Kathleen Ward continues to play a central role at the Flaxmill Centre in Drumduff, County Tyrone, as she approaches her 80th birthday.

The retired teacher has been involved with the community centre since 2000, when she was asked to become treasurer after retiring. She had previously taught maths and computer studies at Dean Maguirc College.

Ward runs the Silver Circle, a fortnightly gathering for older people that began in 2010. The group meets on Tuesday afternoons for tea and conversation, and members also take part in activities such as bocce and exercise.

She said staying active is important. "It’s good to keep busy and keep active, it helps you keep active physically and mentally," she said.

Ward also supports the Friday parent-and-toddler group known as Kathleen’s Club. The club provides a place for young families to meet.

The Flaxmill Centre is operated by Drumduff and Drumnakilly Community Association, which was established in 1992 to meet the social, educational and recreational needs of local people. Ward's husband, Paddy, was the original chairperson and helped buy land on the site of an old flaxmill in 1995. Construction of the current centre began in 2006 and was completed the following year.

Ward said the centre has been particularly important for rural residents since Drumduff Primary School closed three years ago after 87 years in operation.

She said the Covid pandemic showed how much people value in-person contact. "People were just chomping at the bit to get back," she said. "They just felt so isolated."

After activities resumed in 2022, Ward said she was surprised by how many people returned to the Silver Circle.

Shirley Rocks, who became involved in the centre at Paddy Ward's encouragement and now serves as chairperson, said Kathleen Ward handles many behind-the-scenes tasks. These include communicating with the church, organising the annual general meeting, and keeping in touch with the local council about funding opportunities.

Rocks has also brought in local fitness coaches Aaron Travers and Imelda McAteer to attract a wider range of participants. In 2024, Arts Council funding supported a mural at the centre, which was sketched by Sheila Byrne and painted by community members.

Ward said having a meeting place is important. "For people’s wellbeing it’s been crucial, across all generations," she said.