Brian and Angela Willis live in Bushmills and in November they celebrate their golden (50th) wedding anniversary.
A few months ago, whilst watching television, they discovered that the only working gold mine in Britain is near Omagh. As a result of that discovery, Angela suggested that, to mark the occasion, she would like a small piece of gold from that mine.
So after several weeks of secret planning by husband Brian, the following surprise outing for his wife took place last Wednesday. The couple went to the local Bushmills Inn for a mid morning break and then boarded a helicopter which had flown up from Newtownards. They then flew to the Galantas gold mine at Cavanacaw where they landed and were greeted by Nick Hardie the mine manager.
Suitably attired in hard hats and wellington boots they were then given a conducted tour of the open cast workings. Here they watched the huge 50 tonne diggers removing the ore and watched it being separated in the milling machines. Eventually the concentrated material is sent off to Canada for smelting. Brian and Angela's visit culminated with Brian giving his wife a small piece of Galantas Irish 18 carat Gold jewellery which had been made from ore actually mined at the site.
Roland Phelps, CEO of Galantas said, "The Cavanacaw mine is Ireland's only gold mine and operates in an environmentally safe manner. Galantas Irish Gold jewellery is unique and is the only jewellery that is crafted from gold of Irish origin."
Brian and Angela would like to thank Roland, Nick and everyone else that contributed to this memorable and unusual surprise day.
