ANNUAL DISPLAY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 298, 28 September 1938, Page 2

ANNUAL DISPLAY

PHYSICAL TRAINING CLUB. DEMONSTRATION IN ASHBURTON. After six months’ regular weekly practice and several preparatory demonstrations in different parts of tlio County, the 'St. Andrew’s Physical Training Club held their fifth annual display in the St. Andrew’s Hall last evening. A packed house was treated to a most entertaining programme, for besides the items by the club, contributions to the evening’s performance were made by several other gymnastic organisations. The co-operation of the St. Andrew’s Basketball Club, the KeepFit Class, and the Salvation Army Club indeed added greatly to the success of the display. That every performer in the wide range of items had trained earnestly and thoroughly for the presentation was evident throughout the programme, for each piece was gone through without a hitch, although, unfortunately, for lack of time, a few of the items had to be curtailed. Much of the credit for the success of the display must go to the instructors of the various clubs, particularly Mr A. Calder, of the St. Andrew’s Club, who arranged the programme and trained the men performers. Although the whole programme was very well received and it is difficult to pick out any item outstanding from the others, perhaps the most popular performances were those of the girls when they appeared in songs in character. The first, “To a Miniature,” was beautifully presented and the performers clothed in colourful period costumes won w r ell-deserved applause from the audience. Their second presentation along the same lines was also greatly appreciated. The men gave a polished display of mat-drill, tumbling, wands, exercises, parallel bar exhibitions, pyramids, vaultinghorse and dumb-bell drill. The club-swinging item by the Salvation Army girls was also very well put over. Between the items the antics of three clowns provided an enjoyable diversion. The programme gave an excellent idea of the activities of the various clubs and well demonstrated how earnestly the work of physical training is being taken up by the youth of Ashburton. This was the fifth display since the inauguration of the St. Andrew’s Physical Training Club, which with increasing yearly membership is extending its range of physical culture operations and which in future years may ho expected to stago demonstrations as successful as that of last evening.

The programme was as follows: — Opening pyramids, men ; mat drill and tumbling, men; fencing demonstration. (Messrs D. Gordon and A. Calder); spinal and abdominal exercises (free) men; pyramids, St. Andrew’s Basketball Club aind mien; club swinging, Salvation Army Girls; living statuary, men; wand drill, men; song in character (arranged by Mrs A. Calder and produced by Mrs D. Gordon) ; parallel bar exhibition, men; ladder pyramids, men; tap dance, Miss Dorothy King; part song and chorus, ladies; vaulting horse, men ; spring ballet, Kieep-Fit Girls ; dumbbells men; running whirl, full party. The performers were later entertained to supper by the committee of the Club.

A presentation was made to the Club’s official pianiste, Miss I. B. McDonald by Mr A. Kelly on behalf of the Club members. Boquets were presented to Mrs D. Gordon and Mrs A. •Calder, who arranged the girls’ character items. .The stage manager was Mr D. R. Gordon.