Do you remember when . . . Honoured farmer was first female president of YFC

It was the first time in more than 100 years that the town’s first citizen was accorded the honour whilst still in office.

It was Mr. McKay’s third term of office. He had been a councillor in Larne since 1947.

The local optician and pharmacist was also vice chairman of the East Antrim Hospital Management Committee and Moyle Hospital Committee, chairman of Larne Chemists’ Association and member of the General Health Services.

He was also a member of Larne Rotary Club and Abbeyfield Association, past chairman of Northern Ireland Optical Society and Captain of Larne Golf Club.

Another local recipient was Miss Joan Dobbs from Muttonnburn Farm, in Ballycarry, who was awarded an OBE for services to agriculture.

Miss Dobbs was the first female president of the Young Farmers’ Club of Ulster.

She was also president of the Templecorran branch (Ballycarry) of the Larne Division of the Unionist Association.