“Friend Seeing,” Not Sight-seeing

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31016, 23 March 1966, Page 2

“Friend Seeing,” Not Sight-seeing

“Friends seeing,” not sight-seeing is how Mrs Alice Cope, of Cardiff, who is visiting Christchurch, described the three-month tour of New Zealand which she and her husband, Mr J. Cope, are doing.

Mr and Mrs Cope saw the sights when they were here five years ago when Mr Cope was a member of the British bowling team. This time they are travelling at a more leisurely pace and visiting friends made on their former trip.

Mrs Cope is impressed with the progress New Zealand has made in the last few years. “You are growing rapidly. New Zealand is very much on the up and up,” she said.

As well as meeting old friends, Mr and Mrs Cope have been visiting bridge dubs. Mr Cope is an international player and Mrs Cope is secretary of the Eastern Area Welsh Bridge Union and !

official recorder for the Camrose Trophy when it is held in Wales.

Mrs Cope developed her interest in bridge as a form of self-defence. “When I married, my husband was an addict and I saw that if I was to have any life at all I would have to get interested in bridge,” she said. Now she an enthusiastic as her husband about the game.

Today is a special occasion for Mr and Mrs Cope for they are celebrating their 46th wedding anniversary. Since they will be travelling they have made no firm plans for a celebration.

Mrs Cope said she has one regret about being away from Britain just now. She and her husband will not be home in time to vote in the General Elections. People from the United Kingdom who are absent at election time are not allowed to cast their votes.