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Past Events

Society Launch

The MHS began as an informal group of members, drawn together by a shared interest in the history and heritage of the town. Local historian Joseph McCoy led the group, which had a large and enthusiastic number of followers on Facebook. Inspired by the obvious support in the area for the Society it was decided that the time had come to place it on a more formal footing, elect a chairman and committee and adopt a constitution setting out the aims, objectives and structure of the Society.

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The first step was to call an open meeting in the Link, on the 10th November 2014, which was attended by about 40 people from the district. James Armour, who had recently returned to the town after a long absence,  was the  organiser of this development. On the night the purpose of the Society was discussed in depth. This included its role in  researching and  promoting  local history and heritage as well as documenting and preserving it. A core value of the Society was seen to be its openness and inclusivity.

Office bearers and a committee were elected on the evening to help move the new society forward. In alphabetical order these were James Armour, Denver Boyd, Izchel Boyd, Bruce Clark, Brendan Convery, Fergal Cudden, Peter Etherson, Kate Lagan, John Marquess, Joseph McCoy, Pat Rafferty and William Sufferin. Joseph McCoy was elected Chairperson, Denver Boyd Vice-Chairperson, James Armour Honorary Secretary and John Marquess Treasurer.

The next few months were a busy time for the MHS with a constitution being drawn up and adopted to give the organisation a legal foundation. A comprehensive programme of events was put in place to run throughout the year and a fund-raising plan was put into action which turned out to be very effective in establishing a financial basis for the Society to operate from.

On the 31st March 2015 the MHS was formally launched by Dr. Bill Macafee, the distinguished historian and author, at a gala event in Walsh’s Hotel, Maghera in front of an audience of over 150 people.

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James Armour, the Honorary Secretary, acted as Master of Ceremonies and began by explaining the aims of the organisation  and pledging that the Society would straight away start looking for suitable premises in the town to set up a Cultural and Heritage Centre which will serve many functions. He said that he saw the Centre as a focal point for all those interested in Maghera, both its past heritage  and its present-day culture. The Centre would act as a safe archive for artefacts, memorabilia, photographs etc. relating to the local area, it would be open to the public and reach out to all communities and cultures in the town, seeking to include as many people as possible in its work.  ‘The Society is for everybody, it has an open door policy and all the people of Maghera are welcome to join’

James then referred movingly to a book he is writing based on his childhood memories growing up in the Beagh with his four brothers on his father’s farm. He dedicated the work he has done on behalf of the Society to the memory of his parents and his brother Uel, a well- known figure in the town who sadly passed away in his early years.

Joseph McCoy, the Chairperson of the MHS gave a very inspiring talk on the foundation of the organisation. Drawing on his deep knowledge based on many years of research he spoke of the history of the town. He was followed by the Guest Speaker, Dr. Bill Macafee. He congratulated the Society on the Launch which he likened to the launch of a ship setting out on a voyage of discovery. He emphasised the importance of all historical societies and spoke with passion of the need to document and record the history and lives of people from the 1950s onwards, an era that is now part of history and must be documented before it is too late.

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Cllr. Jim Campbell, marked the launch as one of his last official engagements as Vice-chair of Magherafelt District Council and a representative of the people of the local area – an historic occasion itself. He wished the society well and pledged to give what help he could going forward. Denver Boyd, the genealogist on the team, and Vice-Chairperson of the society, spoke of the fragility of memory and how soon information could be forgotten if an effort was not made to document it. He emphasised that the Historical Society had a vital role to play in recording the past to preserve it for our descendants. As part of the ceremony Brendan Convery, through old cine film footage of the town, and Pat Rafferty through a display of old postcards, reminded us how Maghera looked in days gone by. Bruce Clark (who set up a display of artefacts from his family’s Linen Industry) gave a summary of all that had been said and thanked the speakers. He then went on to give a fascinating personal and philosophical slant on the role history can play in a person’s life.

 

 

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Past Events

Time Capsule

A TIME CAPSULE FOR MAGHERA

30th December 2015 – 30th December 2115

One of the first projects to take place in the Heritage & Culture Centre was the preparation and sealing of a Time Capsule. We thought that this was a good way to represent the aims of the Maghera Historical Society. The Capsule is not only a way to communicate with the generations to come, but also symbolises the whole town coming together to work towards a positive and peaceful future for our descendants.

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Over the year everybody was invited to contribute messages, memorabilia, photographs, newspapers, information and messages to be sealed within the Capsule. The local schools all became involved with many pupils giving photographs and messages which will not be seen again until the Capsule is opened in 100 years-time.

The official sealing took place on the 30th December 2015 in the Centre. James Armour acted as Master of Ceremonies for the evening, and in this role explained that the idea behind the Capsule was to bring the town together and act as an expression of faith in the future of Maghera. He said that he believed that the way to understand the hearts and minds of a generation was through an appreciation of the memories, stories and songs of everyday life rather than the major political issues of the time. Through the personal information preserved in the Capsule people in Maghera, a hundred years into the future would get a real insight into life in the town in 2015.

Joseph McCoy, Chairperson of the MHS then spoke and drew an interesting comparison between the modern day capsule and the way in which an historical structure, such as St.Lurach’s, can function as a time capsule itself.  As Joseph said, ‘Walking around the old church you are aware of the changes in the masonry and stone work from the early Christian beginnings of the site through to the 10th century walls, the magnificent, carved lintel dating from the medieval period and the tower added in the 17th century.  The church stands as a built record of over a thousand years of history’.

Fergal Cudden, the youngest committee member of the MHS, represented the younger people of the town at the ceremony. He spoke of growing up in Maghera and how he enjoyed the peaceful friendly pace of life there. He referred to his deep connection with the town and how he saw this sense of belonging continuing down the years to future generations. He also spoke of his hope that the Maghera Historical Society would, ‘Shine a new light on the history of Maghera and make it something that the newer generation will be both interested in and proud of.’

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Mrs.Elizabeth (Lizzie) Shiels, now in her ninety-first year, was next invited to speak. Lizzie shared memories of her life growing up in the area. She spoke of a different age, now gone forever and evoked images of a simpler, and perhaps happier, way of life. Remembrances of Christmases long ago were brought to life in a poem written by Lizzie. The verses highlighted the contrast between today’s consumerism and the values of earlier times, leading the audience to wonder what sort of life, hopes and aspirations our descendants would experience so many years into the future. Lizzie herself acted as an inspiration to everyone gathered at the ceremony as she brought such energy, goodwill and optimism to the idea of forging a link between ourselves and the unknown future inhabitants of the town.

James then invited contributions from the floor. The first to make a contribution was Cllr. Martin Kearney. He reminisced movingly about his childhood and the importance of memory and history for everybody. He dwelt on the importance of personal and local history in the life of a community. In this context he felt that the Time Capsule gave the people of Maghera a wonderful opportunity to come together, and by sharing their experiences give those in the 22nd century a picture of the town today.

Kevin Daly, a Committee member of the MHS, then spoke about well-known characters in the town in the past. In particular, he acknowledged the role played by Mr. Roy Shiels, Lizzie’s husband, who had devoted many years to helping the young people of the town and ran a football team known as ‘Roy’s Chicks’. Kevin’s emphasised how important it was for the identity and spirit of the town that the full time-line of its history be carried on, unbroken, into the future.

Cllr. Anne Forde gave us her memories of growing up outside the town on a farm in the Carrick. This gave us another perspective on a past way of life when Freddie Cauldwell and his threshing machine travelled from farm to farm and neighbours all worked together to bring the harvest in. Again Cllr. Forde dwelt on the importance of ensuring that a record of who we are and what we stand for is passed on to our descendants and she complimented the Society on the idea of the Time Capsule.

Tommy Collins agreed that the Society had given the people of Maghera a significant opportunity to keep history alive through the generations and Cllr. George Shiels made the final contribution of the evening with his usual wit and wisdom. Cllr Shiels also referred to his father, Roy Shiels, who, he said, had inspired him to make a contribution to society throughout his life.

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The Time capsule itself was then locked by Lizzie and Fergal to begin its journey one hundred years into the future to be opened again on the 30th December 2115.

Putting together the capsule was a daunting task in itself, as a special container had to be constructed which could be filled with nitrogen before being hermetically sealed to preserve the contents intact. Within the Capsule special paper, ink and packaging had to be sourced and used to protect against deterioration over the next hundred years. Pat Rafferty and John Marquess, both members of the MHS committee worked behind the scenes to make it all happen.

The celebrations continued in the Centre until late at night with everybody enjoying the music provided by Alan Hutchinson and Friends with vocalist Alice McMurray.

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Maghera Roots Past Projects

Maghera Roots. Farming 1940-1969

Maghera Roots

The Heritage and Cultural Centre has begun a new and exciting project based on farming in Maghera and the surrounding districts during the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s. This area has been predominantly agricultural for generations with a strong tradition of small family farms, which were generally less than thirty acres in size.

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The links between the town and the countryside were very strong during those years. Shopping was much more local and the farmers did the majority of their business in Maghera through the local merchants. In addition, Maghera had a thriving weekly market drawing in people from a wide radius outside the town.

These were the years, the 1940s to the 1960s, that saw huge changes in farming methods. The tractor took over from the horse as the mainstay of the farm, and customs, skills and techniques going back hundreds of years were set aside for the new practices based on increasing mechanisation.

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We set up this project in the Centre to capture the memories and experiences of farmers who lived and worked through this period of change. To put a structure on the whole project, six farmers have volunteered to take part and will work with the Centre to record and document their farms and describe in detail the routines and practices in the mid-twentieth century.

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However, to round out the project and tie the farmers in with all the other aspects of life at the time we are hoping to involve a much wider range of people sharing their stories. If you have any memories of Maghera during those years – perhaps you too had a farm or ‘gathered’ spuds’ as a child or worked in the town during those busy years we would love to hear from you.

We are gathering the information in many different ways. Informal interviews can be arranged and recorded if that is how you would like to contribute your memories. Alternatively, there is a facility on the website where you can write your story or, you might be happier with the tried and tested method of pen and paper. We welcome everybody who wishes to take part in this undertaking. We feel that not only will this project be a useful addition to the history and heritage of the town and district, but also it will strengthen the local community and increase pride in our heritage.

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The project will run until December 2016. From January 2017 to April 2017 the material gathered will be edited and assembled to form an exhibition in the Heritage and Cultural Centre This exhibition will include artefacts from the period and will start with an open-day demonstrating traditional farming skills, e.g. ploughing with horses and early tractors, butter-making, scutching etc. It is hoped that the local schools will become involved as well as this will be a great opportunity to reach the next generation and show them the social and practical heritage of their grandparents.


How to take part

You can share your story on line and tell us of your experiences.
Alternatively call the Heritage and Cultural Centre at 028 79549835 and arrange to call in for a chat or to organise a recording. You can also write down your memories and send them to us at: Maghera Heritage & Cultural Centre, 17 Coleraine Road, Maghera. BT56 5BN
We look forward to hearing from you all and will keep you updated on progress.tramping-silage-at-sufferins-left-to-right-willie-patterson-joe-martin-jakie-sufferin-and-william-sufferin

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About Us

About Us


Maghera Heritage and Cultural Centre came about as a development and expansion of the Maghera Historical Society.

One of the aims of the Society was to ‘provide a suitable centre in Maghera where information, records, publications, photographs, memorabilia, folk memories and artefacts, connected with the history of the town and the surrounding districts can be collected, preserved, displayed and consulted in a venue to the public.

This centre is also to be used to run a programme of events relating to the culture and heritage of the area’. With the establishment of the Centre, which was formally opened on 31st October 2015, the Society achieved this aim.

Since opening its doors the Centre has run a wide range of activities relating to the life of the local area. These range from lectures, exhibitions and workshops through to the establishment of an annual Agri-Show and Country Fayre, a Storytelling Festival and a Christmas Market.

An on-going project in the Centre is the collection of oral memories relating to the area and everybody is welcome to share their stories and experiences with us and so add to the store if information and knowledge about Maghera.

The Centre is committed to working with the local community in a completely open and inclusive way. We welcome everybody interested in the aims of the Centre to become involved and work with us towards preserving all that is best in Maghera’s past heritage while at the same time striving to improve the quality of life in the town today in an enjoyable way.

Categories
Past Events

Storytelling Festival


STORYTELLING FESTVAL
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Maghera’s first Storytelling Festival, ‘Come Here Till I Tell You’, took place on the 22nd and 23rd April 2016 in the Link. The event, which grew out of a conversation between James Armour, George Shiels and Liz Weir, was put together by the Maghera Historical Society, through the Heritage and Cultural Centre. The Festival was a huge success with over 700 people taking part in a range of activities and performances. For two days, story-tellers and performers from all over the province descended on Maghera to enthral and us with the help of local musicians – John Burns, James Bradley and Frupp legend, Vincent McCusker.

Liz Weir, a storyteller with a world-wide reputation, who is based in Cushendall worked closely with the Society to help organise the whole event and ensure its smooth running. Liz acted as MC for both evenings in the Link as well as delighting us with her stories. RoyArbuckle, Joe Brennan, Ian Coalter, Declan Forde, Steve Lally and our own George Shiels from the Crew, brought us stories, tales, myths, legends, poems and songs. Some were funny, some were sad and some nostalgic. All were entertaining and enjoyable and we are already looking forward to next year’s Festival.

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The children in three local primary schools also benefited from the Festival with Liz Weir and Steve Lally visiting Knockloughrim PS, Maghera PS and St. Mary’s PS. The children were introduced to stories old and new which encouraged creativity and the development of literacy skills in an enjoyable and fun way. Liz Weir held a family story-telling event in Maghera Library on Saturday morning, with the support of Librarian Carol O’Doherty, which was very well attended by parents with their young children. On Saturday afternoon, Earned Wisdom, a story-telling workshop was run by Pearl Hutchinson and Liz Weir in the Heritage and Cultural Centre. This gave guidance to those people wishing to put a structure and shape on their stories and memories for retelling and recording.

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Summing up, James Armour thanked all those who took part and said that he was delighted with the success of the Festival and that it was the first step in putting Maghera on the map as a centre for cultural events. In particular, he took time to thank the storytellers and musicians as well as everybody who had come to listen, Liz Weir and Maeve O’Neill for their organisation, Heather Boyd and the management of the Link for their helpfulness, and the Heritage Lottery Fund, Mid-Ulster District Council, Poetry Ireland, Libraries NI for their sponsorship.

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Categories
Publications

Maghera Times – June/July 2016

MAGHERA TIMES   Volume 1 No. 2   June/July 2016

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Articles featured in the magazine include:

Glenshane Pass – Past and Present, by Kevin Daly.

Dramatic Glenshane Pass has a long and chequered past going back hundreds of years to when it was a simple track over the mountains. Kevin Daly explores the legends, facts and people involved in its history.

Who We Are, by Mary Delargy.

Mary Delargy from the Linen Hall Library in Belfast gives us the background and origins of local surnames common in Maghera and its surrounding area.

Elemental Photography: Maghera and the Surrounding Countryside, by Martin McKenna

In this article Martin McKenna describes his passionate interest in observing and studying the night sky and also in recording extreme weather events.  Here he gives us stunning photographs of the skies over Maghera with explanations of the dramatic phenomena illustrated.

Maghera to the Falkland Islands, by John Burns.

In the 1960s Burns & Co. Estate Agents were appointed by the Falkland Island Trading Co. Ltd. to offer employment to Maghera men on the other side of the world. John Burns includes in his article the original prospectus prepared at the time describing the terms and conditions offered.

Niall of the Exotic Ancestors and the Innumerable Descendants, by Ita Marquess

Professor Dan Bradley, from Maghera, through his work on genome analysis has thrown new light on our early Irish ancestors and their origins. In this interesting and well-researched description of his findings Ita Marquess links us with our distant past.

Nottingham Forrest, by Benny Daly

Ever since he watched Nottingham Forest win the FA cup in 1959, Maghera man Benny Daly has been a loyal supporter of the club – even receiving the great Brian Clough’s personal badge as a gift when Forest visited Northern Ireland.

Grillagh Water House, by Maeve O’Neill

Patrick Bradley has designed and built this spectacular award-winning house just outside Maghera. The house was featured in the Chanel 4 programme Grand Designs with Kevin McCloud.

 Gatherin’ Spuds, by Kenneth Murray

In the 1950s farming was much more labour intensive. Kenneth describes how school children were employed on local farms during ‘the potato gathering holidays’ in October every year, remembering the work involved and the pride in earning real money.

Thomas Witherow 1824- 90; The Maghera Connection, by Peter Etherson

Professor Thomas Witherow was a highly respected minister to the Presbyterian Congregation in Maghera who went on to become a renowned author, a professor at Magee College and a senator of the Royal University of Ireland. Peter Etherson focuses on his early years and his links with Maghera.

The Plight of Farmers 2016, by Charlie Convery

The practice of farming is undergoing enormous changes at the moment with many young farmers trying to hold down a job while still keeping the family farm going. Charlie Convery compares this situation with the way farms were run in the recent past.

Cúpla Focail, by Séan O’Neill

Séan O’Neill looks at the influence Irish words have had on the language we use every day. He examines too, the connections between the Irish language and the emergence of American slang dating back to the late 19thand early 20th century. These links being due to the number of people who emigrated from here to the U.S.A. during that time

Maghera and the United Irishmen, Part II, by Joseph McCoy

Following on his article in issue 1 of Maghera Times, Joseph McCoy examines the aftermath of the 1798 rebellion in Maghera. He tells us what became of the principal people involved in the events of that troubled year and the legacy it left in the town.

The Market Yard: A Lost Way of Life, by Brendan Convery

With: Jackie Jones, Teresa Logue and Mary McKenna.

Inspired by an old photograph showing residents of the Market Yard over 60 years ago, Brendan Convery has pieced together memories and stories of this close-knit community.

The Beginnings of the Market Yard, by Brendan Convery and Maeve O’Neill

Using information from the Public Records Office Northern Ireland, Griffith’s Valuation and the early Census Returns a picture was put together of the beginnings of the Market Yard and the early residents of, what was then known as, ‘Wilson’s Square’.

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Publications

Maghera Times Nov/Dec 2015

MAGHERA TIMES   Volume 1 No.1    Nov./Dec. 2015

Articles featured in the magazine include:

When the Classics Ruled Tirgarvil, by Peter Etherson.

This is the story of the brilliant hedge school teacher and classical scholar, John McCloskey (1788-1876). From humble beginnings McCloskey went on to establish his own school in Tirgarvil which became renowned throughout the province for its excellence with many of its pupils becoming household names.

The 1914 War Records of Michael Convery, by Brendan Convery.

Local man Michael Convery served in the Great War. The article is based on Brendan Convery’s research into his grandfather’s experiences.

Language Decline and Rebirth in Maghera/Carntogher, by Niall Ó’Catháin

Carntogher is one of the few areas in the country which has reversed the decline of the Irish language. Here Niall Ó’ Catháin describes the vision behind the project.

Halycon Days, by Heather Wisener.

Here, in a warm and nostalgic article, Heather describes her happy memories of growing up in Maghera in the 1950s.

A Brief History of the Presbyterian Congregation of Maghera 1655-1865, by Denver Boyd

Denver Boyd has traced the history of the early Presbyterian Congregation in Maghera which includes such noted figures as Professor Thomas Witherow and the Rev. John Glendy.

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To the Ends of the Earth, By John Marquess

John Marquess left Maghera as a young man to join the Merchant Navy. This article chronicles his adventures as he travelled to the far-flung reaches of the globe.

Fair Faa Ye!  By Deirdre Speers Whyte

The Ulster-Scots tradition is re-claiming its pride and identity. Deirdre Speers Whyte explains the background to the culture and gives us some useful Ulster-Scots words for those days when ‘when you feel crabbit and the world has gone agley.’

 The Walled Garden, by Maeve O’Neill

Maghera has benefitted hugely from the restoration of the spectacular Walled Garden in the grounds of the Old Rectory. Maeve O’Neill gives the background of the project in a beautifully illustrated article.

Maghera: Now and Then, by Pat Rafferty

Local deltiologist (collector of old postcards) Pat Rafferty contrasts views of Maghera in the past with what the town looks like today.

Maghera and the United Irishmen, by Joseph McCoy

1798 was a troubled year in Ireland. Joseph McCoy examines the background to the rebellion locally and places it in a wider context.

The magazine also includes some humorous verse by George Shiels, information on the Historical Society and its events over the year, a note on the library and Maghera’s famous author Eve Bunting, and an advertising feature on local businesses describing their foundation and history in the town.

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Publications

Maghera Times by the MHS Heritage & Cultural Centre

Maghera Times’, published by the MHS Heritage & Cultural Centre, is a magazine focusing on the life and times of the people who live in Maghera and the surrounding districts. The idea behind the magazine is to include articles, stories, memories and pictures of Maghera past and present in a way that is interesting, informative and enjoyable to read. Our belief is that everyone has a story to tell and that it is just as important to chronicle the social history of an era as it is to record the major happenings of our times. As a matter of fact, for a local society such as ours, it is the everyday culture, customs and traditions that we need to capture and preserve. The wider picture is well documented through the media and by academic historians.

The magazine is well-presented, illustrated in colour throughout and sure to contain something of interest to anybody either living in the area or who may have connections with Maghera.

We welcome contributions for future editions – articles, notes, reviews, memoirs and information on people, places and events relating to Maghera and its surroundings. We cannot commit to publishing every article received for consideration, but do get in touch and discuss your ideas. Email: editormagheratimes@gmail.com

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Publications

Maghera Chapter & Verse. By George Shiels MBE

Publisher: Maghera Historical Society/Heritage & Cultural Centre, Maghera 2016

web-image-ch-v-001George Shiels is a poet and storyteller based in the Crew just outside Maghera. His work is based on local memories, tales and happenings and is a link back to the bardic tradition which once flourished in Ulster. George’s book grew out of a particular culture and a particular place and could not have been written anywhere else. It is strongly rooted in the traditions of the area.

George himself credits the Historical Society with encouraging him to prepare and gather the material for the book and explains the inspiration behind it.

“I hadn’t a serious notion of writing a book until I until I submitted a couple of pieces to the Maghera Historical Society’s magazine, Maghera Times, last year. Of course I had often bemoaned the fact that there was no permanent record of the stories that had given me pleasure and enjoyment over many years, and had lifted me when I was down occasionally. 

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The stories were jibbing through my head, but had to be written down, and so the serious work began. I was surprised and enthused at the latitude and scope that the written medium gave me in comparison with ‘telling’ the stories. The explanations and inflexions that presented overjoyed me. I am hoping that the enjoyment my reminiscences gave to me might be smittal and perhaps reach pandemic proportions!. . . .”

Finally, treasure your memories, and by all means write them down, for memories are what sustain us when we ponder during a quiet moment on a long winter’s night. Imagine how dreadful it would be if our memory was erased, like the hard drive on a computer. That is exactly what is increasingly happening as we live longer than our ancestors. Nowadays, more and more of our elderly citizens are contracting Alzheimer’s disease. I have therefore nominated the Alzheimer’s Society NI to benefit from the sale of this book.’