XN000022-1980-10-04 — Page 7

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1980

SNT OFFICIATES AT INAUGURATION OF

TAI PO ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION

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THE FIRST TERM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE NEWLY FORMED TAI PO ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION WAS INAUGURATED TODAY,

SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES OFFICIATING AT THE INAUGURATION, SAID THE CEREMONY WAS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IT EMPHASISED THE CHANGE IN THE LONG HISTORY OF TAI PO AS A MARKET TOWN FOR SURROUNDING VILLAGES INTO A MODERN INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL CENTRE.

IT ALSO DENOTED THE CONSCIOUS DESIRE OF THE PEOPLE OF TAI PO TO BUILD ON THE RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE PAST TO MEET THE ARTISTIC NEEDS OF A MODERN URBAN COMMUNITY IN PRESENT-DAY HONG KONG, HE ADDED.

+WE HAVE TO CREATE A TOWN AT TAI PO IN WHICH PEOPLE WILL LOVE TO LIVE, TO WORK AND TO PLAY.

+THIS MEANS THAT WE MUST CARE FOR EVERY ASPECT IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE, BOTH YOUNG AND OLD, FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.+

MR AKERS-JONES SAID HE WELCOMED THE FORMATION OF THE ASSOCIATION AND LOOKED FORWARD TO THE MANY ACTIVITIES IT WOULD ORGANISE FOR THE PEOPLE OF TAI PO NOW AND IN THE YEARS TO COME.

TAI PO ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED FOUR MONTHS AGO WITH SUPPORT FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD. IT AIMS TO PROMOTE ARTS AND CULTURE AMONG THE 100 000 RESIDENTS OF THE DISTRICT.

FOUR SUB-COMMITTEES HAVE ALSO BEEN FORMED TO ENCOURAGE MUSIC, DRAMA, DANCE AND OTHER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES,

A CHILDREN'S CHOIR, A DANCE TROUPE AND A DRAMA GROUP ARE

NOW BEING ORGANISED.

THE ASSOCIATION ALSO HAS PLANS TO HOLD CONCERTS, EXHIBITIONS, COMPETITIONS AND TRAINING CLASS IN DRAMA, PHOTOGRAPHY, CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY, CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT PLAYING AND FLOWER PLANTING.

MANY OF THE ACTIVITIES THE ASSOCIATION IS ORGANISING ARE BEING FINANCED BY THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, WHICH HAS EARMARKED $100 000 THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.

A DRIVE WAS RECENTLY LAUNCHED TO RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS. SO FAR OVER 600 PEOPLE, MOSTLY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, HAVE JOINED.

MR AKERS-JONES IS PATRON OF THE ASSOCIATION, TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NICHOLAS NG, IS PRESIDENT AND A LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADER, MR CHEUNG CHE-FANG, IS CHAIRMAN.

TODAY'S INAUGURATION CEREMONY WAS HELD AT THE HALL OF VALTORTA COLLEGE. A CANTONESE OPERA WAS HELD IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS.