WINDSOR PARK GALA

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 309, 15 December 1936, Page 7

WINDSOR PARK GALA

NOVEL AND PICTURESQUE Large Crowd Enjoy Surround ings In Perfect Weather. ‘‘My previous memory of the park is a streitch of river bank covered ■with long fern and blackberry,” said Mr T. Kirkwood at the Windsor Park gala day', on Saturday, in congratulating the president of the society, Dr Doris Gordon, on the present, appearance of the park and the wonderful transformation .that had been effected. Mr Kirkwood made these remarks in his capacity as a humorous ‘‘judge,” presiding over a mock court. They were meant seriously, however, and there could be no doubt that, in congratulating Dr Gordon, he was doing her, the members of the society and the custodian and men working on the park, no more, than justice. Visitors’ Surprise. Although the present form of the park is now familiar to many people in the Stratford town and district there still remains a large section who know of the work that has been done only from hearsay. The surprise of those in the latter category, who attended Saturday’s gala was intensified in that, seeing the park for the first time, they saw it in the most perfect conditions. Favoured with a brilliant sun and the calm warm weather, ideal for browsing at a riverside, the day was opportunely chosen for such a carnival and the attendance was more than sufficient to ensure its success.

The function served not only to provide a pleasant afternoon, in novel and picturesque surroundings, for a large number of people but also as a formal introduction of Windsor Park to the town as a charming nook in which to spend lazy hours in summer weather. Just as the river is the feature of the park and adds that extra quality xvhich makes it something more than a pretty garden, so it- playq.l a prominent part in the gala day. A crowd of boys and girls, some clad in bathing suits and others in fishermen’s waders, entered enthusiastically' into the spirit of the water events, which included a series of wading races and a game described officially as “water polo” but which was in reality an informal mixture of aquatic hockey and golf, the aim being to drive a large coloured ball from one end of a stretch of river to the other, using

any convenient agent of propulsion. Drill and Dancing. While the children were occupied with these exercises and in running distance races around the paths their elders were seated on the lawn above listening to the playing of the Stratford Citizen’s Band and watching the dancing and drill display's. The afternoon tea and strawberry and cream stalls did brisk .business «» and the competitions for prizes (which included a Christmas cake, a hamper and a live goose) and the shooting gallery and croquet lawn fulfilled the demands of those in search of further entertainment. The croquet lawn proved particularly amusing and the ineptitude with which most of the male competitors handled the inalle.t. delighted the women onlookers. In the atmosphere of good-fellow-ship which pervaded the gathering there was little inclination to criticise the standard of performance in the various displays. Even had the audience been a hypercritical one, however, it could have found little cause for dissatisfaction with the standard of performance. The Maypole and Highland dancing organised by Misses Margaret Lawrence and Jean Maßae was particularly suited to the occasion and admirably' carried out and the exhibition of modern physical culture drill given by a squad of 50 Stratford High School girls under Miss E. Lamason was a credit to the enthusiasm of .the girls and the skill of their instructress. The Stratford Citizens’ Band which played a number of items .throughout the afternoon and Vinsen’s orchestra more than lived up to their reputations.

President Thanks Helpers. The Windsor Park Society was more than satisfied with the result of the gala, Dr Doris Gordon, president, 'told a Press representative, at the conclusion of the afternoon. The total proceeds amounted to about £3O. She wished to express the society’s gratitude to those who had so willingly assisted in the organisation and running of the. function, the Mayoress, Mrs Russell Kirkwood, for being present, to give the prizes for. the children's events and those who had made donations and had assisted with the entertainment of the afternoon. A satisfactory feature, she con-

tinned, was .that little damage had been done to the park by the large number of adults and children who had been entertained there. In planning the gala the society had been slightly apprehensive .that serious wear and tear might result. The swing-bridge over the river had been slightly damaged when a crowd of people suddenly gathered on it to watch the waler events, but otherwise scarcely' anything had been affected. This was particularly gratifying to the society who had from the first planned that the park should be used and not merely looked at.