The costliest of failures
Seven people died in a fire in Lammy, Omagh, in November last year, five children and their parents. The fire was in all probability started by the father of the family after a row with his partner, after she packed her bags and threatened to leave him. The full horror of what the victims went through is not known, what is known, is that this...>>> more
Why was the public not consulted on water...
WITH regard to the Sinn Fein response to Paul Gallagher's article about the removal of the billboard 'Water Charges....Your Money Down The Drain'..... I read the article and they never answered why it was taken down!
I do know that similar billboards were taken down throughout the north towards the end of last year and the thinking within the Anti...>>> more
This Summer make a difference
Have you ever wanted to do something that really makes a difference?
Well, this summer Oxfam Ireland is asking the readers of Strabane Chronicle to join them to raise awareness about how ordinary people can achieve real and lasting change for the better. There are a number of ways in which you can become one of Oxfam Ireland's valued active...>>> more
Binge drinking
Despite further confirmation this week of the toll alcohol abuse is taking on our youth, it is likely bingeing and excess drinking will continue to be glorified by many adults in our society.
Excessive drinking is recognised by medical experts as one of North's biggest health problems. The startling figures revealed that binge drinking amongst...>>> more
Sion Mills volunteers need the community's...
To the Sion Mills Resident who is so concerned with the Stables – you seem like an educated person, so why is it that you have these views that the Stables should be demolished?
Does tourism not come into play here and will tourists stop over in Sion Mills if there is nothing of the old times still here?
People like Celia Ferguson are...>>> more
Herdmam's family left brilliant legacy
I write this in response to the letter published in your paper last week entitled 'Demolish Stable Block'.
The letter smacks of nothing more than a piece of Herdman bashing, using the issue of the stable as a means of voicing their opinion, forgetting the contribution Herdman's made to the village in terms of education. Herdman's in fact are...>>> more
Terrorism conference was very good
THE International Victims of Terrorism Conference was held in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, last week, and a very clear message was sent out by the delegates and by the international speakers who addressed the conference.
That message was the total inappropriateness and wrongness of having terrorists in the government of any democracy.
We learned...>>> more
Thanks for kind donation
On behalf of Newtownstewart Branch of the Ulster Cancer Foundation I would like to publicly thank Glenelly Valley Charity (re Gerard O'Hagan), for the very generous cheque received by the treasurer of our branch which I understand was the proceeds of a sponsored cycle, walk and half marathon.
This cheque was for £4,201 and we wish them to...>>> more
Making motor sports safer
Try as we must, we cannot protect young people from all the dangers they encounter in life. Nor can we stop them from taking risks, imbued as they are with daring curiousity and a sense of invulnerability. What we can and must do is constantly remind young people – indeed, everyone – to take extra precautions against the risks they...>>> more
Demolish that stable-block eyesore in Sion...
Much has been said recently in local papers and news about the stables in Sion Mills, even more so now that the inevitable had happened and the clock tower has collapsed due to years of neglect and vandalism (including bomb damage that was never repaired following attacks on the nearby police station).
What amazes many of us in the village is how...>>> more
Shifting shapes up in Stormont
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into Stormont, today's changing of the guard in the Executive is tinged with a hint of past uncertainty. By hedging bets on re-nominating Martin McGuinness as Deputy First Minister, Sinn Féin is stamping a foot to remind its DUP partners that it hasn't gone away, you know. It is also a reminder...>>> more
Come along for culture and enjoy the CRAIC
May I through the column of your newspaper issue the thanks of CRAIC (Cultural Revival Across Interested Communities) to the people of Strabane and surrounding district for their support over the past years, and hopefully their continuing support in the future for our music, song, dance and language.
To this end, we had our Annual General Meeting...>>> more
Ecumenical service recalls children
Bereaved parents and families will come together on Sunday, June 8, at 3.30pm in St Mark's Church, Holywood Road, Belfast to remember their children. This service is one of the annual events organised by Remember Our Child, a project within Cruse Bereavement Care. Remember Our Child is a partnership of child loss self-help support groups in...>>> more
Thank you to local volunteers
This week (June 1-7) is national Volunteers' Week and I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to the many local volunteers who support our work at National Trust properties and countryside locations in the area. Not only do volunteers give us their time and energy they also share with us their skills, experience and enthusiasm.
Each...>>> more
Bulgarian orphans need your help
My connection with orphanages began six years ago when we were in Bulgaria to buy a house; a Bulgarian friend introduced us to the orphans in Elhovo and their plight. Compelled to do something, on our subsequent trips we carried cases containing a few things for the children. In January 2007, having made approximately 12 visits we were slapped with...>>> more
All of our carers deserve support for their...
This June, I am proud to be just one of many 'famous faces' lending their support to Carers Week 2008 – an annual campaign that pays tribute to, and celebrates, the wonderful work carried out by the millions of people who care for a family member or friend.
Around six in ten of us – from all walks of life – will become carers at...>>> more
Don't forget the past
Have some people completely forgotten their recent past. Don't they recall the days of army and police intimidation and harassment. Just because Sinn Féin now recognise 'Northern Ireland' remember that there are still those who don't accept the role played in Ireland by the British State.
As a result of this free thinking, the British...>>> more
Sinn Féin support
In reply to Finntan Mag Uidhir's letter, Finntan you seem to have your head in the sand. The letters printed in the Fermanagh Herald are genuine letters and are a measure of the support or lack of it that Sinn Féin now has in Fermanagh.
If you bothered to go out and about around the county and genuinely listened to people you would find...>>> more
Volunteers make all the difference
This week (1-7 June) is national Volunteers' Week and I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to the many local volunteers who support our work at National Trust properties and countryside locations in the area. Not only do volunteers give us their time and energy they also share with us their skills, experience and enthusiasm.
Each...>>> more
Lisnaskea funds
Marie Curie Cancer Care wishes to thank all those who contributed to their Flag Day in Lisnaskea on the Tuesday 6th May 2008.
Marie Curie would also like to thank all the volunteers who collected for the charity on that day. The generous amount raised by the volunteers was £782.02.
The money will help to fund Marie Curie Nursing...>>> more
MS Group say thank you
On behalf of Fermanagh Group Multiple Sclerosis, I would like to thank the people of the County who contributed so generously to our recent Flag Day collection on 1st May, 2008.
We are indebted to our small group of collectors who willingly gave of their time and efforts to help with the collection. The total amount raised was £497.10.
...>>> more
Irvinestown Flag Day
Marie Curie Cancer Care wishes to thank all those who contributed to their Flag Day in Irvinestown on the Saturday 10th May 2008.
Marie Curie would also like to thank all the volunteers who collected for the charity on that day. The generous amount raised by the volunteers was £811.96.
The money will help to fund the Marie Curie...>>> more
Team relay thanks
Can I, through your paper, thank Western's Best Land Cruisers, (Shirley Jervis, Malcolm Weir, Daniel Curley and Seamus O'Kane) for running in the team relay with me on the 5th May in the Belfast Marathon.
I would also like to thank everyone who sponsored us and supported us in the Knocks, Lisnaskea, Enniskillen, Trillick and surrounding...>>> more
Warmonger George Bush not welcome to visit...
I am appalled at the news that George Bush will visit Belfast next month. It is disgraceful that his visit is as a result of an invitation issued by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
This part of the world more than most places has an understanding of the deep damage and pain that war and conflict produces. George Bush is internationall...>>> more
Coping with energy crisis
News that electricity bills are set to soar will come as no surprise. It has been widely predicted that prices will spike by as much as 30% this autumn – just in time for the dark evenings and biting draughts. One things is certain, we will be paying a lot more for electricity next winter than we did in the winter just past.
And yet, within...>>> more
Passive smoke raises meningitis risk for...
Children exposed to passive smoking are more likely to suffer severe illnesses, including meningitis.
Many studies from around the world over the past two decades have found that exposure to cigarette smoke increases a child's risk of getting meningitis and septicaemia.
Amongst adults, smoking also increases the risk of carrying meningococcal...>>> more
SF man guilty of bad grammar
John O'Dowd MLA, Sinn Féin spokesperson on education, said recently in the Assembly, "That amendment should have went through."
Perhaps the first person to undergo a new literacy test should be John O'Dowd.
T S Birrell
Omagh
>>> more
Protests do nothing for ordinary driver
The fuel protests taking place in London this week will do very little for the ordinary motorist, even if they succeed. That's the verdict from PetrolPrices.com's founder.
The aim of the protests is to get the government to introduce an 'essential user rebate' – a rebate of 20p on fuel for hauliers.
However a rebate will do nothing to reduce...>>> more
Sinn Féin losing mixed doubles
The core issue of how children move into post-primary education has been buried in the petty politics of personality surrounding Minister Caitríona Ruane's efforts to scrap the 11-plus. In the maelstrom of bitter unionist opposition, and the minister's repeated indignation, we risk losing sight of the children.
The issue is no longer whether...>>> more
SDLP policy on the abortion issue reeks of...
The SDLP seem to be reeking with Catholicism if the abortion debate is anything to go by. Pat Ramsey has declared his party's position on the matter in the most emotive manner possible, with all the usual desperate anti-abortion rhetoric associated with those who have lost the debate.
There is a very clear smell of the Republic in the SDLP taking...>>> more
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