St Anthony’s school in Seatoun has come up with an innovative way to raise funds and encourage reading. The school is running the first Seatoun Garden and Art Festival on Sunday, 11 November, with proceeds going to buy books for the school’s library as well as IT equipment. The library was opened last year and is named in honour of St Anthony’s parish priest, Monsignor John Carde.
Fifteen of Seatoun’s best gardens will be open to visitors during the festival, which runs from 11am to 4pm. Art works from eight selected Wellington artists will also be exhibited in the gardens. As well, there will be a range of activities at St Anthony’s school for visitors to enjoy, including gourmet food stalls, market stalls, a wine bar, children’s face painting and entertainment from local schools.
Organising committee leader Selena Natoli says the school is hoping to make the festival a regular event.
‘Gardeners always enjoy seeing other people’s gardens, so this is an opportunity to see a range of interesting gardens all at one time,’ says Selena.
‘There will also be a wine bar and jazz band at one of the gardens, a classical group at another site, plus a market day at the school, so it should be a great way to spend the day and help St Anthony’s kids at the same time.’
The Seatoun Garden and Art Festival will also be one of the last events that Msgr Carde will preside over as Seatoun’s parish priest. He is moving next year to the Paraparaumu parish. Selena Natoli says he will be missed by the whole Seatoun parish and especially by the St Anthony’s children.
‘The kids just love Msgr Carde,’ she says. ‘He’s been a big supporter of books and reading so it was wonderful to name our new library after him, and recognise the impact he’s had on the school. I hope the Garden and Art Festival will help us make the library an even more valuable resource for the children.’
Tickets for the Seatoun Garden and Art Festival are $20, with children under 16 free. For more information and to purchase tickets contact 3881267 or selena.sgaf@xtra.co.nz. Tickets will also be available on the day from St Anthony’s school, 10 Ludlam Street, Seatoun.