BY MARK McKELVEY

NEW YEAR celebrations had extra special meaning for one local man selected in the Queen's Honours list this week.

Canon Walter Patterson Quill has expressed his delight at being awarded an MBE for his services to the community in Castlederg but admits to being unaware as to who nominated him.

"I was delighted when I first received notification back in November," declared Canon Quill. "I had to look at the letter a couple of times to make sure it was for me.

"I am pleased that I feel this recognises and encourages genuine efforts to bring the community together because that is what I have been trying to do, and I suppose all clergy are trying to that. This is my 26th year in Castlederg - I love the place and I love the people. Serving here is reward enough in itself and this MBE is the icing on the cake."

Canon Quill has undertaken an extensive range of community work in his time in Castlederg as; Chairman of the local RNLI, President of St John Ambulance, Protestant co-ordinator for the Ulster Project in the area, sitting on the Community Police Liaison Committee, Honorary Chaplain to British Legion and has previously held the position of Chairman of three local schools board of Governors.

Although the 71 year-old clergyman originally hails from Dublin, in his role as Canon of Derg Parish Church, he has truly taken this town and its people into his heart.

"This reflects on the place and I say Castlederg is a great place to be. I'm retiring on April 30 and I am going to be very sorry to leave here when I move to Coleraine."