Amusing the children

Press, Issue 33844, 16 May 1975, Page 10

Amusing the children

If the children are bored these holidays it is not the fault of various organisations around Christchurch.

Activities from story reading to colouring contests and launch trips to ice-skat-ing have been arranged to keep children amused. The Building Centre in Cashel Street is running a colouring contest next week for eight to 12-year-olds. Easels and entry forms will be set up at the centre between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day and children will be supplied with a set of felt pens. They will be given an hour to colour the picture and each entrant will receive a free packet of sweets. Cash prizes of $5, $3, $2 and three consolation prizes of $1 will be awarded to winners in two age groups. About 160 children, aged from eight to 15, took part in day trips arranged by the Y.M.C.A. during the first week of their holidays. Activities included roller skating, a launch trip, swimming, a visit to the airport, ice skating and a picnic at Hanmer.

Next week about 30 teenagers will travel to Hastings and Napier. They are part of a leadership group which is being trained in all aspects of Y.M.C.A. work.

A gymnastic clinic for beginners and advanced gymnasts will also be held during the second week.

The Canterbury Public Library has arranged story sessions and arts and craft activities for children during both weeks.

Guests, including Mildred Woods and Jngrid Prosser

from the Court Theatre, have been invited to read to children or demonstrate arts and crafts from 11 am. till noon each day. The arts and crafts include origami (paper folding), sketching, and drawing. On Thursday a talk will be given about Fiji and arts and crafts from that country shown. The holiday programme ends next Friday with a story hour. Fifty-three secondary school pupils from Christchurch, Buller and Westland took part in the second Canterbury Arts Workshop from May 11 to 17. Under five tutors they studied drama, music, visual arts, filmtelevision and dance.

It is hoped to make the workshop an annual event.

Also held during the first week of the holidays were the sixty-third annual competitions. They were staged at the Shirley Boys’ High School, Shirley Methodist Church Hall and Shirley Intermediate School.

Schoo! holiday Ice-skating sessions have been extended at the Cashmere Indoor Ice Rink.

Several stage shows for children are being presented. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” finishes its season on May 24, and “Treasure Island” on May 17..“ The Wizard of Oz,” performed by the Pegasus Players, will run for five days ending on May 24. Suburban and city picture theatres are also offering school holiday entertainment.