fruits, only to find they were out of date, and sent an indignant letter to customer services at Mars (she received twelve packets by way of apology - grass roots politics at work, she says).

Strong female role models were never

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lacking in Ann’s life. Her mother, a native of Cork, was a doctor – a massive achievement in itself for a woman in the 1940s – and when she met and married Ann’s father, Omagh GP Dr Aidan Lagan, she not only went on to have three children, she also re-trained as a dentist, set up her own professional practice and juggled her career alongside the considerable demands of family life, even when that family expanded to include six children, namely Ann, Marie, John, Catherine, Bernard and Aidan.

While her mother completed her dentistry qualifications, Ann, Marie and Bernard moved to Belfast with her where they attended school and were cared for by their grandmother while their mum studied.

Their brother, John, was born during this period, and after the family moved back to Omagh, Ann’s mother was in the middle of a difficult tooth extraction when she went into labour with Catherine! Meanwhile, her father had continued to run his own medical practice along with his brother, based in the family home at Bridge House, where the Hazel Wand Theatre School is

now housed.

“The river bank wasn’t like it is now,” she recalls. “It was our playground; the river was shallow and the banks were sandy and dry. We could wander along right down into Campsie, and we used to play in the play park there – even the gates being locked on Sundays didn’t stop us! We also used to hang out at the stables at the Royal Arms Mews with the Waterson children. There were lots of people living in the town at that time, for example along Bridge Street nearly all the shop owners would have lived above the shops with their families, so there were lots of children to play with. It was a very happy little community and we had a pretty idyllic childhood.

“We often helped out in the practice too; we would be sent up to McDermott’s Chemist to lift scripts, or sometimes we did phone duty or helped with the filing. I remember going out on house visits with my father when I was quite young. I was aware that there were families who didn’t come a background as privileged as ours. My father was a well respected doctor who made no distinction of class or creed when carrying

out his duties as a doctor or in his social life.

We were brought up to respect the different views and aspirations of everyone in the community.”

Religion, like the politics of orange and green which would come into play later, was never really an issue in the Lagan household.

While Ann was educated at Loreto Convent, a number of her siblings attended Omagh Academy – one of her brothers went on to excel at both rugby union and Gaelic football.

As GP, Dr Lagan served the community as a whole and his reputation went before him when he secured at seat on Omagh District Council for the Alliance Party in the 1970s.

There’s little doubt that her father’s political career influenced the path Ann would later take in life, but as she made the transition from school to college, it was her mother’s example she was most keen to follow, and she headed off to Lewisham and a branch of Guy’s Hospital, to study as a dental therapist.

Extractions and fillings probably wouldn’t be many people’s idea of a dream job, but for Ann, her work was a real passion. Upon her return to Northern Ireland she got her first job in Enniskillen and the following year took up a post with the then Sperrin Lakeland Trust, where she would remain for the next 27 years.

She says: “I worked in community dental services and I absolutely loved my job. The wee children who came in to us often had complex dental needs – maybe a real phobia of the dentist or severe problems with decay – and we had the time to work with those children to make their experience as stress-free as possible. I remember doing a filling on a child that was still in nappies – education was also a big part of my job, making sure parents knew how to keep their children’s teeth healthy and the importance of prevention rather than cure. If you went to primary school in Omagh during that time then you would have come across me because I went out to all the local schools to

educate children about dental care – most people will remember the pink tablets we gave out to show up all the plaque on your teeth!”

By now Ann had met and married her husband Brendan and was living in Drumquin with her two children, Karen and Paul. Having been a member of the Alliance party since it formed, her interest in politics was reawakened when a small group of women got together to discuss a pressing issue for women in the local area.

“We identified the need to help local women by giving advice on dealing with mental and physical abuse,” Anne explains. “From this small group Omagh Women’s Aid was formed. There was lots of hard work and travel to Belfast and Derry, but together we opened the first charity shop ever in the Omagh district. The money made was the beginning of funding the project and from there through self education, determination and hard work we opened a refuge for women in this area who were victims of domestic abuse.”

Following on from this, Ann first stood for election as an Alliance candidate in the early 90s and fought a number of campaigns, gaining ground each time, until she was finally elected in 1994 – the first ever female councillor, with 20 male counterparts in the chamber. The following year she blazed a new trail by becoming the council’s first ever female chair – in the process marking a new era for the council by breaking up a ‘pact’ to control the chair by the majority Unionist and SDLP parties.

Women’s issues were high on Ann’s agenda at that time, and although she was treated with the utmost respect by her council colleagues, she needed no education on the

there was nothing more infuriating than turning up to listen to these grey men in grey suits from the department telling us what was going to happen, and talking about public consultations when we knew the decisions had already been made. It was an insult to our intelligence.” difficulties faced by women in the workplace as she juggled motherhood alongside a full time job and her additional duties on the council where, as a single party member, she had nobody else to rely on for help.

“My saving grace was that I could dash from the health centre across the road to the Grange,” she laughs, “but it wasn’t easy. I needed to be in two places at the same time.

During my nine years on the council there were seven or eight election campaigns and it was a hard slog. The Alliance party is still quite small and we have double the canvassing to do because we go into every area. And of course the elections are always

in May which clashed with school exam time, and I was often absent from home. It was tough on my family without a doubt.

“It could be very frustrating at times too.

I was elected as a voice for women and one of the biggest issues at that time was the removal of maternity services from Tyrone County Hospital. For me there was nothing more infuriating than turning up to listen to these grey men in grey suits from the department telling us what was going to happen, and talking about public consultations when we knew the decisions had already been made. It was an insult to our intelligence.”

During her nine years in council Ann tackled numerous issues, many related to women and family, but others of a more general nature, too. She was vice-chair of the council during its darkest day, when a bomb ripped through Market Street killing 29 innocent people, and experienced first hand the power of the community to rebuild even in the face of incomprehensible tragedy.

Nevertheless, by 2003, she felt it was time to step away from local politics.

“I had other priorities at the time,” she says, “I was still working full time and I really needed to be at home more. But I never lost interest in politics, and now that I’m retired I have the necessary time to devote to it.

“I was in council at the time of the Good Friday Agreement and on the face of it sometimes it feels as if we haven’t moved on much beyond that. Now that Stormont sessions are televised we witness the playground antics and the bickering of our male dominated government. Is it any wonder that women often feel disconnected from politics?

“But things have changed for the better – we have equal opportunities and only recently the last voting slot in Westminster was changed from 10pm to a more gender friendly 7pm. The political arena is full of token men who have walked into their seats and what we need are more capable women.

There are hundreds of women of all ages working tirelessly for their community. They are making a difference but are underrepresented at the decision-making levels within government. I would encourage more women to step up, speak out, and join groups or a political party so that their issues can be aired and addressed."

If elected, Ann will be the first ever Alliance candidate to succeed at the poll in Fermanagh – and she’ll have to walk a fine line between her loyalty to her home town and her responsibility to her electorate in Enniskillen. But from relatively small things like parking attendants – who, she says, need to be ‘calibrated’ - to massive issues like health provision, Ann is clear that working together is the only way forward.

“I used to live in Fermanagh and I want to give people there an alternative to tribal voting – we need to move away from this ‘us and them’ mentality. I’d like to see the council shared across two sites to be fair to both towns and both sets of councillors. But to me the most important thing is that we learn to work together so we can be effective representatives for all the people of Omagh and Fermanagh,” she says.

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Behind the scenes at your dry cleaner WHEN we drop clothes, curtains and other items off at the dry cleaners we walk out the door with a sigh of relief that a stubborn stain or delicate fabric is in the safe hands of the experts – and with 36 years’ experience, they don’t get much more expert than Lynda Fyffe and her team at Cleanwell on John Street.

But while you get on with your day in the knowledge that you can pick up your perfectly clean and pressed items in a day or two, behind the scenes at Cleanwell, the work is just beginning!

Did you know, for example, that dry cleaning isn’t really ‘dry’? Or that your dry cleaner has to comply with increasingly stringent eco regulations? Or how important their knowledge, built up over decades, can be?

Lynda tells us more: “In dry cleaning, garments are actually washed – but not in water, a solvent called Perk. Modern dry cleaning is very much geared to the environment – we have to pay for a permit and keep records of all solvents used and waste disposal, and we have regular checks by someone from the council.

“Dry cleaning today is a lot more difficult because of all the man made fibres and decorative trims, especially on ladieswear. A garment could have three or more different materials in it which makes our job much more complex – we have to make customers aware of the risks when they deposit items and will normally refer them back to the clothing manufacturer for more information before we take on a job like this. In 36 years we have only had one insurance claim for damage to a garment which isn’t bad! When it comes to soft furnishings, most ready made items have a care label but Omagh being a good country town, we like to have our curtains made by local retailers and usually these bespoke items do not have care instructions. This is where Cleanwell’s experience comes in – we need to be able to know what to do with these items and our customers trust us to do the very best job.

“Other things that have changed over our 36 years in business are the costs associated with dry cleaning – from the cost of oil to solvents, everything has soared and we have had to work hard to make sure our customer still gets value for money. People have asked us recently if we are moving and the answer is definitely not – we are staying put in John Street where we look forward to welcoming our loyal customers as well as new ones for many more years to come! Whatever your needs you will always be assured of our very best service.” omaghtoday | 7

TALKOFTHETOWN Emotional night as Fr. Boland is welcomed back to Cappagh Parish

Photos by Ed Winters

Fr. Eugene Boland, seated centre front with his brother Fr. Declan and Fr. Francis Bradley, diocesan administrator.

Standing are priests who attended the reinstatement of Fr. Eugene as Parish Priest of Cappagh Parish. Below are a selection of parishioners welcoming Fr. Boland back to his priestly duties.

St. Mary's Church, Killyclogher was filled to capacity on Saturday night for a Vigil Mass to welcome Fr. Eugene Boland back to his duties as parish priest.

The chief celebrant of the Mass was Derry Diocesan administrator, Fr. Francis Bradley, who spoke of his gladness at seeing Fr Boland reinstated to the parish following an absence of more than three years.

Fr Boland stepped aside from his duties in 2010 following accusations of abuse made against him and pertaining to a period when he was a priest in Derry. After an eight-day trial in 2012, he was acquitted of any wrongdoing and five charges against him were completely dropped. A subsequent canonical process within the church has now also completely exonerated him. He has since spoken of the devastating impact the scandal had on both his career and his personal wellbeing although, he said, his faith had remained strong and he had forgiven the person who made the allegations, believing the truth would come out in the end.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's Mass in Killyclogher, Fr Bradley said: "I am glad that the civil and canonical processes have drawn to a close. I entrust Fr Eugene to the prayer and protection of God our father and I warmly welcome Fr Eugene's return to Cappagh."

Legamaghery school re-union Legamaghery National School, Fintona closed in 1969. Pictured, in 1954, are the young pupils with their teacher John McGinn. Many of these students will attend a school re union in Fintona Golf Club on Friday, 4th April and invite anyone associated with the school to come along and enjoy an evening of memories, stories, poems, music and dancing with past pupils and teachers.

Fun commences at 8pm. Tickets available in the local shops at ÂŁ10 which includes a buffet meal.

Do you have an upcoming event or story to tell?

Contact claire@omaghtoday.com or tel. 077 2563 1646 or pat@omaghtoday.com or tel. 077 1284 0985

Would you like to advertise in Omagh Today?

Email ads@omaghtoday.com or telephone Brendan 078 8431 3385 or 028 8075 8078 omaghtoday | 8

Royal meeting for Laura-Jane Laura-Jane Wallace who received her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award at St. James' Palace in London from the Earl of Wessex pictured with her proud mum Iris. Laura Jane completed her bronze, silver and gold awards with Mountjoy Girls Brigade supported

by Lynn Greer, coordinator and other GB leaders.

Strictly Kids dance launch

Ivan Gilmour, Chairman of Care for Cancer, shows off one of his creative dance routines with Clare Haughey, Panthers dance group and other dance teachers at the launch of Strictly Kids Dancing which will take place in the Mellon Country Hotel on Saturday, 12th April.

In recent years we have seen lots of Strictly Dancing competitions for adults but this is the first involving children. There are eight groups of children ranging in age from 4 to 12 years who have been putting in an enormous amount of work and effort in the hope of winning a fabulous trophy and becoming 2014 Strictly Kids Dancing Champions.

Full details in Issue 85.

Lotto cheque for Care for Cancer

Jean McCrystall, left and Martina Morris, right Care for Cancer Lottery organisers present a cheque for ÂŁ4,888.00 to Joan Hamilton, President and Ivan Gilmour, chairman. omaghtoday | 9

Talented Omagh Academy entertain at Strule Arts Centre

A wonderful evening of music was enjoyed by all who attended Omagh Academy’s Annual Spring Concert in the Strule Arts Centre on March 14. By now one of the most popular events on the bill at Strule each year, the 2014 concert did not disappoint, with a magnificent and varied show leaving the audience clamouring for more.

Fit girls Care for Cancer

Bridin Mullan and Kellie Woodhead who organised a 'January Fatloss Challenge' and celebration night in the Hogs Head present a cheque for ÂŁ1,110 to Ivan Gilmore and Laura Mills from Care for Cancer. omaghtoday | 10

Fashion night launch

Ann Marie Kelly, Kelly's Inn with Aware committee members Sinead Duddy, Nicola Quinn, Margaret McCrossan, Mary Fox and Marie McClenaghan at the launch of the Aware Fashion night which will be held in Kelly's Inn on Tuesday, 25th March.

On top of the World

Mortgage event invite

Beragh mother and daughter Briege and Michaela Woods undertook the Ben Nevis Challenge to raise money for Cancer Focus NI. Pictured above at the top of the highest mountain in GB, 4,408 ft above sea level are: Michelle Woods, Neill Grainger, Cancer Focus NI, Shauna McDonald, Carmel McDonald (missing from the photo is Briege Woods). A total of £3,408 was raised through their perseverance. They would like to thank everyone who kindly sponsored them in raising this amount.

Looking for a better deal on your mortgage? We’re hosting a series of open days and evening seminars in your area.

So, if you’re a first time buyer, moving house or thinking about making improvements to your home, why not join us?

Event MOrtgage OPen Day Description BuyIng a PrOPerty, SeLF

BuILDIng, reMOrtgagIng Or eQuIty reLeaSe, We HaVe SOMetHIng FOr yOu

Venue Bank OF IreLanD OMagH Date

SaturDay 22nD MarCH 2014

Time

10.00aM tO 2.00PM

Dromore road run cheque RSVP to

mary.mcgartland@boi.com

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE Written illustrations are available on request from any branch. All mortgages are subject to status and lending criteria. Suitable security is required. Applicants must be 18 years or older unless otherwise stated. Bank of Ireland UK is a trading name of Bank of Ireland (UK) plc which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Registered in England and Wales (No. 7022886) Bow Bels House, 1 Bread Street, London EC4M 9BE. 7172130415B

If the above time does not suit, feel free to contact Pamela or Martina on 02882 246567, to make an alternative appointment.

The Dromore Road Race raised £1,000 from the 10K and 5K event which took place in June 2013 with proceeds being presented to Marie Curie Cancer Care which was the nominated charity of title sponsor, McDermott's Pharmacy.

Pictured L-R: Dermot Montague (Dromore RR Committee), Ita McCullagh (Marie Curie local representative) and Bernard Maguire (McDermott's Pharmacy, Dromore).

The 2014 race is scheduled to take part on Saturday 28 June 2014 (2pm) and online entry is now available at www.dromore10k. com

Bank of Ireland welcome Mortgage queries Bank of Ireland staff members Sharon Kelly and Maeve Kelly who look forward to greeting guests at their Mortgage event in the Bank of Ireland, Campsie, Omagh on Saturday 22nd March, between 10am and 2pm. If you are a first time buyer, moving house or thinking about making improvements, come along and check out what is on offer.

Do you have an upcoming event or story to tell?

Contact claire@omaghtoday.com or tel. 077 2563 1646 or pat@omaghtoday.com or tel. 077 1284 0985

Would you like to advertise in Omagh Today?

Email ads@omaghtoday.com or telephone Brendan 078 8431 3385 or 028 8075 8078

omaghtoday | 11

This is a postcard of Omagh which is full of detail and activity.

Richie of Edinburgh as part of their ‘Reliable’ series produced it. My estimate is that it would have been produced around 1904 although other versions of the card may have been issued a few years before. The reason I date it to 1904 is that the back is divided for the address and message. Up to 1903 only the address could be written on the back. The image itself dates from a much earlier date, certainly pre 1900 although how much earlier it is difficult to say. If I had to guess I would say the photo was taken around 1895 but it is difficult to be precise.

The lampposts are certainly designed to use gas, as there is no sign of electric cables. On the left hand side we can see the canopies of the shops in High Street. Unfortunately the detail on the right hand side (bottom right) is not clear and it is not possible to determine if the White Hart statue which sat over the White Hart Hotel is in place or not. As far as I can see it is not, although the statue appears in a postcard taken after 1904. I know from early photos of High Street that the statue did not feature in them. Other details of High Street are visible such as the front of the Royal Arms Hotel. The streets sweep down Market Street towards Campsie. Ben Kiely told the yarn about the policeman sitting on the Courthouse steps, who when

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questioned about what work he was doing replied that he had the whole town under observation as far down as the Swinging Bars!

Although it is not very clear I believe that this is the only card of High Street to include the old Infirmary. To the best of my knowledge it was sold and the site cleared in the early 1900s.

I am not sure what the objects propped against the buildings mid way down the right hand side are. They look too substantial to be ladders and they may well be some sort of prop to support the front of the buildings during renovations. The whole street has an air of hustle and bustle about it.

The other feature of the street seems to be the number of premises which had railings jutting out onto the footpath.

It would be nice to be able to identify more features of the street but unfortunately the card is a printed card and lacks the detail of a real photographic card. Nevertheless it give us some sense of what the street would have looked like pre 1900 when there were only horse and carts in the street and the road surface was little more than a dirt track. The card shows that there appears to have been no conformity in planning. Buildings are different heights and widths and appear a little higgledy-piggledy but perhaps that is after all what gives Omagh its charm. This card reminds us of that. postcards@mgtaggart.com

Man-free zone

Bessie Belle

An Omagh’s girl’s take on life...

I’ve finally recovered from the plague that kept me off work a whole week. I’m just back into the swing of things and now everyone else has started falling like flies. Of course they’re all blaming me for infecting everyone. You’d swear it was the Ebola virus I had, not just a bad dose. I feel like that wee monkey from ‘Outbreak’. I won’t complain too much. The place is lovely and peaceful when there’s fewer people around to annoy me. If only it was like this every day.

The only problem is that the creepy IT boy hasn’t come down with the lurgy and he appears to be hanging around reception a lot more than usual. I caught him a few times just staring at me when he was pretending to read the leaflets in the waiting area. Even if his teeth were better and his eyes were straighter he still wouldn’t have a chance, I am now officially a man free zone. I have given up the search for Mr Right. I just can’t be bothered any more. It’s exhausting and I’m done with it. There’s more to life. But what’s annoying is the response of people when you say you’re happily single: “Well now, Bessie, you know what happens when you stop looking?” It takes me all my strength not to slap them up the gob.

At the minute the only men I’m interested in are the Ireland rugby team, I’d get in a scrum with any of them boys.

I believe we had International Wemen’s Day the other week. I feel sorry for that doll who gave the speech at Stormont wearing the revealing costume. Apparently she made a great speech but sure we heard nothing about all the good things she was saying because

everyone was focussed on her other attributes. I blame the cheeky aul photographer who knew the money shot when he saw it. I think if you want to be offended, you’ll find some reason. If you ask me, they were making mountains out of mole hills.

But do we really still need days like that? Us wemen have everything we want now, don’t we? We can vote, we can get educated, we can work, we can own property, we can be single, married or whatever we want. Anything men can do, we can do better, and then afterwards we tidy up and make dinner as well. I think what we need is an International Men’s day. The poor critters are getting more hard done by year after year. They can’t do right for doing wrong. They say there’s so much female hormone in the water supply all the men are turning into wemen. You don’t need to tell me about that. On my nights out I’ll meet the loveliest fellas, all wile craic and well dressed and great dancers then it turns out they’re eyeing up the same barman I am. That’s getting to be a far too common occurrence. Not that it’s a bad thing. Sure isn’t it great people are able to be comfortable being themselves in this day and age? It’s only right. Then, at the same time, it’s a real shock when you’re having a great laugh with the perma-tanned, camp guy only for him to start talking about his wife. You know, like yer man off Celebrities In The Jungle. It’s dangerous to make any assumptions these days. Next thing you know, I’ll be curting some handsome lad and find out his name’s Jennifer or something…

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Charlie

As it was to where it is now No. 84

Charlie Taggart

On March 23, 1985 Willie Nelson and Ray Charles reach #1 on the Billboard country chart with the song ‘Seven Spanish Angels’. Willie has a penchant for recording with artists from every genre of music you could think of, and this inspired duet really caught the public’s imagination. This enigmatic song, written by E. Setser and Troy Seals, was based on influences from old Tex Ritter movies and Marty Robbins border ballads.

The protagonist in the story is returning to his woman and - as he says in the song - back to life. His back-story is not revealed and the tragedy unfolds without explanation, the mystery makes for compelling interest and repeated listening to try and understand what it is all about. Over the years Willie has recorded many albums, and one of my favourites is ‘To Lefty from Willie’ - his tribute to Lefty Frizzell.

Lefty was born on 31st March 1928 in Corsicana, Texas, and he went on to become a truly major influence on many country artists. Merle Haggard, Randy Travis, Keith Whitley and many other singers have acknowledged being heavily influenced by Lefty. William Orville Frizzell was inspired by the music of Jimmie Rodgers and from this he developed his own unique style of singing country songs. In 1950, when he was 22 years old, he made it to the top of the charts with his first single ‘If You’ve got the Money I’ve got the Time’. In 1951 he had seven songs in the top ten, but his lifestyle and lack of business acumen damaged a career briefly rescued by his version of the songs ‘The Long Black Veil’ in 1959, and ‘Saginaw Michigan’ in 1964.

Many artists have recorded these songs over the years, but to my mind nobody quite captures their magic like Lefty. In 1975 he suffered a stroke and died at the too early age of 47. Willie recorded his tribute album to Lefty in 1975, but while it was not released it until 1976, the album comes across as a genuine celebration of Lefty’s music, and the songs have been adapted to suit the Nelson style.

Keith Whitley is another artist who was heavily influenced by Lefty, and some of his classic country recordings include the honky-tonk sound of the originals, with 1980’s artists like Alison Krauss and Dale Ann Bradley doing backing vocals. Whitley also does a superb rendition of the Haggard song ‘Somewhere Between’. Keith signed with Rounder Records, and four of the songs he recorded were with producer Don Gant, who was the last person to work with Lefty Frizzell in the studio.

Keith Whitley died at the age of 33 from an accidental alcoholic overdose. The second last song on the Whitley album I have been listening to is the apt ‘Long Black Limousine’. Dominic Kirwan, the lively and versatile entertainer who is proud to be from Omagh, includes the Lefty Frizzell song ‘Release Me’ on his ‘Love Me Tender’ album. His new concert tour has started, celebrating his 25 years in showbusiness and giving the fans a chance to enjoy the Kirwan stage show magic once again.

A man attending a job interview was asked what he thought his greatest qualities were. “My motivational skills,” he replied.

“At my last job everyone said they had to work twice as hard omaghtoday | 14

& andY

when I was around.”

Andy Gordon

It’s good to see Charlie writing about Willie and Lefty, and even Keith Whitley this time. Anything but stories about Johnny Cash! Here is a man who can listen to, talk about and relate, chapter and verse, on any aspect of The Man in Black’s story.

Life is too short for this devotion – spare me any more details!

It may surprise you when I tell you that Charlie and I have something in common - and that is that we are not the most fashionable chaps to be seen, strutting off down the main street in Omagh – or for that matter, anywhere. You see – how can I put this – we like to feel comfortable in our clothes. There is nothing wrong with that in our minds, but for our two minders – sorry, wives well they would rather we dressed well and kept up to date with the latest fashion – become doyens of the local fashion scene for chaps our age. While they’re not expecting miracles by us being right up to date, they do prefer us in a style from the 21st century, not, as we are apt to be, dressed for the 19th century! I mean, over the last few years I have been bought a sweater and polo neck with elbow patches already on the sleeves. I ask you – why are they there on a brand new product? In the sixties I used to take delight in wearing holes in my jumpers – as we called them then – so that my mother would sew leather elbow patches on to get another year out of it. But now they come with patches already sewn on – same colour, same material. I ask you – why?

And what’s this about buying a new outfit for special occasions?

I had a wedding just over two years ago and was frog marched into a local outfitters to be measured for a new suit. I objected, saying that the double breasted one I had in the wardrobe, whilst dating from the early 1990s, was still in great order as I had only worn it a handful of times! But no, after a bit of persuasion I relented and got a fine suit for Peter and Lisa’s big day. I have only had this suit on me a handful of times – a few weddings and a few funerals – and it is in fine shape, and more importantly, it miraculously still fits me, so I see no problem in wearing it again. I mean, it’s not as if someone is going to point and say: “Oh dear, Andy’s wearing that suit again.” No-one will notice because all eyes will be on the bride and groom.

And shoes. What’s all this about buying new shoes all the time?

When I get a pair that I like, I will now go on-line and buy a few pairs of them, so I rarely need to go out and try pair after pair on, hopping around the shop trying to see myself in those dirty low down mirrors. Life is so much easier if we buy our clothes, and shoes for comfort and longevity, and not to try to keep pace with the fashion gurus. To illustrate this I must tell you that I still have – in remarkable shape – a pair of Dubarry shoes that I bought in the 1970s! While the uppers are looking great, I had them resoled, resulting in them becoming bulky and heavy. But not to be beaten, I am taking them to an expert who assures me he will have them back to their previous best. I can’t wait – but I don’t think I will be allowed to wear them to the wedding!

Planning for your family’s financial future at S Hill & Co.

PRESTIGIOUS Belfast-based financial advisory firm S Hill & Co. has opened a local office in Fintona, headed by well known financial adviser, Eileen Brogan.

Local woman Eileen commenced her working life in the area of accountancy but then decided to become a financial adviser and now has almost 20 years’ experience in financial service. Eileen holds an honours degree in Accounting and Finance and has also completed her professional advisory exams; but she’s also a fulltime mum of three who appreciates the time and cost of providing for a young family – just one of the reasons it is so important that we take a little time to plan and protect the future financially.

The new personal financial planning service at S Hill & Co. specializes in investments, inheritance tax planning, protection planning, retirement planning and annuities.

Eileen has spent the past eight years working as an independent financial adviser and more recently as an appointed representative at a local bank, but with changes in financial services she wanted to offer a more personalized and independent service to clients.

"The main priority for my previous company was to ensure sales targets were met by focusing mainly on new clients while embracing the latest regulatory changes. It is almost impossible to achieve both," she said.

"As a result of these requirements, many high street banks have chosen to no longer provide financial advice to their customers.

This has left tens of thousands of investors having to fend for themselves.

"It is vitally important that savers and investors are able to access the best of what the investment world has to offer if they are to enjoy real growth, income or even both from their capital. I truly believe the service I offer clients to be essential in achieving these aims.

"I selected S Hill & Co as a firm because they specialize in creating state of the art financial planning tools and customer service systems that help free up more time that I can then spend with my clients.

"They also empower my clients to fulfil their financial goals and ambitions in the most transparent, cost-effective way."

Eileen continued: “Many people appreciate the benefits of having a regular medical check-up. It helps to make sure that everything is as it should be, and can highlight any areas giving cause for concern before they become a problem.

It is a good idea to apply this same principle to your finances.

As your local financial adviser I aim to give you financial advice to suit both you and your family’s needs. You may be worried or feeling stressed about any number of financial concerns but these anxieties may be quickly eased by seeking an informal meeting with a professional financial adviser.

“I can help you with a whole range of things: how to maintain a healthy standard of living for you and your family should you lose your job, become ill or even die; advise on financial planning to enjoy a secure retirement; saving for that dream car or holiday; efficient tax planning including inheritance tax planning; or investing a lump sum wisely to grow or give you an income. In short, everything you need to know to keep your finances happy!”

Eileen also offers Business advice in the areas of retirement planning and business succession planning.

It is vitally important to plan for you and your family’s financial future. You can achieve this efficiently and effectively – right now – by simply calling the local office.

The office is based at Mill Street Fintona and an appointment can be arranged at a time to suit you and Eileen can also meet with you in the comfort of your own home. Eileen also offers a Wednesday evening clinic from her office between 6.30pm and 9.00pm (appointment only).

New and existing customers can arrange a free no obligation consultation, call Eileen or Leo on 02882841080 / mobile 07793035024 or email eileen.brogan@investmentdecisions.co.uk Website www.investmentdecisions.co.uk.

Do you have an upcoming event or story to tell?

Contact claire@omaghtoday.com or tel. 077 2563 1646 or pat@omaghtoday.com or tel. 077 1284 0985

Would you like to advertise in Omagh Today?

Email ads@omaghtoday.com or telephone Brendan 078 8431 3385 or 028 8075 8078

omaghtoday | 15

Fashion show in Fintona Golf Club

GLAMOROUS ladies from across the Omagh District took to the catwalk at Fintona Golf Club on March 13 for a fabulous fashion show in support of Cancer Research UK. Boutiques exhibiting on the night were She, Menary’s, Jack & Jones, House of Kidz and the Snooty Fox and a large crowd of fashion-conscious ladies were treated to a real extravaganza of stunning attire from chic daywear (including maternity) to glitzy eveningwear and elegant outfits for those special occasions. There were also some extremely cute and ultra-professional mini models showcasing the latest style for little people, much to the delight of the audience.

The fashion show was followed by refreshments and a great evening was had by all, raising much-needed funding for this very worthwhile cause. Thanks go to everyone who helped with the organizing of this event.

Creative & Digital Marketing seminar

Left: Enda McShane, Velocity Worldwide (Speaker), Andrea McGuckin, Innovation Omagh, Martin McColgan, Chairman of Omagh District Council, Kevin McShane, ODC and Des McCrystal, PUSH Design and Advertising at the Creative & Digital Marketing Seminar in the Silverbirch Hotel last Thursday. omaghtoday | 16

TAKEFIVE

An oasis for Omagh?

CAR parking spaces in Omagh became an even hotter property than usual as the Drumragh car park closed for work to begin on the OASIS (Omagh Accessible Shared Inclusive Space) project; but what exactly will OASIS provide – and do you think it’s worth it? We took to the streets to find out…

What is OASIS?

The OASIS project aims to create a central, accessible, multipurpose space for use by everyone in the community. It will take the form of a mezzanine level constructed on concrete columns above the current Drumragh car park. When the project is finished, there will be just one less parking space than there is currently.

The project will include a riverside walk, vantage points over the river Strule and a pedestrian bridge linking Drumragh Avenue to Old Market Place. There will also be a covered performance area for open air music, theatre and other events; an exercise area; an electronic information hub; fishing stands, games tables and civic

artwork.

The cost of the project is £4.5 million; it has received funding from the European Peace III initiative and will take around a year to deliver and Drumragh Car park will be closed for the duration of the work.

However, designated parking for Blue

Badge holders will continue to be provided at Drumragh Avenue car park throughout.

The bus depot will not be affected by the closure, and will operate as normal. The taxi rank will also remain unchanged, and the access route between Drumragh Avenue and Bridge Street will also remain open. Once the project is completed, the car park will be available again, at lower ground level.

Omagh District Council has developed alternative car parking facilities with 72 spaces at the former Naturelle Shoe Factory premises on Mountjoy Road. This will be a Pay and Display facility. Alternative car parking is also available at the Grange car park, Lisanelly Avenue.

Martin & Sheila Cleary, Omagh I read in the paper that the car park is going to be closed for a year which is just not good – there’s little enough car parking in Omagh as it is! You have to pay for it but at least it’s convenient – this will just put more pressure on the other car parks and at the minute on a Friday evening or a Monday afternoon you would be hard pressed to find a car parking space as things are. As far as the new development goes, the money could have been better spent elsewhere – the town needs more entertainment, especially for families, so something like a bowling alley would have been better – people have to go out of the town to get things like that now. It could also have been used to help the smaller businesses in the town, maybe to provide rates relief or encourage people to shop locally. I think it’s a waste of money.

Nula Donnelly, Drumquin Short term for car parking it’s going to cause problems in the town because it’s already hard to find car parking spaces close to the shops. But I think in the long term it will be a good thing, it will open up the town centre a bit more and make it more attractive to people coming from other places to shop here. I don’t know what else you would spend that sort of money on around Omagh so I think it’s a good option.

Hugh McAleer, Beragh I would welcome this development and I think Omagh District Council is to be applauded for this project.

Omagh needs something like this; it’s going to transform the town centre and make it much more accessible which can only be a good thing. The closure of the car park, in my opinion, is a short term pain but it will have a long term gain. As the saying goes, you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs!

Carol Thompson, Castlederg (formerly Omagh) I don’t drive, and I came here today by taxi, so personally I won’t be affected by the closure of the car park. But I think £4.5 million is a lot to spend on something like this – we don’t really get the weather here in Northern Ireland to be sitting out on the street so to me it would have been better spent on some sort of indoor entertainment, especially for young people who don’t really have anything to do around the town.

Terri McCullagh & Imelda Curran, Omagh (staff at Hair Depot) It’s definitely will be worth it when it’s finished but it’s going to have a big effect on the salon in the short term, even for us as staff to get parked for coming in to work.

First of all they told us there would be 20 spaces but now there are only going to be eight and four of them will be disabled spaces. I think it will be tough on our elderly clients who come here mainly because the car parking is so handy and even for anybody getting their hair done for a big event – they’re going to have to walk further to their cars which, depending on the weather, could mean their hair gets ruined. We would be concerned about the impact on the business and as far as we know there’s nothing in place to compensate us. That said, when the thing is finished and especially with the new footbridge linking us to the town centre, it should give us a good boost.

Geoff Scott, Omagh (taxi driver) A lot of us taxi men would be fairly annoyed about the project simply because from what I can see there has been very little engagement and very little consultation with us, or with the other businesses that are directly affected by this work. To me the whole thing is a bit of a white elephant – it doesn’t address the fundamental problem of limited car parking in the town centre.

They’re saying it will attract people to the town to shop – but where are they going to park their cars? omaghtoday | 17

Big Breakfast for Cancer Research UK

The Ballygawley local branch of Cancer Research UK held their successful annual Big Breakfast in Kelly's Inn Garvaghey on Saturday, 8th March. Pictured above centre are James McAnenly, Bethany Rainey, Iris Clarke, Thelma and Hannah Rainey who were joined by many helpers for the event.

St. Patrick's P.S. Gortin celebrate St. Patrick's Day Left: Mary Grugan, principal atSt. Patrick's PS, Gortin,with twins Ellie and Erin Daly.

Right: Linda Kennedy with Aoife Mosey, Leah Clarke, Ruby McGarvey and Jack McAleer.

Martha Hagenson, Darragh McCarron and Michael McGarvey. omaghtoday | 18

Nicole McCallan, Clara Mossey, Lily-Rose Clarke and Sarah McConnell.

The Hair Lounge now opened in Dromore

Catherine O’Neill, right, proprietor of The Hair Lounge, Dromore with her mum Brigin, gran Sybill and sister Grainne at the opening night of Catherine’s new hair salon.

Celebrate your Hero event supporting Oxfam

The Oxfam shop at Market Street, Omagh was the venue for a ‘Celebrate Your Hero’ Coffee Morning on Friday, 7th March. The event, on International Women’s Day, also gave support to women worldwide. Dr. Jo Deehan gave an inspiring talk, guests enjoyed their tea/coffee and wide range of tasty bites, and the young ladies from South West College’s Beauty Therapy classes were on hand to send all present home with pretty fingernails. omaghtoday | 19

U P C O M I N G

E N T E R T A I N M E N T . . .

Friday 21st march

O v er 2 1 s - A D M . £ 5 b e f ore 1 1 . 3 0 pm , £ 7 a f ter . open 1 0 pm

dj shai

DJ Ryan Gallagher £2.50 drinks

P h oto I D E s s entia l - P a s s port or DL O N LY

Friday 28th march

P h oto I D E s s entia l - P a s s port or DL O N LY

All drinks £2.50 B4 12am

Saturday 29th march

O v er 1 8 s - A d m . £ 5 . Door s open 1 0 pm

O v er 2 1 s - A D M . £ 5 b e f ore 1 1 . 3 0 pm , £ 7 a f ter . open 1 0 pm

dj shai

DJ ConNor Phillips

P h oto I D E s s entia l - P a s s port or DL O N LY

omaghtoday | 20

Saturday 22nd march

O v er 1 8 s - A d m . £ 5 . Door s open 1 0 pm

£2.50 drinks

P h oto I D E s s entia l - P a s s port or DL O N LY

All drinks £2.50 B4 12am

Visit our Brand New Website

Saturday 22nd march

DJ Delbert Saturday 29th march

DJ Delbert

www.mainstreetomagh.com

EVERY MONDAY

Happy Mondays

from 3pm to closing EVERY TUESDAY

Pub Quiz

Saturday 22nd march

DJ SHAI

Saturday 29th march

DJ SHAI

from 9.30pm Friday 21st march The Bizz from 10.00pm followed by Paddys Disco saturday 22nd march

Riff Raff from 10.00pm followed by Paddys Disco

Friday 28th march Declan Burke from 10.00pm followed by Paddys Disco

Hen/Stag & party packages available Rue 028 8225 7575 | Una Vita 028 8224 4440

omaghtoday | 21

Cervical Screening From age 25 in Northern Ireland, women are routinely invited to have cervical screening tests (previously called smear tests). The tests are done to prevent cervical cancer, not to diagnose cancer. Many women feel anxious about having the test done, either because of the procedure itself or because of the possible results – but regular tests are simple and important to safeguard your health.

How is the test done?

A cervical screening test is a routine procedure and is nothing to worry about. The doctor or nurse performing your test will have done it hundreds of times so there is no need to be embarrassed, and the test does not hurt. You will be asked to remove your clothing from the waist down. If you wear a loose skirt, you may only need to remove your underwear. You will be asked to lie on your back on the examination couch. You should bend your knees, put your ankles together, and let your knees fall open. A doctor or nurse will put an instrument called a speculum into your vagina. This allows the cervix to be seen. Some women find this uncomfortable, but it generally helps a lot if you relax. The doctor or nurse then uses a thin plastic stick with a small soft brush at the end to gently scrape some cells from the surface of the cervix. The cells that are obtained on the brush are sent away to be examined in the laboratory.

Why are cervical screening tests advised?

Cervical cancer is a disease that can often be prevented. Early changes can be detected in the cervix, which indicate that cancer may develop. The cervical screening test is not a cancer test. The test is used to detect early abnormalities of the cervix which, if untreated, could lead to cervical cancer in the future. In most women the cells that are taken are found to be normal. Abnormal cells are found in some women. An abnormal result does not mean cancer in the vast majority of cases.

Abnormal cells indicate that cancer may develop sometime in the future. About 1 woman in 20 will have an abnormal result that requires further testing or treatment.

Most of these changes will not lead to cervical cancer. Treatment can be given to prevent cancer from developing in women with abnormal cells.

I have recently had an abnormal cervical smear what does this mean?

Dr Orla Conlon, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Marble Arch Private

Healthcare Clinic in Co. Fermanagh, says: “It can be quite a shock to be told that you have an abnormal cervical smear, but this should not cause you undue concern. One in ten cervical smears are classified as ‘abnormal’ so don’t be distressed as in the majority of cases abnormal smears do not mean that you have cancer.

“Some women can have changes in the neck of the womb (cervix) that are called pre-cancer or ‘CIN’ and if left untreated the cells may turn into cancer. Once a test result shows that your smear was ‘abnormal’ your GP will then refer you to the hospital for Colposcopy. This is a similar examination to having a smear test done but it is where the doctor will look at the abnormal cells with a microscope (colposcope) to determine the status of the cells. If areas of pre-cancer cells are found on the cervix, it is very easy to remove them completely. You will then need followed up with regular smear tests in the future to ensure that these abnormal cells don’t come back.”

IF YOU ARE AT ALL CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR OWN OR YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH, ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR GP WESTERN URGENT CARE OUT OF HOURS - 028 7186 5195 omaghtoday | 22

OMAGH YESTERDAY

Images of Omagh & District from times past...

Omagh Community Centre bowls winners back in 1988.

Beragh hair dresser Clair Conroy poses with her dogs . . . a long time ago.

Peter Cavanagh receives one of In our last issue we featured a page full of grey and bald haired men at a Red Knights dinner and his first football award from his awards night. This is how the same group looked when they claimed county success back in 1988.

They were attending their celebration dinner dance in Kelly's Inn. hero.

Fintona Senior citizens at their party in Knock na Moe Castle hotel in 1988.

Fintona Golf Club captain Jimmy McSorley, second from left with his minders. omaghtoday | 23

Cutwork clutch bag with optional chain strap, She.

Paisley print scarf, Dunnes.

Mother’s Day is March 30…so show your appreciation for everything she does by spoiling her rotten! Here are some of our favourite gift ideas…

Purse in soft leather by Tula.

Lindor Strawberries and Cream chocolates, Lindt.

Rose and Bee ‘Mum’ mug, Emma Bridgewater.

French lavender bath crème, Marks and Spencer.

Spring at

At long last, spring has officially sprung, and that can mean only one thing – time to revamp our wardrobes for the new season! For a shot of zingy spring colour, look no further than the fab new collections at She – the local boutique has recently taken delivery of new brands including gorgeous casualwear by NafNaf and stunning occasionwear

by Fran & Jane. Add quirky pieces from Almost Famous, effortless chic from Great Plains, a large range of stylish and original accessories and shoes and you’re guaranteed to find the perfect piece to give your wardrobe a shake-up for spring!

Personalised cupcakes from Adele’s Cakes.

Rose stud earrings by Pandora, available at Argento.

Works weddings

Whether it’s your hen party or your wedding morning, those key moments of bonding with the girls before your big day are a precious rite of passage to be treasured by any bride – and at The Works, you can now make the most of them in a dedicated, private space! The bridal suite at The Works offers complete comfort and privacy for everything from a girls’ night in to a hen party to those final preparations on the morning of your wedding – perfect for keeping your ‘big reveal’ until the last minute! Roisin and the girls will be on hand to cater for your every whim and there’s even free bubbly and nibbles as standard – bliss!

Spend £100 and receive a Fast Track Colour Analysis for just £30!

Provided by our House of Colour Consultant; a full analysis is £110, offer ends Sat 29th March

33 Market St, Omagh, County Tyrone, BT78 1EE - Tel: 028 8224 1088

omaghtoday | 24

Mummy Diaries Same old amazing

Blonde ambition Summer is on it's way and this means the start of lightening hair so I thought we should all know the effects of bleaching and how to look after our hair when it is lighter.

Of all the colouring methods, bleach is potentially the most damaging, and therefore should ideally always be done professionally. Bleaching raises your hair’s outer cuticle, allowing the bleaching agent to fully penetrate. However, repeated bleaching can permanently raise the cuticle scales and allow rapid and continuous loss of moisture.

Damage from bleach includes dry, brittle, inelastic hair, and hair that is more prone to breakage and split ends. Bleached hair is also more porous and swollen and therefore more vulnerable to other chemical and non-chemical processes. These include everything from permanent wave solutions in curling or straightening to regular heated styling with blow-dryers, straightening irons and brushes. While any and all bleaches have a damaging effect on your hair’s protein structure, the more often you bleach or highlight your hair, the more damaged it will be. The amount of damage done also depends on the amount of colour change. For instance, going from a dark to a light shade is the most hazardous because the colouring (bleaching) agent is stronger and left on for longer.

Think of bleached hair as being a bit like a sponge – it’s very porous. But while it soaks up water quickly and easily, it loses it just as rapidly. You need to use products that encourage the cuticle to close, so that the hair’s moisture content and integrity is maintained.

It’s usually not necessary to have a skin sensitivity test (a patch test) for bleaches when they are used on their own. However, bleaching agents usually have various colours added, or else they give brassy and straw-like shades. If a colour dye is added to your bleach, you should always have a patch test done beforehand. That said, bleaches can cause burns to your scalp (or any tissue that it comes in contact with). If you experience any sort of discomfort during processing, you must let your stylist know straight away.

The best way to combat dryness, brittleness and breakage is to use a pre-shampoo deep conditioning treatment three days before and also after bleaching or highlighting, and then weekly thereafter.

This plumps your hair with moisture, making it more elastic and less likely to snap. The correct pre-shampoo treatments also add shine, manageability and bounce. Use a daily damage defence product to keep your hair hydrated, shiny and protected from daily environmental damage. Products like these also help to seal gaps caused by a raised cuticle. While you may not be styling your hair throughout the day, pollution, air conditioning/central heating, wind and UV rays can take their toll.

Bleaching raises your hair cuticle, causing hairs to interlock and tangle easily. Condition after every shampoo to flatten the cuticle, seal in moisture, reduce knots and add shine. Bleached hair is already vulnerable to damage and snapping. This is because the cuticle of bleached hair is weaker, allowing it to be more easily removed during your day-to-day hair care regime. When your cuticle is damaged, your hair's cortex (core) becomes exposed, which leaves your hair prone to rapid moisture loss. Do not brush or pull your hair roughly and be especially gentle when you style. To help prevent breakage, gently detangle bleached hair when wet (or dry), starting from the ends and gradually working up to your roots.

Turn off your blow-dryer when your hair is ‘just dry’. Overheating and drying bleached hair further reduces moisture and elasticity.

Use a smoothing product to help close and smooth your hair cuticle. This will help reduce moisture evaporation and also give your hair a glossier and healthier appearance.

So if you want to be a blonde you have to be prepared to look after your tresses as they need lots of care and attention, professional products from start to finish will ensure that your blonde hair looks and feels in top condition.

YOU know, sometimes I think I’m going to knock this column on the head. I’ve been doing this mummy thing for nearly six years now and I feel like I’m running out of things to write about. Most of the time I feel like I’m on top of the practical side of parenting, and with the youngest having turned three at the weekend, the sleepless nights are thankfully a rare occurrence, so apart from the occasional catastrophe, essentially all I have left to complain write about is the mundane side of motherhood, the day in, day out stuff that we all have to do.

Certain aspects of being a parent are pretty boring. You get up, you wrestle small people into uniforms, you shove apples and cuddly toys and bottles of water and dog-eared books into back packs, you drop them off, you go to work, you pick them up, you remove uniforms and replace with casual clothes, you extract assorted crap from bags, you referee fights, you make snacks, you do homeworks, you cook and serve dinner, you throw dinner in the bin, you remove casual clothes and replace with pyjamas, you watch Peppa Pig, you read stories, you put small people to bed, you grab a few sanity-saving hours to catch up on work/housework/ trashy TV, you crash in an exhausted heap and then you wake up and do it all over again. Yawntastic - both doing it, and reading about it.

So why do I write this column? It started off as a way to vent my thoughts and frustrations as a mum of one toddler and one newborn. I wanted to tell you about the exploding nappies and the leaky boobs and the hideous exhaustion, so you could laugh and neither of us would feel alone.

I’ve shared moments of pure joy and moments of despair (and while I dress them up to sound funny, I can assure you that most of the time, I wasn’t laughing one bit) and I know there will be plenty more of those moments to come as we carry on this journey of motherhood, messing it up and doing our best and learning as we go.

But there aren’t always ‘noteworthy’ things to share, and I suppose I worry, dear reader, that you will tire of my mummy musings. I think you won’t want to read that as I type this, I’m looking out the window at my kids, sitting on a stump in the garden chatting away and comparing their glittery tattoos – yes, the boy one too – and that my heart feels full, all of a sudden, in the middle of an otherwise unremarkable afternoon in March.

I don’t need to tell you that I often wish their wee lives away, wanting them to be bigger, wanting them to be more independent – but when the little one bounced into our bed at the weekend, I wished her a happy third birthday with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat because it’s just going too fast. Or how I nag and nag them to learn things for themselves – how to put on coats or tie shoelaces, and then when they master it I feel sad because they need me that little bit less then they did yesterday. I don’t need to tell you about how I wish all week for just half an hour alone with a cup of coffee, but when I get an afternoon to myself I miss their noisy chatter.

I know you’re all doing it too. I know you’re picking up an endless trail of ‘stuff’ and shouting at them more than you’d like because you’re trying to raise proper humans who are smart and polite and thoughtful, and cooking meals than mostly end up in the bin. I know you count the minutes til bedtime and that you have to tear yourself away from staring at their sleeping faces before you turn in for the night. I know you don’t stop for a minute all day long and it still seems as if you never get anything done. I know you’re bored sometimes, and how often you wonder if you are the most disorganized, distracted, dishevelled mummy the world has ever known.

I know that none of these things make for a particularly entertaining parenting column, but there’s no escaping the fact that the magic of motherhood isn’t in the ‘big’ things, wonderful as they may be. John Lennon once said that ‘life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans’, and the same is true of being a mum. The devil’s in the detail; the fraught breakfasts and the lost shoes and the endless ‘whys’ and the fights over Lego and the dinnertime battles. It feels boring and we crave something more remarkable, not realizing that what’s right under our noses is just about as remarkable as it gets – not realizing how lucky we are to just be ‘normal’, or how quickly this phase of life will all be behind us. So I’m going to try and embrace the boredom, safe in the knowledge that it won’t be long before a mummy fail with inches of column mileage comes along…

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Laying the foundations for musical genius with Kindermusik!

With Chloe Kerr

Spring has sprung!

There has been a bit of a heat wave in London over the past week and it has got everyone in the mood for summer fashion, and more specifically summer footwear. You’ll be glad to hear that stilettos are out the window; it’s time for dressy flats to shine.

From bejeweled gladiator sandals to pony-skin pumps to colour brogues, flat shoes for this season are anything but boring.

While buckles and blue specifically seem to be the two key mini shoe trends, with the focus on footwear at the moment, there is no shortage of different kinds - so don’t be afraid to be creative and let your shoes do the talking!

And in makeup news, following in the footsteps of big stars like Rihanna, seventeen year old singing sensation Lorde is set to collaborate with MAC to create her own colour collection.

Well known for her dark lipstick (Cyber from MAC) and gothic look, Lorde has been a MAC fan for a long time and she also has been working with MAC makeup artist Amber Dreadon on her current tour, so this is a dream come true. “I have loved MAC cosmetics since I was a little kid,” the Grammy winner said in a statement. “I remember saving up to buy my very first MAC lipstick [Snob] at 14, and it was used by about 20 of my friends! MAC has a very clear aesthetic that has always felt fashion forward to me. I was really excited to work with [MAC] on these products, which I use pretty much every day and night. I hope you will too.”

The collection is to be released this summer and although we haven’t been given any clues of what to expect, it’s a safe bet that we’ll see some supercool dark lipsticks in her upcoming collection.

Already having quite a large fashion following, Lorde’s makeup collection is sure to be a big hit. w w w. m a cco s m e t i c s . co.uk

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LEARNING a musical instrument is a great skill for a child; it helps their concentration, teaches them about discipline and practice, it’s enjoyable and relaxing and studies show that it can even make them smarter.

Most music teachers recommend that children don’t start taking formal music lessons before the age of six – on average, this is the earliest that their reading skills and attention span are developed enough for them to get the most from their lessons. But that doesn’t mean you can’t lay the foundations for learning an instrument much earlier – and when Claire Bowes invited me to bring my daughter Harriet along to a class designed to do exactly that, we didn’t need asking twice!

I took piano lessons myself when I was younger and at three Harriet already loves bashing away on my old piano, so I’m hoping she’ll continue to be interested as she gets older. After hearing about Kindermusik – a programme specially tailored for children from birth up to 6 years, and run by Claire at Omagh Music Academy - I definitely wanted to find out more. Claire is the only qualified Kindermusik teacher in the local area, although the programme itself has been introducing children to the joy of music for over 30 years.

The idea is a simple one; the classes offer a range of music and fun activities that little ones love, introducing them to some of the most basic principles of music through movement and play. There’s Sing and Play for babies, Wiggle and Grow for 2-3 year olds and Move and Groove for 4-6 year olds. With a maximum of ten children in each class the groups are small and intimate, giving mums and kids the chance to get to know each other – and of course preventing things from getting too rowdy! As the newbies, we were instantly welcomed into the Wiggle and Grow group with mums quick to introduce themselves and little ones keen to show Harriet all the things they had already learned in previous weeks.

The class got underway with the Hello song – verses are short and repetitive so we picked up the words quickly, and there are some simple actions that Harriet loved getting to grips with. During the hour we were introduced to Kindermusik characters like Zane the Train with plenty of opportunity to move around the room and explore different ways of using our bodies to make music and rhythm; we also experimented with basic instruments like shakers and rhythm sticks, and finally the children enjoyed some quiet(ish) time on the story blanket before we sang the goodbye song – a super cute touch as each child is sung to individually by the rest of the group. The class was great fun – the kids absolutely love it and their lack of inhibition is inspiring to a slightly reluctant mummy like myself, helped along by enthusiastic leadership from Claire and her assistant who knew all the children by name and gave them plenty of opportunities to direct the actions of the group – a guaranteed way to win brownie points with toddlers! All in all it was a really enjoyable experience, made even better by the knowledge that Harriet was learning skills she can develop as she grows – moving up into the Move and Groove class there’s a chance to learn basic musicality in kid-friendly terms, such as the different lengths of notes, staccato vs. legato (short, sharp sounds and long lingering sounds) and crescendo vs diminuendo (loud and soft), plus an introduction to some famous composers and pieces of music. The result means your child can develop their interest and skills into a solid grounding that will give them a head start when they’re old enough to start formal music lessons – a worthwhile investment in any parent’s book.

Kindermusik classes run every week at Omagh Music Academy; Wiggle and Grow is on Mondays and Saturdays at 10.30am, Sing and Play (under 2s) is at 11am on Wednesdays and Move and Groove for 4 - 6 year olds is at 12noon on Saturdays. For further information visit www. omaghmusicacademy.com or find them on Facebook.

‘Bard of Tyrone’ celebrated at Sixmilecross event

A wonderful evening of poetry and prose, music and song was held in Sixmilecross Presbyterian Church on March 14 to celebrate the life and works of the poet W.F. Marshall.

Perhaps most famous for his comic poem, ‘Livin’ in Drumlister’, Marshall’s body of work in fact covers a much broader spectrum reflecting the reality of rural life. Not only a poet, he was a playwright, a novelist – and perhaps most significantly, a pioneer in the study of Ulster’s language and dialect, much of which is preserved for eternity in his work.

Omagh District Council commissioned Declan Forde, a local aficionado of W. F. Marshall's work, to produce the event, which took the title ‘Down the Quiet Loanin' and featured contributions from a number of local people, including pupils from Cooley Primary School and the Marshall Tenors. A fascinating slide show detailing the key features of W.F. Marshall’s life and work was interspersed with readings from his poetry, reminding all in attendance why this man, about whom relatively little is known, was dubbed ‘The Bard of Tyrone’ – and why his word lives on long after his death in 1959.

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Social life in need of a boost?

Your guide to what’s onMartin in Omagh district this fortnight...

By Claire

Molly Sweeney

must see!!

Strule Arts Centre, March 20, 8pm, £14.50 Lyric Belfast and Print Room London grace the stage at the Strule Arts Centre with a play from Omagh’s most famous son, Brian Friel, tonight (Thursday). Blind since infancy, Molly Sweeney is persuaded to have an operation to restore her sight. Her husband Frank is convinced she has nothing to lose; her ophthalmologist Mr Rice is not so sure. The play charts their expectation and fantasies of how the operation will change everything, not just for Molly, but for all three of them. Friel's rarely performed poetic tale weaves together all three characters' perspectives. Through a journey of memory, hope and despair, the play begs us to not only see, but also understand other people's points of view. £12.50 concession ticket available. "Abigail Graham's incisive production...I was grateful for a production that enabled me to see Friel's fascinating play through fresh eyes" - The Guardian

Movie Magic: The Croods

Strule Arts Centre, March 29, 11.30am, £3.

From the makers of Shrek and Madagascar. The Croods is a prehistoric comedy adventure which follows the world's first modern family as they embark on a journey of a lifetime to protect the cave that has always shielded them.

Travelling across a spectacular landscape, they discover an incredible new world filled with fantastic creatures!

There’s a special offer available at the Box Office too - just £10.00 for one adult and three children or two adults and two children.

Certificate U; Run time: 99 minutes.

Charity Craft Fair Killyclogher Hall, April 6, 11.30am, free.

Join the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice for a fun filled Sunday with local crafts on display, including jewellery, handbags, home ware, greeting cards and even home baked goods. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted at the door. All money raised will go towards Horizon West Children's Hospice, a local facility which cares for children and young people from Tyrone and Fermanagh with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses.

For more information contact Judith on 07867 337338.

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{What’s On?} Your at-a-glance guide to upcoming events

21st March “Spinsters are Sly” by Dromore Players, Sixmilecross Presbyterian Church Hall. Four act comedy starting @ 8pm. Adm £6 and proceeds are in aid of Presbyterian Women Missions.

22nd March Kenny Archer visits Jean’s Country Music Store. Everyone welcome.

22nd March Waxathon at Murphy’s, Pomeroy in Aid of Half Marathon. Four local ladies have taken on the challenge of 13.1 miles to raise much needed funds for Action MS Northern Ireland.

10 brave men and one extra brave lady have kindly volunteered to have their hairy bits waxed at a cost to the highest bidder! Good craic guaranteed.

21st & 23rd March ‘The Cobwebs Glory’ by the Eskra Players, Eskra Community Centre. Suitable for all ages. 8.30pm.

22nd March Andy Lowry and the Singing Digger Man, The Village Inn, Killyclogher.

26th March Hillview Productions presents Country Music Live, The Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, Limavady, 8pm. Artists include Gene Stuart, Jacqui Bannon, Kenneth Neely, Daniel Truesdale and Mandy McCullough.

Tickets (£12.00 each) are available from the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, 24 Main Street Limavady. Box office: 028 7776 0650.

28th March St. Enda's Annual Dinner and Presentations, Sperrin Restaurant, music by The Bizz. Food served at 8pm. Tkts £12.50.

29th March Music by Ed Fox, The Village Inn, Killyclogher.

30th March – ‘ On The Rivet’ 30 & 40 mile cycle celebrating the cycling achievements of John Mulligan.

Drumragh Clubrooms, sign on £50, includes jacket. Special guest the legendary Sean Kelly. All proceeds to Mental Health. 10.15am to 11am 2nd April Employer Support Event, Sperrin Restaurant, Omagh, 7pm, free admission.

2nd April Xtreme Fitness Nutrition and exercise seminar, CKS Community Centre, 7.30pm to 8.30pm Admission £5. Confirm your place by emailing jk18489@hotmail.co.uk or text 07821407425 as there are limited places.

2-6th April Glenelly Players present ‘I’m the One For You’, Cranagh Hall, Plumbridge, £8, 7-9pm 6th April Omagh Wheelers’ Bundoran to Sallys Cycle.

Registration for this event will take place every Sunday at club training cycle from 9am.

Entry fee £20 includes £10 to The John McGirr fund and transport to Bundoran.

6th April Maeve Farrell visits Jean’s Country Music Store, everyone welcome.

12th April Armagh City Hotel – The Tom Cooper Joe Dolan Tribute Show. Tkts available in Jean’s Music Store, Omagh 20th April Easter Sunday Drumquin Cycling Club Leisure Cycle, leaving from Drumquin Social Centre – 35miles or 50 miles. Registration from 9am to 10am. Cycle begins at 10am. £10 per person or £15 family.

LET US ENTERTAIN YOU AT STRULE Looking for a great night out - then look no further this week than your very own Strule Arts Centre. Kicking off on Thursday 20 March at 8pm, a Lyric Production in association with the Print Room London, is Molly Sweeney.

Brian Friel's rarely performed poetic tale weaves together all three characters' perspectives. Through a journey of memory, hope and despair, the play begs us to not only see, but also understand other people's points of view. Tickets are on sale at £14.50/ Con £12.50 and are selling fast.

that still challenge the workd today, yet at the heart of this play is a real woman with her own hopes, frustrations, humour and beliefs.

Tickets £12/£10 Con.

Also taking to the stage in March as part of the St. Patrick’s Day Festival are Kilted Konnections and Grainne Holland on Friday 21 March at 8pm. Bring your St Patrick’s Day celebrations to an end for 2014 at our Finale Concert featuring a mix of Irish and Ulster Scots music. Tickets are £11/ Con £9.

On Saturday 5 April at 8pm Eddi Reader comes to Strule Arts Centre. Her rare blend of meltingly true vocals and towering romanticism combine with an astute and pragmatic nature to make her a unique and powerful figure in contemporary British music. She has effortlessly developed into one of popular music’s most thrilling and affecting performers. Tickets are £20/ Con £18.

On 26 March at 8pm, the inspiring play Emily - The Making of a Militant Suffragette is on stage at Strule Arts Centre. Emily Wilding Davidson dies under the galloping hooves of King George's Derby horse in 1913. This is the story of her life and the events that lead to her untimely end. Emily resonate with questions

Coming to Strule Arts Centre on Friday 28th, Saturday 29th March, Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th April is the Community Showcase.

This four night extravaganza showcases a wealth of talent from local community groups including dance, music and drama. Tickets are £7, Con £5.

Add to this our most varied programme of exhibitions, films, workshops and classes you are sure to find something for all tastes!

UPCOMING EVENTS Performances The Gaelic Literary Heritage of Tyrone talk by Diarmaid O Doibhlin ODC St Patrick’s Festival Thursday 20th March @ 6.30pm Free Molly Sweeney A Lyric Production in Association with Print Room London Thursday 20 March 8.00pm £14.50/Con £12.50 Grainne Holland & Kilted Konnections - Finale Concert ODC St Patrick’s Festival Friday 21st March @ 8pm £11 / Con £9 Emily - The Making of a Militant Suffragette Production Exchange in association Cambridge Devised Theatre Wednesday 26 March @ 8pm £12/ Con £10 Community Showcase Strule Arts Centre Presents Friday 28, Saturday 29, March & Thursday 03, Friday 04 April @ 8pm £7/ £5 Con Eddi Reader David Hull Promotions Presents Saturday 05 April @ 8pm £20/ Con £18

20 Mar - 03 Apr 2014 Gallery Schools St Patricks Day Poster Exhibition Monday 10 - Saturday 29 March @ 10.00am - 5.30pm Workshops Hip Hop Dance with Joanne McCausland Saturday 15 March - 19 April (6 weeks) @ 2pm - 4pm £60 Age: 12 years + Furniture Makeover with Genevieve Murphy Thursday 20 March - 10 April (4 weeks) @ 7pm - 9pm £45 Jewels for Juniors with Maggie Jackson Saturday 22 March @ 10am - 12pm £12 Age: 8 years + Easter Flower Arranging Workshop with Dobbins Flowers (Omagh) Saturday 12 April @ 10am - 4pm £40 Films The Croods – Cert U - Saturday 29 March @ 11.30am Tickets £3 / Special Family Ticket: 1 Adult and 3 Children £10

Box Office: 028 8224 7831 or Book Online: www.struleartscentre.co.uk

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BULLYING is something that has been an issue for schoolage children for generations; we are all familiar with the notion of cruel pranks played in the classroom, taunts and jibes in the playground, even physical attacks.

But bullying in the 21st century has a new string to its bow the internet. Thanks to social media, bullies now have access to their victims 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s often anonymous, making it difficult to track down the perpetrators – and perhaps most frightening for parents, it can happen right under your nose, in your child’s own bedroom.

14-year-old Sophie Smyth and her mum Thelma, from Dromore, know only too well how easy it is for bullies to prey on young victims over the internet. Sophie, a pupil at Omagh Academy, was in year eight when she started having problems with the social networking site, ask.fm. The site has been the focus of many

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negative news stories over recent months and a number of suicides among young teenagers in Ireland have been attributed to bullying on the network. By the time Sophie’s teachers and parents became aware of the problems she was having, she was already turning to self-harm to help her cope with the bullying, but thanks to their swift and supportive response she’s now back to her happy-go-lucky self – and she has a message for other young people considering getting involved in social networks.

“I joined because everybody else in my year had an account,” Sophie explains. “It started out just as a bit of fun and the questions were pretty normal stuff, just a way to find out more about people and their likes and dislikes, things like that.

It started with these rumours going around my year about me, but that didn’t really bother me, I just ignored it and got on with things. That summer we were up at the caravan a lot and I didn’t think about it much but when I went back to school I noticed I was getting dirty looks from people and that’s when it started getting worse on the website too. I would get asked questions like ‘you’re so ugly, how could your mum love you?’ or ‘why do you think you’re so good at everything?’ and it just got more and more nasty.”

The vitriol directed at such a young girl was, frankly, shocking.

The bullies – who have never been identified - asked other questions like ‘why don’t you just get cancer?’ and even went as far as goading Sophie to kill herself.

Understandably, the bullying took its toll on every aspect of her life, but she tried to hide it from her mum.

Thelma recalls: “Sophie and I have always been very close but I noticed her becoming more and more withdrawn. She had internet access in her bedroom and her own laptop for school and she was just spending all her time in her room on the computer. Her teachers were telling me that she needed to pay attention in class, which was totally out of character for her. I remember talking to friends about it and saying I felt like I was losing her, but they reassured me that it was just typical teenage behaviour.

On a shopping trip I went to go into the changing rooms to see a dress that Sophie was trying on and she nearly went through me, but I thought she was just self-conscious about her body. I found a knife in her ensuite bathroom and I couldn’t understand how it had got there. It was only in hindsight that I connected the two things – Sophie had resorted to self harm and she didn’t want me to know.”

“I felt as if I couldn’t speak to anybody about it,” Sophie explains. “I didn’t want to tell mum because I knew she would be hurt by all the things that were being said too. So I started self harming as a sort of release for all the bad feelings. I don’t know if I would have ever told anybody to be honest – it was only when a friend of mine told my PE teacher that she thought I wasn’t myself, and then I got called into her office. I knew it was the right moment to tell somebody then. Mrs Gervais, my pastoral care

teacher, agreed to just monitor the situation for a while but then my art teacher overheard a friend of mine talking about it and that’s when the school realised just how serious it had got, and they rang mum.”

Thelma admits that she was shocked by what she heard and devastated over what Sophie had been going through without her knowledge.

“I remember sitting in her [Mrs Gervais’] office in tears. It was a double blow – the bullying and the self harm, and I felt I had failed Sophie in some way.

Her dad in particular found it very difficult to cope with. But Mrs Gervais was just fabulous and reassured me that it wasn’t our fault. She felt that Sophie’s self harm was a cry for help and that she just needed to get this burden off her shoulders so we went away that weekend for a girly break, just the two of us, and I could see the difference in her straight away. We agreed that we should delete Sophie’s ask.fm account. We did a lot of talking and a lot of crying and I just felt so relieved to finally know what was wrong.

“When school finished a few days later we went to our caravan on the north coast and we stayed there for the

Legion Poppy sellers awards night whole summer with no internet access and it was the best thing we could have done. Nobody there knew anything about what had been going on and Sophie got to be a carefree teenager for two whole months which was the best medicine.”

Sophie says: “I was nervous about going back to school in September but it was fine, nobody mentioned anything. Mrs Gervais did bring me in and asked how I was but there were no problems at all and I was happy just to put it behind me and get back to normal with my friends. The school also advised everyone who had an account with ask.fm to delete it and I think a lot of people have stopped using it now, which is good. My advice to other people would just be to stay away from

I was nervous about going back to school in September but it was fine, nobody mentioned anything.

Mrs Gervais did bring me in and asked how I was but there were no problems at all and I was happy just to put it behind me and get back to normal with my friends.

Councillor Errol Thompson, seated centre front, who presented poppy sellers service certificates to Omagh legion members at an awards night in the Omagh Royal British Legion last Friday night. Eileen McMichael, seated second from right received a 50 year certificate while others were awarded, forty, thirty, twenty five and ten year certificates.

social networking, especially the sites where your profile is public and people can contact you anonymously or with an alias. Facebook is OK as long as your friends are people you actually know, but to be honest I don’t even use it that often any more. I would also say talk to somebody if you are having problems – it’s so much easier if your friends know about it. If my friend hadn’t told my teacher I don’t know where I would be now – I made her swear not to tell anyone but I’m so glad she didn’t keep her promise!”

The experience has changed the way the Smyth family use the internet, and Thelma has introduced some new rules at home to prevent the same thing happening again.

“We have wireless internet at home and Sophie still has her own computer for homework but we have introduced an internet curfew, so at 9pm the phones and laptops are downstairs and switched off, no exceptions. I did a lot of reading online to find out more about cyberbullying and how to keep the kids safe online and I would urge all parents to do the same – there are controls you can put in place to stop them accessing certain websites, and I routinely check internet history now. Most importantly look out for changes in your child’s behaviour – moodiness and secrecy are typical teenage things but they can also be a symptom of something more sinister so don’t ignore your gut instincts if you feel something is wrong - talk to your child,” she says.

“We have had a happy outcome – Sophie is fine, she’s back to her normal self and doing well at school, and our relationship is stronger too. I think she knows she can tell me anything now.

But it could have gone very differently. I wish she hadn’t had to go through this, so I would just urge other parents to be vigilant, and make sure your children are aware of their safety online.”

For more information for both parents and children, visit www.bullying.co.uk/cyberbullying. omaghtoday | 31

Country music embraces Ireland at C2C show

By Anita McSorley

AN abundance of top American country music acts, including Dixie Chicks and Brad Paisley, took over Dublin last weekend when they played to almost 25,000 fans at the ‘Country to Country’ music festival.

Other artists at the two-day event included Zac Brown Band, Rascal Flatts, Chris Young, The Band Perry and Dierks Bentley.

The festival, which took place in the O2, was

hosted by Nathan Carter.

This is the first year that Country to Country has come to Ireland. After the success of last year’s inaugural festival in the UK, the organisers decided to try it out in Ireland for the first time this year.

Traditionally, America’s biggest country stars rarely make trips to Europe, but that is changing. The Nashville sound crossing the Atlantic isn’t that of steel guitars and twanging banjos, it’s now mixed with heavy rock riffs and catchy pop choruses.

It’s not so much that Ireland and the UK is only now embracing country music, it’s more that country music is embracing Ireland and the UK in a way that it never did before.

Some artists at the festival paid tribute to the mainstream singles chart. Dixie

Chicks covered Miley Cyrus’s hit Wrecking Ball, while Dierks Bentley gave his take on Avicii’s Hey Brother. Others rocked the arena, such as Zac Brown Band covering Metallica’s Enter Sandman and Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir, all in the confines of Ireland’s biggest country music festival.

The popularity of the Country to Country festival underlines the seemingly unquenchable appetite for country music in Ireland these days.

In January, two Garth Brooks shows were announced for July 25 and 26 in the 80,000 seat Croke Park.

Tickets sold out in just 90 minutes. A third show was added, then a fourth, then a fifth.

Promoters said they’d never seen anything sell so fast. Almost half a million tickets were sold.

Country to Country will return in 2015, taking place in Dublin and London, over the weekend of 7 and 8 March.

Phil and Ray – ‘Back Together Again’ Bar | Lounge | Off licence

Unwind in our homely premises

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HAVING packed out concert halls of yesteryear with their peerless reputation as a country duo of the highest caliber, Philomena Begley and Ray Lynam are ‘Together Again’ at the Strule Arts Centre on April 12 to take you on a journey of their many hits.

The pair, who regularly duetted at prestige venues such as Wembley Stadium, released a number of duet albums including ‘We Go Together Again’, ‘Simply Divine’ and ‘Country Stars’.

The legendary ‘Queen of County Music’, Philomena Begley’s solo hits include ‘Queen Of The Silver Dollar’, ‘Blanket On The Ground’ and ‘My Son Calls Another Man Daddy’.

Country legend Ray Lynam’s solo hits include ‘Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile’, ‘Back In Love By Monday’ and ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today’.

Special guest Aidan Quinn will please the audience with a selection of his own hits including ‘Six Days On The Road’ and ‘Lough Sheelin Side’.

This promises to be a fantastic evening’s entertainment to prove beyond doubt that the Lynam and Begley magic is still very much alive and kicking! Tickets priced £20 are on sale now from the Box Office, tel: 028 8224 7831.

Smokey and 'the elbow' star at the Shamrocker in Fintona.

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Eileen is fab at fifty

Left: Birthday girl Eileen Devlin, second from left, with hubby Barry and step daughters Laura and Emma at her 50th birthday bash in the Coach last Saturday night.

Across 1 Insurance contract (6) 4 Phases (6) 8 High-IQ organisation (5) 9 Simple songs (7) 10 Simple and natural in manner (7) 11 Supple (5) 12 Principal church of a diocese (9) 17 Make amends (5) 19 Wretched (7) 21 Recuperate (7) 22 Liquor (5) 23 Trill (6) 24 A sculptor's work (6) omaghtoday | 34

Down 1 Large treeless plains in South America (6) 2 Madman (7) 3 Fad (5) 5 In name only (7) 6 Corn for grinding (5) 7 Female sibling (6) 9 Water-based paint (9) 13 London cricket ground (3,4) 14 Omitted (4,3) 15 Soft tissue in bones (6) 16 Sheep's coat of wool (6) 18 Happen (5) 20 Dalai Lama's land (5)

Eskra Players get set to star!

Take your tea!

Shauna Martin. Pat Wilson and Kieran Donnelly in rehearsals for the forthcoming production

by Eskra Players entitled 'Cobwebs Glory', on stage at Eskra Community Centre on March 21 & 22.

Hungarian night in the Half Way

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Amanda Owens celebrates her 18th in the Whistler's Inn

Birthday girl Amanda Owens with her parents Frankie and Marie and sisters Louise, Laura and Paula at her 18th birthday bash in the Whistler's Inn, Sixmilecross on Saturday night.

Amanda with boyfriend Gerald Mallon.

Killyclogher volunteers A very successful fundraising night was held in the Village Inn, Killyclogher, on Saturday, by eight volunteers from the village who are bound for Romania with Habitat for Humanity on May 18.

The group, namely Don Campbell, Peter Dolan, Noel McGlinchey, Kevin McGlinchey, Gary McGinn, Kieran McGinn, Aidan O`Neill and Seanie Meyler, will travel to the village of Cudalbi, approximately 3.5 hours’ drive from the capital Bucharest, where they will spend one week helping to rebuild twenty homes that were decimated by freak flooding in September last year.

The team would like to take this opportunity to thank all who helped in any way and in particular all who provided sponsorship for their mission.

Jacqui and Kieran McGinn, Niamh and Peter Dolan, Nataline Dolan and Shane and Emma Taggart. omaghtoday | 36

cornflake squares Ingredients

The old time favourite - cornflake squares! I remember these at school as a dessert with custard, really scrumptious. The base is the same as the millionaire shortbread that we used last week, and the topping is something that you may need to work at but once you get it right, this is a recipe you’ll return to time and again.

For the base 160g / 6ozs plain flour 125g / 5ozs butter 50g / 2ozs caster sugar Rub the butter and flour together to form a fine crumb, then add the sugar. Place the crumbed mixture into a foil baking tray or an 8x6 baking tray, and press it tight into the tray. Bake at 160C / gas mark 3 for approximately 20 minutes until a light golden brown colour. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. When cool spread the base with a good covering of jam and set aside whilst you prepare your topping.

All smiles as she got to grips with flipping her pancakes on Shrove Tuesday was little Courtney Devine from Newtownstewart. Thanks to Courtney's mum for sending in this pic!

For the topping 4ozs / 100g sugar 4ozs / 100g golden syrup 2ozs / 50g butter 8ozs / 200g cornflakes in a separate bowl 2ozs coconut (optional, mixed with the cornflakes) In a heavy-based saucepan, slowly melt the sugar, syrup and butter.

When it is melted down, bring to the boil stirring continuously. The mixture will bubble when this happens; gradually reduce the heat until the mixture is clear of bubbles.

To test the consistency of your syrup drop a little bit into a glass of cold water - it should immediately set solid. If this does not happen, boil again but be careful - over boiling will allow the sugars to burn so this is all about a little practice.

Pour your mixture over the cornflakes stirring quickly until the mix is bound together. Place on top of the prepared shortbread base and press down with a spoon or flat object.

This is an extremely hot mixture so please be very careful especially when mixing in with the cornflakes.

When cool cut into small squares, and serve on their own or as a dessert with custard.

Enjoy folks!

Sample Gerry's fayre at The Melting Pot, Omagh Enterprise Company Restaurant

host fundraiser ahead of Romania aid mission

omaghtoday | 37

Spring clean your mindset

By Nicola Mulligan

A

S we leave the final dregs of winter behind, the activity at the top of everyone’s to do list is usually to spring clean the house. All well and good, but as I was clearing out my wardrobe at the weekend I got to thinking - what about spring cleaning our mindset? Living in this constant ‘go, go, go’ society takes its toll after a while and we can easily fall into a dangerous vortex of negativity. We spend so much time worrying about going here and there, meeting so and so and doing such and such, that we lose perspective on what’s really important in life. Not only is it aging us and giving us those dreaded premature wrinkles, it’s sucking all the fun out of life! Hence for this feature, I’m going put on my Buddha head and get all deep and meaning ful with my guide for a more positive mindset…

1.

Spend less time on social media sites

It’s a well known fact that social media sites are an excellent way to keep in touch with friends and family who are scattered to the four winds. However, it can also have a very negative impact on people’s lives.

Not only is it a waste of valuable time, it’s also a sure fire way to make yourself feel really inadequate. Facebook appears to be a constant stream of people boasting about their perfect job, their perfect house, their perfectly perfect partner and their awesomely perfect life. Welcome to miserable town - population: you! It’s about time we ended the feelings of hopelessness that occur with every click of the log in button. Make a deal with yourself to reduce the amount of time you spend on social media sites and you’ll be surprised at how much better you’ll feel about yourself!

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2.

CHILL OUT!

It’s a well known fact that social media sites are an excellent way to keep in touch with friends and family who are scattered to the four winds. However, it can also have a very negative impact on people’s lives. Not only is it a waste of valuable time, it’s also a sure fire way to make yourself feel really inadequate. Facebook appears to be a constant stream of people boasting about their perfect job, their perfect house, their perfectly perfect partner and their awesomely perfect life. Welcome to miserable town - population: you! It’s about time we ended the feelings of hopelessness that occur with every click of the log in button. Make a deal with yourself to reduce the amount of time you spend on social media sites and you’ll be surprised at how much better you’ll feel about yourself!

3.

Exercise

I’m not saying that you have to go to the gym every day, sweat buckets and pump iron til you’re blue in the face just to make yourself feel better. Try to grab a few hours a week and participate in some enjoyable exercise. You can work out alone or if you fancy some company take a friend or family member along with you. Focus on your breathing and forget about the stresses of your day for a while. Afterwards you’ll feel fantastic and be ready to take on the world!

5.

Volunteer

There’s nothing more fulfilling and rewarding than donating a couple of hours week to helping out at a local charity organisation. Helping others who are less fortunate can be a very humbling experience and puts life into perspective. Not to mention, volunteering is also a great way to meet nice, new people who may become lifelong friends.

8.

Embrace life

At the risk of sounding like an oul woman, life is short and you only get one chance! With that in mind, it’s so important to pour your heart and soul into what you really want out of life and to spend it with the people who really matter to you. Once you adopt this outlook, you’ll soon realise that the trivial things in life don’t matter and you’ll stop paying attention to what other people think and say. YOLO!

6.

4.

Be thankful.

We seem to spend so much time thinking about what’s going wrong in our lives or what we don’t have...

but what about the things we do have? Most of us are lucky enough to have a roof over our heads, money in our pockets and a loving family to come home to, which is a lot more than some people. Take 10 minutes at the end of each day and write down 3 things you’re thankful for. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you will develop a more positive outlook on life!

Don’t dwell on bad days

How many times have you come home from a disastrous day and replayed the situation over and over in your mind?

Lying in bed trying to sleep but all you can do is think of the ‘shoulda, woulda, couldas’. But what is the point of stressing over something that has already happened? You’re not Marty McFly, you can’t go back in time and change things. The best thing to do is to just forget about it and move on. “Tomorrow’s a new day,” as my mammy always says!

7.

Stop self sabotaging

There are many things that baffle me in life but the way in which we speak to ourselves is definitely one of them. We’re always telling ourselves that we’re too fat, too thin, not smart enough, not pretty enough or that we’re a complete and utter failure. What would happen if you said those things to your best friend? You’d get your teeth knocked down your throat is what!

For once, try to be your own best friend and replace those nasty comments with encouraging and uplifting words.

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around the

community Our fortnightly look at what’s happening in your local community

Brookmount Road Centra crowned cream of the crop!

THE management of the Centra store on Omagh’s Brookmount Road have been celebrating this month after they received two top industry accolades at the Musgrave Retail Partners annual awards, held in the Slieve Donard Hotel on March 7.

The local store scooped gold in two ‘Store of the Year’ categories, firstly fending off competition from the 81 other Centra food stores in Northern Ireland before being crowned outright winners from all 98 stores including Centra ‘Quick Stop’ outlets.

The store’s success is undoubtedly an endorsement of the family and community ethos it has held ever since the shop first opened way back in 1984. Jointly owned by two husband and wife teams – namely Jackie and Claire McElhinney and Neil and Pauline Sweeney – it was originally a VG store located at 48 Brookmount Road, and employed just four staff. Over the years, the business grew and expanded, switching to Centra in 1998 and finally moving, in 2008, to brand new purpose-built premises right next door, encompassing an off licence, hot food and deli counter.

Meanwhile the former premises were renovated to include four rental units which currently house Brookmount Pharmacy, Edge Barbers, Mr Chippy and Blush Beauty Salon, helping to create a ‘mini high street’ that has become a real hub for the local community, with Centra at its heart.

Today the store employs 14 full time and 25 part time staff, including manager Earl Patterson, who has been with the business since 1984, and his brother Wayne, who is the assistant manager and senior butcher.

The shop prides itself on always trying to give something back to the community that has been its lifeblood over nearly 30 years.

Last year, in addition to supporting Musgrave’s nominated charity, Action Cancer, Centra Brookmount Road held a number of other fundraisers supporting charities including the Alzheimer’s Society, Northern Ireland Chest, Heart & Stroke and Guide Dogs for the Blind. The shop also supports the work of Grovehill Animal Trust by placing collection buckets at the tills.

As part of the judging process the store underwent two unannounced audits, the first by their own regional manager Colum Durey, and the second by an unknown regional manager, as well as a mystery shopper visit. The store also had to submit a report detailing the steps they had taken to drive sales during the previous year and showing examples of how they engaged with the local community.

Late last month, they received news that they had reached the top three in their category, but they were still surprised to be crowned winners on the night, as partner Claire McElhinney explains: “We knew we were in the top three but as they started reading out the bronze and silver winners and it wasn’t us, it took a wee minute for the penny to drop that we had got gold! We were really excited and just so pleased after 30 years in business – we have always tried to do our best and we have great staff, many of whom have been with us from the early days. The award is really a testament to their hard work and willingness to work together with us – without that you couldn’t succeed. I have to pay special tribute to our manager Earl Patterson and assistant manager Wayne Patterson, and also to our regional manager Colum Durey for all his support. Musgrave is a great company to be a part of.

“Finally we would like to thank our loyal customers who have supported us over the years – we have shared in happy times and sad times with them and it’s a privilege to be at the heart of such a fantastic community. We will be having our winning plaques displayed in store for everyone to see over the coming weeks and we’re also busy planning a night out with our staff to celebrate.”

Busy butchers Wayne Patterson, Andrew Patterson and David Rutledge in the award winning Centra on the Brookmount Road.

Faith McElhinney, earl Patterson, Claire McElinney and Pauline Sweeney proudly show off their Store of the Year Awards.

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High School pupils’ anti-binge drinking event lauded by PSNI

Omagh High School pupils Christine Allen and Kellie Duffy, pictured receiving their ‘reward and recognition’ certificates from PSNI District Commander, Chief Superintendent Pauline Shields, Constable Peter Thompson, schools' liasion officer, and Supt. Alwyn Barton as well as school principal, Mr Ian McConaghy. Missing from the photograph is Janice Clarke, who was also involved in the planning and organization of an event for year 13 pupils to highlight the dangers of binge drinking.

Health views sought at Probus meeting THE views of over 65s on health care in this area were sought by visitors to the March meeting of the Omagh Probus Club. President Mary Keane welcomed Mr Aidan Bunting from Western Local Commissioning Group and Omagh Forum for Rural Associations, who gave a short talk and distributed questionnaires to the members to find out views of older people in the Omagh area regarding primary, secondary and community care.

Mr Rodney Hamill, president of Omagh Rotary Club, then gave a very interesting talk about his year as President which is ending in June. He spoke about his education in Omagh Academy and Queen’s University Belfast and his career as a Chartered Accountant.

Four teams hope to join the men’s quiz at Omagh Golf Club on April 9. Fourteen ladies will attend the All Ireland Probus Rally in Coleraine on May 29, and the annual ladies outing will be in L/Derry on June 12.

Calling past pupils of Dean Maguirc!

Were you or someone you know a fifth form student in The Dean in 1994? A group of past pupils have organised a reunion to be held in The Old Charm Inn on Saturday, May 31, 2014. If your form teacher was Mr Warnock E4; Mr Selvin E22; or Miss Gallagher E16 please email Tanya on tmdobbs.td@gmail.com. Any staff that contributed to the education of these pupils are more than welcome. It promises to be a good night!

Local schools encouraged to enter health awards and win £200 SCHOOLS in the Omagh area are being encouraged to enter Action Cancer’s Health Action Awards, which are sponsored by retail group Centra.

Open to all schools in Northern Ireland, the awards take place on June 3 at the Odyssey Arena, Belfast, and recognise healthy schools across Northern Ireland. Schools, nurseries and colleges can enter, whether they provide healthy meal options in their cafeteria, promote extra fruit and water in school, are involved in extra-curricular exercise programmes, or run cancer awareness initiatives.

There are gold, silver and bronze awards for nursery, primary and secondary schools.

A prize of £200 is also up for grabs, for purchasing school equipment, and will be awarded to the highest scoring preschool or nursery, as well as each of the top scoring primary schools, secondary schools or colleges in each of the five Education and Library Boards.

Schools, nurseries and colleges can get entry forms by contacting Action Cancer on 028 Centra Brand Manager Nikki 9080 3344 or online McDowell and Action Cancer’s at www.actioncancer.

Lucy McCusker launch this year’s org. Completed Health Health Action Awards, which Action Award forms must recognise Northern Ireland’s be returned to Action healthiest schools. The awards Cancer by 28th March are part of Action Cancer’s Health 2014 and successful schools will be notified at Action programme which Centra has supported since 2003. the end of April 2014.

Lucy McCusker, PR and Events Officer at Action Cancer said: “This is the 12th year of the awards and we are always greatly encouraged that the schools take the health and well-being of their pupils so seriously. We’re encouraging as many schools as possible to enter before the deadline.”

Nikki McDowell, Centra’s Brand Manager added: “These awards are part of Action Cancer’s Health Action programme, which features a range of health promotion sessions for nurseries, schools and colleges. Centra is proud to have supported the project since 2003, with retailers and their customers raising over £800,000 in that time.”

It's goodbye and hello at Drumragh parish

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Monsignor Joseph Donnelly, P. P., Drumragh Parish said goodbye to Fr. John McDevitt, who had served in the parish, at a recent farewell function in St. Joseph's Hall and welcomed Fr. Dermot Mc Girr, who has been appointed to the parish. Fr McDevitt has been appointed parish priest of Steelstown in Derry City . omaghtoday | 41

Tattyreagh St. Patrick’s GFC awards night

Angela welcomes her dentists

Angela Gallagher with visiting Dental implant consultants Peter Michl and Ian Bjagek in the Village Inn last Saturday night.

Ramey and Malcolm Cunningham recently presented NICHS with a cheque for ÂŁ1200, raised at their bingo night in November. Ramey and Malcolm would like to thank all who attended, gave donations and supported the event through providing the venue, refreshments and music. Special thanks to the bingo caller, Richard Campbell and all the sponsors. omaghtoday | 42

Dromore’s Anthea looking good at 40

Birthday girl Anthea McManus with hubby Tommy, daughters Shannon and Shauna and son Stephen at her 40th in the Central Bar, Dromore last Friday night.

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Carmen 10k/5k run/walk pictorial 9th March

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Large entry expected for Gortin 5/10K

ST Patrick’s Primary School and Gortin Controlled PS are hard at work organizing a 5K/10K race and walk on Saturday, April 12 to raise funds for both schools as well as the NI Kidney Research Fund and children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

The flat and fast route attracted a large number of runners last year with a variety of participants across all ages and abilities. This year the organisers are delighted to have secured sponsorship from Dalriadan Gold to make the event even bigger and better!

Registration forms can be obtained from either school, local shops or via the facebook page, Gortinfunrun. There will be an early registration night on Friday, April 4 from 7-9pm and fees are £5 for the 5K and £10 for the 10K. Registration on the morning of the race will be £7/£12 and the start is at the Ulster Bank. Refreshments will be available after the race in the community centre where prizes will also be given out as well as medals for all participants omaghtoday | 45

TheSideline Local sport insights ...

CYCLING THE wheels on Connor Murphy and Angus Fyffe's bicycles turned round and round a lot quicker than most other people's when they claimed the top prizes in Omagh Wheelers' prestigious McCann Cup races. Murphy, who rides for the local Caldwell Cycles team, won the top A1/A2 race, while young Fyffe, of the host club, took the top step on the A3 race podium.

HOCKEY Omagh Academy's hockey first team were also celebrating last week when, for the 14th year in a row, they won the West of Ulster League title, crushing their nearest rivals, Cookstown High School 6-1 in the decider! Maybe next year they'll just present them with the cup at the start of the term?

Also finding a streak of winning form are Omagh Men’s Hockey Club who secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Belfast side Instonians – a somewhat unexpected victory over a side that had won their previous five league games and one that brings Omagh’s hopes of securing the top spot in Junior Six a step closer.

SOCCER There was success of a different kind for another Omagh man Gary Curneen - who was appointed head coach of the women's soccer programme at California State University's Bakersfield campus.

Having broken his ankle during a fall on ice in Cincinnati a couple of weeks ago, Curneen claims the weather paid a part in his move, but it was the challenge of the job that appealed most.

“The weather...the sunshine obviously helped with my decision,” he joked. “When these opportunities arise you have to take them and that’s what I’ve done here. Cincinnati was a big challenge, we had to rebuild the programme, which was coming off two bad seasons so it was changing the mentality and trying to create a winning culture."

Omagh teenager, Jamie Glackin had mixed emotions after scoring two Danske Bank Premiership goals for Dungannon Swifts, but

his side fell to a narrow 3-2 reverse to Glenavon. Jamie said afterwards: “I thought I was a man possessed out there when I’d scored two, it’s not like me, but you can’t be letting 2-0 leads slip."

In Fermanagh and Western circles, Strathroy Harps moved top of the division one table on Saturday when Shelbourne failed to field, while Beragh Swifts reached the quarter-finals of the Mulhern Cup after beating Maguiresbridge 6-0. Dunbreen Rovers didn't fare so well, losing 4-0 in round two to NFC Kesh.

RUGBY There has been plenty of exciting rugby news in Fivemiletown over the past two weeks. Clogher Valley have been crowned Qualifying One league champions after beating Donaghadee 6-3 away last Wednesday and one of their former players, Chris Farrell will be moving to France in the summer to join Top 14 side Grenoble from Ulster on a one year deal.

Fellow egg throwers, Omagh Accies, have also been in impressive form of late beating Carrick 21-5 a week before claiming a bonus point and a 28-14 away victory at Academy to keep them in the hunt for the Qualifying Two title.

GAA Tyrone's senior men's GAA football team suffered a humiliating 3-15 to 0-09 reverse at Kerry on Sunday week ago, but during the past weekend they put that behind them to defeat Westmeath by 2-23 to 1-12.

Omagh CBS's hopes of MacRory Cup glory were dashed on Monday when St Pat's Maghera retained the trophy following a 1-12 to 1-8 win in the Armagh decider.

Conan McElduff smashed into the St Pat's net after 12 minutes to help Omagh to a 1-5 to 0-6 half-time lead, but the now 14-time champions hit the opening five points of the second half to take control before Danny Tallon's goal on 44 minutes was allowed, despite a double bounce. Omagh had two goalbound shots blocked as St Pat's held out for victory.

Swifts grab three points after scrappy victory over Tummery

The points could have gone either way in last weekend’s scrappy tie between Beragh Swifts and Tummery Athletic at Fountain Lane.

It was a fine day for young Swifts player Jason Armstrong, who opened the scoring after just five minutes on his debut appearance, but a litany of errors on both sides saw Beragh fail to hang onto their lead, and it was all square at 2-2 going into the interval. The omaghtoday | 46

game could easily have gone either way in the second half with both teams having their opportunities, but it was a late goal from Kuric that tipped the scales in Beragh’s favour and they hung on til the final whistle – an 88th minute screamer from Damien Hunter finding only the crossbar to deny Tummery a consolatory point.

Run pacers on their marks

Martin McLaughlin, back row, organiser of the Omagh Half Marathon which will take place on Saturday, 29th March with pacers Liam McArt, Brid McCann, Eugene Haigney, Martin McLaughlin, Caroline Millar and Sean Devlin.

Robbie Baxter wins Biggest Loser II Winner of the 2014 Omagh St Endas Biggest Loser II Robbie Baxter celebrates with his Trainer Noreen Mc Dermott representing Fit for Life.

Martina McCanny, fourth from right, runner up in the Omagh St. Enda's Biggest Loser event with the Body Worx team.

Four wheels for cyclists

Omagh Wheelers have recently taken delivery of a club car, courtesy of main sponsor J. McAleer and Sons, Curr, Beragh and a number of other sponsors. Pictured Gerald McAleer presents the keys of the Volkswagan Passat to Stephen McKenna, Chairman of the cycling club. Also in the photo are Shane McGaughey and Alice Doherty from Nite Bite, Conor and Mark McAleer from McAleer's Costcutter, Omagh, and Sean Kelly.

Omagh High year eights reach national rugby final

BOYS from Omagh High School’s Year Eight rugby team who will compete in the national finals of the high schools’ under-12 rugby competition at Lurgan RFC on March 21. The youngsters won all their matches at the qualifying stage, seeing off competition from Sacred Heart College, Drumragh College and Omagh CBS with tries from Thomas Boyd, Gary Donaldson, Jordan McFarland and Matthew McIlwaine as well as an outstanding all-round performance from team captain, Frazer Caldwell. omaghtoday | 47

McCann Cycle Cup Pictorial

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Talented local designer making waves in wedding industry FROM art college to an internship at Alexander McQueen, to designing fabric that’s graced the world-famous booty of Beyoncé – and now to launching her very own range with one of the biggest retailers in Ireland – it’s been a busy year for Castlederg-based artist Samantha Bogle.

Last time we chatted this talented painter was just testing the waters of selling her own hand-painted homewares – a charming range of milk churns and wooden wall art – but nobody, least of all Samantha, had any idea how quickly her success would snowball!

Samantha launched her own brand, Lily Annabella, back in September and straight away she was inundated with requests, with her bridal range proving particularly popular.

“They tie in well with the vintage trend that’s so popular at the minute,” Samantha explains, “but they’re a wee bit different too – everybody loves a talking point at their wedding! I can personalized the churns with any design a couple wants and I can even add photographs to make them really unique. They’re lovely to keep for your home as a reminder of the day as well.”

Samantha exhibited her wares at the prestigious Wedding Journal Show in the King’s Hall, and has since been commissioned by the magazine itself to create a one-off piece for one of their photoshoots.

In fact, she got so busy that instead of hand painting each individual churn she had to find a supplier who could print ‘wraps’ that can be applied to the painted surface and then hand finished with chalk paint, wax and embellishments for a totally custom look.

“I never really realised how popular the churns would be until I started doing this,” she laughs. “People have been bringing their own churns that they had at home to be painted – I think they really appeal to people in this part of the world, especially in the farming community.”

The churns are certainly a symbol

of country living – but that hasn’t stopped them from being popular with city dwellers, too! A further range of specially modified churns that hold a candle have been snapped up by none other than the Yankee Candle store in Belfast’s Castle Court, and are selling like hot cakes.

Samantha also has a range of gorgeous canvases, wall boards and clocks that will create wow factor in any country home and which can also be personalized for a unique gift. As well as her wedding and country ranges, she developed a range of Christmas products that were distributed by a number of retailers across Northern Ireland late last year and this has yielded a relationship with interiors megastore, Harvey Norman, where she’s hoping her work will become a regular fixture over the coming months.

And as if that isn’t enough, Samatha has just opened her very own boutique in her hometown, in a dedicated space within the gift shop at GB Landscapes.

The store is particularly special to her because at Christmas, when the company set up a festive grotto, her long-term boyfriend John popped the question there!

Now, as well as keeping so many irons in the fire regarding her own business, and continuing to design couture fabrics for Londonbased designer Hermione de Paula, Samantha is also collaborating with the designer on a very special, bespoke gown for her wedding day.

“I literally haven’t had a minute to think about the wedding but I’ve sent a few sketches over to Hermione and I’m planning a trip to London soon for my first consultation. It’s been a crazy time since I launched Lily Annabella but I’m delighted with the response and really looking forward to whatever challenges come along next.” www.lilyannabella.com.

Camowen Community Angling Association Update Since my last column I had the pleasure of being introduced to a couple of the Committee hierarchy in the newly formed Camowen Community Angling Association (CCAA), and I have to say, they spoke to me very openly, honestly and passionately. Whilst there is nothing really new that I can enlighten you to in respect of ‘who goes where’ on the Camowen, I can tell you that these men have the best interests of the river and the local community at heart. I have seen, first hand, the stock piles of timber that will be turned into stiles and I have been told of clean up operations that are to take place on various beats upstream of the Leap Bridge.

I acknowledge that there is a lot of speculation regarding CCAA, and there are still a lot of unanswered questions, but, having spoken to representatives of the Association, I have to say that I understand their viewpoint and genuinely believe their commitment to the river and the landowners concerned. The saga continues and I just hope that it is resolved soon, as the 1st of April is fast approaching!

Ballyshannon I had a good chat with Peter Aiken over a ‘short back and sides’ and he was telling me that the recent rains and high waters have meant that the dam at Ballyshannon has been emptying lough Erne since around Christmas 2013, resulting in an usually large volume of fresh water entering the harbour. This freshwater has impacted on the sea trout numbers in the area which, at the minute, are hard to catch. It’s not all bad news though, with anglers regularly connecting with sea trout from the beaches and local coastline in decent numbers, giving an optimistic outlook for the rest of the year on the estuary.

First fly cast of 2014 Since my last column I actually managed to get out fishing!

I know, it’s ridiculous, but nonetheless I did chuck some fluff at a few rainbows up at Termon Trout Fishery outside Carrickmore. What a better way to begin my 2014 angling season than landing 18 hard fighting trout in four hours, the majority of which fell foul to the Ace of Spades, fished real slow on an intermediate line. I would like to personally thank Martin for the day’s fishing and the hospitality that he showed to me and Mark Wilson that day - I hope to see you soon Martin.

Termon Trout Fishery also played host to an introduction to Fly Fishing event that was organised by the Trout Angling Federation of Ireland (TAFI) in association with Finore Anglers, Loughmacrory Angling Association and CCAA. On the day over 20 youths (male and female) were taught how to set up the fly rod, introduced to fly tying and enjoyed great sport on the fly lake under the expert tuition of the TAFI instructors and the local club men that willingly gave up their time for the afternoon.

My next outing I have decided that my next fly fishing outing will be to my local lough in Loughmacrory. I have it on good advice that the lough is fishing very well at the minute, with local angler, Noel Kelly (pictured) getting well into double figures on a recent outing. I love fishing the lough, and it is best fished from the boat – you should try it, it really is a beautiful day out with some cracking sport and scenery to be had.

Until next time, tight lines!

MC

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NO ADULTS ALLOWED!!!

WHERE do you find a room full of people frantically combing and spraying hair, cleaning teeth, trimming nails and getting ready for their five minutes in the spotlight? London Fashion Week, maybe? Well, except when the models have four legs! The picture shows the fragrant, frizzy and flamboyant Ricky the poodle who was crowned ‘Best in Show’ at Crufts 2014, where he was joined by dogs of all shapes and sizes, with wacky hairdos and crazy costumes and hidden performance talents, in the annual show that proves we are all bonkers about dogs! Indeed, we are a nation of animal lovers in general, with almost half of households in this country owning a pet. So whether your heart belongs to a fish in a bowl or a big hairy horse (or a dog that looks like one!), read on for some fascinating facts about the animals we share our homes and lives with…

Dogs • There are more than 150 dog breeds, divided into 8 classes: sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting, herding, and miscellaneous.

• Dogs can vary in size from a hulking ten stone Great Dane to a teeny tiny 900 gram Chihuahua – though amazingly, no matter the size, all dogs display similar behaviours and habits.

• Puppies are born blind and deaf – their eyes and ears continue to develop after birth and begin to function when the pup is about two weeks old. It’s really important for puppies to stay with their mum so they continue to

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is much more highly developed than ours. A human has about 5 million scent receptors in the nose, while a dog has a whopping 200 million – which means they can smell your dinner more strongly and at a greater distance than you, but if they steal it, they can’t taste it quite as well!

Cats receive her milk while they are still developing. They are usually ready for adoption by eight weeks of age.

• About a third of the dogs that are surrendered to animal shelters are purebred dogs.

• Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not sweat by salivating. They sweat through the pads of their feet.

• Dogs have fewer taste buds than humans – they have about 1,700 on their tongues, while we have as many as 9,000 – but their sense of smell

• A cat sees about six times better than a human at night. However, they are colour blind – scientists believe that to a cat, grass appears red!

• When a cat drinks, its tongue - which has tiny barbs on it - scoops the liquid up backwards.

• The ancient Egyptians were the first to domesticate the cat (in about 3000 BC), and used them to control pests.

• Healthy adult cats are in deep sleep 15 percent of their lives. They are in light sleep 50 percent of the time. That leaves just 35 percent awake time, or roughly 6-8 hours a day.

• The first cat in space was a French cat named Felicette (a.k.a.

Astrocat) In 1963, France blasted the cat into outer space.

Electrodes implanted in her brains sent neurological signals back to Earth. She survived the trip.

• A cat has no collarbone, so it can fit through any opening the size of its head.

Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals • Our domesticated pet rabbits are descendants of European rabbits and are a different species than the wild rabbits you see outside.

• Rabbits are crepuscular. This means that they are most active at dusk and dawn.

Driving Miss Trixie This is the Shortt Trixie who is looking f o r w a r d sitting at the drivers wheel waiting for the pig racing season.

Time is running out to enter the 25th Omagh Half

• Guinea pigs have four toes on each of their front feet and three toes on each of their back feet.

• Hamsters normally live between 2 and 3 years – however, one human year is equivalent to around 25 hamster years.

• Hamsters are nocturnal and in the wild would travel long distances at night searching for food. In a single night, a domestic hamster may travel up to 10 kilometres on its exercise wheel!

• Hamsters cannot swim and hate baths – but they are exceptionally clean creatures.

• Pet rats are not like their wild cousins. Pet rats are actually very lovable, affectionate, and one of the most intelligent rodent pets. They can be taught tricks, and they can even learn to help keep their cages clean.

• Guinea pigs are born with their eyes open and all their teeth and fur.

Horses • A horse’s height is measured in ‘hands.’ The height measurement of a 'hand' is 4 inches. That's because it was considered to be the width of an average man’s hand across the knuckles.

• Most of the time, a horse has monocular vision. This means a different image is seen by each eye so that a horse is seeing two different pictures at the same time.

• Horses produce approximately 10 gallons of saliva a day.

• Horses have a prehensile upper lip. Prehensile means "adapted for seizing, grasping, or taking hold of something." Their upper lips are very sensitive and capable of feeling the smallest of differences in objects.

• Horses can live more than 30 years.

Chickens, goats, and other farm animals • Goats and sheep don’t have teeth on their upper jaw. They have a hard palate that helps them grind their food.

• Goats are great companions for other farm animals, including horses, cows, and chickens.

• Sheep make a bleating sound. A baby lamb can identify its mother by her bleat.

• One mature ewe produces 7 to 10 pounds of wool a year - enough to make a man's suit.

• The goat is among the cleanest of animals, and is a much more selective feeder than cows, sheep, pigs, chickens and even dogs. Goats do eat many different species of plants, but do not like to eat food that has been contaminated or that has been on the floor or the ground.

• The chicken is the closest living relative to the T-Rex. • Chickens have over 200 distinct noises they can make for communicating.

Michael Ward, Omagh Half Marathon committee with local SPAR representatives, Sean Cox, McGirr's, Townview/Anderson Gardens, Charlie Hamilton, Tamlaght Road and Seamus Furey, McGinn's Killyclogher.

A LARGE turnout is expected for the 25th SPAR Omagh Half Marathon, which has established itself as one of the top races of its kind in Ireland. Registration for this event closes on March 22 so if you haven’t got your name down yet, time is running out! With a prize fund of over £5000, £250 for the first male & female to break the record time (Male-64.46min, Female74.51min), technical t-shirts for the first 2000 half marathon entries, medals for all 5K finishers, chip timing, race pacers, street entertainment and loads more it promises to be a great day for all the family.

Registration takes place at Gibson PS on 27th and 28th March from 5-8pm or 29th March from 9-11am – all those who pre-entered can collect race packs at these times also. There will be NO race day entry for the Half Marathon event, but Half Marathon walkers, 5K fun runners and wheelchair participants can enter on the day between 8.30 and 11am at Gibson PS. Runners are invited to come in fancy dress and there will be SPAR vouchers up for grabs for the best costumes.

If you enter before March 22, you’ll also be entered into a draw to win a 32-inch TV. Finally, as this is the silver jubilee of this event, all Half Marathon finishers will receive a special commemorative gift.

Omagh Area Down’s Syndrome Support Group is this year’s recognized charity. Online entry is now open at http://online.athleticsni.org omaghtoday | 51

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