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Neighbourhood Week coming up
There’s less than two months to go until Neighbourhood Week
kicks off for 2002 and now is the time to start planning, says City
Councillor Sue Wells, Chair of the local Neighbourhood Week
Committee. This year’s event is being held in Christchurch from 26
October to 1 November. “Early planning’s 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,” she says. Neighbourhood Week, up and running in Christchurch since 1997,
has this year been adopted by Neighbourhood Support NZ and will
be hitting streets all over the country. It is a week dedicated to
getting to know the people who live close to you. It’s about saying
“hi” to your neighbours, inviting them in a for a cuppa if you can, or
if you’re really keen hosting a local gathering. “This can be daunting, especially if the opportunity hasn’t arisen,”
says Cr Wells. “That’s what Neighbourhood Week is for. Getting to
know your neighbours helps with safety in your street, makes you feel
secure and gives you a sense of belonging. Reclaim your
neighbourhood any way you want to. Just do it.” Past events that people have organised include barbeques, street
parties, shared dinners, working bees, Halloween parties, colouring
competitions, family fun days, fairs and galas, neighbourhood planting
days, open days at local community centres and community gardens,
morning teas, fireworks celebrations, community walks, walking school
buses, even neighbourhood sea cruises. Some events are also organised
by local Community Boards that everyone is welcome to attend. "Street parties are very popular, and a small subsidy is available
through some of the city’s Community Boards to assist with these
events,” says Cr Wells. |