COMPETITIONS AT ASHBURTON

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27443, 1 September 1954, Page 7

COMPETITIONS AT ASHBURTON

REVIVAL AFTER LONG ' RECESS

1238 ENTRIES IN FIVE-DAY FESTIVAL

After 11 years in recess, the Ashburton Competitions Society’s annual festival opened yesterday morning, and will continue for five days. The festival, which is being held in three halls—the Radiant, Technical High Sqhool, and R.S.A. Halls —has been well supported, 1238 entries having been received for the 130 classes. Introducing the speakers at the official opening last evening, the president of the society (Mr A. H. Todd) said it was pleasing to see the keen interest being taken in the important work of the society. The main object of the competitions was not to discover outstanding performers, but rather to raise the standard of the cultural arts. Mr E. C. Bathurst, Mayor of Ashburton, and a patron of the society, paid a tribute to the work of Mr C. Ansford (assistant secretary of the society during the period of recess); he also congratulated the committee on reviving the competitions.

Mr J. Davidson, chairman of the Ash- ] burton County Council, another patron of the society, said grand work was being . done in teaching young people how to spend their lesure time usefully. Mr Todd introduced the official accompanist and' the judges, and Mr Bathurst officially declared the competitions ° P The judges for the various sections are: vocal and instrumental, Mr W. H. Wal-den-Mills (Dunedin); elocution, Mrs J. P. O’Sullivan <Christchurch); dancing. Miss L. Stevens (fancy) and Mrs D. Horrell (Highland). The offiical accompanist is Mrs .J. Coxshall, and the official piper Mr

A. Miller. -Results on the. first day were as follows: Elocution Reading at. Sight, 12 to 16—Terese Fahey. 75, 1; Mary Bannatyne. 74, 2. Reading at Sight, under 12.—Judith Edwards, 73, 1; Judith Boyd, 72, 2; Julie Cates, v h c. Recitation, New Zealand author, under 14.—Kathleen Husband, 76, 1; Dawn Spicer, 75, 2; Faye Alexander and Jocelyn Kenny, v h c. Verse Speaking (choral), under 16. Hampstead girls, 76, 1; Hampstead juniors, 2. Humorous Recitation, under nine.—Julie Protheroe, 78 points, 1; Denise Brown, 73, 2: Catherine Calder, 72, 3. Vocal and Instrumental Piano Solo, boy or girl, 14 and under 18.—Patricia Adams. 85, 1; George Bryant, 72, 21 Vocal Solo, lady or gentleman (Gilbert and Sullivan e-cerpt).—Mrs Lorna Gobbe, 84, 1; Mr B. Hillyer. 70, 2. Scotch Song, gentlemen.—Mr B. Hillyer golo, girl, 16 and under 30.—Beverley MacPherson and. Colleen Patton (equal), Piano Duet, under 18.—George Bryant and Roger Whyte (Ashburton), 1. Mezzo-soprano and Contralto Solos.— Mrs Loma Gobbe (Christchurch) 1. Song and Dance, under 14 years.—A. and B. Cornelius, 83 points, 1; Diana McClurg and Louise McSherry 2, Marie Skelton and Peter Tootell 3.

Vocal Solo, 14 and under 16.—Marybell Arnould, 84 points, 1; Carol Chapman. 83, 2; Judith Dench, 80, 3. Song in Character, adult.—Mrs Loma Gobbe 1. Song under 12.—Beverley Cornelius, 84 points, 1; Janette Arnould, 82, 2; Sonya Black, 80, 3. Violin Solo, under 18.—Gordon Reid 1. Vocal Solo, 12 and under 14.—Margaret Williams, 78 points, 1; Louise McSherry, 76, 2; Carol Hampton, 75, 3. Song and Dance Duo, 14 and ©ver.— Judith Dench and Carel Chaplin, 7» points, Irish Reel, open.—Claire Parker, 86 goints, Rodgers, 84, 2; Kathleen 'sailor’s Hornpipe, under 10. —Grace Wilson, 75 points? 1; Marjorie Watson, 74, 2; Suzanne Dobbs, 73, 3. Operatic Dance, under 10.—Mary McElhinney, 1; Rhondda Webb, 2; Marlene Templeton, 3. . Barefoot Dance, 12 and over.—Faye Prisk, 1; Judith Dench, 2. Highland Reel, under 12.—Sheilagh Chapman, 75 points, 1; Brian North, 74, 2; Valerie Morriss, 73, 3. Character Dance, 10 and under 12. Margaret Frost, 75 points, 1; Brian Nor tn, 74, 2; Sharon Martin, 73. 3. Sword Dance, under 14.—Patricia Arnst, 82 points, 1; Brian North. 74, 2; June Campbell, 3.

Dancing Highland Fling, under 12.—Valerie Norris 1, Pamela Childs 2, Shielagh Chapman 3, Brian North v h c. t Highland Fling, under 10 (novice).—Dianne Soal 1, Marlene Templeton 2, Mary Shearer 3, Sally Dench v h e. Tap Dance, 14 and over.—Kathleen Eunson 1, Faye Prisk 2, Judith Dench 3, Judith Lockhead and Beverley Day v h c. Song and Dance, 10 and under 12.—Raeleen Ferguson, 79, 1; Sheilagh Chapman, 78, 2; Sandra McCree, 77, 3. _ .• Seann Truibhais, Open.—Judith Dench, 85. 1; Nancy Rodger, 84, 2; Kathleen Eunsoh, 83, 3. , „ ' ea Irish Jig, under B.—Bryan Plimmer, 68, 1; Faith Cochran, 66, 2; Gwenda Hart, 65, 3. Tap Dance, 12 and under 14.—Terry Spiers, 78, 1; Louise McSherry, 77, 2; Gwenyth Guy, 75, 3.