Latest news with #Belleek
BBC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Tommy Gallagher: SDLP politician dies at the age of 82
Tributes have been paid to the former SDLP assembly member Tommy Gallagher who has died at the age of 82.A prominent figure in the early years of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr Gallagher, played a significant role as part of the SDLP's negotiating team in the lead-up to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.A teacher for almost 30 years at St Mary's High School, Brollagh, near Enniskillen, he entered politics in the early 1970s, becoming a founding member of the was first elected as a councillor in 1989 and went on to represent Fermanagh and South Tyrone in the Northern Ireland Assembly between 1998 until his retirement in 2011. 'A constant force for good' The SDLP leader and MP for South Belfast, Claire Hanna, described him as "a towering figure" in Fermanagh and "a constant force for good" in his native Belleek."He leaves behind a lasting legacy not only in politics, but as a teacher, a GAA player and coach and someone who always worked for the betterment of his local community," Hanna said."His loss will be felt far across the political spectrum, such is the esteem he was held in by colleagues from all parties." She said the SDLP stalwart would be warmly remembered for the difference he made to the lives of the young people he taught and those he coached and played alongside over many years."Tommy got involved in the SDLP and politics at a very difficult time and he was rightly proud of the role he played as part of the SDLP team leading up to the Good Friday Agreement. "He did his part to deliver peace on this island and build a better future for our young people."
NZ Herald
28-04-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Waipukurau breeder Tony Thompson's passion for Simmental cattle and fine china
Starting out as a young farmer, he pivoted into veterinary medicine, becoming the first graduate of Massey University 's veterinary school. His education, partly funded through shearing, eventually took him to Cambridge, England, where he specialised in embryology and became an expert in embryo transfer, a skill that would prove transformational for his future in farming. In the late 1960s, a visit to Switzerland's Simmental Valley with his wife, Glennis Thompson, marked a turning point. Enchanted by the robust, creamy-faced cattle of the region, they returned to New Zealand and established their own stud. Merging their names, Glennis and Tony created Glen Anthony, a name that now carries a 50-year legacy in New Zealand beef breeding. Thompson's farm spans 93 hectares (230 acres), a scaled-down version of the 202ha (500-acre) property they once ran in Ongaonga. With a more manageable herd of 70 cows, Glen Anthony now produces around 20 bulls for sale each year. This season, Thompson has moved the sale forward to May, taking advantage of a newly available slot following the retirement of another breeder. A strong advocate for animal welfare, he prioritises easy calving and calves his heifers at 3 years of age, going against the prevailing industry trend of calving at 2. 'You've got to think of the animal,' he said. 'Too many times, I was called in as a vet after poor decisions were made. 'I'd rather avoid the problem than fix it.' Thompson's dedication to innovation also led him to take up embryo transfer in the 1980s. After attending a course in Australia, he applied non-surgical techniques to improve beef genetics in New Zealand. He has worked with breeds such as Charolais and Wagyu, developing high-quality herds through precise selection and reproductive expertise. Mentorship has become another cornerstone of Thompson's legacy. Over the years, he has supported countless young people through Future Beef and national cattle shows. Many have gone on to become vets, farmers and breeders, inspired by their hands-on experiences with his cattle. Beyond the paddocks, Thompson's home reveals a surprising second passion: Irish china. Since 2013, he has built an impressive collection of Belleek porcelain, an interest he once shared with his late wife, Glennis Thompson. Today, 'The China Museum', as he calls it, boasts 40 display cabinets and is a passion he now lovingly shares with his partner, Laurelle Crosby. Despite his age, Thompson remains active on the farm, supported by Grant Latimer, a former client turned colleague. From pioneering embryo work to mentoring the next generation, Thompson's legacy is not only measured in ribbons or accolades but in the lives and cattle he's helped shape. – RNZ
