Spring is here!

Eva and Malcolm Patterson enjoy the display of snowdrops and crocus' at their Barban Hill home with cats Paddy and Pepper.

Patterson's garden at Barban Hill, Dromore, is awash with the colours of snowdrops and crocus'.

Paddy the cat makes it's way through the mass of crocus' in Patterson's garden at

Barban Hill, Dromore.

50 Happy Years!

Lily and Tom Crookshanks celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary recently with family and friends at a reception in Dromore Rugby Club. The happy couple requested no gifts but rather a voluntary donation to their chosen charities - Mountvale Nursing Home and Dromore NSP Church Building Fund. They were delighted to count in excess of £1300 at the end of the night - with more to come in!

Tom and Lily were married on 19 March 1960 in Bann Road Presbyterian Church by the late Rev Hugh Moore. They honeymooned in Bournemouth, flying from Nutts Corner to Heathrow on tickets which cost £100 each.

Church Square, Banbridge

Church Square, Banbridge

Most visitors to Banbridge will recognise the town's Church Square. Linking the Dromore, Lurgan and Castlewellan Roads the square has at it's centre, the Crozier Monument. Banbridge town's most famous son was probably Captain Crozier of North West Passage fame who was born in 1796 at a large house, also in the the Square. Around the square one can also view the Masonic Hall, Holy Trinity Parish Church, the former police station, and the Coach Inn.

The Crozier Monument

Below I've included an alternative view of Church Square. I was photographing my good friend, Charlie Graham for his poetry book, "With Love As Always" and decided to photograph from Ballymoney Hill and use the town as a background. Traffic can be seen in Church Square in the distance. 

Charlie Graham published his book of poetry, "With Love, As Always"

Comments are welcome, below.

What will you get your mother for Mother's Day?

A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest. ~Irish Proverb

Some suggestions you might like to consider:

something to eat....

something to wear....

perhaps a trinket....

maybe take her for a drive....

don't forget to call her....

and show her how happy you are....

get yourself over there....

you know it will be worth it....

how far will you go?

Capture the moment....family photographs

by Drew McWilliams LSWPP

Pre-wedding celebration?

I was photographing out along the Banbridge Road on Saturday evening. It had been a lovely day - not before time, given the winter we've had to endure. The sun was shining, the town was basking in the glow, and people were enjoying a walk past Dromore Town Park. Gradually, through the peace and tranquillity of the day was heard the repeated, pumping of car horns in the distance.

As the sound got nearer, a 4x4 vehicle with a trailer passed and as the driver noticed me with my camera, slowed down to allow me to view these two poor creatures whose only crime seems to be that they are to marry imminently. Sodden, bound and paraded through the streets - they didn't seem to be enjoying the view!

Where does this "tradition" come from? How does this "help" the couple celebrate their decision to spend a lifetime together? I don't know of any couple who sit down together on a wedding anniversary and re-live, through photos and laughter, such kidnapping and humiliation. Thankfully I missed out on this particular tradition thirty one years ago!

What about you? Leave a comment....

Cooke finds it too hot in Dromore

Dromore ran out comprehensive winners in this Kukri Qualifying League match at Barban Hill between Dromore and Cooke. Officials from both clubs enjoyed a fantastic lunch in the clubrooms before the game, sponsored by Trevor Hanna and Alistair Thompson. But from the first whistle, Dromore was determined to push for a win and a possible third place finish in the league. Dromore won 60-17.

Gareth Martin touches down

Johnny Murray powers through

The flying Tom Finn

Gareth Martin in action

You may leave your comments below and view the full set of images at Dromore V Cooke RFC.

90 years young!

Ted Carey, the President of Skeogh Flute Band recently enjoyed his 90th birthday. He joined the band in 1928 and, all being well, when the band turns out on the 12th of July morning to lead Skeagh LOL861 to "The Field" Ted will celebrate 82 years a member!

A former bass drummer with the band, Ted chats to members of Skeogh Flute Band drum corps when the band turned up at his house to celebrate his 90th birthday - 82 of them as a band member.

Do you think Ted needed any tuition?

Ted joined the band

Ted Carey - respected, admired and loved

The full set of images may be viewed at Skeogh Flute Band.

Why not add a comment below?

Dromore Churches

I was photographing the lovely ladies of Dromore to mark Women's Day of Prayer in Dromore Methodist Church and realised that I've photographed most of the fine church buildings in the town.

Dromore Methodist at Maypole Hill

The Tower Door at Dromore Cathedral

St Colman's RC Church

The beautiful interior of St Colman's

Dromore Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church in Rampart Street

First Dromore Presbyterian Church at the top of Pound Hill

Back to school!

I was invited to talk about my work to Applied Business Studies students at Banbridge High School. The pupils were particularly interested in the setting up and maintaining of a small business - they each intend setting up their own business as part of their course. After discussing challenges, difficulties and finance, I talked about the professional advice and support that I've received, as well as my satisfaction and successes.

I have received on-going support from the Banbridge Enterprise Centre since completing the "Go for it" programme in 2007. My membership of the Society of Wedding and Professional Photographers (SWPP) has been central to my photographic expertise and also my business expansion. Personal and social networking though both organisations have been particularly helpful to me.

The students were very attentive and enjoyed a number of slideshows of my work and a display of prints. After discussing something of how I go about photographing a subject, we finished off with a short portrait session with a few of the young people who didn't have to go on to other classes.