LISNASKEA HISTORICAL SOCIETY TRUSTEES REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 30/4/2025
Charity Regd. Northern Ireland: NIC107828
Charity address: Coolcrannel Square, Maguiresbridge, Co. Fermanagh, BT94 4RE
Committee (as from AGM 22/10/2024): Chairperson — Linda Swindle; Secretary - Victoria Herbert; Treasurer — Eric Graydon; Vice-Chairperson - Russell Storey; Minutes Secretary - Kathleen Cassidy; Public Relations Officer - Nuala Reilly; Hospitality Provider — Elaine Fawcett; and President - John Cunningham.
Note: 1/5/2024-28/8/25 Chairperson — George Elliott, Hospitality Provider — Anne Elliott, from 1/5/202422/10/2024 at AGM — Treasurer — Linda Swindle.
Objectives and Aims - The Society has been established for the benefit of the people of Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh, without distinction of age, sex, race, political or religious persuasion, by associating with inhabitants in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities to learn, discuss and share heritage and history in a friendly atmosphere.
The beneficiaries are the members of the society and the general public who attain an increased awareness of the varied traditions that go to make up the present, and gain knowledge of the experiences of people in former generations. There is no private benefit from the activities of the society and no payments are made to members who volunteer their help with the programme of events (excepting incidental benefits). We are a welcoming society whose members are adults, predominantly elderly, sharing a common interest in local history.
The public benefits that flow from any presentations, research or publication of any articles of local interest by society, raises community awareness of their heritage and traditions, thereby encouraging others to engage in a similar process by helping local people develop skills and knowledge. Asa rural community, isolation is a huge concern, especially among our membership of mainly older persons. Our activities are aimed at helping those feeling isolated, by providing a regular, safe, friendly place to meet and learn together, assisting their mental health and well-being. Other public benefit arises from interaction via our Facebook page where people actively engage by connecting and sharing their known oral history, photographs and interact with historical items highlighted. Queries are dealt with via social media, emails, and in person, assisting in both family history and local history research as time permits, often resulting in sharing our rich history further afield. We liaise regularly with other local groups and charities, so building awareness and connectedness.
The charity hosted seven monthly heritage talks (now on third Tuesday evenings) for the general public in the Castle Park Centre, Lisnaskea on various topics, attendance ranging from 25-45 persons. We arranged outdoor annual events where public can enjoy fresh air, aiding health and well-being. In May 2024 we hada local heritage tour of NT Crom Castle Estate, led by head ranger Roisin Black, which was well attended by members/public. In June 2024 we held our largest educational event, now an annual Olde Tyme Market Day involving 3x local Primary Schools in the Commarket Yard, Lisnaskea. The expenses for this event include hire of venue, hire of demonstrators, PL insurance, etc. In August 2024 our former chair, George Elliott hosted a tour of 3x historic local holy wells, ‘Well, Well, Well’ which was very well received/attended and for which he was awarded 2024 National Heritage County Award, on behalf of the charity. In September 2024 we supported EHOD NI, with society members hosting a heritage walk/talk tour of our ancient Graveyard at Aghalurcher, Lisnaskea with 20 attendees.
Minutes are taken and agreed/signed at talk and committee meetings, recording our wide-ranging responsibilities and activities. Training: Elaine, hospitality provider, attended a Safefood Course in November 2024 ensuring we stay abreast of current food safety guidelines. Our society publication for public benefit, ‘Lough Head Revealed is available from McBrien's Newsagents Lisnaskea and Enniskillen Castle online bookshop. OTMD donations received from Fairs & Markets Committee £250 and Kettyles Irish Foods £100, helped offset costs. Grant funding was received from DAERA RCMGS to purchase equipment (£623) and from RSPB to assist with future maintenance management of heritage panel and bench erected during the NHLF supported Lough Head Project (£102).
Jur 2024 AGM was held in the Castle Park Centre, Lisnaskea on 22 October 2024. Members above were duly elected. We welcomed Elaine Fawcett as Hospitality Provider and Eric Graydon as Treasurer, said adieu to George and Anne Elliott on them stepping down from their roles of Chair and Hospitality Provider respectively and re-elected Linda, sidestepping roles from Treasurer to Chair.
Opening Bank Bal. @ 01.05.2024 £ 3,846.96 Petty Cash in hand @ 01.05.2024 £17.63 Income: £ 2,161.51 Expenditure: £ 2,877.67 Profit/Loss: £ -716.16 Closing Bank Bal. @ 30/04/2025 £3,220.80 Closing Cash Bal. @ 30.04.2025 £300.96
Closing Bank Bal. @ 30/04/2025 £3,220.80 (Reconciliation: 1x O/S chq -£90 = Actual Bank Balance £3, 130.80)
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