Post by Harry on Jun 19, 2008 9:54:39 GMT
Poppy Day bomb grief mars joy of new Miss NI
« Previous « PreviousNext » Next »View GalleryPublished Date: 18 June 2008
By Staff reporter
IT should have been the happiest moment of her life, but elation was tinged with sadness as the new Miss Northern Ireland took her crown.
Judith Wilson beamed on Monday night as she was named the new face of Ulster – but behind the smiles was a yearning for congratulations from her bomb hero grandad.
The beauty queen was only a toddler in 1987 when a no-warning IRA blast ripped throADVERTISEMENTugh a Poppy Day service in Enniskillen, killing her young aunt and seriously injuring her grandfather, Gordon Wilson.
He later told how his 20-year-old daughter had died beside him in the rubble of the explosion, clutching his hand and speaking her last words: “Daddy, I love you very much.”
But less than 24 hours after the explosion, Mr Wilson put aside his grief and offered eloquent words of forgiveness for the killers.
Music teacher Judith, 22, said: “Grandad was a real inspiration to everyone who knew him. At the time of the tragedy, I didn’t know really what had happened. I just remember a lot of chaos.
“I always found it amazing how he was able to carry on after losing his daughter.
“I know he’d be delighted I’ve won Miss Northern Ireland. I just wish he could tell me.”
Mr Wilson’s plea for peace in the wake of the bomb saw him rise him to international fame, and he was voted into the Irish parliament.
He died of a heart attack in 1995, aged 68, after meeting paramilitaries in a bid to bring an end to violence.
Judith said her grandad’s words of forgiveness were a great legacy.
She added: “Looking back on the violence, it’s amazing how far we’ve come – and some of that’s down to granda.”
Senator Wilson’s widow, Joan, has constantly been on the phone to Judith.
Judith said: “Ever since I won, granny hasn’t been off the phone. She’s really proud.”
Unlike her grandmother, the beauty queen’s life has been largely untouched by the Troubles.
As well as teaching music at Foyle and Londonderry College, she is involved in a top Ulster ice cream business with her boyfriend.
Judith met entrepreneur Gareth Grey – who makes the luxury Tickety-Moo range at his family farm – in her home town. Judith said: “I’m really his main taster, offering him new ideas.”
But she’ll have to stay off the treats to keep her figure, as part of the prize is entry into the 2008 Miss World contest.
Judith will travel to the Ukraine in October for a month-long, all expenses-paid trip to compete against 120 other beauties.
In the meantime, she’s trying to cope with an endless whirl of photoshoots and interviews on only a few hours sleep. She beat off 24 hopefuls to be named the winner at around midnight on Monday, taking the crown from Melissa Patton.
Judith said she hopes to fit in some substitute teaching in between the endless modelling work and promotions she will be doing this year.
In the short term, she’s got her sights set on catching some sleep.
“I can’t wait to go and flop on the sofa at home,” she said. “I don’t think it’s quite sunk in.”
« Previous « PreviousNext » Next »View GalleryPublished Date: 18 June 2008
By Staff reporter
IT should have been the happiest moment of her life, but elation was tinged with sadness as the new Miss Northern Ireland took her crown.
Judith Wilson beamed on Monday night as she was named the new face of Ulster – but behind the smiles was a yearning for congratulations from her bomb hero grandad.
The beauty queen was only a toddler in 1987 when a no-warning IRA blast ripped throADVERTISEMENTugh a Poppy Day service in Enniskillen, killing her young aunt and seriously injuring her grandfather, Gordon Wilson.
He later told how his 20-year-old daughter had died beside him in the rubble of the explosion, clutching his hand and speaking her last words: “Daddy, I love you very much.”
But less than 24 hours after the explosion, Mr Wilson put aside his grief and offered eloquent words of forgiveness for the killers.
Music teacher Judith, 22, said: “Grandad was a real inspiration to everyone who knew him. At the time of the tragedy, I didn’t know really what had happened. I just remember a lot of chaos.
“I always found it amazing how he was able to carry on after losing his daughter.
“I know he’d be delighted I’ve won Miss Northern Ireland. I just wish he could tell me.”
Mr Wilson’s plea for peace in the wake of the bomb saw him rise him to international fame, and he was voted into the Irish parliament.
He died of a heart attack in 1995, aged 68, after meeting paramilitaries in a bid to bring an end to violence.
Judith said her grandad’s words of forgiveness were a great legacy.
She added: “Looking back on the violence, it’s amazing how far we’ve come – and some of that’s down to granda.”
Senator Wilson’s widow, Joan, has constantly been on the phone to Judith.
Judith said: “Ever since I won, granny hasn’t been off the phone. She’s really proud.”
Unlike her grandmother, the beauty queen’s life has been largely untouched by the Troubles.
As well as teaching music at Foyle and Londonderry College, she is involved in a top Ulster ice cream business with her boyfriend.
Judith met entrepreneur Gareth Grey – who makes the luxury Tickety-Moo range at his family farm – in her home town. Judith said: “I’m really his main taster, offering him new ideas.”
But she’ll have to stay off the treats to keep her figure, as part of the prize is entry into the 2008 Miss World contest.
Judith will travel to the Ukraine in October for a month-long, all expenses-paid trip to compete against 120 other beauties.
In the meantime, she’s trying to cope with an endless whirl of photoshoots and interviews on only a few hours sleep. She beat off 24 hopefuls to be named the winner at around midnight on Monday, taking the crown from Melissa Patton.
Judith said she hopes to fit in some substitute teaching in between the endless modelling work and promotions she will be doing this year.
In the short term, she’s got her sights set on catching some sleep.
“I can’t wait to go and flop on the sofa at home,” she said. “I don’t think it’s quite sunk in.”
