Newspaper Articles 1946 – British Women’s Overseas Club – Xmas

Over a hundred children of twelve years and under are eagerly looking forward to the Christmas tree and party on the afternoon of December 23, which the British Women’s Overseas Club are holding in the Assembly Hall, Hastings. All the mothers of the young guests have been born and brought up in the United Kingdom or in other Dominions overseas from New Zealand. For many of these children and their mothers it will be their first Christmas party in New Zealand, a great success.

BRITISH WOMEN’S OVERSEAS CLUB CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY

WILL members please write to the Secretary giving names and ages of their children up to the age of twelve, as soon as possible, so that they may be included in the above.

MRS A.D.M.G. LAING
Hon. Secretary,
‘Phone 2231,
PO Box 121, Havelock North.

[December 1946]

Members of British Women’s Overseas Club Entertain Children at Christmas Party

Complete with traditional Christmas tree, the party for children of members was a great success, in the Hastings Assembly Hall on Monday afternoon. Many English mothers and brides attended, while several score of children entered heartily into the spirit of their first New Zealand Christmas.

The president of the club, Mrs Malcolm Mason, opened the party by inviting all overseas brides who had arrived in the Dominion in 1945 or 1946 to group themselves, each receiving a posy of flowers from the Christmas “fairies.”

The Christmas ballet and other items were danced during the afternoon by pupils of Miss Jean Ballantyne. Mr Jack Baxter also kindly assisted with entertainment.

A feature eagerly looked forward to was the distribution of gifts, when the children gathered themselves around the decorated and electrically-lit Christmas tree, from which Father Christmas and the “fairies” presented a gift to each small guest. Brides who had arrived since 1945 were also handed presents by the mayor, Mr A.I. Rainbow.

In the adjoining supper-room, tables were beautifully decorated for a delicious party tea, arranged and completely carried out by a number of the club members.