Council community development adviser Jean Proctor asked the council for funding to help with a series of ''circus'' workshops hosted by Highly Flammable in preparation for the Balclutha Santa Parade.
The workshops will be aimed at primary school children to give them the opportunity to learn circus skills and make their own toy or prop to use in the parade. She said this would increase the participation of children in the parade and help them ''engage more''.
She had previously been denied funding from the Creative Communities scheme but
when she told the council the plan included provision for teaching the skills to up to 120 children it was felt
the scheme would be worth the investment.
However, Cr Bruce Graham questioned the importance of the circus acts the children would learn.
''I don't want to be the Grinch that stole the parade. What confuses me is about the skills the children will learn.''
Cr Gaynor Finch spoke up for the workshops and reminded the council of a Milton local who often performed a tightrope and circus display at the Tokomairiro A&P Show.
Cr John Cochrane said he would be ''happy to be the Santa Claus'' and support the proposal, but he felt it should be limited to a one-off event rather than requiring a council contribution each year.
The council approved using $4140 (including GST) from the opportunities fund to cover the cost of the Christmas parade creative workshops.
