Lack Women's group, which has been going since 1997, recorded a unique milestone on Friday night when it officially opened their new centre, refurbished at a cost of £45,000-plus from what was Lack Orange Hall.

The centre is now leased to the cross-community group who use it two or three nights a week and is available for hire to other groups and for private hire for birthday parties and other family celebrations.

The bulk of the funding, £40,000 came from the Rural Development Council under its maximising community space programme.

Lack Women's Group had to raise £5,000, and are still fund-raising, although its chairman, Noelle Walker reported that it was well on the way to achieving that amount.

There was a huge attendance at Friday night's opening which was attended by Olga Gallagher, the director of programmes with the Rural Development Council.

She presented the Group with a memento plaque. Representatives of other funders present included Philomena McDermott of Airtricity and members of other community-based organisations which Lack women's group is involved with, the likes of Neville Armstrong, Carol Follis and Barry Boyle.

The local Church of Ireland rector, Rev Alan Capper also attended.

The compere for a very enjoyable social that followed the official part of the programme was Wesley Acheson.

Other officers of Lack Women's Group are - June McCutcheon (who could not attend), secretary and Caroline Walker, treasurer.