Old photographs – Good Memories
Behind Stewart’s clothes shop in Strabane’s Lower Main Street three nights times a week we’d climb upwards on a rickety ladder.
Archie Jack’s weight lifting club was on the first floor.
He Lifted weights as if they were jelly babies
The Judo club was higher still. Holding on tight and keeping close to the wall we ascended a second ladder.
Soon we were in the rafters of the old building. It’s rattling small glass windowpanes looking down on the old men leaning over the Waterwall as they watch the soft flow of the River Mourne.
Our training ground lay before us – A canvas mat on a bed of sawdust chippings stretched as taunt as a trampoline – secured at each end for good measure.
I remember it was like falling flat on your back on a plank of wood. Every bone in the body vibrated when you impacted with it
Big John Rogan was first in command – Brian Houston a close second
Carmel Gallagher (O Neill) and I trained the senior woman and the juniors. We used to take the juniors jogging – down the Bog Road, past the old Gas Works at a sharp run – round in a circle and up the Derry Road. By that time their arms were full of daffodils from Baronhill House garden.
I’m glad we found that old photo in the paper. It has released a whole bag of memories that make me smile.
Gemma Hill 2018
Gemma Hill Writeyou Writeme 