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Tuesday December 19 2017
WESTERN NEWS
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Your Local Views
A stronger sense of community Westside Community Trust Connections Programme co-ordinator Julie Young talks about what they do in the community Sockburn and Upper Riccarton residents have loved the community fun days at Sockburn Park hosted by Westside Community Trust for neighbourhood weekend in March and neighbourhood week in October. The trust, which is linked to Westside ACTS Church, is soon to be renamed Activate. We aim to help residents develop a stronger sense of community, belonging and wellbeing, and to identify the local community organisations they can be part of. The fun days were free so everyone could participate. Hundreds of ice creams, sausages, pottles of popcorn and cups of fizzy were consumed and kids loved the three-legged races, sack races, egg and spoon races, bouncy castle and games. Local schools, pre-schools and dance schools were invited to provide the entertainment. The trust is very grateful for all the
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GATHERING: A food stall at one of fun days organised by Westside Community Trust.
sponsorship it receives. Many organisations had stands to advertise the services they offer in the community. The next fun day will be on Sunday, March 25. The trust runs the weekly children programmes which are thoroughly enjoyed by the primary and intermediate-aged kids, teaching values and life skills through crafts, badges, outings and activities. The trust is currently liaising
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with the Halswell-HornbyRiccarton Community Board and the city council in regards to improving the Sockburn Park so it can become a vibrant community hub – requesting toilets, the clean-up of the paddling pool and barbecue left from the swimming complex which was removed 10 years ago. The trust would love to hear from any individual, organisation or business who is interested in the upgrade of Sockburn Park, having a stand at the fun days, helping fund the fun days, sponsoring children who can’t afford to attend the awesome programmes or who have children who would like to attend those programmes next year. •Email office@ westsidechurch.org.nz .
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DESTINATION...
Local News Now
Fire rage s, homes
at risk
FLAME FILES
Columnist bids farewell By Mark Thomas – fire risk management officer THIS IS the last flame files. After nearly 11 years back in Christchurch and 518 columns completed, I’ve decided it’s time to shuffle off into retirement. The column has been something I’ve always enjoyed. Sometimes the time available has been too short for comfort and some other times I’ve had a good subject and time to do it justice. I can only hope it’s been entertaining to some and even occasionally informative. I know the issues haven’t really changed. There are still too many kitchen fires. There are still too many arson fires. But in recent years, the number of fire fatalities has fallen. This must in part be the result of our promotion of smoke alarms and I still live in hope of the day none of us will agree to sleep anywhere that is not alarm covered. Another quite satisfying part of this job has been the public speaking. I’ve talked to older people, young people, service groups and even prisoners in jail.
STAY SAFE: A group of prisoners Mark Thomas spoke to at Christchurch Women’s Prison later used their phone privileges to ring home to ensure their families were protected by smoke alarms.
Some of the most satisfying feedback I ever got was being told all of the group I had spoken to at Christchurch Women’s Prison later used their phone privileges to ring home to ensure the family was protected by smoke alarms. Finally, sincere thanks are due to Star Media for providing me with the platform to preach the fire safety message. That’s a true public service and is very much appreciated. I’ve been fortunate with the calibre of people I’ve worked with, both in the firefighting family and those outside. Stay safe everyone.
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