The Kennedy's 50 years at Ballybogey Service Station

It cost just over 6000, a lot of money at the time. They had their savings and also borrowed some more from close relations.

Those same relations came the first day and helped to tidy the place up and make it habitable. There was no bathroom, the toilet was up the backyard behind the house and the electric wires were strung round the edges of the rooms.

However they both saw potential for this small petrol station at the crossroads from Ballymoney to Portrush and Coleraine to Ballycastle.

Margaret ran the shop, ably assisted by the late Eileen Millar and Violet McAuley.

Bertie McAuley, Violet's son, left school and started working in the garage with Johnnie. They repaired the local farmers' machinery, tractors, cars etc. Later Johnnie started selling machinery…. Fleming slurry tankers, (later Star tankers), Fraser and Ifor Williams trailers to name but a few.

In early 1960's, Brian and Norah- Anne were born.

The shop was a Family Foodstore franchise from Holmes Cash and Carry and from the very start the petrol station was in Esso colours.

In the 70's the shop was expanded and became a V.G. and a new showroom was built for the sale of cars, machinery and a lot of new and second hand Land Rovers. The house was also renovated and bedrooms and lounge added to the northern end.

Also in the 1980's Esso was pulling out of all the small privately owned petrol stations in Northern Ireland and the signs changed to Maxol.Margaret's mother, Mrs Cameron, became ill and required nursing at Ballybogey, which in addition to building up the shop, created a huge workload for Margaret who unfortunately developed rheumatoid arthritis and eventually had to retire.

They bought a house 6 miles away at Ballymacrea Road, Portrush and the shop was rented out for a time.

When Brian married Kay in 1988, they took over the shop again and expanded the premises a little. Sandra Stirling, a past employee of the old Family Foodstore, came back to manage the new venture. It then became a Vivo store.

Brian and Kay have been blessed with 2 children Christopher, who is now a supervisor in Centra Ballybogey, and Louise, who works there during her holidays from college.

Meantime Brian had secured the franchise for Gerni pressure washers. This was to lead to a move away from the repair of agricultural machinery and more into cleaning equipment. Within a few years, the giant cleaning equipment company Nilfisk, had bought Gerni in Denmark and this opened up the opportunity to sell a much larger range of cleaning equipment.

As we moved into the new millennium, despite the arrival of the large English supermarket chains, Brian decided that the local community needed the services of a local shop and it was decided to buy the Post Office next door and build a new larger supermarket on the site.

This is, of course, the Centra store complete with Post Office, that can be seen today. It was opened in 2003.

On the 29th October 2000, (Johnnie's birthday), at their home at Ballymacrea Road, Johnnie and Margaret were robbed and held for over an hour and a half. A short time later Johnnie was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He bravely fought this horrible disease, but passed away in May 2004. Many said it was the largest funeral they had seen in Ballyrashane Presbyterian Church, showing the high esteem in which he was held by the local community he had served for so long.

On 2nd July 2009, a son was born to Christopher and his partner, Tessa. His name is Isaac and just maybe, he will carry on Johnnie's legacy.

The latest addition to the site is the new "Toast Office", which will be officially opened at our 50th birthday celebration on Saturday 30th October. This will, of course, be an emotional experience for the family as it would have been the day after Johnnie's 80th birthday.

In 2010, for the first time in 50 years, brand new petrol pumps were purchased and a deal signed with local fuel distributor, Solo Petroleum.

We hope that the local population will join the staff and family, in 1960's fancy dress, (or Halloween fancy dress), as we celebrate our first 50 years in Ballybogey. There will be Bouncy Castles, Vintage Cars and Bikes, 1960's music, face painting etc. We will also hope to try and raise some cash for Centra's chosen charity, "Action Cancer" and Nilfisk Gerni's chosen charity, "Willies Orphans Fund"

The whole family would like to thank the local community for the support they have shown us over the years, through good times and bad.

Come on down on Saturday the 30th, for a good time………..Sorry, petrol won't be at 1960's prices!