Her role is to promote the development of the local communities and get more people to take part in the many activities offered at the two centres.





“We have courses on everything from IT to yoga, bowls and crafts and cater for all ages, from senior citizens to mothers and toddlers,” explained Lynda. “My aim is to see the centres running to their best capacity and while summer is just round the corner, with the usual schemes for children, we’re also busy planning for September when we hope to introduce new courses such as ‘Slim and Trim’ and IT for beginners.



“Consultations are taking place with Richard Mealey of Sure Start with the aim of getting some early years programmes set up at the Mourneview centre.”

In her spare time Lynda likes to pop in to the gym at Waves with her daughter Jolynn.



Now living in Portadown, for three years Lynda taught scuba diving in the more exotic climes of the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands and had a pub and restaurant in England for four years. She still teaches scuba in the south of Ireland, but admits that diving in warm, clear waters is much more enjoyable!

If you could trade places with anyone else for the day who would it be and why?

Someone who presents a holiday show, that way I’d get to stay in beautiful hotels in amazing places all over the world.

Describe your perfect day...

Lying in a hammock on a tropical island beach with good wine, good food and good friends.

Have you any regrets in life?

Yes, that I didn’t pay more attention at school. I feel I wasted a lot of the opportunities that were available to me at the time.

If you could change your job what would you do instead?

I would like to be an archaeologist working in Egypt. I would just love to discover an untouched tomb.

Party animal or slouch potato?

Slouch potato I’m afraid.

What do you see yourself doing in 10 years time?

I would love to have enough money to take three months off and travel through India and China.

Who or what was the most influential force in your life?

My mum - she’s just an amazing woman and she taught me how to burn all food stuff to a crisp. Thanks Mum!

If you were stranded on a desert island what three things would you like to have with you?

A shopping mall, a restaurant and Mel Gibson. I would need Mel to help me while away the time when the shops are shut.

Would you describe yourself as competitive?

On some occasions yes. I think we all are, everyone wants to be the best at something.

Are you environmentally friendly?

Yes I do my bit for re-cycling. I turn off my electrical appliances rather then leaving them on standby and take my own bag for grocery shopping, it’s not much but every little counts.

Could you bear to be parted from your mobile phone for a day?

Yes definitely, sometimes it doesn’t feel like a convenience, it feels more like a tracking device.