Drumgooland marks half a century of service
Drumgooland Parish, Ballyward, recently came together to warmly applaud Mrs. Lily Singer. 2010 marks the 50th year of her service as Hon. Secretary to the Select Vestry and she was also a member of the Select Vestry for a year before that.
Lily came into the parish as a bride in the time of the Rev Michael Roycroft and since then has served with 9 rectors the latest being Rev David Somerville who planned the service and presentation. He explained that Lily is the hub of the parish and the driving force behind social events. Her keeping of the minutes for the select vestry is as precise as it is detailed, and that has been so since she began in 1959.
During the service John Quinn, the Parish Treasurer, and someone with over forty years service to the select vestry himself, paid tribute to Lily with his recollections of her early years. He spoke of the priceless contribution she made over her very long time here.
Previous Rector, and former Archdeacon of Dromore, Rev. William Neill was the guest preacher and he presented Lily with a writing desk and chair on behalf of the select Vestry. It was felt that a writing desk was appropriate as this wasn't a retirement gift. She will be able to use the desk to conduct business for the parish in the future.
Lily admitted to being just a little bit surprised at the events in Ballyward that morning. She was delighted at how the Select Vestry and congregation showed their appreciation and spoke of how her home, Gargary House on the Castlewellan Road in Ballyward, has a long record of service to Drumgooland Church.
Her Husband’s Grandmother, the late Mrs Margaret Singer, played the church organ for 40 years while living there, Lily’s husband, the late Mr Jimmy singer played the same organ for 55 years, her Son Andrew has been on the select vestry for 27 years and if you add all that together with Lily’s 50 years service it comes to a grand total of 172 years. I think you’ll agree it is quite an achievement.
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(Back row) left to right - former Archdeacon of Dromore (retd.) Billy Neil, Rector's Church Warden David Gamble.
(Middle row) People's church Warden Joyce Quinn, Hon Treasurer John Quinn, Rector of Drumgath and Drumgooland Rev David Somervlle
(Front row ) and in pride of place with the desk and chair presentred to her is Mrs Lily Singer Hon Secretary to Drumgooland Select Vestry
Article and photo courtesy of David Somerville, Rector of Drumgath & Drumgooland