Elderly want more dances

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34123, 8 April 1976, Page 16

Elderly want more dances

Elderly people in Christchurch want more old-time dances to allow them to get out of their homes, dress up in their evening clothes and dance to their favourite tunes. The interest comes after a dance held for elderly people in the Caledonian Hall during Senior Citizens Week last week. Many of the activities held during Senior Citizens Week attracted large crowds, showing there was a need for organised activities, the secretary of the Canterbury Aged People’s Welfare Council (Mr G. A. Mole) said yesterday. However, he said activities on the scale organised during the week would not be possible more than once a year. “This year Senior Citizens Week was particularly successful. It is the first time we have had something happening every day,” said Mr Mole.

The trip to Wigram was a particular success, an esti-

mated 1300 people having taken part. They were picked up at various points in the suburbs by several buses which took them around the hills to Wigram, where the Air Force put on a display. Another important part of the week was a service at the Anglican Cathedral in Cathedral Square. There were songs, bellringing, instrumental items and Bible readings. Among those taking part were the Christchurch Cathedral Society of Bellringers, the violinist, Belinda Bunt, Canon R. A. Lowe (vicar of St Barnabas Church, Fendalton), and the Sydenham Salvation Army band. The other functions attracted large attendances. These included films and a sing-along. Sing-alongs will be held fortnightly for the rest of the winter. Mr Mole said that the council appreciated the work of service clubs which helped with the organisation. The council had received many telephone calls from elderly people, saying how much they had enjoyed the week.