Ashburton Guardian, YOU Magazine, July 17, 2021 by Ashburton Guardian

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YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE | Saturday, July 17, 2021

The Goon Show launch Judy Glen’s one-woman car

As a young child Judy Glen listened to Harry Secombe as he added Neddie Seagoon to his list of incomparable characters. Judy knew she could sing but she was inspired to do more than that, to become an operatic comedienne. Back home in Ashburton she describes how being a show-off led to an impressive career in Australia and beyond. YOU writer Malcolm Hopwood reports. here was a point in Judy Glen’s life when she didn’t want to be dependent on anyone. Judy was enjoying a busy career in Australia singing opera and musical theatre, but was always reliant on someone else to give her roles. For a change she wanted to be self-determining, so she decided to write her own show. It was the 1970s in Sydney and Judy, who’d performed everywhere from RSL clubs to the Sydney Opera House, wanted a fresh challenge. She was versatile. She knew how to command an audience – she’d performed for drunk and half-drunk crowds on the returned services circuit – and sung at the opening of the opera house for the most discerning audience. So, she felt ready. She wrote a show called Spaghetti Opera, the DIY Diva Show, and unleashed it on her Australian audience. They gasped, laughed, learned and participated. It was a success. But if you think this young woman, who grew up living between Ashburton and Christchurch, simply discovered a niche in the market and moulded a character to fill it, then you’re mistaken. “I was always a show-off. I’d been able to sing and impersonate from a young age and I loved the Goon Show. Neddie Seagoon was to blame. Harry Secombe used his marvellous voice to entertain people,” she said. “I also loved Joyce Grenfell and I said ‘maybe I can do that?’ I liked saying rude things and the audience loved me saying them.” Spaghetti Opera was born

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Judy Glen in full flight, poles apart from any other comedienne.

and, with the support of the Arts Council of Australia, Judy toured around the continent. It takes an audience on a journey through opera in an amusing and often crazy way. “I would have slept my way to the top, but no-one asked,” Judy explains in one of her memorable lines. For about 30 years she took her show from Australia to England, with some interesting stopping off places in between. But, before her flourishing career, akin to a singing Victor Borge, Judy had another life back in New Zealand. She was born in Sydney to Hubert Turtill and Rita Smallbone from Ashburton. Hubert, a former professional cyclist who’d won

world sprint titles, was factory manager for a cycle business. When the war ended, the Turtills relocated to Ashburton and then to Geraldine where Hubert bought and owned a cycle shop. Judy’s grandad owned Smallbone’s in Ashburton and she grew up close to her Mid Canterbury family. After her marriage to Keith Gledhill, they moved to Ashburton where he taught at Tinwald Primary School. Judy joined Ashburton Operatic and sang in the chorus of Me and My Girl. Keith, keeping English grammar and syntax alive, probably called it My Girl And I. However, Judy knew she had a voice that would take her places, in particular across the ditch.

They moved to New South Wales and Judy joined the Sydney Conservatorium Opera School.

Big break Two years later she graduated and began singing around Sydney. It wasn’t long before she received her first big break. The year was 1983 and Judy was chosen for the

role of Sister Bertha in a professional tour of The Sound of Music around Australia. The show led to other professional touring engagements. She recalls singing with Angela Johnson and Ant-

Saturday, July 17, 2021 | YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE

hed reer Judy Glen, the diva, in full flight on stage. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

hea Moller, both from Ashburton. But her career wasn’t restricted to musicals. Judy sang with Opera Australia in school programmes where she introduced opera to children. The spark stayed with her. She also performed in The Return of Ulysses, an early Monteverdi opera at the Sydney Opera House. “It was the first performance to try out the stage, its equipment and acoustics. It was very Grecian and stuff. I ran around almost top-

less which was my most outstanding feature,” she said. Outwardly she was confident, but “I was also an incredibly shy creature in those days.” “We were at the grass roots level of entertainment. We did the hard work. I did anything and everything to earn a living.” When Judy looks back on those years, she’s critical of artists who appear on TV talent quest shows and “have everything handed to them”. Performing in Sydney in the 1980s was a challenge but, just as she was coming into her own, she pursued an idea where she could be self-employed. It was called Spa-

ghetti Opera. She toured Australia with manager, Terry Knight, and an accompanist, just the three of them. “When you become a solo performer, you don’t look for roles. I was it,” she explained. “The show was strictly scripted, very funny and was about how to become an operatic superstar, just like me! “I interacted with the audience, gave them singing

Above – Judy recent attended Ashburton Operatic’s 60th anniversary and found the 1966 programme where she performed in Me and My Girl.

PHOTO MALCOLM HOPWOOD

lessons and they’d join in the Judy Glen version of arias and songs.” Terry Knight was a senior detective in the NSW police who retired in 1979 to become Judy’s manager, stage manager, roadie, lighting and sound operator, sometimes front of house manager and, more importantly, husband. They took the show to England where Dudley Russell, Pam Ayres’ husband, became her agent. “He was used to eccentric, female performers,” Judy said. They kept their base in Australia and, in the northern summer, toured England, Scotland and Wales. The show was the riotous same, but the name changed. “With Spaghetti Opera they thought I was going to cook like Jamie Oliver, so I changed it to A Comedy of Arias,” she said. In true theatrical traditions, every great show develops and adapts. “With Spaghetti Opera, I had it scored for symphony orchestras and toured Australia and New Zealand performing with orchestras, including the New Zealand Symphony.” It was with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO) that I played a small and forgettable part in Judy’s career. I was a member of the CSO Board of Management, and we engaged Judy from Sydney to perform her show. She ended it with the mini-production of Brother Heinrich’s Christmas written for narrator (Judy), orchestra and ensemble. continued over page

YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE | Saturday, July 17, 2021

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Above – Judy Glen was often described in her posters as a female Victor Borge. Right – Judy Glen stars in Date With A Diva. Left – Judy Glen while in Ashburton in 2016.

From previous page When the CSO searched for a chorus, I put my hand up. I think I was a donkey in the manger. Judy wrote other one-woman shows such as Bold As Brass and Meetings With Melba and Moncrieff, two famous Australian sopranos whose farewell concerts lasted longer than their careers. After more than 20 years of touring, Judy cut back on her appearances. “Because the show was me, it was tiring on both my stamina and my voice,” she said. “I’m fortunate to keep my instrument for as long as I have but it’s nothing like it used to be. But I can still make a hell of a racket.”

Sunshine Coast Terry and Judy moved to the

Sunshine Coast earlier this century and Judy continued to perform with orchestras such as the Queensland Symphony, but Terry’s health was failing and, last year, he died. “It was the end of the world for me. He was my one and only soulmate,” she said. Only the year before her mother, Rita, had died, aged 107. Judy’s home was Australia for 53 years but, after Terry’s death in June 2020, she felt there was nothing more to achieve “and came home to my Mother Ship, Ashburton”. After a month here and with her furniture still floating around the Tasman, Judy is considering her future. She has family and friends in Ashburton and is now considering the option of speaking engagements. “I’d like to be on the professional speaking circuit and regale them with my blend of humour and song.” It will be her Kiwi comedy of arias.

Saturday, July 17, 2021 | YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE

Hope is the message in The Message Angie Mole has been on a journey. It started with a Christmas card which became a painting, then several, which, in turn, inspired a text, eventually becoming her first book, entitled The Message. She took YOU writer Malcolm Hopwood on the journey.

Far left – Angie Mole displays the completed book which took nearly eight years. Left – Angie Mole works on one of her paintings in The Message. Below – The boy, the dove and the star which gave Angie her inspiration.

shburton’s Angie Mole has nurtured a book for nearly eight years and, in 2021, it finally arrived. Angie has received two deliveries of her book, The Message, from Amazon, the last as recently as last week. The idea for her book began with a Christmas card. She’d been searching for one that related to “the true message of Christmas”, but instead found plenty of cards about Santa and happy holidays. “It was very hard to find one that had the message of peace and love as its central theme,” she said. Then she discovered a card which depicted a boy, a star and a dove. “It connected with Christmas and had three key elements,” she said. The card gave her an idea. Angie has been a serious artist for 25 years and so she created her own paintings with

Christmas overtones. “I was told by several people they were illustrations and should be part of a story,” she said. “It triggered me to think for myself about what the Christmas story is about.” Angie expanded her artwork to eight images and, as she painted, the words and poetry came to her. “I matched words with the story and it all fell together,” she explained. During this time, the paintings had a life of their own. They were exhibited in the Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch and in galleries and churches around Canterbury. Finally, the book came together using her paintings either full or in part, with a text focusing on the Biblical story. However, Angie has given it a wider message. “It has an underlying theme of love,

how we’ve stuffed up the world but there’s a better way out of this mess,” she said. “Our beautiful planet is now in our hands as custodians. My book has an environmental theme as well as a message of hope and peace.” The Message has been very satisfying to Angie. “I’ve done all the images and written all the words. I feel good about it.” Her book has been sold online to New Zealanders with orders extending as far as Australia and the United States. The Message is the fulfilment of 25 years of artwork. Angie trained as a primary school teacher and recalls her classroom festooned with art. “I incorporated it into every aspect of teaching, including maths and geometry,” she said. Angie and her husband, Chris, spent

seven years in England and, when she returned, she attended an art course at polytechnic in Ashburton where “I rediscovered my passion”. Angie describes her painting as wavering between figurative and totally abstract and has exhibited around Canterbury. She has an entry in the Ashburton Society of Arts annual exhibition. She’s been encouraged to write and illustrate another book with an Easter theme. Angie is thinking about it but has yet to make up her mind. Instead, her priority is to promote The Message. However, there’s a commission in the wind. She’s been approached to design and illustrate the front page of a novel written by an Ashburton artist. Once again it’ll be an opportunity for Angie Mole’s work to be seen before the first page is read.

YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE | Saturday, July 17, 2021

A timeless classic

Dianne from Preen wearing a dusky pink puffer coat.

Lyn at Todds wearing a bold pink hound coat.

coats today. GIRL ABOUT TOWN A well-made coat is an essential with Lili Haydon comfort in our 2021 winter closet. Investing in a coat can not only last inter is well and truly biting, so it is us a lifetime, but can be a timetime to dust off your coats. less classic that our grandchilInstead of having a wardrobe clean dren may even want to wear. out, maybe take a deep dive into the Hefford was right about back of your closet, even if only for some inspiration to add to your coat collection investing in winter coats because good quality clothing this winter. never goes out of fashion. There is no denying a coat is a winter Apart from good qualessential, if not an all-year-round staple. ity fabric, this YOU writer They not only serve a practical purwanted to know what style pose, but have the ability to transform is trending. an outfit. So I hit East Street in comLike a good pair of jeans, they are never going to lose their place in our closets. memoration of G. Hefford’s & Co to see what was flying Looking back over the last century, off the racks a 100 years later. Ashburton’s very own G. Hefford’s & For those who are daring Co clothing shop on East Street was a bustling business in the town during the to be different this season and want to add to your staple roaring 20s. wardrobe, this season is for you; it’s Quoting Mr Hefford’s advert a 100 years ago: “Wisdom is the better part of comfort meets colour. For women, a patterned or colourvalue.” When it came to winter coats, ed coat is a winner. an essential piece in your roaring ‘20s A classic navy coat similar to G. wardrobe was a tailored navy, tweed or Hefford’s is still number one for men, black coat, according to him. even a 100 years later. Many things have changed since the It just goes to show that investing in 1920s, but like our shared experience a good quality coat will never go out of a global pandemic, we still share the of style. same widespread and infectious love of

Richard from Sparrows wearing a tailored blue wool coat.

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Saturday, July 17, 2021 | YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE

OUT AND ABOUT @ the Ashburton Art Gallery The sell-out event of the Ashburton Society of Arts’ 57th Annual Exhibition opening at the Ashburton Art Gallery attracted a great crowd. The exhibition is a visual feast of works from local, national and guest artists in a variety of mediums. Maddison Gourlay was there to capture the moment.

Above – Leen Braam with Leen Braam. Above – Adrienne Hewitt (left) and Sylvia Mckay.

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Below – Simone Middleton (left) and Caroline Letham.

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Above – Art lovers check out the gallery’s latest offerings. 050721-MG-012 Right – Karen Boyce and Wendy Millichamp. 050721-MG-008

Below (from left) – Kelvin Holmes, Judy Brown, Neil Brown and Jac Sparks. 050721-MG-005

Below – Connor and Nicola Scoon.

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YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE | Saturday, July 17, 2021

Outstanding works on display at gallery MONTHLY FOCUS with Melissa Shimmin

he 57th annual Ashburton Society of Arts exhibition is open now to the public at the Ashburton Art Gallery on West Street, Ashburton. The opening night on July 6 was sold out, but the exhibition is available for public viewing during art gallery hours until July 30. So there is plenty of time to visit the hundreds of entries on show. Included amongst local artists are guest artists and many of these names are well known within the art world, so it is a real privilege to have their works on show. All art is available for purchase and collection is at the end of the exhibition. There have been many artworks already sold, from miniatures to giant outdoor sculptures. With

so many mediums used – from pencil to resin, sculpture and photography – there is something for everyone to enjoy. President Kay Begg is thrilled with the amazing support from the district and further afield. The exhibition would not happen without the amazing businesses that sponsor the 16 award categories. These sponsored awards were announced on the night by guest judge Min Kim. Min is a Christchurch-based artist who has studied in Europe. Originally from South Korea, she immigrated to New Zealand in 1999 with her family and fell in love with Christchurch. She has exhibited all over the city and teaches. The wonderful team of volunteers from the society of arts has spent countless hours unpacking and hanging the exhibits and are now on site to assist the public with any queries.

Above – RMF Silva Lawyers Premier Award to David Choi. Right – Robin Corbett Award to Stephen Millichamp.

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Kay cannot thank them and the art gallery staff enough for the help provided. Many months go into the planning and working out how best to display all the works is like putting a giant jigsaw puzzle together. No doubt there will be many artists planning to be ready for next year’s exhibition which will be the 58th exhibition. The exhibition is a real credit to the society and members should be exceptionally proud of what they achieve year after year. Be sure to visit the Ashburton Society of Arts’ Annual Exhibition at the Ashburton Art Gallery to view the outstanding works on show.

Above (from left) – ACL Applied Art Craft and Photography Award to Vanja Venrooy. Ashburton Licensing Trust Water and Nature Award to Karen Boyce. Frame Co Highly Commended Art Award to Christine Lang. Right – Forest and Bird NZ Flora And Fauna Art Award to Beverley Frost. Below – Rothbury Insurance Brokers Ashburton Art Merit Award to Richard Bolton.

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YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE | Saturday, July 17, 2021

Keep yourself well over winter

DON’T GIVE UP ON EXERCISE

t might be tempting, but just because the days are short and cold and the nights are long, you don’t have to compromise on exercise. When the weather is warm it’s far easier to be motivated to get off the couch and head to the gym, pool or to pound the pavement, but it’s far from ideal to let three seasons of fitness disappear during winter. It’s much easier to keep up your fitness regime, maybe with some modifications as a nod to the winter chill, than it is to restart when spring rolls around. The benefits of keeping fit and healthy during winter are huge – the fitter you are the better placed you are to fight off winter’s bugs. Being fit is good for your heart, good for your mental health and overall wellbeing. Head for the couch in winter and those benefits start to disappear. Simple strategies to keep you active during winter could include:

Finding an indoor team sport Choosing an indoor activity eliminates one of the most common winter exercise excuses – the weather. Joining a team means you have a commitment to exercise. Exercise physiologist Neil Russell says to keep yourself accountable it can be a good idea to take up a 10-session class pass at a gym, or booking and pay for a trainer in advance.

Mix up your routine If you’re struggling to crawl out of bed for your early morning walks, don’t force yourself – try something different. Switching up your exercise routine can

help keep you motivated through the colder months. Pick activities that are easy to fit into your lifestyle and fun to do. There’s nothing better than a bit of variety to keep you motivated. Swapping a morning walk for an indoor swim won’t just help you cheat the cold and the dark – you’ll also be using different muscles and kicking your metabolism up a gear.

Get active outdoors Of course, the great outdoors has its advantages in winter too – it’s not baking hot in the middle of the day, so you can walk or jog during your lunch break without fear of sunburn or perspiration. It’s particularly worth getting outside if you’re prone to the winter blues. A study conducted by the University of Essex in the UK, found that ‘green exercise’ strolling through a park, for example, gives you a significant mood boost after as little as five minutes.

Find an exercise mate Remember back to your youth when you’d head out with friends to do something you loved – regardless of the weather? So channel that approach now. If you find being active in winter tough, hold yourself accountable by doing it with a friend or a group. Make exercise part of your social life and go to classes together. Winter is a great opportunity to shop around and find what you love.

Maybe it’s a three-day tramp in the summer you have on the calendar. It doesn’t matter what the goal is, as long as you have one.

Warm up before exercising Whether you’re heading out or staying in, warming up before exercise is even more important in winter because cold weather may make you a bit more susceptible to muscle strains. If you’re going out for a run, start with a walk, then increase to a brisk walk, then a jog, slow down to do some lunges, go back to a jog, then get on with your run.

Find your motivation Motivation can dry up fast at this time of year, so give yourself a powerful incentive to carry on. It could be wanting to be in good shape for spring and summer, or wanting to retain your fitness for summer sport.

Stay hydrated It might be chilly out, but you’ll still sweat during workouts, so take a water bottle with you and sip from it before, during and after physical activity. Even mild dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, trouble concentrating and mood changes. And don’t forget to look after your skin too, by moisturising after you work out. Cold air and heated gyms can dehydrate you.

Keeping warm during outdoor exercise Pack a raincoat and/or umbrella (or leave it in the car) so you can still walk without getting wet. Layer up with clothes when going outside to exercise. Light layers that draw sweat away from the body will help keep you warm and dry.

Saturday, July 17, 2021 | YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE

STAYING HEALTHY

old weather is associated with hot and hearty meals that keep us warm, and keeping warm is one way to help keep the immune system strong against winter illnesses. Hot food can also be comforting over the winter months as we spend more time indoors. However, when we seek comfort through food over winter it’s important to make sure we’re still choosing heart-healthy meals. Using plenty of seasonal fruit and vegetables is the first step when planning your winter meals. Soups and stews are excellent winter dishes that can meet all your needs for a heart-healthy meal, especially if you’re using different vegetables, legumes and pulses.

Sleep Another key to winter wellness is keeping a good sleep routine. Getting enough good quality sleep is essential for good mental and physical health. Poor sleep has been linked to the development of a range of health conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke. Most adults need between 7-9 hours of good quality sleep each night. Things that can improve your sleep is keeping regular hours, such as going to bed and getting up at the same time each day,

even at the weekend. Ensuring you have outdoor exercise also helps as does putting aside screens and phones at least one hour before bed time. It’s important to ensure your immune system is functioning to the best of its ability, that stress is reduced and mental wellbeing is optimal is the easiest way to ward off sluggishness, the winter blues, colds and flu.

Meditation Studies show meditation reduces stress by decreasing the release of the stress hormone cortisol and can even shift gene expressions that relate to stress and inflammation. Experienced meditators can even have gene shifts that elevate immune function so they can resist some viral infections.

Take the right supplements Serving up a daily medley of five to nine vegetables a day is ideal, but even that may not be enough to boost your immunity over the sluggish winter months. Supplements contain

potent doses of essential nutrients in convenient tinctures, powders and capsules. There are loads of vitamins and minerals that boost immunity, but there are some superstars in the mix. • Probiotics – regulate the immune cells (systemic and mucosal) and intestinal epithelial cells, which has proven to be therapeutic against viral infection. • Olive leaf – has been used for centuries to fight against inflammation, bacteria and viral infection. It has shown to enhance immune system function by fighting against disease causing microbes that cause respiratory infection including influenza. • Zinc – fights off invading bacteria and viruses and helps the body regenerate protein and DNA, so also helps heal wounds. • Echinacea – activates the immune response thanks to high levels of phenols and alkamides that have antioxidant properties which can reduce the symptoms of cold and flu. • Vitamin C – is a powerful antioxidant that supports the cell functions of the immune system. Reduced levels of vitamin C makes the body more susceptible to infection. • Vitamin D – regulates the body’s immune system and has shown to aid in the prevention of respiratory infections. • Vitamin B – B6

and B12 help keep the immune system strong by supporting the biochemical responses. • Turmeric – stimulates the immune system to fight off infection and other diseases. • Garlic – contains alliin that when crushed or chewed becomes allicin which converts to a sulphur-containing agent shown to boost the disease fighting response by some white blood cells when they come up against cold and flu viruses. • Immunity support – provides a combination of selected ingredients above in a one capsule dose.

Exercise daily While there are no absolutes and a host of variables, health experts and scientists all agree that getting 20-30 minutes of exercise a day is a win for health and mental wellbeing. Getting physical helps optimise blood pressure, reduces risk of stroke and heart attack, balances metabolism, regulates blood sugar and improves mood and sleep thanks to a lovely dose of endorphins.

Friends Social connection is also important for mental well being. Research shows that people who have robust connections and form strong bonds with others are likely to have better mental, physical and spiritual resilience, which is exactly what is needed when the colder months hit.

Gym for women

KEEP IT WARM INDOORS

hen the temperature plummets, that doesn’t mean the temperature inside your home needs to plummet too. Gone are the days when cold homes were just part of the deal that came with living in New Zealand. We now have plenty of great home heating options and a large range of choices in terms of insulating our home. Inefficient open fires are now part of history, replaced by highly efficient, clean-burning log and gas fires, but in many homes, heat pumps are now the go-to form of heating. Heating and insulation aside, there are many other things we can do to ensure we’re toasty warm at home this winter, most costing very little or nothing, but all making a significant difference in warming up your home.

Get rid of dampness Cooking, showering and drying clothes indoors all creates moisture causing

dampness. A damp, mouldy home can be harder to heat and cause respiratory illnesses. To minimise dampness, dry your clothes outside, use extractor fans when cooking and showering and remove condensation from windows and doors daily.

Let in fresh air Even when it’s cold outside, open windows during the day, if only for a few minutes, to remove moisture from your home and let in fresh air.

Open and close curtains Open your curtains in the morning to let the winter sun warm your home and close your curtains as the sun goes down to try and retain some warmth.

Draught-proof your home Are your door hinges loose or your window latches rattly? Grab a screwdriver and tighten them up. This reduces the chance of nasty draughts blowing through your home. If that doesn’t work, buy some vinyl strips that adhere to the insides of the window frames to achieve a better seal

between the window and the frame. And there’s always the simple option of old-fashioned draught stoppers under your doors.

Make sure your bed is a warm place Use an electric blanket or take a hot water bottle to bed. Add extra layers, such as a woollen blanket to your bed, dress in warm pyjamas and socks.

Check your heat pump filter The filter needs vacuuming every three months. The good news is it’s easy – just slide the cover off the front of your heat pump, lift out the filter and hoover away. If you haven’t cleaned it all year, you’ll immediately notice the difference.

Clean your clothes dryer’s lint filter Remove your clothes dryer’s lint filter, then give it a vacuum as well. This can significantly improve your dryer’s energy efficiency.

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YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE | Saturday, July 17, 2021

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YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE | Saturday, July 17, 2021

Gardening in the depths of winter

espite the cold, wet and windy weather, it is a good time to start planting your spring/summer gardens. Enjoy the blooms of azaleas, camellias, early rhododendrons, magnolias, and early flowering cherries, which brighten up winter gloom.

Vege garden Spread fresh compost around maturing winter veges. This helps absorb surplus winter water, while improving the existing soil.

Flowering annuals Winter flowering annuals provide bursts of colour and are at their best right now. Keep dead-heading (removing finished flowers) to encourage more flowering. You can also plant annuals into pots and containers if your outdoor areas need a little brightening up over winter. Winter annuals include ageratum, calendulas, cinerarias, cornflowers, nemesias, pansies, poppies, primulas, snapdragons, stock and sweet peas.

Flowering perennials Above – Time to prune hydrangeas.

Keep planting out new perennial plants and dividing existing ones. Prepare the beds for new perennials thoroughly with fresh compost as these plants may well remain in the same site for a number of years. Spread compost around existing perennials that are not being divided.

Left – Brighten outdoor spaces with potted colour. Below: Prune grapevines and kiwifruit vines now.

Pruning hydrangeas Hydrangeas often grow to a considerable size and require significant pruning. July is the preferred time for pruning hydrangeas, any earlier and the plants can start sprouting in early winter and will be damaged by frost. Remove old wood, reduce younger branches considerably, and thin out branches that overlap and remove dead wood. The finished pruned hydrangea should be at least half of the size of the plant before pruning.

Strawberry patch Finish any strawberry planting, and make sure you have enough plants for the entire family – at least 20 plants are needed for the average family of four.

Fruit tree pruning Finish your pruning of all pip and stone fruit trees. Reduce the height of taller specimens so it’s easier to pick fruit at harvest time and make netting the tree easier where birds are a problem. Thin out branches to improve the movement of air and exposure to the sun. Spray with copper compound after pruning to reduce the risk of fungal diseases reappearing in spring.

It’s also still a good time to plant fruit trees (right throughout winter), just make sure you select a healthy specimen that grows best in your region.

Grape and kiwifruit vine pruning Both grape and kiwifruit can now be pruned. Both need a structure/wire to attach to and grow up. Both plants require a considerable amount of their growth to be removed. If the main leaders on the grapevine are established, prune to reduce lateral (side) growth back to two nodes (where a shoot will grow from in spring). The growth from these nodes will produce grapes the following summer. If lateral growth is too crowded, thin

this out to provide space for developing fruiting wood.

Rose pruning and planting Complete pruning of your rose garden. Remove all dead and weak growth, ‘clean-out’ the centre of the plant and prune to outward facing buds. Remove all old leaves and twigs from the ground before spreading compost around the existing plants. If planting new roses, select healthy looking specimens and if unsure what to plant, be guided by friends’ gardens or local rose gardens. For more gardening advice or information on the wide range of Daltons products visit www.daltons.co.nz.

Saturday, July 17, 2021 | YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE

Struggling dogwoods

Hayley Blain is this month’s winner with the following question:

I have two dogwood trees in different gardens, and both have struggled in the last two years despite giving them a small amount of compost and rhododendron food. What is the best thing to help these lovely trees look beautiful again? While dogwoods are quite spectacular trees when in flower, they are certainly not the easiest of trees to cultivate. Some varieties appear to be more successful in New Zealand conditions, such as Cornus Eddie’s White Wonder. But in general, they require a number of years in the ground before they begin to flower. Keep applying fresh compost around the base of the trees, especially from spring onwards. It may be worth a chat with your local garden centre staff to find out if the varieties you are growing are suitable for your area. You may find it helpful to read our free How to Grow Guides: www.daltons.co.nz/how-toguides.

Daltons Fruit Tree Care and Planting prize pack

It can take two to three years before your fruit tree (depending on variety) is well established, so it won’t be laden with fruit immediately. But the beauty of fruit trees is that with a little love and care, they bear fruit for many, many years! We have a Fruit Tree Care and Planting prize pack valued at $80 so you have everything you need to plant a new tree or nurture existing ones. We have a prize pack to give away valued at over $80 and includes 2 x Garden Time™ Compost, 1 x Daltons Premium Planter Tabs, 1 x Garden Time™ Fruit Tree & Citrus Fertiliser,1 x Daltons Organic Bio-fungicide Granules, 1 x Daltons 60L Coir Mulch, PLUS a pair of comfortable, versatile Red Back gardening gloves from Omni Products www. omniproducts.co.nz.

Be in to win Email goodies@

theguardian.co.nz with Daltons Fruit Tree

Care and Planting prize pack in the subject heading, or write to

Fruit Tree Care and Planting pack giveaway, Box 77, Ashburton.

0 8 $ r e v o orth w E E

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY: •

•

You must provide a gardening question for the Daltons experts to answer. Please include your address and phone number in email and letter options! Giveaway entries must be received by July 30.

For more information on Daltons products visit www.daltons.co.nz

All questions supplied are entered into the draw to win a Daltons prize pack, but the Guardian reserves the right to choose which questions and answers will be published. Daltons post the prize to our lucky winner.

YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE | Saturday, July 17, 2021

So much to do in Mid Canterbury MONTHLY FOCUS with Melissa Shimmin

ven though it is winter, there should be no excuse not to get out and about. We have such a diverse range of places to eat, drink and be entertained in Mid Canterbury. Mid Canterbury has a multitude of restaurants, bars, cafes and places of interest that there is no excuse to not find something to do even if it is for 30 minutes to an overnight stay. How exciting that the legendary Staveley Ice Rink is open after many years – that is a whole lot of fun and lots of memories to make with your children. There is nothing better than having someone else cook your meal after a busy day or week. Get your family or friends together for no other reason than to take the time to have a real catch up as we all tend to hibernate at home during the cooler months. As we deal with less sunlight during

We have a full range of breads available – white and brown sandwich loaves, mixed grain and multiseed, ciabatta, brioche and sourdough, bread twists and focaccia, and gluten free bread. Everything from a small cake slice to a huge slab to feed a large party! We have a range of cake slices, cream buns and donuts, whole mud cakes and many more sweet treats. Pies are our specialty! So many flavours to choose from. Buy from the pie warmer or in bulk packs to take home. We have savoury packs in the freezer, and family pies for an easy meal, so convenient and so popular!

Call us: 03 308 5774 Address: 123 Main South Road (Archibald Street), Tinwald Email: simsbakery@xtra.co.nz

the winter months some time with people we love and care about can make us feel so much brighter on the inside. Take a trip to Ashburton Museum and check out the Ashburton Society of Arts Annual Exhibition, drive to Methven and try and find some snow and stop in for a pub meal at the Blue or Brown Pub they have a great deal for the family. Brinkley Village is a great destination for a night away or for any function with their conference centre, the team is happy to work alongside you to cater to your needs. Sim’s Bakery in Tinwald is famous in Mid Canterbury for their bread and pies, a family bakery with secret family recipes that are well worth sampling. Their ability to offer everything from bread rolls to exquisite occasional cakes make them a one-stop bakery, it is definitely worth the trip across the bridge. Advertising feature