Start planning for Neighbourhood Week

With less than two months to go until Neighbourhood Week kicks off for 2003, now is the time to start planning, says City Councillor Sue Wells, Chair of the local Neighbourhood Week Joint Committee. The event this year is being held from 1 - 7 November.

“Early planning is the key. Neighbours don’t have to have a huge party - it might be as simple as sharing a cup of coffee or stopping to say hello. By organising an event for your neighbours, you can help build your community, reduce isolation and make your street a safer, friendlier, better place to be,” says Cr Wells.

Neighbourhood Week is the brainchild of the Shirley/Papanui Community Board, who held the first event in 1998. It has grown each year to the point that it is now being promoted annually by the Christchurch City Council and nationwide by Neighbourhood Support New Zealand.

In previous years, neighbours have organised barbecues, street parties, planting days in their local park…. “Even taking a batch of fresh muffins to the new couple across the road is one step closer to a better neighbourhood,” Cr Wells says.

A great day out planned for Children’s Day Planning is already underway for Shirley/Papanui Community Board’s Children’s Day, which is becoming a regular feature of Neighbourhood Week. The theme for Children’s Day 2003 is “Children’s Health” and this year’s event is a fun day out at The Groynes, with lots of activities on offer including live stage performances, a “noddy” train, bouncy castle, boating on the lake, and kite flying. The event is being held from 11am to 3pm on Sunday 2 November (9 November if wet).

Cruises up for grabs As part of this year’s Neighbourhood Week celebrations, Sea Cruises Ltd has 50 tickets for two up for grabs. Simply write your name, address and telephone number on the back of an envelope and send it to Sea Cruises Competition, Papanui Service Centre, P.O.Box 5142 by October 15 to go in the draw to win a cruise. The complimentary cruises will sail on Saturday 1 November, 5-7 pm and 7.30 pm -9.30 pm.

To learn more about Neighbourhood Week or how to organise an event in your community, ring your local Council Service Centre representative. Limited funding may also be available through your Community Board to help run an event. For more information on the Children’s Day event at The Groynes contact either Ollie Clifton or Nicola Mercer at phone 941 5409.

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