CELEBRATIONS AT SUMNER

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27055, 2 June 1953, Page 8

CELEBRATIONS AT SUMNER

HUGE CROWD FROM CHRISTCHURCH

TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION AND BONFIRE

Every available parking space between Shag Rock and Scarborough was occupied last evening, when one of the largest crowds ever to assemble at Sumner motored from Christchurch to attend the Coronation celebrations arranged by Sumner organisations. For more than an hour a continuous stream of cars flowed into the township, and even after the main functions were concluded the density of the traffic did not show any marked decrease.

Led by the Sumner Silver Band and the Sumner Volunteer Fire Brigade, a torchlight procession travelled from Stoke street between footpaths packed tight with spectators, to Cave Rock, where under an illuminated masthead, topped by a crown of lights, the main celebrations were to take place. Here, the huge crowd of spectators formed around the sea wall were kept amused by the antics of clowns, and children who had been issued with a fairly liberal supply of fireworks.

For the children, however, the fireworks were only a means of passing time until the main entertainment began—the lighting of the huge bonfire which had been prepared on the sand by Cave Rock. Their moment came, when, as the last notes of “Elizabeth of England” were played by the band, flaming torches were thrust into the petrol-soaked shavings leading to the main pile of branches, broom and old tyres. When these leads caught the huge pile of wood and rubbish and the bonfire erupted into a blaze of light, the surrounding area was brilliantly lit and people standing apart from the main crowd could get some idea of the immensity of the crowd. . For many people the lighting of the bonfire spelt the end of the night’s entertainment, and many, remembering the amount of traffic on the road earlier, prepared to leave. The majority, however, elected to remain for the remainder of the celebrations, which included a social function in the town hall. At 8.45 p.m., when only the dying embers of the bonfire remained, the band led the crowd in the singing of the National Anthem. The celebrations were organised by a' Coronation committee comprising members of various local organisations. The committee was divided into sub-committees, each with a specific job to .do. Because it was not possible, to arrange special celebrations for the children, the suggestion was made to the various churches in the area, which agreed to hold special services and provide some festivities. This evening a Coronation ball will be held at Sumner to conclude the celebrations.