XN000022-1997-03-01+02 — Page 2

Azalea open days at Government House

The Governor, the Rt Honourable Christopher Patten, has decided that the gardens of Government House will be open to the public for two days instead of just one Sunday as in the past so that more people will have a chance to see the azaleas at their best at the Governor's residence.

Mr Patten has also invited wheelchair users to visit the Government House gardens on a special open day for them.

Since 1968, the Azalea Day has become an institution and is normally held on a Sunday in late February or early March each year The Governor's decision to extend it to a whole weekend this year was made in response to a suggestion made to him at the public forum on his Policy Address in October last year.

The Gardens of Government house will be open to the public on March 8 and 9 (Saturday and Sunday) from 10 am to 5 pm.

For the open day for wheelchair users. including people with a disability and elderly persons, special access facilities will be set up for them.

The extra open day will be held on March 15 (Saturday) from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission for this open day will be by ticket and is arranged by the Commissioner for Rehabilitation through the Social Welfare Department, the Hospital Authority and other voluntary agencies.

The open day has been an annual event since 1968 and this year marks its 29th anniversary

In 1994, the event drew 17.432 visitors. The figure for 1995 was 17,650 Last year. 24,650 people attended the open day.

During the opening hours on March 8 and 9, all visitors are advised to enter the Government House by the east gate, which is located on Upper Albert Road facing the American Consulate. Special arrangements will be made on March 15 to facilitate the alighting and boarding of wheelchair users.

Visitors can leave by the main gate on Upper Albert Road or the west gate on Albert Path.

As a large number of people are anticipated, visitors are advised not to travel by private car or taxi. If they come by taxi or car, they are advised not to alight on Upper Albert Road.

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