A group of Alexandra grandmothers with a love of the Alexandra Blossom Festival are taking that to a new level. Grans Who Can is a group of friends who — after many long chats — decided to build a float for the 65th Blossom Festival.
Friends Laurie Paterson and Vyvienne Weller both have lifelong affiliations with the festival — Mrs Paterson featured on floats as a child, and Mrs Weller’s father Stewart Henderson was one of the event’s founders.
Calls were made, a little cajoling took place and Grans Who Can was formed.
Mrs Paterson had a shed in which to build the float, another gran had a trailer for the base and the husbands assisted as needed.
The women gathered regularly to work on their float, chat and share a cuppa or two, never knowing who would be free to attend each get-together.
‘‘It’s been really easy,’’ Mrs Paterson said. ‘‘Everyone’s gotten involved, so it’s been great.’’
Mrs Weller agreed. ‘‘It’s been great fun, we’ve had a few afternoons like this where we’ve come to do some flowers and have a nice afternoon tea, and we’ve spent a few days in the shed paper mache-ing, which has been good as well.
The Blossom Festival was in their blood, Laurie said.
‘‘I just love it because it’s the beginning of spring and it’s a nice family weekend that we have here.’’
Grans Who Can and their float will join the Grand Parade down Centennial Ave on Saturday, September 24.
Grans with a can-do attitude
Shared interests . . . Some of the Grans Who Can members make flowers for their float. Pictured (from left) are Trus Van Leeuwen with grandson Leo Van Leeuwen, Debbie Saxton, Vyvienne Weller, Laurie Paterson (also Leo’s grandmother), Liz Weaver (standing), Suzett Pont, and Chris Allan. PHOTO: SHANNON THOMSON
