Happy Friday, reader, and welcome to another instalment of Society Diary’s interview series in which the great and the good of the charity sector are mercilessly held to account via 10 whimsical questions.
Stepping up to the plate this week is Linda Yates, corporate development manager at the Principle Trust Children’s Charity in Skipton, north Yorkshire.
Yates was quizzed on topics including slides, darts and children’s books. You can read our conversation below.
As someone who has worked in Scotland and northern England, what’s your favourite deep-fried food?
“I'm afraid I'm not a fan of deep-fried food. Sorry to kill the stereotype.”
You enjoy walking in nature. What’s the best bit of nature you’ve ever walked in?
“About 20 years ago I took part in a sponsored walk in China for the National Deaf Children's Charity, and I walked 100km along the Great Wall of China, to the North East of Beijing, and crossed into Mongolia. It was an amazing experience in a very different landscape. My memories of that walk are still so clear.”
What’s the worst thing about being a grandmother?
“Not being able to spend more time with my grandchildren because I work full time. They are growing up too fast.”
If you wrote a children’s picture book, what would it be about?
“I'd write a story about children who grow up to be kind, considerate, confident adults, who remember to have fun, even when they are old and grey! I am very much a ‘When I Grow Old, I will Wear Purple’ type.”
What would your darts entrance music be?
“I think Confident by Demi Lovato would be a dramatic and inspiring song to make an entrance to.”
When was the last time you went down a slide?
“About six months ago! I love a slide and don't think being an adult should exclude you from launching yourself down a slide and landing in a heap at the bottom (We call them a chute in Scotland), especially if it makes your almost teenage grandchildren groan with embarrassment.”
What’s the longest film you’ve ever sat through?
“Dune. Awful movie. Sorry to the cult followers. Followed quite closely by the Curious Case of Benjamin Button. “
Who was your childhood hero?
“It sounds a bit clichéd but when I was younger my Dad was my hero. He had a really good sense of humour and made everyone laugh at parties, he could play any pop song on the piano after hearing it only once, and I always thought he looked impressive in his RAF uniform.”
What’s the latest you’ve ever gone to bed?
“As a student I stayed up all night to rewrite an essay that was due in that day, after the floppy disc I had saved my essay to became corrupt. That shows my age!
“I have also stayed up all night partying too. When I lived on Shetland, it stays light all night at the summer solstice, so we had BBQs, marathons, golf tournaments and parties that started at midnight and went right through till breakfast time. Just as well it only happened one night a year!”
Are you scared of anything?
“I don't want to look back and have regrets about things I haven't done when it's too late to do anything about it.”
