LOCALS NAMED IN QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY LIST
Locals named in Queen's birthday list
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
Angler, youth worker, restauranteur and charity worker all receive MBE awards
Four Omagh people were amongst those named on the Queen's birthday honours list published this week as being awarded with the MBE. Amongst those honoured are individuals who have made outstanding contributions to youth work, angling, hospitality and tourism and for services to the Red Cross.
Well-known local angler and elder-statesman of the Omagh Anglers' Association, Bobby Rodgers was honoured for his services to angling. Bobby who has been a member of the local angling club for 50 years including long stints as Secretary and Chairman (which he presently occupies), has also been an advisor to the Foyle Fisheries.
Mr Rodgers said he was very pleased to learn of the honour. He had been aware of the possibility of such an award for some two months but was still surprised when he discovered he was chosen to receive it. He believes that it was the Foyle Fisheries who proposed him for the honour.
Mr Rodgers was informed by letter that he would be invited to receive his award, at Buckingham Palace within the next six weeks.
William Charles McFarland (Charlie) will receive his MBE for selfless work with local youth clubs over the past twenty years. Charlie who works as a Countryside Management Officer with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Charlie works in Crevenagh Youth Club four nights per week and a fifth night is spent working in St. Columba's Youth Club.
He expressed his delight at having been selected for the award and paid tribute to the young people he worked with through the youth clubs and the Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme.
He intimated that his proudest moments were those during which he was involved with Gillygooley Youth Club when it was twice runner-up for 'Best Youth Club of the Year'.
In addition to being a youth leader Charlie is also an assessor with the Department of Education (youth service), he also instructs young people on mountaineering.
Local restaurateur and guest house owner, Frances 'Louie' Reid, proprietor of the famous Greenmount Lodge, near Seskinore, was very surprised and absolutely delighted to learn that she had been honoured with an MBE.
Mrs Reid, who goes by the name of Louie, said, "I would never have dreamed that I would have got anything like this. I tend not to want the limelight. I work in the background. I'm delighted that someone felt that I was worthy of it.
In addition to running a highly successful guest house, Mrs Reid also runs a restaurant on Friday and Saturday nights, but insists that her first love is running the B+B which attracts tourists from all over the world particularly the United States.
The fourth local person named on the Birthday honours list is Edith Hadden for services to the British Red Cross. Mrs Hadden was on holiday abroad, however her co-workers at the Western Branch of the Red Cross paid tribute to her.
In a statement this week they said, "Edith's name has been synonymous with the therapeutic care service in the Western Branch since joining the Red Cross in 1991."
Norma Groves, Red Cross Regional Therapeutic Care Services co-ordinator said, "I am delighted Edith's work with the Red Cross Society has been acknowledged. She has been a reliable and supportive volunteer over many years. Patients who have benefited from her services include survivors of the Omagh bombing where Edith's skills have helped to relieve some of the trauma experienced. He work is much appreciated and her colleagues are thrilled at the news of her award."
First Minister, David Trimble paid tribute to all of those who have received awards and has expressed his delight that so many honours have been bestowed on people from Northern Ireland.
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
Angler, youth worker, restauranteur and charity worker all receive MBE awards
Four Omagh people were amongst those named on the Queen's birthday honours list published this week as being awarded with the MBE. Amongst those honoured are individuals who have made outstanding contributions to youth work, angling, hospitality and tourism and for services to the Red Cross.
Well-known local angler and elder-statesman of the Omagh Anglers' Association, Bobby Rodgers was honoured for his services to angling. Bobby who has been a member of the local angling club for 50 years including long stints as Secretary and Chairman (which he presently occupies), has also been an advisor to the Foyle Fisheries.
Mr Rodgers said he was very pleased to learn of the honour. He had been aware of the possibility of such an award for some two months but was still surprised when he discovered he was chosen to receive it. He believes that it was the Foyle Fisheries who proposed him for the honour.
Mr Rodgers was informed by letter that he would be invited to receive his award, at Buckingham Palace within the next six weeks.
William Charles McFarland (Charlie) will receive his MBE for selfless work with local youth clubs over the past twenty years. Charlie who works as a Countryside Management Officer with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Charlie works in Crevenagh Youth Club four nights per week and a fifth night is spent working in St. Columba's Youth Club.
He expressed his delight at having been selected for the award and paid tribute to the young people he worked with through the youth clubs and the Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme.
He intimated that his proudest moments were those during which he was involved with Gillygooley Youth Club when it was twice runner-up for 'Best Youth Club of the Year'.
In addition to being a youth leader Charlie is also an assessor with the Department of Education (youth service), he also instructs young people on mountaineering.
Local restaurateur and guest house owner, Frances 'Louie' Reid, proprietor of the famous Greenmount Lodge, near Seskinore, was very surprised and absolutely delighted to learn that she had been honoured with an MBE.
Mrs Reid, who goes by the name of Louie, said, "I would never have dreamed that I would have got anything like this. I tend not to want the limelight. I work in the background. I'm delighted that someone felt that I was worthy of it.
In addition to running a highly successful guest house, Mrs Reid also runs a restaurant on Friday and Saturday nights, but insists that her first love is running the B+B which attracts tourists from all over the world particularly the United States.
The fourth local person named on the Birthday honours list is Edith Hadden for services to the British Red Cross. Mrs Hadden was on holiday abroad, however her co-workers at the Western Branch of the Red Cross paid tribute to her.
In a statement this week they said, "Edith's name has been synonymous with the therapeutic care service in the Western Branch since joining the Red Cross in 1991."
Norma Groves, Red Cross Regional Therapeutic Care Services co-ordinator said, "I am delighted Edith's work with the Red Cross Society has been acknowledged. She has been a reliable and supportive volunteer over many years. Patients who have benefited from her services include survivors of the Omagh bombing where Edith's skills have helped to relieve some of the trauma experienced. He work is much appreciated and her colleagues are thrilled at the news of her award."
First Minister, David Trimble paid tribute to all of those who have received awards and has expressed his delight that so many honours have been bestowed on people from Northern Ireland.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0778
Published Date: 21-Jun-01
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