'HOME' FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

Taupo Times, Volume 19, Issue 100, 30 December 1970, Page 1

'HOME' FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

Christmas is traditionally a time for family reunions and this year was no exception in the case of popular Taupo Red Cross personality, Mrs A. H. Hope and her husband, of Shepherd Road.

For Mr and Mrs Hope this year was the first time they had had the opportunity to play host for their son Joe, daughter-in-Iaw Mary and three grandchildren at Christmastime. Mr Hope Jr left New Zealand 21 years ago to study art at the Slade School of Art in London and his current trip home is only his second in that time and the first in 1 7 years. After studying for four years at the Slade School, the final year as a post-graduate Mr Hope returned to Ncw Zealand for a short visit before returnin5 to England He is now head of fine art at Bath Academy (Corsham) in Wiltshire, a world-famous academy. For his English-born wife, Mary, and their three child-

ren, Matthew (14), Sam (11), and Hetty (7), their visit to New Zealand has been a thrilling experience after leaving the cold winter of England. The Hope family will be in New Zealand foi two months and will spend most of the time in Taupo, although a trip to the South Island, to visit Mr Hope s brother and sister, is also planned. Mr Hope said that he had immediately noticed considerable changes in Taupo and was particularly impressed with developments in housing architecture and a greater awareness of colour by house owners. He was also pleased to see planting of trees for their own sake being practised instead of the former use of trees only as shelter belts.