SKILLSMART Retail, the sector skills council for retail, and Retail Trust offered six complimentary scholarships to the prestigious Oxford Retail Masters Forum at the University of Oxford Business School which took place last week (March 20-23). From the numerous applicants, a high-flying Omagh-born manager from Portrush was selected to receive a complimentary place worth over £2,000.
Julie Strang, general manager with Ulster Stores based in Coleraine and with department stores in Coleraine, Portrush, Llandudno and Jersey, as well as Captain Cooks shops in Ballymena, Lisburn and Portadown, said, "I hope to bring back to U Stores fresh and outward-looking thinking and also to establish some business relationships which will help me maintain an insight into future business ideas."
Bigger numbers at Omagh Mart
THE advent of Spring brought bigger numbers to Omagh and the favourable weather appeared to put a "spring in everyones step". Top prices as follows:
Bullocks: Des McAskie, Mountjoy 445kg £635, 495kg £640, 440kg £590; 485kg £640; Owen Rushe, Ederney 425kg £575, 410kg £555, 360kg £412; Lisnaskea Producere 630kg £825, 550kg £660; Jas McBride, Strabane 475kg £610, 600kg £735; S Kearney, Drumquin 425kg £562; F Horisk, Ballygawley 335kg £488, 360kg £496, 385kg £524; John Haughey, Beragh 510kg £645, 410kg £555, 405kg £542; Wm Smiton, Clogher 730kg £838, 660kg £775, 670kg £828; Paul Slane, Carrickmore 375kg £545, 505kg £620; W&P Snow, Boa Island 495kg £642 and £618; M McNamee, Sheskinshule 445kg £628; B Martin, Carrickmore 580kg £718, 530kg £660; E&A Kirkpatrick, Brookborough 640kg £752, 575kg £680, 550kg £655; G Broderick, Omagh 545kg £668, 660kg £760; N Monaghan, Ederney 540kg £685, 460kg £625, 520kg £650, 480kg £608; G Donnelly, Trillick 515kg £655; Ed Ginn, Ederney 480kg £610, 430kg £538; R Rea, Clanabogan 425kg £540, 335kg £460; J Muldoon, Kesh 575kg £680, 565kg £670; C T McNabb, Drumquin 565kg £680; M O'Neill, Beragh 395kg £555, 530kg £652; C McCartan, Carrickmore 430kg £530.
Sharp trade at Gortin mart
AN OUTSTANDING entry of sheep sold to a sharp trade at Gortin. Fat hoggets sold to a top of £67.20 and fat ewes to £54.50.
Fat Hoggets: W Turkington £67.20 (33kg); J Rutledge £65.50 (35kg), £61 (241/2kg); C Conway £65.50 (30kg), £62 (243/4kg); J McLaughlin £63 (251/2kg); J&P Wamsley £64 (251/2kg); S Robinson £63.80 (25kg); M Morris £65.20 (31kg); E Charles £64.50 (261.4kg); D Wilkinson £63 (32kg), £62 (241.2kg); E&K Johnston £62 (25kg); W Ballantine £60 (32kg); P Haughey £60 (33kg); R Matherson £59.50 (35kg); S McCullagh £61.50 (33kg); W Smyth £62 (31kg), £49.20 (24kg); R W Stinson £59.80 (25kg); N Coulter £59 (25kg); B McGarvey £57 (231/2kg); H McFarland £61.50 (32kg).
Ewes with lambs at foot: P Montague £105(2), £87(2); P Leonard £107 (2), £80(2); A Clarke £87(2), £82(2), £100(2), £85(2); W Crawford £100(2), £89(1), £75(1), £87(1), £76(1); J Hunter £81(2), £66(1); J Patterson £73(2), £70(2).
Fat Ewes: J Blair £54.50, £47; A Mitchell £49.50, £41; S Robinson £45; J Bradley £47; M Morris £45; W Turkington £52; J McCrory £47.50; M McLaughlin £45; H McFarland £44.50, £42; E McHugh £45; P Leonard £46.50; A Hempton £43. Foster Ewes sold to £57.
Spring Lambs: The first of the Spring lambs sold to £56.50. More required for Easter market.
