Selwyn Times: February 28, 2018

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14 Wednesday February 28 2018 Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi News Local News Now SELWYN TIMES Fire rages, homes at risk Teacher says farewell to a life of ballet • By Georgia O’Connor-Harding “THE MORE you put into dance, the more that comes back to you.” Those are the words of highlyrespected ballet teacher Ann Judson, of Lincoln, who has dedicated 44 years to helping place dancers in professional schools and ballet companies around the world. She taught at ballet schools across the country and most recently at Aspire Dance Academy where she took classes at the Springston Community Hall. But after a difficult past 18 months, Ms Judson has farewelled a life of ballet. In November, she fell off her bike and broke two parts of her upper arm and dislocated her shoulder. She also broke her shoulder socket in two places. She spent seven weeks sitting upright in her bed every night to sleep. “I was very fortunate because the hospital hoped the dislocation would go back into place so I could avoid surgery. That actually happened,” she said. But she said she has got another five months of physio and the last 18 months have been a lot to cope with. In 2016, she lost her husband Paul in an accident at Queen’s Birthday weekend and dealt with unexpected throat surgery shortly afterwards. “Often he would walk through the door with the most beautiful bouquet of roses with no other reason than to say: ‘I love you’,” she said. Ms Judson said she was fortunate because her husband was a superb cook and she would come home to a cooked meal when she was tired at the end of the day. When she was recognised with a New Zealand Order Of Merit (MNZM) for services to ballet in 2015, she said Paul had earned that award as well. Ms Judson said the parents of her pupils supported her “in every possible way” both before and after her husband’s death. LOVE OF DANCE: Respected ballet teacher Ann Judson has retired after teaching ballet for 44 years. From left – Alex Jones, 10, Ms Judson, granddaughter Harper Cullinane, 1, Grace Jones, 8, and Ben Jones, 5, at the Springston Community Hall. PHOTO: MARTIN HUNTER “The parental support I have had has been absolutely superb,” she said. A Mad Hatter’s Tea Party celebration was held at St Mary’s Anglican Church, Halswell, recently to recognise her retirement. Ms Judson trained at the New Zealand School of Dance and danced with the Royal New Zealand Ballet. She set up the National Ballet School full-time tertiary course in Christchurch in 1993 and was awarded a fellowship with the British Ballet Organisation. She is also the South Island representative for the British Ballet Organisation Australasia. But Ms Judson said the greatest part of her teaching career has been “to see a child’s belief in him or herself come into fruition.” One of her most successful pupils was Marc Cassidy who travelled from Clyde to Christch- LOOKING BACK: Ann Judson with a international Japanese student training at the National Ballet School in the early 1990s. urch for weeks at a time to train with her. Cassidy was accepted into the Australian Ballet School before winning The Genée International Ballet Competition in London in 1993. Cassidy described Ms Judson as “one in a million,” generous, honest and “genuinely in love” with the art form of ballet. Following the February 22, 2011, earthquake, Ms Judson managed to get her classes up and running two weeks later at the Tai Tapu Hall. She would tell parents not to worry about fees and use what money they had on petrol to get their children to her classes. “There were many grateful parents because the children were wetting their beds and they were terrified. It was just awful. “With the little ones coming through the door I said: ‘Let’s stomp on the monster’s head,’ which was very helpful when there were aftershocks and they were really frightened,” Ms Judson said. She said there were many hardships – with many of her school’s families having no homes or jobs. “We even got into a system where one parent who had a big vegetable garden would bring in tomatoes and lettuces to help other families. There was a real comradeship,” she said. Later when she heard the Tai Tapu Hall was going to be pulled down she moved her classes to Springston. Ms Judson would also buy costumes and shoes for her pupils facing hardships. Her school would run fundraisers and she contributed what money she could to get her pupils into courses both in New Zealand and overseas. Now she will spend her time working at Wilkins Bridal in Christchurch and looking after her granddaughter Harper. “It is lovely to have those interests. I love young people so I am very fortunate to be able to do this,” Mrs Judson said.
SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Wednesday February 28 2018 15 SUMMER in SELWYN YOUR GUIDE TO UPCOMING SUMMER EVENTS IN SELWYN Check out the Summer in Selwyn events for March and April! The full Summer in Selwyn guide can be collected from Council offices, Selwyn District Libraries, Lincoln Event Centre or the Rolleston Community Centre. Lake Crichton Series Triathlon and Duathlon Friday 2 March, Lake Crichton, Dunsandel A family-friendly event for all-comers to finish their working week with a race. Enter individually or in a team, with options of short and long courses available. To enter visit www.selwynsportstrust.org.nz. Spectrum Lighting and Sound Outdoor Movie – Leeston Friday 2 March, 7–9pm, Anderson Square Monsters University, 2013 (G) Grab your nearest and dearest for this family-friendly movie outdoors! Bring a seat, bean bag or blanket and chill out in front of our huge outdoor screen. Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) was a little monster, he’s dreamed of becoming a Scarer—and he knows better than anyone that the best Scarers come from Monsters University (MU). Selwyn Parenting Network Children’s Day Sunday 4 March, 12–3pm, Foster Park, Rolleston Celebrate Children’s Day with a huge variety of free entertainment and activities. Connect with your local community and organisations with a day full of games, food, music and fun competitions. Faringdon Summer Skate Jam Leeston – Wednesday 7 March, 3.30–5.30pm, Leeston Skate Park Prebbleton – Wednesday 14 March, 5.30–7.30pm, Prebbleton Community Park (combined Summer Skate Jam and Picnic in the Park) West Melton – Wednesday 21 March, 3.30–5.30pm, West Melton School Lincoln – Wednesday 28 March, 3.30–5.30pm, Lincoln Skate Park Glentunnel – Wednesday 4 April, 3.30–5.30pm, Glentunnel School Rolleston – Saturday 7 April, 1–3pm, Rolleston Skate Park Head to your local skate park to show off your moves. Bring your own gear or hire for free. Coaching available with experienced skate instructors. Prizes up for grabs for best tricks! growing strong communities together SUMMER SELWYN YOUR GUIDE TO SUMMER EVENTS IN SELWYN 2017 /18 growing strong communities together in New World Rolleston Picnic in the Parks Burnham – Thursday 8 March, 5.30–7.30pm, Freyberg Reserve Prebbleton – Wednesday 14 March, 5.30–7.30pm, Prebbleton Community Park (combined Summer Skate Jam and Picnic in the Park) Lincoln – Thursday 22 March, 5.30–7.30pm, Lincoln Domain Pop down to your local park with the family for a picnic. Live music, bouncy castles, face painting, Pedalmania, entertainment and much more. Activities for all ages and prizes up for grabs. Free sausage sizzle and coffee available for purchase. Faringdon Music on the Green Be entertained with live music at your local green. Bring a picnic and relax while listening to an outstanding line-up of talented musicians. Darfield – Sunday 11 March, 4.30–7pm, Westview Park Including Mariah Turnbull, Ashy Batchelor, Reconstruction and Ruby Fusion. Lincoln – Sunday 18 March, 4.30–7pm, The Lincoln Green A fantastic afternoon to listen to a variety of genre from jazz, acoustic, alt-folk/Americana, folk and slide guitar! Including Alex Hardy, Joe Oliver, Manuka Hunnies and Vintage Blue. Rolleston – Sunday 8 April, 3–5.30pm, Rolleston Reserve Including Flip Grater, Li’l Chuck the One Man Skiffle Machine, Alex Hardy and Joe Oliver. Kim Hill Hot Topic Thursday 22 March, 6.30pm, Lincoln University New Zealand radio personality Kim Hill facilitates a debate of panelists covering this year’s topic ‘Soil – are we letting our most precious resource slip through our fingers?’. Koha on door. Country Fair, Vintage Machinery and Transport Show Friday 23–Sunday 25 March, 9am–6pm, 1531 Highfield Road, Aylesbury A family day out exploring all things vintage with farm machinery, trucks, implements and stationary engines, plus children’s play area. Leeston Fête Saturday 24 March, 10am–3pm, Leeston Township Lots of craft stalls, buskers, music, food vendors, and activities for kids. Want more information? Visit Facebook and the Council website. Follow us on Facebook for up-to date event information. www.facebook.com/summerinselwyn www.selwyn.govt.nz/events
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Selwyn Times: February 28, 2018

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