Parents unite to keep their children busy

Press, 30 December 1976, Page 9

Parents unite to keep their children busy

The Linwood Activity Group is determined that children in the Linwood area should have no cause to he bored dunng the school holidays. A group of mothers and other people, including the Community Volunteers coordinator. Mt A Clark, and Mr G. Smith have or ganised a programme to keep the children off the streets during the holidays. A fancy-dress contest, a talent quest, pet show, and trips to Ferry mead, an ice-cream factory. and Willow bank Wildlife Re serve, are only a few of the activities organised by the Linwood Activity Group. I he programme will run for three or four days each week between January 7-28 and many of the organised activities will be held in the Telford Street Hall in Linwood. A detailed programme posted there. Mesdames I Duncan (898-875). A. Smith (898-026), and D. Bugg (890-172) can also help with enquiries The project began when two mothers in Rasen Street sat on a doorstep and discussed how their children would probably be bored into mischief

when school finished. I hex appioaihed a neighbour and the thiee of them uecided it was time to do something positive during the holidaxs ihe found others who were concerned and the Linwood Activity Group “At the moment there is nothing lot the children to do. there are no swings or equipment in Linwood Park and .he iluidten pie fer to play in the cemetery instead.” says one mother. “ 1 hev cant make their own fun anymore ” adds another parent in the activity group. Ihe group warns to attract children within the boundaries of 1 il/geta d Avenue Gloucester Sneet, and Ferry Road "I hope that we have a hundied or says the co-ordinatoi of activities. Mis Rugc. She would also like to see some more parents tak.ng part and helping with the different activities. Ihe 1 inwood Activity Group has found that much organisation and planning is needed fni a successful programme. Buses and pi i/es had to be ai ranged and “donators” from the Yellow Pages have been approached to help with paints, brushes, and other items for each activity Enlisting support from other parents was )ust as important. "We will continue to look at other things for ihe children alter the holidays, ’ says Mrs Bugg 11 e group is already organising a trip for a busload of children to Wellington Zoo next Christmas. Ihcv hope to run stalls and raffles to raise most of the funds needed for the trip. Dances for teen-agers are also on the Linwood Activity Group's agenda. “The mam thing is to do something,” says Mrs Bugg.