2002: Queen confirmed for visit to Loughry Garden party

April 11 2002

Royal visit

THE Queen is expected to visit Mid-Ulster next month. Secretary of State John Reid announced that Her Majesty will be attending a garden party at Loughry College.

Magherafelt District Council has given its backing for plans to built a £3.5 million hotel in the former Market Yard at Rainey Street in the town.

The MAIL carried a two-page article on the impact of Foot and Mouth disease on the farming community in Mid-Ulster a year on from the outbreak.

Sinn Fein has objected strongly to plans to allow CCTV monitors to remain in Magherafelt police station.

After a year on the sidelines, the Cookstown 100 is set to return to local roads. Improvements have been carried out to the Orritor course making it “better than ever before”.

Deaths: April 4 – Teresa Aspinall, Rathbeg, Cookstown; April 8 – Jim Robinson, Magherafelt; April 2 – Curtis Steadman (infant), Knockmoyle, Cookstown.

25 Years Ago

April 16 1987

Council outcry

THE recent weekend closure of the casualty unit in the Mid-Ulster Hospital has brought an outcry from the local District Council. Councillors were highly critical of the unit’s two and a half day closure which was blamed on staff shortages.

More than 50 loyalists staged a protest in Magherafelt town centre against the new Public Order legislation.

Cash is pouring in for the six Bellaghy children orphaned by a plane crash horror. The children’s parents Sean and Marie Scullion died in the disaster which happened near their home on March 22, and their plight touched the hearts of thousands.

Magherafelt High School held its annual Musical Festival. Ashley Fulton was presented with the cup for the Best Performance at the Festival.

Rally enthusiasts Andrew Glasgow and co-driver Crawford Henderson were preparing to compete in this year’s Circuit of Ireland Rally. Both are members of Magherafelt and Disttrict Motor Club.

Deaths: April 10 – Mabel Hunter, Milburn Crescent, Cookstown; Apri 11 – Alexander (Alex) Moran, Fairhill Home, Moneymore; April 10 – Ted Rutledge, formerly of Cookstown.

50 Years Ago

April 14 1962

Triple fatality

IN one of the worst road disasters in Mid-Ulster for many years two women and a man lost their lives and a fourth person was injured late on Friday night last when their car struck the parapet wall of an “S” shaped bridge at Desertmartin.

The victims were the driver of the car, Robert McGeown, Sloan Street, Lisburn; Mrs Iona Morrow, Union Street, Cookstown, and Miss Eileen McCallion, Drumagarner, Kilrea who had been residing at Union Street, Cookstown, for some time past.

Bright hopes of having an industry established in Stewartstown were expressed at a meeting of the local Ratepayers’ Association held in Donaghendry Parish Hall.

There is an acute shortage of hay in Mid-Ulster and the price has soared to £20 a ton – the highest ever and more than double that paid last year.

A two-day exhibition on new developments to correct faulty hearing took place at the Town Hall in Magherafelt.

Down regained the Lagan Cup and qualified for the National Football League semi-final against Carlow when they snatched victory from Derry in the dying minutes of the game at Casement Park. The final score was Down 2-6 to Derry 2-5.

There was a good attendance at Killymoon Golf Course for the exhibition match featuring four of Ulster’s leading professionals, Fred Daly (Balmoral), Jimmy Henderson (Clandeboye), Joe Hunter (Bundoran) and Peter O’Connor (Strabane).

Deaths: April 7 – Alexander Gibson, Tullyweary, Stewartstown; April 12 – William Gormley, Orritor Street, Cookstown; April 8 – Jame Kirkpatrick, Hall View, Drumbonaway, Stewartstown; March 31 – James Leacock, Luney, Desertmartin; April 6 – Margretta Iona Morrow, Union Street, Cookstown; April 12 – Margaret Kidd McKinney, Coolreaghs Crescent, Cookstown (late of California, USA); April 7 – John Sinclair, Glenville, Sixtowns, Draperstown; April 5 – Richard Morrow Thom, Lower Kimmage Road, Dublin.

75 Years Ago

April 10 1937

Principal retires

IT was announced that Mr J.A. Calvin, BA, LLB, Principal of the Rainey School, Magherafelt, would retire in July after a long and honourable career, marked by conspicuous success.

There were only 26 pupils in attendance when Mr Calvin was appointed to the Rainey in 1905, but under his Headmastership the numbers increased to 180.

The Select Vestry of Woods Parish Church presented a 15 jewelled lever gold wristlet watch and cheque to Miss Meta Scott, ALCM, voluntary organist, in appreciation of her services for five years. The gift was handed over by Mr Robert Watterson.

Rev J.A. Ford, BA, became curate of Derryloran Parish, under Rev James Bloomer, BA, rector.

A branch of the Labour Party was formed in Stewartstown, starting with 54 members. The chief officials were Messrs John Graham, chairman; Thomas Kennedy, secretary, and Joseph L. Quinn, treasurer.

Prices at Cookstown market – hen eggs, 5d to 5.5d per lb; duck eggs, 9d per doz; butter, 11d to 1/- per lb; young pigs, 33/6 each down.

An 18 medal handicap golf competition, played at Killymoon for a prize presented by Mr T. A. Ekin, was won by Mr Eric Elliott, whose net score was 62, the runner up being Mr D.J. Gamble with 64 net.

Deaths: January 17 – Samuel George McAdoo, Maryfield, Saskatchewan, Canada and formerly of Lammy, Sandholes; March 31 – Mary Marks, Kinturk, Coagh; April 1 – Rachel Campbell, Killymoon Street, Cookstown; April 2 – Nancy Thom, Orritor, Cookstown; April 3 – Wilson Kempton, Lindesayville, Tullyhogue; April 5 – R.W. Hardy, Donaghey, Sherrygroom, Dungannon; April 8 – Robert Sheppard, Tullynure, Cookstown, in his 95th year.

IF you have an old photograph that you would like published, please contact Stanley Campbell, 14 Rainey Street, Magherafelt; telephone, 02879631780 or email [email protected]