The May meeting of the Bellaghy Historical Society took the form of a film presentation by Ms Meabh McCaffrey of the NI. Film and Television Commission.

Film footage of Belfast dating back as far as 1897 was shown giving a fascinating insight into the days of horse drawn trains and illustrating the hustle and bustle of horse drawn traffic and people to be seen on Queens Bridge and Castle Place at that time, Shots of Coleraine in days long past were shown and a glimpse into the fun of the Old Lammas Fair in Ballycastle.

In another short film men were to be seen spinning and working in the harvest while ladies were filmed embroidering and making butter in the home industries of the past. The process of flax growing was illustrated and finally a short film called Keep the Party Going relating to wakes provided an amusing insight into the tradition of Irish country wakes.

Meabh McCaffrey of the NI. Film and Television Commission was the guest speaker at the May meeting of the Bellaghy Historical Society

Meabh McCaffrey’s talk was preceded by a short A.G.M. In the election of Office Bearers for the following year the results were as follows:

Chairperson: Mrs Mary Breslin.

Hon. Secretary: Mrs Patricia Lowry.

Hon. Treasurer: Mrs Patricia Henry.

Committee:

Mrs Margaret Evans,
Mrs Ena Hammond,
Mr. Dermot Keenan
Mr Ossie Leslie,
Mr. Sam Overend
Mr Seamus McErlean

An outing has been planned for 17th June to go to The St Patrick Centre in Downpatrick for a guided tour of 1500 years of History in St. Patricks Country Members who were not present at the meeting but who wish to go on the outing should telephone the Secretary at 028 7938 6413

The new officers and committee of Bellaghy Historical Society who were elected at the May meeting. Chairperson: Mrs Mary Breslin. Hon. Secretary: Mrs Patricia Lowry. Hon. Treasurer: Mrs Patricia Henry. Committee: Mrs Margaret Evans, Mrs Ena Hammond, Mr. Dermot Keenan Mr Ossie Leslie, Mr. Sam Overend and Mr Seamus McErlean