Thursday, 8 October 2009 - 11:04am |
Central

An action-packed family day out

1 min read

If you're looking for somewhere to take the family one weekend, why not head to Feilding for the town's first Combined Armed and Emergency Services Open Day.

The event takes place between 9am and 3pm on Saturday, 31 October at Manfeild Park, and best of all entry and parking are free.

There will be a whole host of cars, motorcycles, trucks, helicopters and armoured vehicles, both old and new.

Army, Airforce, St John Ambulance, Coastguard, Civil Defence, Fire, Navy and Police will have displays and stands with recruitment officers on hand to advise visitors seeking career advice.

Demonstrations will include the Armed Offenders Squad, police dogs, Fire Service and helicopters. A recently restored World War II Spitfire will also carry out a practice flight over the venue at 2.40pm.

No open day would be complete without food and entertainment and educational activities for all age ranges, and the chance to win in a grand prize draw.

Local children have already been involved with the event designing images to be incorporated into a poster to advertise the event. Six designs by children aged between 8 and 12 made it to the final and three were picked out in August by Feilding Mayor Ian McKelvie as the winners.

Sgt Michael Lawton of Feilding Police said: "This is a great opportunity for us all to stand side by side and raise awareness of our roles and to interact with the local community in a friendly and informal environment. The first experience youngsters often have of our services is during an emergency, and this is a chance for them to see us in a less distressing situation and leave them with a more positive impression of who we are and what we do."

Media enquiries should be referred to Sgt Michael Lawton on 06 323 6363.