Youth and public to welcome Queen

Press, 27 February 1986, Page 30

Youth and public to welcome Queen

Youth from all over Canterbury will take part in Youth in Action Day, which is being held at Queen Elizabeth II Park this Saturday, in honour of the visit to Christchurch by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Although over 6000 young people — aged between five and 25 years — will participate in Youth in Action Day, the organisers of the event, the Association of Canterbury Youth Groups, stress that it is also a day open to the public.

Whether you wish to support Canterbury youth, or just wish to see the Queen, all are welcome to fill the stands at Queen Elizabeth II Park this Saturday morning.

Admission to the event is free. All stands will be open to the public at 8.15

a.m., and the public should be seated by 9.15 a.m., when the Mayor and Mayoress arrive to begin the days events. The main aim of the organisers is to make Youth in Action Day a family day. The theme of the day is peace which is seen by the association as a necessary aim for today’s youth.

Still dwelling on the theme of peace: a spectacular and colourful formation by combined Canterbury youth groups will spell the word peace in the main arena for the

arrival of the Royal couple. The Royal couple are expected to arrive at the park at 10.15 a.m. to a fanfare from the Boys’ Brigade buglers, and will be met by the Hon. C. R. Marshall and Mrs Marshall, and the Mayor and Mayoress. The colour peace formation will be inspected by the Royal visitors from an open vehicle while accompanied by Mr Gerald Williams, the Youth Association liaison officer.

The inspection complete, 12 members of various youth groups will then be presented to the Queen. Following this, the Queen and Duke will be escorted to the Royal seating area where they will be seated with Sir Hamish and Lady Hay. Two thousand peace balloons will be released to herald the start of New Games by the participating groups. The key element in these games is the shared participation by everyone.

New Games were meant to celebrate human abilities rather than compare them. Players centre on the joy of playing, cooperating and trusting, rather than competing to win.

The royal party will then depart at about 11.15 a.m., after which the New Games will recommence. The formalities in the park will conclude at 12.30 noon when the Queen Elizabeth II Leisure Centre Gala Day will begin. All those who attend the Youth in Action event are welcome to join in the Leisure Centre Gala. Everything from skydivers and youth group Shared aim The group organising the Youth in Action Day is one that arose from a concern for the young people of Christchurch. The Association of Canterbury Youth Groups began as an idea in 1979, the International Year of the Child.

The Canterbury Youth Group Promotion Council was formed in 1981. In 1984, to become incorporated, it had to change its name to the Association of Canterbury Youth Groups. The common aim of the association is to help young people to develop hobbies and leisure time pursuits and, above all, to gain an understanding of positive service to their communities. < '

displays, to woodchopping competitions, and the usual stalls for food and drink will be there. Other features of the day will be a display by Civil Defence Rescue, and a display by five units from the New Zealand Army.

Car enthusiasts may enjoy a hot rods display, and some rigs and go-karts which will be there.

The musically inclined may enjoy an unusual display of music made by using only copperwire. It should be a day which the whole family, young and old, will enjoy.