Relaxing to the sound of music

Family members and friends popped into Seymour Square for the inaugural Music in the Park yesterday afternoon.

Organised by Blenheim DJ Glenn Kirby, music was played over a sound system between midday and 3pm and people of all ages took the time to check it out.

Many arrived with a picnic and rugs to sit on; others brought picnic tables and chairs.

"It's nice to go out," said Andrea Corbett, who was with friends Claire Barber and Lorree Wilson.

Ms Barber, lying down, was nearly asleep and Ms Corbett and Ms Wilson were reading.

"And it's nice not having everyone trying to take your money!" Ms Wilson added, although someone selling coffee might be nice.

Jean McMullan, daughter Jennifer McMullan and sister Ann Smith had poured a "good old New Zealand cup of tea" from the thermos they had brought and were nibbling on treats purchased from the Farmers' Market.

"We read an ad in the paper and thought it would nice," Mrs McMullan said. "It's disappointing there aren't more people here."

Nearby, Jackie Searle was with her three-year-old daughter Emily.

The free entertainment for families was "great", she said.

"It's a nice way to spend the afternoon."

Stuart Barber and Anna West moved to Blenheim last December from the United Kingdon and said they could not believe the number of weekend events offered in Marlborough.

They liked the non-commercial aspect of yesterday's event and had "come prepared" – filling a bag with sandwiches, sun tan lotion and hats before biking to the park with their three-year-old son Zachary.

He was one of several children splashing around in the Seymour Square fountain pool.

Others took up Mr Kirby's invitation to dance.

Among them were Madeleine Ryland, 4, and her brother Ethan.

Before she joined them, their mum Jody Hughes said she enjoyed the "chance to sit out in the sun and listen to music – and not be at home".

She especially loved the relaxed atmosphere in the park yesterday.

"It's not really busy and frantic."

- The Marlborough Express