The County of Fermanagh in Northern Ireland is home to the Joint Treasurers of the Otterburn Society, Alan Moore and Sammy Watson. The joint Treasurers soon agreed that the most appropriate place to host the forty-first annual conference of the Otterburn Society would be the town of Enniskillen.
The town of Enniskillen is located almost exactly in the Centre of the County of Fermanagh on a natural island that separates the Upper and Lower parts of Lough Erne.
Strategic military islands have played a significant role in Otterburn Conferences over the years. In early years, when Otterburn Conferences were held in the Northumbrian village of Otterburn, members would re-enact the great battle of Otterburn (19 August 1388) after their AGM. Members would form two groups representing for the Scots the Douglas’ and for the English the Percys’ and then go to battle.
The victorious team was the first that was able to cross the lake to the small island at Otterburn Hall and ignite a victory pyrotechnic.
The image of the Secretary of the Otterburn Society in full evening dress, up to his waist in water as he waded across to the lake, with ignited smoke grenade in one hand and a bottle of champagne in the other, is one that fondly remains in the hearts of members.
Members were particularly interested to learn, therefore, that Enniskillen derives its name from the Irish “Inis Ceithleann”. This refers to the mythological Irish goddess Cethlenn, who was apparently wounded in battle by an arrow and attempted to swim across the river Erne. Unfortunately, she never reached the other side, and therefore the island was named after her.
Members look forward to their trip to Featherstone Island next time their Otterburn conference is held in Northumberland.
The unique site for the town of Enniskillen being an island provided an ideal location for a medieval stronghold. This site was later developed to become Plantation Castle, and what has now evolved into the historic castle complex housing The Fermanagh County Museum and The Inniskilling Museum. Members visited the castle and the museums on the Friday of Otterburn.
Members enjoyed a guided tour of the museums. The history of the Inniskilling Fusiliers and Dragoons are imaginatively presented, and members were most interested.
You can follow in the footsteps of the members of the Otterburn Society on the Friday before Otterburn by making a personal virtual tour of the museums at Enniskillen here.
Enniskillen Castle made an excellent backdrop to the Standard of the Otterburn Society.
Members then proceeded to enjoy an excellent light lunch at the Jolly Sandwich Bar in the heart of Enniskillen.
In advance of the conference members had been provided with an agenda that included a “Race across the water” on the Friday afternoon of Otterburn.
Most members have canoed the short distance across the lake at Otterburn Hall, with and without glasses and / or shoes !
At Otterburn XXXVII members enjoyed punting on the Cam, a technique in which all members quickly became accomplished.
In addition, several members of the Otterburn Society are seasoned yachtsmen and the opportunity to compete in a small regatta during the Otterburn Conference was one that was looked forward to with keen anticipation.
Members were eagerly looking forward to what Treasurer Moore had arranged for the race, only to find themselves at the offices of Erne Adventures.
Members were immediately concerned about the lack of mechanically assisted propulsion methods at the site, and it quickly became obvious that members were going to be required to exert themselves! Erne Adventures provide hydrobikes.
The purpose of the afternoon’s competition was to cycle, on water, around the island.
Having donned suitable PPE in the form of life jackets, members were allocated their chariots. A hydrobike comprises what looks like a pair of small canoes, held together by a lightweight frame that also supports a saddle seat, peddles for propulsion and handlebars for steering.
Despite the opportunity for batteries in the hull that would have provided beneficial ballast for stability coupled with an electronic propulsion system that would have made for a most enjoyable time on the Lough, this opportunity had not been grasped.
Members headed out into the lough at what was, initially, quite an enjoyable pace. It quickly became apparent though that hydrabikes are particularly sensitive to cross currents and that, indeed, it is quite easy to go backwards whilst pedaling at full effort if facing directly against quite a modest current.
As lough Erne is tidal, members were unlucky to find that there are some very strong currents around the island, which was most concerning as the direction of the course around the island was such that it was necessary to transit through the narrowest part of the course and therefore the fastest current against the flow.
At least one member assumed that the race would not take place and we would be “waiting on tide” but, alas, this was not to be.
Despite this, all members successfully completed the race, except one who unfortunately lost his drive chain halfway around the island.
The race was closely fought, and the DoM only just failed to finish ahead of the Secretary despite techniques that would have normally not been allowed. Unknown to the Treasurer, Mr Featherstone had been in training most of the year for the Land’s End to John o’Groats cycle ride.
After a short rest, members boarded their taxi for the next activity that had been arranged by the treasurer for the Friday evening of Otterburn.
A tradition enjoyed by members of the Otterburn Society that dates back many years, was initiated on one of the first Fridays of Otterburn by the then Secretary of the Otterburn Society, Jeremy Featherstone. This tradition is the enjoyment of Gin & Tonics.
Otterburn in Enniskillen provided an excellent opportunity to revive this tradition and members had a most enjoyable evening at the Boatyard Distillery on the banks of Lower Lough Erne.
Explanation of the use of aromatics and the distillation process was punctuated by tastings resulting in a most relaxing evening.
The Boatyard distillery produces an excellent range of quality gins and members were able to sign and label their own bottle of Boathouse Gin, which would be later safely delivered to the residence of each member. The Treasures’ events manager, Penny, was on hand to co-ordinate delivery of the finished bottles.
Members then returned to Enniskillen for dinner.
Members then proceeded to enjoy one of the most famous and well recognised Victorian pubs in Ireland, The Blakes of the Hollow.
Members took to a small snug and excellent evening of Guinness, Irish whiskey and discussion followed.
The venue for the forty first annual conference of the Otterburn Society was the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel overlooking Lough Erne.
Members convened in the Erne Room on the Saturday of Otterburn for presentations.
Chairman of the Otterburn Society, Colin Sparkes, welcomed members to Enniskillen for Otterburn XLI.
Despite some minor technical challenges, members Flack and Beattie were able to participate remotely from the comfort of o’Flack’s bar in Wylam, Northumberland.
Dr Cooper joined from his office at home.
^ The Secretary resting his eyes following his success on the water whilst some technical issues were being addressed
Mr. Beck had forwarded his presentation in advance and this was broadcast as part of the proceedings.
An extremely high standard of presentations were made again in 2022, and members enjoyed a continuing theme in at least two presentations that had been inspired by presentations from previous years.
The Annual General Meeting was held before dinner
Chairman Sparks brought the AGM to order.
The accounts were presented by the joint Treasurer Mr Moore. These were accepted.
The Flack Challenge Cup was presented to Jeremy Featherstone as winner of the “Race across the water”.
The Wolfgang award was presented to Andrew Jordan.
JJR Featherstone was re-elected Secretary of the Otterburn Society.
Dr Mark Cooper was pleased to be elected Treasurer of the Otterburn Society.
Alan Moore and Sammy Watson were elected Joint Chairmen of the Otterburn Society.
There being no further business the members dressed for dinner and met for a champagne reception followed by an excellent dinner.
