Viola and all, I love hearing all the wonderful stories of growing up in Fermanagh. My short trip there a few years was a highlight for me in my research. Meeting Vi was truly a wonderful experience and I will never forget all she did for me in locating my family in Derrylin. I had a lovely visit with my distant cousin, her husband, and her uncle who filled me in on the family. The land is still being farmed by the Cleary descendants, the footprint of the original home is still there with a newer one next to it. A one hundred fifty year old tree still stands in the pasture with a beautiful view of the hills. Definitely a memory I treasure and have shared with my family . I will definitely make a return visit ! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 23 May 2018 10:56:06 +0100 From: Viola Wiggins <vmaw3434@gmail.com> Subject: FERMANAGH-GOLD -Praities To: This list is for those researching their ancestors in Fermanagh and surrounding counties in Ireland <fermanagh-gold@rootsweb.com> Message-ID: <8945D153-2BEA-4B5A-83FA-DACF90195FDA@gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Robert, The mention of "Praities" evokes only one bright memory of when I met Joseph Locke in Leeds. His partner on that night had left her Gold Bracelet in the "Ladies Room" at a recording of "The Good Old Days" in the City Varieties, Leeds, and I handed it to the Commissionaire who later came to me and said a Gentleman wished to buy me a drink in the Bar. I accompanied him and the Gentleman was Joseph Locke! He thanked me kindly and we chatted over the Sherry. He enquired where I was from and I said. "From Enniskillen, where you trained in the R U C Depot and sang The Garden Where The Praities Grow at a Concert in the Townhall". "And how would you know all That?" "Because my Mother was at that Concert and that was her favourite song". Later for an Encore he sang that song " for a special lady in Ireland" I alerted my sister who had my mother seated before the TV to watch that broadcast not knowing she was The Special Lady. Viola ***********************************************