Golden gran takes on the best in Britain: Ulster's sprightliest pensioner was looking forward to taking on competition from the rest of the United Kingdom, reported the News Letter in September 1980. Lisburn grandmother Mrs Lillian Hagan, 72, from Warren Gardens was awarded the regional final prize in the Legal and General Golden Years Award 1980. She had beat five other Ulster pensioners to get a chance of a trip to London for the final, judged by Sir John Mills, in November 1980 and a £5,000 prize. The News Letter reported that Mrs Hagan's life revolved around singing and icing cakes. She was a first soprano for Lisburn's Christ Church choir. But she was equally well know in Lisburn for her flair at icing extra special wedding and birthday cakes. She said: “I just started decorating cakes for fun, but people found out and now there's quite a demand.” The other finalist in the Northern Ireland included James Jenkins, 84, from Bangor, Hugh Crossey, 80, from Lurgan, Edward Tarleton, 71, from Armagh, Mrs EileenGolden gran takes on the best in Britain: Ulster's sprightliest pensioner was looking forward to taking on competition from the rest of the United Kingdom, reported the News Letter in September 1980. Lisburn grandmother Mrs Lillian Hagan, 72, from Warren Gardens was awarded the regional final prize in the Legal and General Golden Years Award 1980. She had beat five other Ulster pensioners to get a chance of a trip to London for the final, judged by Sir John Mills, in November 1980 and a £5,000 prize. The News Letter reported that Mrs Hagan's life revolved around singing and icing cakes. She was a first soprano for Lisburn's Christ Church choir. But she was equally well know in Lisburn for her flair at icing extra special wedding and birthday cakes. She said: “I just started decorating cakes for fun, but people found out and now there's quite a demand.” The other finalist in the Northern Ireland included James Jenkins, 84, from Bangor, Hugh Crossey, 80, from Lurgan, Edward Tarleton, 71, from Armagh, Mrs Eileen
Golden gran takes on the best in Britain: Ulster's sprightliest pensioner was looking forward to taking on competition from the rest of the United Kingdom, reported the News Letter in September 1980. Lisburn grandmother Mrs Lillian Hagan, 72, from Warren Gardens was awarded the regional final prize in the Legal and General Golden Years Award 1980. She had beat five other Ulster pensioners to get a chance of a trip to London for the final, judged by Sir John Mills, in November 1980 and a £5,000 prize. The News Letter reported that Mrs Hagan's life revolved around singing and icing cakes. She was a first soprano for Lisburn's Christ Church choir. But she was equally well know in Lisburn for her flair at icing extra special wedding and birthday cakes. She said: “I just started decorating cakes for fun, but people found out and now there's quite a demand.” The other finalist in the Northern Ireland included James Jenkins, 84, from Bangor, Hugh Crossey, 80, from Lurgan, Edward Tarleton, 71, from Armagh, Mrs Eileen

IN PICTURES: Through The Archives – looking back at the 1980s

Over lockdown we have been busy looking through the News Letter’s photographic archive and have picked out the best photographs from bygone days.

Here is another selection of old News Letter photographs from the 1980s.

There is fascinating photo from 1987 of Molly Wallace with her husband’s treasure trove of knick-knacks.

We also have an old photo from April 1986 of CND protestors outside the American Consulate when it was located in Queen Street.

And there is also a collection of old photos from December 1988 of workers at Shorts working on the 360 aircraft.

See who you might see from days gone by.

Do you have an old photograph that you would like to share? Email: [email protected].

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