Making it happen Women promote Methven with summer school

Press, 7 December 1987, Page 10

Making it happen Women promote Methven with summer school

“Quite a lot happens in Methven. But most people don’t know we’re here,” says a Methven resident, Jane Goldsbrough.

Jane is one of the twowomen strong Methven and Mt Hutt District Promotion Association. Their mission is to attract both New Zealanders and overseas tourists to savour the delights of their small country town. During winter, Methven’s population swells from 900 to several thousand. Skiers use it as a base for forays to nearby Mt Hutt. When the ski season is over, the town empties.

The two women believe the area has great all-year-round tourist potential.

“We have the Rakaia River, with rafting and jet boating; we have lots of walkways and also horse treks. It’s beautiful country. In the first week of July we have a winter festival and a floral festival in November. We want to put Methven on the map,” says Jane. The town, one hour and ten minutes drive from Christchurch, can accommodate 2000 visitors.

As part of their drive, the women have organised a summer school, to be held from January 18 to 22. This will be held at Methven High School, with bed and breakfast available in the town at $2O a night. The courses being offered are:

Fiction writing, with Timaru short story writer and winner of many writing awards, Owen Marshall;

Writing for newspapers and magazines, for both beginners and those with some experience, with Brian Priestly, for 12 years head of the journalism department at the University of Canterbury;

Watercolour painting, covering techniques, com-

position, still life, landscape, flowers and general studies, with Kath von Tunzelmann, who has held exhibitions throughout New Zealand;

Figure drawing, with Josie Jay, winner of this year’s Andersen Park Art Award;

Beginners weaving, teaching basic weaving, plus colour and design. Students will learn how to design their own wall hanging and transfer this to the loom. The tutor is Rowena Hart, who was weaving instructor at Otago Polytechnic for five years, and is technical adviser to Ashford Handcrafts in Ashburton; Creative fibre work, with Jill Nicholls, a spinner and weaver for more than 20 years. This course uses fibres ranging from baling twine to horsehair and covers knotting, wrapping, dyeing and loom and off-loom weaving; Creative knitting, including intarsia, stitchery, embroidery, Fair Isle and weaving. Students will study design and learn how to transfer designs. The tutor is Petra McCorquodale, who exports her knitwear to Japan, Europe, the United States and Australia. The cost of each course varies from $llO to $l3O, plus materials. For more information or enrolment write to Methven Summer School, P.O. Box 14, Methven, or phone (053) 28749. Sexual abuse

Explaining sexual abuse to children in terms they can understand isn’t always easy. Fortunately, there are a number of children’s books on the subject. In response to repeated requests from parents for these books, Nicki Moen, a children’s library assistant at Canterbury Public Library has compiled a list of titles. “In the last 12 months there has been a lot of interest shown. Most requests are for books on good and bad touching,” says Nicki.

Most of the books are from the United States, but three are written by New Zealand women. “Katie’s Yukky Problem” and "Megan’s Secret” are

by Christchurch children’s self-defence teacher, Lynda Morgan. “Katie’s Yukky Problem” is about bad touching, and “Megan’s Secret” about an incest victim who finally asks for help. Jenny Hessell has chosen a small boy as the main character in her excellent book, “What’s Wrong With Bottoms?” This explains to preschoolers the difference between good and bad touching. All the books are available from the central library, the branches at Shirley, Spreydon, New Brighton and Papanui and from the mobile library. The Social Sciences department of the central library also has adult books on sexual abuse. Some of the books for children are: Special collection “It’s My Body,” by Lory Freeman., “A Better Safe than Sorry Book,” by Sol and Judith Gordon. “What’s Wrong with Bottoms?” by Jenny Hessell. “Jamie Meets a Stranger,” by Nigel Snell. “We Can Say No,” by David Pithers. These books are particularly suitable for pre-schoolers. “Feeling Safe, Feeling Strong,” by Susan Terkel. “Alerting Kids to the Danger of Sexual Abuse,” by Joy Berry. “You Can Say No,” by Betty Boegehold. “Who is a Stranger and What Should I Do?” by Linda Girard. “Never Talk to Strangers,” by Joyce Irma. “It’s O.K. to Say No,” by Robin Lennett. “Never Say Yes to a Stranger,” by Susan Newman. “Dangers of Strangers,” by Carole Vogel. Young Adults (fiction) “A Solitary Secret,” by Patricia Hermes. “Abby My Love,” by Hadley Irwin. “Gillyflower, by Ellen Howard. Young Adults (non fiction) “Sexual Abuse: Let’s talk about it,” by Mar-

garet Hyde. “Stepping Out: Incest information for Girls,” by Jenny Marsh. A more comprehensive list of books is available from the central library and branches. Caesarian support group Homeopathy uses with obstetrics and children will be discussed at the Caesarian support group’s meeting tonight, December 7. The speaker will be Wendy Isdale, who has qualified as both an allopathic (conventional) doctor and a homeopath. This will be the support group’s last meeting of the year. It will be held in the Hunter Lounge Suites, upstairs at 4 Riccarton Road, starting at 7.30 p.m. The next meeting of the group will be on February 1, and on the first Monday of each month after that. The Caesarian support group is for women who have had their babies delivered by Caesarian section. For more information phone Christine at

555-317 or Philippa at 558-513. Neighbourhood support groups Residents of the area bounded by Shirley Road, Hills Road and Marshland Road are invited to' a public meeting tonight, December 7, to discuss neighbourhood security. Tiie needs of the area will be looked at and hopefully, a neighbourhood committee to coordinate neighbourhood support groups set up. Also to be discussed are the draft plans for playground equipment at MacFarlane Park. A representative from the city council, and 'a trained neighbourhood support adviser will be at the meeting. It will be held at Hammersley Park School Hall, starting at 7.30 p.m. Women's self-defence The last Positive Action self-defence class for women to be held this year is at the Y.W.C.A., 85

Bealey Ave, oq Tuesday, December 15, Wednesday, December 16 and Monday, December 21, in the evenings. This course is specially scheduled for high school students at a loose end at the close of school. The cost is $2O, or $l5 each for two sisters. For more information about this course contact Pam Frew at the Y.W.C.A. at 63-063.

The tutor, Lynne Gifford, is also running refresher courses next year for those who have completed the basic eighthour course. Those interested should phone the Y.W.C.A. and put their name oji the list. , Lynne Gifford also' ott&£ private tuition for those who are unable to attend group classes. Her number is 54-155.

Compiled by Glenys Walker. Items for this column should be sent to Glenys Walker, “Making It Happen,” Home and People Page, “The Press,” Private Bag, Christchurch. Please submit one week before publication.