Light fades on summer magic
THE council’s plan to change the date for the hugely popular Gardens Magic concerts at the Botanic Garden has upset at least one resident.
Thorndon local Bea Selwood, who lives directly opposite the Botanic Gardens and visits the sound shell every night that the concert series is on, says the concerts are a huge hit with summer crowds. Hordes of people bring picnics and blankets and settle down on the lawn in front of the sound shell – and also cram up close on the surrounding banks - to eat, drink and dance into the night while listening to a wide variety of local bands. But she says the shift will be a huge disappointment to people who look forward to the event in its usual slot just after Christmas and New Year.
In 2012, the free outdoor concert series is scheduled to take place in March and April instead of the traditional January slot, meaning summer will be fading by the time the concerts roll around.
Selwood heard of the date change and emailed the Wellington City Council to express her disappointment. She received a reply from Community Events Coordinator Kate Bevin, who briefly outlined the reasons for the move.
She said “… reasons why … include the weather being better at that time of year, our team having more time to plan for this big event after the Rugby World Cup, and there are more people in town later in the summer.”
Selwood’s not happy with that response and believes the event, which she says is the high point of post-Christmas festivities for many, will lose its charm.
“She says the weather’s going to be better but we’re going to lose the sun in the evening at that later date. In March and April it’s going to be dark earlier so all that light on the lawn where people sit will be gone,” Selwood explains.
Selwood also can’t understand why the council would want more people to attend the already hugely popular shows that attract capacity crowds.
“They say there’s more people in Wellington at that time. The sound shell can’t cope with more people,” she says.
Selwood has been involved in event management herself and believes the real reason is that the council just isn’t prepared for the concerts in the aftermath of the Rugby World Cup.
“I’d rather she doesn’t come up with all the other excuses. They’ve been doing it for years, they should have it off pat by now.”
Kate Bevin at the council did not wish to comment on the content of her email reply, preferring to pass our call to a fellow staff member. The staff member was not available for comment before we went to press.
Selwood would like a clearer indication of the real reason for the date change.
“It’s a traditional part of summer – not Autumn.”
Thorndon local Bea Selwood, who lives directly opposite the Botanic Gardens and visits the sound shell every night that the concert series is on, says the concerts are a huge hit with summer crowds. Hordes of people bring picnics and blankets and settle down on the lawn in front of the sound shell – and also cram up close on the surrounding banks - to eat, drink and dance into the night while listening to a wide variety of local bands. But she says the shift will be a huge disappointment to people who look forward to the event in its usual slot just after Christmas and New Year.
In 2012, the free outdoor concert series is scheduled to take place in March and April instead of the traditional January slot, meaning summer will be fading by the time the concerts roll around.
Selwood heard of the date change and emailed the Wellington City Council to express her disappointment. She received a reply from Community Events Coordinator Kate Bevin, who briefly outlined the reasons for the move.
She said “… reasons why … include the weather being better at that time of year, our team having more time to plan for this big event after the Rugby World Cup, and there are more people in town later in the summer.”
Selwood’s not happy with that response and believes the event, which she says is the high point of post-Christmas festivities for many, will lose its charm.
“She says the weather’s going to be better but we’re going to lose the sun in the evening at that later date. In March and April it’s going to be dark earlier so all that light on the lawn where people sit will be gone,” Selwood explains.
Selwood also can’t understand why the council would want more people to attend the already hugely popular shows that attract capacity crowds.
“They say there’s more people in Wellington at that time. The sound shell can’t cope with more people,” she says.
Selwood has been involved in event management herself and believes the real reason is that the council just isn’t prepared for the concerts in the aftermath of the Rugby World Cup.
“I’d rather she doesn’t come up with all the other excuses. They’ve been doing it for years, they should have it off pat by now.”
Kate Bevin at the council did not wish to comment on the content of her email reply, preferring to pass our call to a fellow staff member. The staff member was not available for comment before we went to press.
Selwood would like a clearer indication of the real reason for the date change.
“It’s a traditional part of summer – not Autumn.”
Have Your Say
0 Comments
No comments.