’Festival of Plenitude’

Press, 26 December 1979, Page 2

’Festival of Plenitude’

Westport reporter A “Festival of Plenitude” is being organised on Mr D. Hands’s property at Charleston from January 26 to February 3. The festival, organised by a West Coast group of alternative life-stylers, will be held three kilometres up the Nile River near the main WestportGreymouth highway. It is the second such festival to be held on the West Coast in recent years. The first was at Punakaiki two years ago. The organisers hope to draw a crowd of about 2000. “The aim is to provide

a positive, relaxed and rich environment where people from ail walks of life and ages can mix and share,” said Mr Benedict Sloane, of Greymouth. “Here on the West Coast there is a strong feeling of isolation from the rest of New Zealand, particularly so in the realm of variety and entertainment. “We are employing artists for music, theatre, dance, poetry, sculpture, tutors for study groups — kite-making and many other subjects, instructors in recreational activities such as rock climbing, canoeing and tramping,

supervisors in children’s games and entertainment.” The facilities provided would be minimal, as people had to look after themselves and provide their own food and shelter. Toilets, a store for basic commodities and a health marquee staffed with two doctors, a nurse, physiotherapist, and a dentist were being arranged. A Westport health inspector and representatives of the police, the Forest Service and the Buller County Council have met the festival organisers on the site to discuss arrangements.