Women’s group pays tribute to former president at Omagh event

‘STRONG women, stronger world’ was the powerful theme of Inner Wheel Club of Omagh’s special lunch held recently to celebrate the group’s 45th anniversary.

Held at the Silverbirch Hotel, the Friendship Lunch was dedicated to President Janet Howard who, unfortunately, passed away just two weeks before her many months of planning came to fruition in a wonderful celebration of the club’s history.

Inner Wheel members from across Ireland were joined by women leaders of community groups and charities across the Omagh area.

The 65 guests were treated to the music of the superb Culmore Swing Combo during the welcome reception, where all enjoyed milling about seeing friends of old and making new friends.

Secretary Cathy McCaul, standing in for President Janet Howard, welcomed all to the beautifully-decorated Drumragh room at the Birches which was decked out in the Inner Wheel’s famous colours of blue and yellow.

After a minute’s refection for Janet, the celebrations began with a brief history of Inner Wheel and an explanation of its primary object of friendship with service.

Judith de Fleury, Inner Wheel district chair brought greetings from the district and provided a light-hearted history of interesting facts about Omagh.

Founder members in attendance played pivotal roles during the lunch; Barbara Eakin said Grace recognising how fortunate we are; Edith Hadden MBE lit the friendship candle alongside Judith and together they cut the celebration cake; Katharine Wilson gave the vote of thanks to our guests.

The guests enjoyed a wonderful buffet lunch which is a long-standing tradition of Inner Wheel – in fact the Omagh club was famous across Ireland for its friendship lunches in the days when the members prepared and served the food themselves.

The guest speaker was Kim Kelly, editor of Local Women magazine, who is is also a broadcaster and news reader and the founder of Mighty Women NI.

After a delicious dessert, the guests received a present of a commemorative book of the 45 years of Inner Wheel in Omagh which documents the role that the club played and still plays in the local community and in support of local, national and international charities.

l Inner Wheel members in Omagh would be delighted to welcome new members who want to join like-minded women of action who enjoy having fun while doing good. The club can be reached at omaghinnerwheel@gmail.com.