Sprightly cynthia, 81, is a real computer whizz 'kid'

Catherine jonescjones@c-dm.co.uk

AFTER two hours of playing table tennis, Cynthia Snowden likes tosit down at her computer and create YouTube videos for the internet.

Cynthia is very agile, very active and very keen on technology.She is also 81 years old.

"I'm certainly not 'playing' with a computer," she said.

"I have owned a computer since the 1980s, and I'm more or lessself taught. I'd be lost without it."

The former maths teacher, who was born and bred in Appledore, nowlives in Northam where she has both a laptop and a desktop computer.

She said: "I've always been into technology from the word go.

"I did my first YouTube video about three years ago. Everyone wastalking about YouTube at that time."

Cynthia is also a keen photographer and has stored 40,000 of herpictures on her computer. They range from old family photos to avisit to a BBC Antiques Roadshow and the arrival of a shippingvessel at Bideford Quay.

She uses these photos to create slideshow videos, which she thensets to music.

"It's like an artist or an actor, it's the achievement of puttingthings together. It's a challenge and once I get involved I forgeteverything else."

She uses eBay and also likes to find good deals on the internet,amazing her friends with her ability to find Pounds 9 a night hotelrooms.

"If there's a bargain I go for it," she said.

Cynthia has seen huge changes in technology over the years.

Her first computer a Vic20, could only store 20kb of information,the equivalent of two letters.

But she doesn't feel the need to keep up with every new gadget.She hasn't joined Facebook or Twitter, and she hardly ever uses hermobile phone.

"I have a phone which I use for emergencies, but I do not text,surprising as it may seem. I just don't need to.

"And I don't buy anything unless I know I need it. There is adifference between need and want."

But she admits that if she was a bit younger, she would probablybe keeping up with the latest equipment.

"I was born before my time, and yes, I think this would have beenthe age for me to live in."

And the table tennis? It certianly helps to keep her fit. SinceOctober she started playing with a U3A club, but she was a keenplayer in her younger days.

Despite her senior age Cynthia insists she "isn't any slower"than her fellow players.

"I'm as fast as anyone and can get down on my knees to fetch theball when it goes under a radiator."