1 December Blenheim Sun

Sun The

December 1, 2017

Sun Weather

Today 14-27

Saturday 13-28

Blenheim Marlborough

Sunday 13-28

Outlook for Today

Monday 13-27 Fine. Light winds, afternoon easterlies.

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Festive giving

By Celeste Alexander Christmas has come early to Hospice Marlborough.

Last Friday a group of volunteers began putting up boxes upon boxes of Christmas decorations, thanks to the generosity of Shirley Hawtin.

Continued on page 2 Shirley Hawtin has gifted the use of her huge Christmas decoration collection to Hospice Marlborough again this year. She’s pictured with a Father Christmas which was given to her husband Graeme by her parents 20 years ago.

Alistair, Thelma, Barry, Alastair, Terry and Donna

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The Sun

Friday December 1, 2017

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The Sun

quote of the week

Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it.

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Shirley’s decorations for Hospice Continued from page 1 Shirley has been collecting all things Christmas for 45 years and has a storage container full of decorations.

She says she and her husband Graeme decorated their home and opened it to the public for 20 years, but stopped four years ago.

Now she offers the use of her decorations to the hospice for the pleasure of staff, patients and their families.

“It’s amazing to see how much pleasure people get from them. Graeme and I really enjoyed opening our

Shirley Hawtin with Hospice volunteer co-ordinator Moerea Mustard.

home and met incredible people over the years so it makes me happy to see others

getting that same enjoyment,” Shirley says.

Asked what her oldest deco-

ration was, she says it’s a Father Christmas with a bell that was given to Graeme when he was five years old.

“We still put him out each year, as well as decorations we bought for our sons 45 years ago.”

Hospice volunteer co-ordinator Moerea Mustard says decorated trees are put in each of the rooms and displays are put up all around the building.

“People love to stop and admire them. They are so joyful and we are truly grateful to Shirley for allowing us to use them,” she says.

Urgent care centre open tomorrow

By Cathie Bell The opening of a new urgent care centre at Wairau Hospital may free up GP practices, letting the 300 Blenheim people unable to enrol with a doctor to do so, Marlborough Primary Health Organisation chief executive Beth Tester says.

The urgent care centre, next to the Wairau Hospital Emergency Department, will replace the after-hours GP clinic and will be open 8am until 8pm seven days a week, from Monday. It is open to the public tomorrow at noon.

Patients under 13 are free.

Overseas visitors and people not registered with a GP in the region pay more, while ACC-covered injuries, children and Community Services cardholders pay less.

People needing medical care outside those hours should go to the emergency department, Beth says.

She says the Urgent Care Centre is available for patients with

non-life threatening, short-term illnesses or health problems who cannot see a GP. “The centre staff will triage patients when they arrive and they’ll either be treated in the Urgent Care Centre or transferred to ED if they require access to specialist care.”

The centre, which has its own doctors, will enable seasonal workers and those on the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme to get their healthcare there, freeing up GP practices’ books for residents.

Beth says accessing primary healthcare is ‘a challenge’ in Marlborough as most GPs have closed their books to new patients.

There are between 200 and 300 people who can’t enrol with a doctor, she says.

Marlborough PHO chairman Alistair Sowman says the region’s aging demographics, combined with high visitor numbers and the seasonal worker

Marlborough Primary Health Organisation chief executive Beth Tester outside the new urgent care clinic.

community, also reinforces the need for the new Urgent Care Centre.

“In the first instance we encourage people to go to their GP, as he or she should be their number one healthcare provider,” he says.

“However, the centre will be convenient for residents and visitors to Marlborough, and give greater access to healthcare - it will also take the pressure off the Emergency Department at Wairau Hospital.”

STUART SMITH MP FOR KAIKOURA

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03 579 3204

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0800 STUART MP (0800 788 278)

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stuart.smithmp@parliament.govt.nz

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The Sun

Treats for good old dogs

By Cathie Bell A discount on registration fees for well-behaved older dogs is being welcomed by dog owners.

Annie Thompson has a muchloved 13 year-old terrier Tui and says she would ‘absolutely’ like to see a discount in registration fees for elderly dogs with a good behaviour record.

“I understand what the pound fees go to but we’ve never had any troubles with Tui. It would be nice to have recognition of having a good dog.”

Tui is very friendly, Annie says, and always sits nicely when children want to pat her.

While she’s now 13, Tui still thinks she’s five and she continues to run well in the terrier race at the Marlborough A&P Show each year.

The Marlborough District Council is reviewing its dog registration fees, and is looking at a $45 a year charge for dogs over 12 years in next year’s registration year.

Any written warning or barking abatement notice issued since July 2016 would disqualify a dog, as would any seizure of the dog or infringement of the Dog Control Act 1996 by the dog’s owner.

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inbrief

The Sun

Ward highway detour State Highway One between Ward Beach Road and Seddon Street will be closed from Monday until Wednesday December 13, the New Zealand Transport Agency says, so the Flaxbourne Bridge repairs can be finished.

Whooping cough getting worse

‘Good old dog’ Tui gives Charlotte Thompson a lick while Jake Thompson holds her.

‘A new category for responsible dog owners is proposed, setting the annual fee at $60, compared with $90 for the standard, nonworking dog fee.

To qualify as a ‘responsible dog owner’, the pet must be microchipped and de-sexed with no

record of complaints for the past two years.

Council animal control subcommittee chairman Jamie Arbuckle says the responsible owner category has been introduced after feedback.

The fee structure for working

dogs has also changed, dropping by $4.50 to $20 a year. Owners of larger dog packs will pay a discounted fee of $10 for their tenth and any further dogs.

The new fee structure goes to the council’s December meeting for final approval.

Joint effort needed to ride boom

By Cathie Bell Marlborough’s economy is booming with unemployment at ‘record’ lows, but all parts of the community need to work together to ride the wave, a summit on labour issues has been told.

Wine Marlborough held a meeting last Tuesday on the progress made by the industry to meet projected growth impacts.

Vineyards are expected to grow by 6800 hectares and 2500 extra workers over the next four years, and steps need to be taken to find those workers and house them.

Friday December 1, 2017

Council economic development manager Neil Henry says steps have been taken by contracting firms to provide 1000 beds in eight different projects in the next few years, and the council projects that 189 new houses are being built each year, so the demand for housing should be met.

Consultant Tony Smale says a report he has prepared for the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce, funded by the Ministry for Business, Innovation, and Employment, shows there could be a shortfall of 3700 workers.

There needs to be leadership, bringing together all parts of the community to work together to aggressively promote Marlborough, Tony says.

Setting up a website to host all jobs available in Marlborough would be good, he says.

The latest Infometrics report on Marlborough says the region grew by 3.5 per cent. Most indicators of spending and investment expanded, apart from some earthquake-induced disruptions to visitor spending and traffic flows.

“The outlook for the early stages

of 2018 is good, particularly with SH1 south of Blenheim set to reopen in time for summer.”

An expanding population, up by 1.5 per cent in the June year, has added significantly to spending and investment in Marlborough.

Residential building consents soared 33 per cent over the past year, with population growth and earthquake rebuild work being key contributors to additional demand, and Infometrics’ analysis shows Airbnb listings in Marlborough increased from 346 last year to 622 this year.

There have been 73 notifications of potential cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, in the Marlborough, Nelson and Tasman region, the Nelson Marlborough Health Public Health Service says.

Medical officer of health Stephen Bridgman says 21 cases have been confirmed, a further 14 cases are suspected and the remainder are under investigation.

He urges people to be vigilant and seek immediate advice from their GP if they or their children show whooping cough symptoms, and he has advised all GPs in the wider region to be alert to pertussis symptoms, test for the contagious disease and to notify the PHS of any cases.

Picton beach fest The Marlborough Youth Trust is holding an event on the Picton foreshore for young people this evening, starting at 8pm until 10pm. Beach Fest is for youth aged 13-18 years old, and the event will include live music, food truck, toasted marshmallows, and go off with a bang, organisers say.

Transport to and from Picton will be available from Blenheim, Seddon, Havelock and Rai Valley and interested people should contact MYT to catch a ride.

Ocean Vine Hop A good crowd of over 2000 people attended the inaugural Ocean Vine Hop Festival at Pollard Park on Saturday, not 200 as was published in The Sun on Wednesday. We apologise for the error.

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The Sun

Friday December 1, 2017

Business inbrief

Cycle shop to move Cycleworld is to move to the ground floor of Rangitane House on Main Street, next to the Postshop, next year.

The space used to house private boxes, but has been renovated to make room for retail space.

Lauren moves on and up with fast food

Market on the move The Marlborough Artisan Market is set to move to the High Street carpark, next to the new Riverside Park Quays area by the Taylor River amphitheatre.

The park is to open to the public later this month, and the artisan market plans to launch its summer season in the new area.

Retail spending up Retail spending in Marlborough for the three months to September this year was up 3.3 percent, or $7 million, to $224.7million, Statistics NZ says.

The Government agency monitors retail spending and is now producing the data in regional breakdowns.

Pharmacy move Prices Pharmacy in Queen Street has closed and is merging with the Springlands Unichem Pharmacy on Middle Renwick Road.

The move takes effect from today, and the store says its entire prescription database will be shifting as well so people’s medical histories will not be lost.

25kg Layers Pellets 25kg Layers Meal 25kg Meatbird Pellets 20kg Chooken Treat 20kg Chooken Brew ALL LOCALLY PRODUCED ON SITE BY KIWI SEED 527 Old Renwick Rd Phone 578 0468

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Former Blenheim McDonald’s owner Lauren McAuslin, who is now operating two Taranaki McDonalds locations. File photo.

By Cathie Bell Marlborough businesswoman Lauren McAuslin has sold the Blenheim McDonalds and now is operating two stores in Taranaki.

She says the move from Marlborough wasn’t an easy decision to make, but the opportunity in Taranaki was too good to pass up.

“It was a pretty tough decision as Blenheim has been home for 22 years.”

The company’s head office approached her to take on the Taranaki stores after the previous owner moved to a group of stores in the far north.

“The New Plymouth store is the biggest store

in the country,” Lauren says, and her new opportunity is a ‘pretty major promotion’ and a vote of confidence in her.

The move has been good so far, she says, ‘although I definitely miss home’.

“There’s certainly not the Blenheim sunshine up in Taranaki... Marlborough’s a pretty special place.”

Sh e h a s s o l d t h e Blenheim store to Wilhelm Maas, who was a friend of her father’s, Lauren says.

The Blenheim McDonalds was opened in 1994

by Lauren’s father Phil, who died in 2008. She bought the store from her mother, Jenny, in 2016.

Shoppers will miss Judy

By Bill McElhinney After 35 years in the Blenheim retail business, Judy Check has met a lot of people.

But now she has decided it’s time to take a break and after eleven-and-a-half years there, she has finished up at the Furniture Gallery in Grove Road.

Many Blenheim shoppers will know Judy from her time at Noel Herd Jewellers, Acapella Furniture, Harford House and more recently the Furniture Gallery.

“I’m a people person,” Judy says, “and I really love helping people. Although sometimes they tell me all their problems and Rob (Rob Bruce, Furniture Gallery owner) says I should wear a sign saying ‘psychological counselling available after 6pm!’

“But it’s been a privilege to be

invited into people’s homes to help them with furniture placement and interior design.”

Judy says she has always had an eye for design, and has also done a number of courses on interior design. She will carry on with interior design advice on a part-time basis.

The biggest change Judy has seen over recent years has been in bed design.

“The technology has evolved so much,” she says.

But now Judy wants to spend more time with family – “while I still can.” And that means travelling out of Blenheim.

“I have eight grandchildren,” Judy says, “and they are in Nelson, Auckland and England – none in Blenheim. I want to have time to visit them.”

After 35 years in the Blenheim retail scene, Judy Check is taking a break.

Top wine from Marlborough

By Cathie Bell Marlborough wines took out the top awards at this year’s Air New Zealand Wine Awards, with a chardonnay winning the top prize and a pinot noir taking out the reserve award.

The Isabel Chardonnay Marlborough 2016 won the prestigious Air New Zealand Champion Wine of the Show trophy, as well as the Rabobank

Champion Chardonnay trophy, at the awards dinner last Saturday.

Chair of judges Warren Gibson says the Isabel Chardonnay Marlborough 2016 is ‘a very classy example’ of the chardonnay in this year’s competition.

“It has a beautiful balance of components with a rich long finish,” he says.

Isabel Estate Vineyard has

some of the oldest chardonnay vines in the region and planted their first vineyards in 1980.

Chief winemaker Jeremy McKenzie says Isabel Estate Vineyard’s philosophy on working the land is simple.

“Respect the soil where the grapes grow and allow the unique characters of each vineyard and variety to be expressed in the final wine.”

The second highest accolade of the evening, the O-I New Zealand Reserve Wine of the Show trophy, went to the Dashwood Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016. This wine, made by chief winemaker Stu Marfell of Foley Family Wines, also won the JF Hillebrand New Zealand Champion Pinot Noir trophy.

This year’s competition saw over 1300 wines entered.

The Sun

Friday December 1, 2017

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He korero no te Kaunihera o Wairau NEWS FROM THE MARLBOROUGH DISTRICT COUNCIL

Big day out in the High Country

Wither Hills – Work in progress There’ll be quite a bit going on around the bike and walkways of the Wither Hills over the weeks ahead and people are asked to keep a safe distance from any activity.

• Gorse and Broom control begins soon at the southern end of the mountain bike park.

• Spot spraying gets underway on Chilean Needle Grass on the Taylor river berm and the Farm Park.

• Fencing repairs along the twin tanks walkway and a small section east of the Wiggles Track.

• Track repairs and improvements to the Mt Vernon track section from Sutherland Stream to Cob Cottage track.

• Resealing of the main entrance to the Farm Park at 214 Redwood Street, hopefully by Christmas.

The work is likely to run through to mid-December, then continue through late summer into early autumn, determined partly by the level of fire risk through summer. Some aerial spraying of gorse and broom is also being planned.

Signs will be up at the main park entrances and people should follow these warning signs, as well as any instructions from the contractors doing the work.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Field trippers stop for a picnic lunch at Carters yards, Muller Station.

A public field day at Muller Station, winner of the Farming category in the 2017 Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards, attracted a record crowd of 160 people last week.

Station owners Steve and Mary Satterthwaite shared their story, from the battle against weeds, rabbits and other pests to where they are today – the second biggest merino supplier to Icebreaker and farming that is in tune with their environment.

Awards judge Peter Anderson said the best farms are very aware

of how important caring for the environment is to their farming operation and to the future of their land. The Satterthwaites are an excellent example of this and shared their experience in improved grazing management, weed control and soil fertility.

Marlborough District Council is a principal sponsor of the Awards.

Entries for the next round of the Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards open in August 2018.

Read more at www.cmea.org.nz

Ready to roll

40th year celebration!

This Saturday Blenheim CBD will come alive with festive cheer at Lions Club of Blenheim’s community project, Mistletoe Market. Celebrating its 40th year, this is Blenheim’s largest street market and one of the most popular in the Top of the South area. Offering a large selection of stalls

with something for everyone – food, gifts, jewellery, clothes and so much more. This is the perfect opportunity to pick up some wonderful Christmas gifts.

Date: Saturday 2 December Time: 9.00am to 2.00pm Place: Blenheim CBD

Ageing Positively – Living life to the full

Deputy Mayor Terry Sloan took to the wheel of the newly refurbished Blenheim borough steam roller last week.

A dedicated team of heritage volunteers has fixed up the eight-ton McLaren machine, which was built in

Leeds, England in 1925, and served the Blenheim borough for many years.

For further information, contact the Vintage Farm Machinery Club at Brayshaw Park.

Notification of meeting The following meeting is open to the public and interested persons are welcome to attend. Copies of the agenda will be available online and at the Council’s office, 15 Seymour Street.

Council Thursday, 14 December 2017 at 2.00pm.

The time and date may be subject to change; please contact Nicole Chauval, Committee Secretary, Ph: 03 520 7400 for confirmation.

Boil water notice - Awatere and Seddon Water from Council’s reticulation system in Seddon and the Awatere should be boiled. It does not currently meet the NZ Drinking Water Standard and may contain bacteria or protozoa that are harmful to human health.

Treated water is available at the public tap on the corner of Marama

Road and Foster Street.

A new Seddon water treatment plant is scheduled for construction this year and will supply treated water to the NZ Drinking Water Standard.

For further information contact our Customer Service Centre Ph: 03 520 7400.

www.marlborough.govt.nz

Mary Yemm’s life could easily have ended at the age of 20. That’s when she was due to take the Christmas Eve express train from Wellington to Auckland. She didn’t board the ill-fated train with her friend as planned. The train plunged into the river at Tangiwai and her friend did not survive.

That quirk of fate enabled Mary to go on and live a full life, raising nine children and contributing to her community ‘diligently and enthusiastically’ in the words of one who knows her. She’s been a member of St John NZ for almost 60 years and has given 20 years’ service to both the MS/ Parkinson Society and the RSA Women’s Section.

Now a young-at-heart 84-year-old, Mary’s approach has always been to maintain a positive outlook - “I can do anything until it’s proven I can’t.”

She uses social media to keep in touch with her close-knit family, keeps busy with her knitting, and is now working on bringing together the many strands of her own family tree.

Proposed Road Stopping - 7 Herbert Street, Blenheim In exercise of the power contained in section 342(1)(a) of the Local Government Act 1974, and in accordance with the Tenth Schedule of that Act, public notice is hereby given that the Marlborough District Council proposes to stop a portion of legal road containing 0.0039 Ha adjoining Lot 1 DP 8842 and Lot 2 DP 382699 Marlborough Land Registration District, and shown as Section 1 on plan SO 516964.

The applicant has applied for the stopping of a portion of legal road adjoining their property at 7 Herbert Street, Blenheim as the area to be stopped is fenced and used exclusively by the applicant.

Should the road stopping be completed the land will be transferred to and amalgamated with the adjoining landowner’s title at market value.

Further details of the proposed road stopping, including the plan of survey showing the portion of road to be stopped, may be inspected at the office of the Marlborough District Council, Seymour Street, Blenheim.

Anyone wishing to object to this proposed stopping can submit a written objection to the Council no later than . The submissions should be addressed to Nicole Chauval, Committee

Street Address: Phone: 03 520 7400 15 Seymour Street Fax: 03 520 7496 Email: mdc@marlborough.govt.nz Blenheim 7201 New Zealand

Secretary, Marlborough District Council, PO Box 443, Blenheim 7240 or email nicole.chauval@ marlborough.govt.nz

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The Sun

Friday December 1, 2017

txt

talk

The Sun Parking at schools What happened to our legs?

Replaced by SUV’s, each larger than the other to pronouncing perceived social/economic status to other mothers at the gate!

The meter maids have a job to do, we never had the luxury of bedroom to classroom transport - tell your children to walk 200 yards, unplugged to cellphone or tablet game.

One day some bright intellectual might have an epiphany that self-propelled motion is good for us!

Big thank you We just want to say a big thank you to the wonderful family friend that brings beautiful home baking for the staff at Maxwell Care home on a regular basis.

We appreciate your kindness a lot.

To many cats Heaps of feral cats at night have been seen between Ngakuta bay and Picton.

Often count up to 20 on the road.

Good job for DOC to have a cull out.

Women’s Tri My wife and I were volunteer marshals on the run section of the Women’s Tri on Sunday.

We were amazed at the attitude of some dog owners who allowed their animals to run free amongst the runners.

We were abused by some inconsiderate dog owners and also some cyclists who were reluctant to give way to the competitors.

One morning a year, surely these ladies deserve a fair go.

True kindness Thank you to the person who moved our cat off the road after he was run over last week on Eltham Rd. It was better finding him on the grass berm instead of him still being on the road, so thank you.

Thanks team Wairau

Abandoned cars

Last week, I spent five days in Wairau Hospital, from ED through to the wards, the attention to detail from doctors and nurses was impeccable.

Meals and service superb.

Two abandoned cars at side of State Highway One as you enter Picton, windows smashed been there over a week.

Not good look for Heart of the Sounds!

A little consideration needed To the gentleman around 50 years old driving the Holden whom abused my 82 year old father who parked his mobility scooter outside the Springlands supermarket, he was going into the pharmacy to get a prescription, he has had cancer and was struggling putting his groceries into his satchel.

Just remember he has a family. Lets hope I never come across the guy.

Common sense lost Came around the Main/Redwood Streets roundabout and low and behold police car parked right there talking to two young cyclists.

Where is your safety zone?

No one could see you till we came around corner.

Surely you could have gone around the roundabout and found somewhere safe to park without obstructing the road on a busy corner.

Ticketing Parking wardens should learn to read when giving out tickets, make of car and number plate don’t match.

Survival kits I’m concerned about those people that think their survival stash is OK in the garage.

Earthquake stories show roller doors etc are munted and you can’t get in or out of the garage.

I love txt talk But was everyone ‘on something’ who wrote in on 24/11?

The funniest page yet. Love it...

Thank you Thank you to the person who handed in my walking stick at the Warehouse.

Nice to know there are honest people around.

Edwin Fox I recently moved to Picton and visited the Edwin Fox. I was moved to tears by the experience.

I’m astounded by the amount of locals who haven’t visited this treasure.

Politics The text about Jack Tame and Jacinda Ardern on the Breakfast Show in last week’s text talk intrigued me, so I had a look on TVNZ on demand and found the moment at 53 minutes in, and I can see what those people meant.

Good god, the man wouldn’t stop pestering her!

Asking the same question over and over about some pathetic little detail, he dragged the topic out over nearly six minutes!

Got so boring listening to him harassing her with the same question, just drop it and move onto the more important questions!

And until then I thought Jack Tame was quite a good, sensible, energetic young reporter/ presenter.

He must be a National supporter.

From a concerned elderly citizen To the school kids getting off the bus in Seddon, running across the busy street without a care in the world, is just unsafe.

Look before you cross, roads are not the school playground!

What will your parents think!?

txt talk of the week

Great nurse Suzie the wound care nurse at Wairau Hospital is great at her job!

Home security 101!

I agree with your letter to editor, these uncancelled MEX freebee tabloids thrown onto properties from red car...21, are a brilliant crime tool advertisement; just a drive by and you will easily find who’s away.

Please look after your neighbour these holidays and either pick it up or move it to the gutter to keep our homes & community safe.

Daylight saving Why not for the first three months next year or longer get everyone starting work, school etc all at 7am in full daylight.

Supermarkets, bakers, couriers, coffee outlets, hospitals, vineyards, are doing it.

Finish at 3.30pm.

The bonus of after work family time, sports, socialising would be invaluable.

Could be an innovative regional thing even the Chamber of Commerce could support this and teachers-hmm!

There’s a cracking idea.

Want to work later then it’s overtime.

Let’s try it!

Food night Can Blenheim please, please have another night food market in town but in a bigger area, not cramped up like the last one.

Government secrets Not being privy to any secrets the new government may have, one can only listen to what is said publicly.

John Armstrong seems to be in the know or is it just hype, journalistic rubbish to sell papers, or undermine the government?

We welcome your texts on 027 242 5266.

Limit to 70 words please.

Name supplied please. We reserve the right to publish at our discretion.

Please note the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Sun management.

Got an important issue to share with Marlborough?

Text your thoughts to: 027 242 5266

The most advanced pedal-powered watercraft Discover hands-free fishing in the new pedal-driven PREDATOR PDL Come and join us and try it out!

Range of Kayaks. No charge. Life Jackets provided.

Waikawa waterfront Sunday 3 December, 9am Follow us on facebook.com/Hendersonsltd

38 Grove Road - 03 578 9960 - jhendersons@xtra.co.nz

The Sun

Friday December 1, 2017

Tinkerbell (Pieta Radovanovich), Peter Pan (Zoe Blackmore) and Captain Hook (Brianna Woodley) will be starring in the Marlborough Academy of Dance production, ‘Hooked on Christmas.’

Peter Pan characters come to life for Christmas

By Bill McElhinney Will the dastardly Captain Hook destroy Christmas forever?

Will Wendy, John, Michael and Tinkerbell be able to get to the North Pole and rescue Peter Pan and Santa Claus from the clutches of Hook and his pirate crew?

You can find out when ‘Hooked on Christmas’ is staged at the ASB Theatre in Blenheim on Saturday and Sunday next week, December 9 and 10.

“The production brings the much loved Peter Pan

story book characters to the stage in a fun-filled Christmas dance pantomime,” Marlborough Academy of Dance director Robyn Simmons says.

“It was originally a pantomime written by Raetihi mayoress Phyl Cameron.

“She was intrigued when we contacted her to see if we could perform it as a musical, and as she will be in Wellington around the time we stage the show, she hopes to get over and see how we’ve adapted it.”

The show features 200 of

Marlborough’s young Academy dance stars showcasing their talent.

“We’ll have performers ranging from three-year-old pre-schoolers through to the senior champion dancers, and even some teachers singing,” Robyn says.

“It is an entertaining dance spectacular featuring jazz, Highland dance, Irish dance, ballet, acro and hiphop.”

‘Hooked on Christmas’ will be staged at the ASB Theatre on Saturday week at 6.30pm and Sunday at 4pm.

PBA

Bohally pupils Rebekah Anderson, Mckenzie Feather, Tamara Wylie-Smith and Katie Hedgman were selling sausages last Friday to raise money for needy people.

Bohally girls band together to help others

By Bill McElhinney Bohally Intermediate pupil Katie Hedgman was so moved by the plight of homeless people she had seen on the internet she decided to do something about it.

First, she was selected to give a speech to the rest of the school, and decided to talk about the homelessness and the things she had seen.

Her friends were moved by her speech and soon a few of them began to meet to discuss what, if anything, they could do to help others.

Year seven pupils Katie, Ta-

mara Wylie-Smith, Rebekah Anderson and Mckenzie Feather decided that if they could raise some money, they could put that towards helping those in need.

So last Friday the four girls organised a sausage sizzle in conjunction with a school mufti day.

“We had some great sponsorship,” Rebekah says. “We had sausages donated by Meaters of Marlborough and Westmeat, and donations from Pak ‘n Save and New World.”

Pupils who paid $2 could

wear mufti for the day and get a sausage from the girls, and the team raised about $700.

“We’re going to use the money to make gift bags,” Tamara says.

“They’ll have things like toiletries and toothbrushes and some food items in them.”

“Then we’re going to give the gift bags to John’s Kitchen,” Mckenzie says.

“The people at John’s Kitchen will know who to give them to, who the needy people are.”

NOW ON! paknsave.co.nz

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The Sun

Friday December 1, 2017

Bird of the Year promoter moves here

By Cathie Bell A ‘hard-out’ voluntary campaign saw the kea crowned as New Zealand’s bird of the year, campaign manager Laura Young says.

Laura, who has recently moved to Blenheim so her husband can join his family’s wine business, spoke to the Zonta professional women’s group on Wednesday evening about her work in the South Island mountains and the campaign to promote the kea as bird of the year.

Because the highly intelligent birds interact so enthusiastically with people, many don’t realise the birds are endangered, Laura says.

In fact, there are only between 3000 and 7000 of the birds left in the wild.

They are one of three native bird species in the alps, and now are understood to spread 95 per cent of the seeds of alpine plants, she says.

“A decline in kea numbers is likely to have an adverse effect on alpine ecosystems.”

The birds are vulnerable to predators, electrocution and lead poisoning, Laura says.

Working with others, she had started a citizen science project on kea at Arthur’s Pass which teaches people about the birds and advocates for them.

It also helps science by getting people to report sightings, particularly of banded birds.

This painting of a rower by Glynn Davies is one of the works on display at the Figures Exhibition at the High Street gallery.

Human body focus of latest exhibition Laura Young was the campaign manager for the kea, which won Bird of the Year.

Part of her advocacy work was being campaign manager for kea in the Bird of the Year elections this year.

“We went really hard out and won.”

She met her childhood hero, chimpanzee scientist and advocate Jane Goodall earlier this year, and was struck by what she says.

“She says that what we do makes a difference, and we have to decide

what sort of difference we want to make.

“With these thousands of hours of kea work, I’m proud they’re the difference I’ve made.”

Laura is keen to make people aware of the high country and alpine environments and encourages people to spend time in the mountains.

“What people don’t see and don’t know about, they can’t care about.”

The human body is the subject of an exhibition at the Marlborough Art Society’s gallery in High Street, which opens tonight and runs until Friday, December 22.

“It’s a big show of the work of 34 artists, ranging from paintings to three dimensional art works including ceramics and sculptural pieces made of wood and wool,” exhibitions coordinator Helen Ballinger says.

“You will need to see it for

yoursef to get the breadth of the 70 works on display.

“Danielle Yealands returns with a magnificent painting, and Meredith Marsone and Glynn Davies are other stand out painters in the exhibition,” Helen says.

“Val Griffiths Jones, Rob Barrer, Lorraine Polglase and Romelia Lopez Diaz have contributed sculptural work which adds the third dimension to a very interesting exhibition.”

The Sun

Friday December 1, 2017

9

farming Marlborough

Ian ready for world title

By Celeste Alexander This weekend will be one of sweat, concentration, and hopefully joy at the World Ploughing Championships being held in Kenya over two days.

Representing New Zealand is Spring Creek man Ian Woolley, who has been in Kenya for two weeks already to prepare his equipment and get some valuable practise time.

The Sun contacted Ian this week to ask what his experience was like being in Kenya and how he was feeling going into the competition.

“Well life in Kenya is certainly different and makes us all appreciate New Zealand.

It’s certainly an interesting way of life.

“The cows graze on the side of the road and the herdsman moves them on and quite often they are on the road with the cars. Most interesting is the way they carry goods from one place to another. Push bikes laden with wood metres above their heads and heavy sacks of grain, motorbikes as well, laden down and I’ve even seen a guy on a bike with a couch on the back.

“The Kenyans are very friendly, and we also have adopted a local called Alex into the team. He has helped the guys with his vast knowledge of local stuff and is happy to do anything for us.

Ian will be competing with his John

Matt Broughan and Jeremy Watts are the new owners of the former Marlborough Tractor Services (MTS) and have rebranded to Agrivit.

Ian Woolley's tractor and plough in action.

Deere 5720 tractor and Kverneland plough in the conventional class. The Sun will publish another story next week with Ian’s results.

Rural fuel delivery

New owners, new branding

By Celeste Alexander W h a t w a s fo r m e r l y Marlborough Tractor Services (MTS), a Renwick based machinery business, has been sold and rebranded.

As of November 1 the business is now called Agrivit and is a partnership between Jeremy Watts and Clare Kilty, along with Matt and Lynne Broughan.

The two couples purchased it earlier in June from Martin and Fliss Roberts. Matt and Jeremy say they identified that the business had ‘huge potential’ and felt they could grow it to something new and bigger.

“Lynne and I have owned Liquid Action for six years and decided we wanted to diversify, so this was a good opportunity,” Matt says.

“I was looking for a change of scenery so when Matt

approached me about a partnership it worked out well,” Jeremy says.

Soon after the purchase they began thinking about a rebrand to reflect the two major industries that the business services, agriculture and viticulture.

The two were merged to form the new name Agrivit.

“It’s been good for us and the community to see something new and different.

We’ve also had a lot of great feedback about us taking over, with some people saying it’s good to see young people coming in and taking it to the next level,” they say.

Agrivit will continue to supply and service all makes and models of tractors, sprayers and wind machines. They are also agents for Cropland Vineyard Sprayers, building them for the whole of the

country and are the local service agents.

“We get the parts imported in and we build them in our new purpose built workshop,” Matt says.

Agrivit also manufactures its own custom designed undervine Econo Mower, is the Marlborough Power Farming agent for Deutz Fahr, SAME, Kioti, Kverneland, Maschio, Gaspardo, and Aitchison and McHale, and supplies and services everything from post drivers to netting solutions.

“We pride ourselves in having a good range of machinery and products and are able to think outside the box to provide solutions to customers’ problems.

“Essentially we are local people doing business with locals with top level service,” Matt says.

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The Sun

Friday December 1, 2017

farming Marlborough

Dairy farmers invite the public to visit

Selected dairy farms from around the country will be open to the public for one day on Sunday, December 10.

“This is a great idea and an opportunity for all kiwis rural and urban, to visit a farm and see at first-hand the environmental work farmers have done and are still doing,”

Federated Farmers dairy industry chairman Chris Lewis says.

The Federation has already held farm days in the provinces, which was a similar concept, and has been successful in building community engagement with farmers.

“Everyone is welcome and especially those people who have been

less complimentary towards farmers. They can see what perception is versus actual reality.”

To visit a farm, you have to register on Fonterra’s website. There are 40 farms taking part and they all represent different aspects of environmental stewardship that has been completed or in progress.

If you want to know what a riparian strip is, how effluent management works or look at how farmers protect biodiversity this is your chance.

“There might be some scrutiny as to why these farms were selected.

Well, they’ve been picked for a variety of reasons, including logistics.

“For one, they need to meet criteria around car parking and health and safety. The reality is you can’t have dozens of people trooping across properties or paddocks, it will have an impact and so these selected farms are suited to handle that rate of activity,” Chris says.

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Alex Hood has had a successful year at Lincoln University.

Aspiring young farmer wants holiday work

By Bill McElhinney Young Marlborough woman Alexandra Hood has her sights set on being a farmer.

“She was brought up as a townie,” her mother, Fiona Ashcroft, says. “But she has her sights set on doing something she clearly loves.”

Alex, 19, has just graduated from Lincoln University, Telford Division, gaining a top award in her Certificate in Agriculture.

Now this bright young student is looking for work on a Marlborough farm for six weeks after Christmas.

“She would like to work on a sheep and beef farm,” Fiona says. “It’s part of her diploma requirement. She will be taking the diploma of Agriculture next year at either Lincoln or Massey.”

After finishing at Marlborough Girls’ College with Merit endorsements, Alex completed the

Certificate in Equine level three and four with distinction and merit at Lincoln’s Telford division in Balclutha in 2016 with her horse, Walter, bought specially for the course.

This year Alex was also awarded Best Pasture and Weed Collection cup, the Glenrue Cup for Academic Excellence in Agriculture and won the Best Overall Agriculture Student - the William Telford Memorial Challenge Cup for highest aggregate of marks.

Alex loves animals, and this year had the chance to learn how to train a sheep dog, Fiona says.

“She was able to get her dog, Ace, from a puppy litter in the Waihopai. Alex says he still has a way to go, but is doing well with his training.

“Between this and being able to have her horse Walter on site again she has had a busy year.”

The Sun

Friday December 1, 2017

11

farming Marlborough

Farmers back tougher line on biosecurity Federated Farmers is pleased to see that the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is toughening its stance on visitors who ignore New Zealand’s strict biosecurity laws.

The ministry has increased fines by 50 percent since 2014 to air passengers who flout entry requirements, with 9100 infringement notices

issued to date this year.

“Farmers will feel reassured that focus is high with the busy summer period starting, and after recent biosecurity incursions,” Federated Farmers’ Biosecurity Spokesperson Guy Wigley says “It’s good to know that MPI is implementing more robust, preventa-

tive measures. Increasing numbers of visitors is putting greater stress on our borders and this can have unintended implications for our agriculture sector - the backbone of the New Zealand economy.

“There seems to be a move away from issuing just warnings, which happened in the past. Now there are

fines of apparently $400 for even those visitors who have forgotten to declare any potential risk they are carrying.”

Federated Farmers regularly advocates for more resources and funding to develop, maintain and enforce a world class biosecurity system.

“This might seem harsh or an

unwelcome gesture to visitors coming to our wonderful country, but the reality is we can’t afford for any lapses or oversight which might compromise our valuable flora or fauna.

“The financial and social consequences are considerable for farmers, their communities and all New Zealand,” Guy says.

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Lyndon has also organised some other fundraising events, including an on-line auction of donated farm-related items and a quiz night at the Rai Valley Tavern last Saturday night.

“We hope to have raised between $12,000 - $15,000 at the end of it all,” Lyndon says. He has asked for all donations to be split between the 14 Rural Support Trusts all over New Zealand.

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By Bill McElhinney Rai Valley dairy farmer Lyndon Campbell was really scratchy during calving this year.

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And their two sons, Callan, five-and-a-half and Brodie, twoand-a-half, thought it was pretty funny to see Dad with no hair.

Last year Lyndon kicked off a Rural Trust fundraiser, shavefree for calving.

When the first calf was born on their farm on July 16, Lyndon shaved his hair and whiskers off, and then didn’t shave again until the last calf was born on October 6.

“Last year we raised nearly $3000 for the Top of the South Rural Support Trust, and we are very proud of that,” Lyndon says.

“Then it sort of took off and this year more farmers got involved.

We had about 30-40 blokes around the country join in.”

Lyndon says having to shave during calving is “just another thing to do, so I decided to give it a miss. And then I decided to turn it into a fundraiser.

“I am only too aware that a lot of farmers, both men and women, don’t have the support of family and friends that I do during the tough times. Anything I can do to make it a little easier for a fellow farmer is worth it,

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The Sun

Friday December 1, 2017

Motorcycle festival attracts experts Marlborough motorcyclists are being invited to polish their bikes, don their leathers and roll up to the Shiny Side Up Bike Fest in Nelson on February 4, 2018.

Shiny Side Up is a free event for motorcycling enthusiasts, with a number of industry experts leading workshops and discussions, plus trade stalls, live demonstrations as well as food and entertainment for the whole family.

Shiny Side Up media spokesperson Caroline Carruthers says the bike festival is a family-friendly event aimed at recreational motorcycle riders.

“Our aim is to bring the motorcycling community together and share best practice, to empower and learn from one another,” Caroline says.

“We’ve got some great people and workshops lined up in the hopes that people will leave the event even better riders than when they arrived.”

The event is led by the NZTA and ACC’s Ride Forever with the support of local

councils, and is the first Shiny Side Up event to be held in the South Island.

World-renowned motorcycle suspension specialist Dave Moss will be at the event tuning people’s motorbikes live, while demonstrating correct ergonomic set ups and discussing general motorbike maintenance.

Motorcycling safety advocate Brittany Morrow, known as the Road Rash Queen, will share her harrowing story of being thrown off a motorcycle wearing only jeans, sweatshirt, tennis shoes and an oversized helmet in 2005 and receiving skin grafts on more than 50 per cent of her body.

More guest speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. Motorcyclists can find more information on the website www.shinysideup. co.nz and Facebook page, and are encouraged to get in touch with organisers if you would like to be involved.

Shiny Side Up will be at Trafalgar Centre in Nelson on February 4 from 10am-4pm.

PBA

Jeremy Mikaio, Samoa, was enjoying his noodles.

Anuska Kumar, Fiji, and Anita Gaolathwe, Botswana, at the lunch.

Kids come together for multi-cultural lunch

By Bill McElhinney It was lunch with a difference at Mayfield School on Monday as children from a host of different cultures came together to share food and fun.

Fourteen Bohally ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) students visited nine Mayfield School ESOL students to share a cultural lunch which the children organised themselves.

The children prepared dishes from Tonga, Samoa, Brazil, Botswana, Thailand, Japan, the Philippines, China and India.

There were iced coconut buns, fried rice and chicken with special sauces and seasonings, Chinese noodles with capsicum, tomatoes, spring onions and spinach, marinated fish in coconut milk, chilli, spring onions

and tomatoes, special Indian cup cakes and Kiwi pavlova and cream to finish.

“We have kids from Thailand, Tonga, Samoa, Brazil, Japan, Philippines, South Korea, Brazil and Botswana at Bohally,” Te Whare Ako manager at Bohally Intermediate, Cathy-Ann Scoon says.

“The Mayfield School community were great hosts. They opened their hearts wide and welcomed us warmly.

“We haven’t done this sort of thing before, but it turned out to be a great day, so we will do it again,” CathyAnn says.

“Although next time we might get the kids to bring their dishes already prepared. Having everyone cooking together in the kitchen was a wee bit

like herding kittens!

“The kids from Mayfield usually come to Bohally Intermediate as year seven students, so it has been a great opportunity to meet them before they arrive,” Cathy-Ann says.

“Past students from Mayfield, who are now at Bohally, returned today to their old school to catch up with the staff who had taught them and to mix again with the kids they knew.

We also have ESOL kids at Bohally and ESOL kids at Mayfield who are siblings.

“It is a privilege to work with kids from other countries who have made New Zealand their home.” CathyAnn says.

“One thing I tell them is to never forget where they are from and to be proud of their culture and heritage.”

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1 DEC 2017 -28 FEB 2018

The Sun

Friday December 1, 2017

International Volunteer Day Dec 5th Judy awarded for her time

By Celeste Alexander Judy Shanahan is a busy lady.

She juggles her tennis coaching with part time work and two volunteer roles with Age Concern Marlborough and Alzheimers Marlborough.

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, and last week she was awarded the Age Concern Dignity Champion award.

She was nominated by community welfare co-ordinator Catherine Donnelly.

“Judy is deserving of this award because she is always willing to help those in need, is very kind and has a fantastic passion for life.

Judy Shanahan has been recognised for her contribution as a volunteer “Thank you Judy for giving up so much of your time to

by Age Concern Marlborough.

help Age Concern support older residents in the community.

You are a valued volunteer who does everything from visiting clients to helping to unpack boxes,” Catherine says.

For over two years Judy has served on the board for Age Concern and is also part of checking up on elderly persons living in council flats.

“I love it! It’s a variety of things and it’s really rewarding to work with elderly who are having a bit of a struggle with life,” she says.

As part of her award Judy received a large box of frozen meals courtesy of Tomorrow’s Meals.

Over 20 years of service

By Celeste Alexander The Marlborough Stroke Club has been very fortunate to have had a team of ‘wonderful’ volunteers over the years, including one who has served 23 years.

Margaret Gilbert says it’s been a privilege to be part of the charitable organisation, giving her time co-ordinating transport and doing two stints on the committee.

She has recently retired from the committee but says she will ‘happily’ continue providing transport for those taking part in the club’s events and meetings.

“I’m so pleased I had a conversation all those years ago, with someone who suggested Stroke Club as an option for volunteer work.

“I had just moved from Picton to Blenheim and went along to line dancing

one day where I got chatting with a lady about where I could donate my time.

“I went along to a meeting and have been volunteering ever since. The best part is that I’ve made some wonderful friends along the way,” she says.

The club first began in 1985 and is one of the older clubs in New Zealand. There are currently 28 volunteers but the club is always looking for more, secretary Vyvienne Dunlop says.

“We also welcome anyone interested in joining the committee as we are looking for someone to take over the treasurer’s role,” she says.

The Marlborough Stroke Club runs four groups for stroke survivors and their carers.

There’s a group that meets once a month for survivors, a group called WAGS for the more able bodied survivors looking to get back out into the community, one for carers that meets once a month and a new group for younger members who are still in the workforce and survived a stroke.

In addition to all of this there’s the Pete Carpenter Wellness Fund that subsidises fitness rehabilitation through Kustom Fitness.

A $5000 donation from this year’s Beavertown Blenheim Lions Club Bride of the Year Show has kick started this fund.

“Anyone who is a stroke survivor can come to us and be part of the groups we run, simply contact us for more information,” Vyvienne says.

13

Volunteers are not paid .... not because they are worthless but because they are priceless!

Let’s celebrate International Volunteer Day is a great reason to to celebrate and recognise volunteers for the invaluable work they do International Volunteer Day, a United Nations-led initiative, is held each year on December 5.

Whether we are working locally as community gardeners, on the sport fields or as aid workers or working with migrant communities, we are part of the global movement of volunteers.

Let’s use this day to celebrate and recognise Marlborough’s volunteers for the invaluable work they do in our community.

The theme for 2017 is “Volunteers Act First. Here. Everywhere.”

Whether responding to disasters or assisting their communities, volunteers make a world of difference just by donating a bit of their talents and time.

Age Concern wish to thank all their wonderful volunteers.

The work you do for us is priceless.

We are always looking for new Volunteers to fill many roles; • Carer Relief Volunteer • Manual help, gardening, • Light bulb changing, admin help

Marlborough Stroke Club secretary Vyvienne Dunlop and volunteer Margaret Gilbert.

Please contact Catherine if you are interested.

“It’s about our team and doing the right thing” Civil Defence in Marlborough is made up of mostly volunteers.

People who dedicate their time and energy to respond to an emergency event.

While their work goes largely unnoticed, their dedication and training means as a Community we are more prepared to respond to and recover from that event.

So thank you to all the Civil Defence volunteers that dedicate their time and energy to our community.

“It feels good knowing we’re doing something to help others, but it’s also great working with a team.”

- Matt, Emergency Response Team member If you are interested in knowing more about Civil Defence Emergency Response Teams and Incident Management Teams, please call 03 520 7490

We wish to thank our wonderful, hard working volunteers, without whom we would not be able to function and the stroke community would be that much the poorer.

Among other things they are drivers, bakers of cakes, listening ears, organizers of entertainment, and most importantly providers of friendship and care to our members.

Those interested in volunteering please contact Vyvienne 578 3837 We welcome new volunteers.

CELEBRATING OUR VOLUNTEERS We celebrate and thank our volunteers who play a vital role in assisting the Cancer Society in so many ways.

Patient Support Office Support Assisting with resources and information

Transporting patients to treatment Fundraising and special events

Executive Committee members We appreciate our volunteers ‘gift of time’ and their willingness to support the work of the Cancer Society in our community.

For more information please contact:

Hilary Gill - 579 4379 hilaryg@cancersoc.org.nz

14

Friday December 1, 2017

The Sun

what’s on in marlborough

Friday 1

- weekend event guide -

Shrek’ The Musical JR Beauty is in the eye of the Ogre, in ‘Shrek’ the Musical. A musical and dance extravaganza sure to delight all ages. Today 6.30pm, Saturday and Sunday 4pm. Tickets $24.50-$37.50, ASB Theatre Marlborough, 2 Hutcheson Street.

Beach Fest A fun event for youth aged 13-18 years old. With live music, food truck, and much more. 8pm-10pm, Entry $2, Picton Foreshore. Transport is available by phoning 0275222243.

Picton Dawn Chorus Trap Sale Help make Picton predator free. A variety of traps which are safe for pets and children are available at subsidised prices.

Today and Saturday 10am-3pm, Mariners Mall, 100 High Street, Picton.

Avenue Q Blenheim Musical Theatre presents ‘Avenue Q’ a puppet-filled comedy, R-rated.

6.30pm, 81A Lakings Road, Springlands.

On until December 2.

Friday Knockout Pool Tournament Open to anybody except 1st division players. Come along learn the rules, some tactics, and maybe even improve your play. Limited to 16 people on a first come basis. Every Friday night at 7pm Clubs of Marlborough.

Marlborough Women’s Club A variety of programmes throughout the year, Mah Jong, music, gardening, crafts and a monthly speaker. Women of all ages welcome, 2pm, 108 High Street, Blenheim, phone Catherine 9293299. This Friday is Music Circle with Eileen Guard and pupils.

Blenheim Roller Skating Disco Skating Rink, Stephenson Street, 5-8pm.

Bring your own gear or hire it all for $5. $2 entry fee. BBQ and hot drinks available. Come and have a boogie and play some fun games. For more info phone 0277653522.

Yealands Estate Marlborough Gallery Figures exhibition opening preview tonight at 6pm. Marlborough Arts Society, 204 High Street, Blenheim. Normal opening hours 10.30am-4.30pm daily. For further information marlboroughartsociety.com.

Hot Art in Havelock The Gallery Havelock, open 10am-4pm, seven days a week. Enjoy browsing some of the excellent art on show from talented local artists. Come and have a look in the friendly little gallery at 60 Main Road, Havelock.

If you have an event email Susan at The Sun office@blenheimsun.co.nz

The Diversion Gallery Natural Forces a group exhibition. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 12-5pm. 10 London Quay, Picton. Phone 5737376 or 0274408121 or www.thediversion.co.nz.

Redwood Market 8.30am-12pm, Redwood Tavern car park.

Plants, produce, cards, jewellery, flowers and hand crafts. Site fees donated to charity. Contact Alison 578 5109.

Marlborough Golf Club Half price green-fees after 4pm every day.

74 Paynters Road. www.marlboroughgolf.co.nz.

Round’A’Mini Golf Picton Picton Foreshore, 9am Saturday and Sunday.

The Edwin Fox Ship Visitor Centre open daily from 9am. Come and explore the decks and the depths of the Edwin Fox Ship. Dunbar Wharf, Picton Foreshore. For more information call Karen 5736868.

Heritage and Whaling Museum Picton has a collection of 2000 items of Maori, whaling, maritime, heritage and textile displays. 10am-4pm daily, 9 London Quay. Phone 573 8283.

Marlborough Museum Open 10am–4pm daily. Brayshaw Heritage Park, 26 Arthur Baker Place.

Phone 578-1712.

Detour Gallery Highlights 2017, a selection of the most talked about artwork from this year’s exhibitions. On until January 18, 2018.

Wednesday to Monday 11am-5pm and 11am-3pm weekends. 67 Market Street.

Millennium Public Art Gallery Exhibitions on display include Nicolas Dillion Observing Nature The Touring Version, and Shades of Nature, a fundraising exhibition featuring works from seven artists. On until December 9, Corner of Seymour Street and Alfred Street, koha appreciated.

Saturday 2 Mistletoe Market Blenheim Town Centre, Market Street.

9am–2pm. With a large selection of stalls, a great opportunity to pick up some wonderful Christmas gifts.

Blenheim Christmas Parade Come along and enjoy the spirt of Christmas. A family fun event with lively marching bands, Santa Claus, floats and so much more. 3pm, Blenheim CBD. Marlborough Artisan Market Highlighting the best of Marlborough’s art, craft, food and produce. Pop on down every Saturday. 9am-1pm, Wynen Street car park. Wet weather venue is the Alfred Street Car Park.

EcoWorld EcoWorld Aquarium & Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Picton Foreshore. Saturday & Sunday 9.30am-5.30pm.

Blenheim Rotary Car Boot Sale Every Saturday 8am–12.30pm at the Railway Station car park, Grove Road. Club meets Mondays at Clubs of Marlborough.

Phone Andy 578 2272 or 021 842 928.

Vintage Farm Machinery 10am-3pm, open every day. Brayshaw Park guided tours available, on Sunday Thomas Tank Engine rides are available.

Phone Doris 579 4357.

Blenheim Menz Shed This Saturday an assortment of bikes available at an affordable price, 8.30am-12pm, 4 Dillons Point Road. For further information phone Trevor 570 5064.

Picton Men’s Shed “Where men can do what men do best” 9am-12pm and Wednesday 9am-4pm.

Phone Rex Green 021 469 191 or Kerry Eagar 021 888 423 for more information.

High Tea In The Garden Gather a group of friends and come along to a Christmas themed high tea. A fundraising event for Hospice Marlborough.

1-4pm, Pataka The Foodstore, 13 Selmes Road, Rapaura. Tickets available at The Hospice Shop, Cleghorn Street, Redwoodtown or phone 035781373.

Chess Joocy Loocy Café, 4 John Street, 10am1pm. Please bring your own board and pieces.

Marlborough Farmers’ Market Every Sunday, 9am-noon at the A&P Showgrounds. Grab yourself a delicious brunch, lots on offer.

Picton Rail & Sail Open (subject to weather) Sundays, public holidays & everyday during school holidays. For further information contact Graham Low 573 6356 or Russell Mathews 573 8553.

Marlborough Golf Club – Community Golf Sunday afternoon play 18 holes $15 or 9 holes $10. Must be a Marlborough resident. 74 Paynters Road. www.marlboroughgolf.co.nz.

5km Taylor River Fun Run Free timed 5km run along the Taylor River, meet at the Amphitheatre, corner of High and Symons Streets, 8am every Saturday.

To register anyone of any age go to www.parkrun.co.nz/blenheim.

Tramping Club Tramps are on a Wednesday and Sunday, please confirm for travel. Phone Mary 5728762 or marlboroughtrampingclub@ gmail.com.

Brooklyn Croquet Club Whitehead Park off Brooklyn Drive. Play days are Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday at 1pm. Come and have a go. Phone Dale 578 4427.

Blenheim Riverside Railway Train Departs from Brayshaw Park as follows; 1.15pm and 3.00pm to Omaka and return, 1.45pm to Beaver Station, Riverside Park, central Blenheim and return. Adults $10 Child $5 (Omaka $6 & $3). Cash only.

Sunday 3 Marlborough Flyer Steam Train Super Sunday Special Experience a heritage steam journey from a bygone era, travelling between Picton and Blenheim. For further information marlboroughflyer.co.nz or phone 039741812.

Picton Christmas Parade And Carols Family fun event with lots of local groups participating. A prize giving concert will be held on the Picton Foreshore following the parade. 2.30pm-5pm, Picton Foreshore.

Sunday Jazz Poolside at Chateau Marlborough with Heather Jameson, 4-6pm. Chateau Marlborough, 95-117 High St, Blenheim.

Kartsport Marlborough Xmas meeting with racing starting at 12pm, free entry. Cresswell Electrical Raceway, Wither Road extension.

Model Aero Club ARA Wairau Valley 9am. Phone Murray 578 9199 or Tony 577 9776.

Petanque 10am Sunday and 1pm Wednesday, 65A Weld Street. Phone Russell 579 1952.

Marlborough Rock and Mineral Club Brayshaw Park, come and see our large rock, mineral, crystal and fossil collection, work room and books. Free admission.

Picton Table Tennis Meets at the Picton Little Theatre every Sunday and Tuesday, Dublin Street, 10amnoon. $3 bats, tea/coffee supplied. Adults only. Phone Ernie 0275 888 453 for more information.

Blenheim Roller Skating Club College Park, Stephenson Street. Every Sunday 1-3pm. $5 for hire of skates or $2 if you have your own. Come have a go, all ages and skill levels welcome.

The Sun

5 MINUTES WITH:

Friday December 1, 2017

15

Cathy-Ann Scoon

Q A Q A Q A

My ideal day is spent....

Enjoying a bike ride on a lovely spring day and spending time in my garden.

One of my best holidays was...

With my husband, Mike, cycling around vineyards in Napa Valley on a tandem bicycle.

One thing on my bucket list is....

To take a canal boat cruise around the waterways of England.

Q A Q A Q A

Te Whare Ako manager, Bohally Intermediate School If I could, I would....

Learn to play the piano well.

What’s your favourite meal?

Anything with roast potatoes.

My guilty TV pleasure is .....

Coronation Street.

My parents used to say...

Speak up for what you believe in.

The keys to happiness are...

Family and friends.

Who would you love to share a meal with and why?

Any great cook as I struggle entering the kitchen.

GARDENING

ST E TT S 1616 O H OK 1155/ / RR E E LOMM M

SSUUM

Q A Q A Q A

THIS WEEK WITH WALLY RICHARDS

Reducing problems with drought

It would appear that we are in for a drought over most of the country this growing season.

There is a website called weather New Zealand.com where you can see what the weather is likely /16 18 / 5 to be over the next 14 days.

7 1 1 R UMMER E Scanning through, it is very M S M noticeable that cloud cover SU dominates many areas, with low humidity and low wind activity.

That means not much direct 6 1 / sunlight, dry air, and just mild R 15 breezes for many places.

E M Dry air causes moisture to be SUM sucked out of the ground, which makes for a drought even if you don’t have direct sunlight and wind to help evaporation.

Direct sunlight that plants need to gain energy is severely hamGIFT RS E H pered by continuous cloud cover C U VO or hazy skies.

While water restrictions are still low, you have to take precautions now to protect the plants that you do not want to see damaged or GIFT S R E lost in the event of a drought.

H VOUC If you wet the soil and then trap that moisture by reducing evaporation, you have improved the situation.

If you reduce the amount of moisture your plants require, then their water needs will be lower.

So how are we going to achieve this?

The first step is to harden up the plants by applying Wallys fruit and flower power granules to the root zone.

This does two things: magnesium is involved in chlorophyll production, which converts sunurbanbeachnz BEST international & light into sugars and is involved www.urbanbeachnz.com NZ labels in store. in activating enzymes.

Hi summer ranges arriving daily!

Because of its role in chlorophyll, the first symptoms of deficiency show up urbanbeachnz international & magnesium as yellowing, usually between the urbanbeachnz BEST international &in store. veins of the older leaves. www.urbanbeachnz.com labels www.urbanbeachnz.com NZ labels in store.

In severe deficiencies, the entire Hi summer ranges Hi summer ranges arriving daily!arriving daily!

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leaf will turn yellow or red and then brown, with symptoms progressing up the plant.

Once the yellowing starts then the plant is already having problems and even when magnesium is supplied, it takes several weeks before the lovely, dark green colour is restored.

During this time the plant is weakened, as the chlorophyll is not working to its full potential, which makes the plant more susceptible to diseases and pests.

One element to help with this is potassium.

It regulates water absorption and retention, influences the uptake of some nutrients and helps to increase disease resistance.

Repeat the applications of fruit and flower power every month.

Next we need to reduce the amount of water the plant requires, and the major factor concerning the plant’s water requirements is the moisture loss through the foliage.

During low humidity plants pump water from the roots up into the leaves to keep them from drying out.

The moisture is sucked out of the leaves by the dry air around the plant and the roots have a big job taking ground moisture up to

the leaves.

You will have noticed in summer that on a hot sunny day the foliage on tall plants, such as tomatoes, will droop.

Later, when it cools down, that foliage stands up again.

The ground may have ample water, but the plant can’t lift the water up to the top leaves fast enough because of the moisture they are losing.

You will also notice that the foliage all over a plant will droop when the plant needs moisture and there is insufficient in the soil.

The plant has closed down a lot of its growing operations and instead is trying to conserve what moisture is present and trapping soil moisture with its foliage.

If we spray the plant’s leaves under and over with Vaporgard we can reduce the moisture loss through evaporation out of the leaves by about 40 per cent.

That can make a big difference and the Vaporgard film lasts for about three months on foliage, helping the plant gain more energy from what direct sunlight it receives.

If the soil is very dry, then break surface tension by adding dish washing liquid to warm water in the watering can, lather up, and soak the dry soil.

Water will then penetrate.

Then place several layers of newspaper over the pre-soaked exposed soil up to the trunk of existing plants; wet it down before covering with a layer of compost.

For planting of new seedlings do the above and then after spraying seedlings with Vaporgard plant them through the compost/ newspaper layer.

An alternative to newspaper can be cardboard.

16

Friday December 1, 2017 public notice

Alterations and Repairs

Nu-Look Clothing Quality tailoring at competitive prices Ph/txt Christine 021 703 020 / 579 5267 Same day service Blenheim

public notice

W r itin g a book?

We print and publish books and e-books.

No-obligation discussion. 03 5794709, www. prismaprint.co.nz info@ prismaprint.co.nz

public notice

SALES

Available by the hour.

Can also do single item pick-up & delivery in Blenheim region.

SATURDAY 2nd December, 8am12pm, corner of Alabama and Howick Road. Trampoline, clothes, toys, electrical, DVD's, books and much more.

Everything must go.

Winz quotes available

EXPERIENCED DIGGER OPERATOR Bored retiree seeks relieving, part time, or term project work.

N O S W O RT H Y Street, 8am, Saturday December 2nd. Furniture and household goods.

Experienced in 1 - 25 ton excavators

Pre-packed in various sizes Pick your own for a limited time only Open 9am to 5.30pm

Have WTR tickets Production excavating, access and site development, trenching, stumping, auguring etc.

Phone 5780164 or 022 6525784

Don’t forget Strawberries are also available in town at the forum!

Directorship – MDc holDings ltD anD Marlborough airport ltD Expressions of interest are sought for a Director on the Board of MDC Holdings Ltd. The shareholder, Marlborough District Council, is seeking a Director that has strong corporate governance skills and extensive financial knowledge. Property development and aviation experience and the ability to bring diversity to the Board may also be advantageous.

MDC Holdings Limited is 100% owned by Marlborough District Council and was established for the purposes of: • Separating commercial trading activities from the other functions it carries out.

• Bringing Council’s main trading activities into one structure.

MDC Holdings Limited has 100% shareholdings in Port Marlborough NZ Ltd and Marlborough Airport Ltd. As a result of its relative size, the Directors of MDC Holdings Ltd are also appointed as Directors of Marlborough Airport Ltd. MDC Holdings Ltd has three Main Roles: • Governance of Subsidiaries • Advisor on Council Property Development; and • Financial Management, predominantly a Treasury function for itself and subsidiaries.

The term of Directorship is 3 years, with possible extension to a total of six years from the Board’s December Annual General Meeting.

Expressions of interest together with curriculum vitae should be sent to Marlborough District Council, PO Box 443, Blenheim by Tuesday 5 December.

Telephone enquiries should be directed to Martin Fletcher – 03 520 7400.

183 Old Renwick Road, Blenheim Open 7 days

WHAT'S ON Tonight Members Draw 1st draw $1300.00

Saturday Members Draw $400.00 Southbound - Club Bar 7.30pm

Tuesday Members Draw 1st draw $5000.00*

* Unless struck prior

Members, their guests and Affiliates Welcome P: 5781059 • www.clubsofmarlborough.org.nz

www.marlborough.govt.nz

DANCE CLASSES

MARLBOROUGH

French Rock N Roll Tuesdays 7.30pm $10 entry Redwoodtown Community Hall For info phone Ray 021-076-7473

POLLARD PARK

OS BLENHEIM ELIN TOM U SOUND VANUAT KAHUNA bring your own THE BIG HOOL C S picnic, blankets S D N A SPRINGL L and seating O O H SC DTOWN REDWOO NZ BCRE8VE DISTRICT H G U O R MARLBOBAND BRASS

4pm start

WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE

Any cars, vans, trucks, 4x4's.

In any condition.

CAsh paid FREE pick up

Marlborough Vehicle Removals Ph Brent 027 766 7105

uilters Barn

The

Nurturing your creativity

SALE SALE SALE

20% OFF ALL XMAS FABRICS

N FOR A COLLECTION WILL BE TAKE NCY PLAI THE LOCAL HOSPITAL CHA

December 2nd - 5th



www.thequiltersbarn.co.nz CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY BLENHEIM MINISTERS ASSOCIATION AND OUR MAJOR SPONSORS

193 Rapaura Road • Ph 572 7240

situations vacant

garage

Two Strong Men & A Truck Phone 0800 223 6632 & 027 558 3260

Strawberry season has arrived!

G STARRIN

The Sun

Classifieds Advertising Ph 03 577 7868

Wish them a happy birthday in the Sun. Call (03) 5777 868 to book your ad.

Wednesday

ADVERTISING TERMS & CONDITIONS All advertisements are subject to the approval of Blenheim Sun newspaper.

Advertisements are positioned entirely at the option of The Publisher & no guarantee of placement is given. Applicable loadings apply only to the specific placement of strip or island advertisements. Placement & approval is at the discretion of The Publisher. While every effort will be made to publish as instructed, The Publisher accepts no liability for any loss caused through loss or misplacement. The Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement considered unsuitable for publication. Advertisements will be charged on the size of the material supplied or the space ordered whichever is the greater. It is the responsibility of the Advertiser or Advertising Agent to notify Blenheim Sun newspaper of any error within 24 hours of its publication.

The Publisher is not responsible for recurring errors.

To obtain a classified space order (defined as annual commitment of advertising space or spend) please speak to your advertising representative. (Surcharges may apply if commitment levels are not met or cancellation of a space booking & or contract). Cancellation: neither display nor classified cancellations will be accepted after the booking deadline. No credits will be issued to classified package buys that have commenced their series. If an advertiser at any time fails to supply copy within the deadline, it is understood & agreed that the last copy supplied will be repeated. Specific terms & conditions apply to certain classifications. These may relate to either requirements & conditions set by industry standards for the advertising of certain goods & services, or set by The Publisher. Please speak to your advertising representative to obtain a full copy of these. Advertisers agree that all advertisements published

by Blenheim Sun newspaper may also appear on a relevant website.

Advertise a garage sale today and turn trash into cash

PAMPLET DELivEry PErson rEquirED Needs to be dependable and reliable

Call Kerry on 578 1818 or 0274372081

TWO HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT POSITIONS AVAILABLE 1 Night Shift 1 Day Shift IF YOU: Enjoy working in a team environment and have a passion for caring for the elderly we would like to hear from you.

Please call at reception for an application or email facilitymanager@ashwoodpark.co.nz Applications close 02/12/2017

Ph 5777 868 for sale

HOUSE LOT OF FURNITURE Including 2 Leather Lounge Suites One Person Take Away S5000 View Now, Takeaway 15th December 0278994221

Relief deliverers wanted for Springlands and Woodbourne areas Are you a hard worker and looking for a relief job?

Do you have parental or caregivers support?

If this sounds like you, please discuss with your parent or caregiver and give us a call.

Wednesday Sun The

Sun

Blenheim Marlborough

The

Blenheim Marlborough

Please phone 577 7868

Vineyard Operators - Wairau Valley • Join a booming industry with career progression opportunities • Kim Crawford, Nobilo and Selaks -- be part of our story in the vineyards • Bonus scheme, superannuation, and work with modern equipment Constellation Brands New Zealand is the #1 exporter of wine to the US, with our brands Kim Crawford and Nobilo driving category growth across the Pacific. Our people and brands set us apart from the competition!

About The Role Reporting to a Block Manager, we have two roles available in the vineyards where the journey of our award-winning wine begins. You would be responsible for daily duties that bring us quality year after year: machine operation, supervising seasonal workers, and caring for our vineyards.

Key Responsibilities • Championing a safety culture, ensuring proper PPE, incident reporting • Supervision of seasonal workers • Mulching, spraying, trimming, plucking, and general vine maintenance • Trellis and irrigation maintenance • Harvest operations About You • A team player with a can-do attitude • Experience in vineyards is preferred but not required; Growsafe, first aid and onsite training is provided • Seasonal work (harvest, spraying, frost fighting, etc) may require flexibility of hours or shift work • A current driver’s licence Our benefits include a competitive salary, bonus scheme, superannuation, Employee Share Purchase Plan, and much more. We offer a team environment with viticulture often collaborating with winemakers to bring out the best in quality for our consumers.

To apply by 5 December 2017, visit www.constellationnz.com under careers, or email celia.daniels@cbrands.com for a confidential chat.

The Sun

Classifieds Advertising Ph 03 577 7868

situations vacant

Vineyard Supervisor We currently have a position available for a vineyard assistant manager/supervisor Applicants must have the following: 1.

Clean drivers licence 2.

Excellent communication skills 3.

Able to work long hours when required 4.

At least 1 year vineyard experience 5.

Be able to report to management and complete paperwork on time, and implement company policy 6.

Reliable, have a tidy work ethic and computer literate 7.

Preference will be given to an experienced supervisor, but not essential as full training will be given to the right applicant 8.

Can speak English & Mandarin

situations vacant

situations vacant

Our advertisers tell us they get a fantastic response from placing their classified ads in The Sun To advertise your business, call Gemma

Drug testing may be undertaken

(03) 5777 868 • classifieds@blenheimsun.co.nz

Wednesday Sun

E&E Trading LTD Please contact 0279371707 Email: eetradingnz@gmail.com

The

Sun

Blenheim Marlborough

The

Blenheim Marlborough

txt talk

The Sun

Text your thoughts to:

It’s now more than 30 years since we introduced the world to the first Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Today, our Marlborough wines are still making history. Our success is the result of the passion and commitment of our people, our exceptional portfolio of leading premium brands, and a common bond: a commitment to our values of mutual trust, entrepreneurial spirit, strong sense of ethics and conviviality as our way of being.

PRW is currently looking for a Foreperson as well as Machine Operators to join our Marlborough team.

The Foreperson will support our Vineyard Operations team with oversight, coordination, planning and technical expertise in collaboration with our other Forepersons of our area vineyards.

Our Machine Operators work within a well-respected modern fleet providing an industry leading service to our South Island Viticulture team.

What does our operation offer?

• Dedicated team leadership • An opportunity for career development and various training opportunities • An opportunity to work for a global company Skills and experience required for this role include: • Relevant experience and/or education • Previous experience in a supervisor or mentoring capacity (for the Foreperson role) • Ability to work with an IPad for internal systems • Ability to work as part of a team • Strong communication skills, motivated, organised with great time management skills • Adequate level of fitness due to the nature of the role • High standard of work, flexibility and ability to build strong relationships If you are interested in this, or other opportunities, please contact ashley.rennie@pernod-ricard.com or visit our website www.pernod-ricard.com.

027 242 5266

Talented Parts Person Required

Join the team at our very busy motorcycle shop servicing farm, vineyard, off-road and on-road clients.

As our parts person you will be receiving parts requests from our workshop, walk-in customers, via email and over the phone.

You will need to be highly-organised, able to work under pressure, have good communication skills and an eye for detail, while developing new business leads and contributing to sales growth.

You will also need: • A positive, energetic 'can-do' attitude • Good knowledge of motorcycles • Good computer skills and phone manner • Full drivers licence and NZ residency • Be able to work rostered Saturdays Apply in writing with CV to sherco@trialsnz.co.nz Applications close 15th December, 2017.

Marlborough Motorcycles, Grove Rd, Blenheim.

SALES CONSULTANT The Blenheim Sun newspaper is looking for a highly organised sales professional to join our successful team.

For the right person we will consider full-time or part-time.

Our sales consultants introduce businesses around our region to the benefits of advertising in our twice weekly publication.

Working with our clients is a busy role but very rewarding, working alongside a fun team of individuals.

This role requires: • Strong organisational and people skills • Drive, energy and motivation • A self-starter who can seek out opportunities • Building rapport and maintaining relationships • Achieving goals and targets This is an exciting position to work with a privately owned leading newspaper in a growth focussed media business.

If you are looking for a new challenge contact us via email today in confidence.

Les Whiteside - Publisher Email: les@blenheimsun.co.nz

WednesdaySun

Sun

Blenheim Marlborough

Blenheim Marlborough

MARLBOROUGH DISTRICT COUNCIL

Digital Experience Coordinator (Library)

We need somebody with digital experience in a Library environment.

The primary objectives of the Digital Experience Coordinator role is to lead, manage and develop Marlborough District Libraries’ digital presence and digital services.

If you have a recognised library or information science qualification, have experience with digital library technologies and a strong desire to provide the best customer service we would like to receive your application.

Applications close at 5.00 pm on 4 December 2017.

Applications should be made online via the careers page www.marlborough.govt.nz/your-council/careers/currentvacancies where you will find full information on the vacancy and how to apply.

For further information you are welcome to contact jane.robinson@marlborough.govt.nz.

www.marlborough.govt.nz

situations vacant

Florence Nightingale Agency provides a range of home-based care services. We take pride in providing excellent personal care and household support for people in their own homes.

We are currently looking for a part time support worker for a 4 hour shift Sunday mornings, and other shifts as needed, to provide: • Personal cares Previous experience with ACC serious injury or spinal injury care is preferred but not essential as training will be provided.

When you join our team, you will be involved in making a real difference in someone’s life.

If you would like to be part of an organisation that is passionate about the care of their clients, please contact us.

Email: Blenheim@florence2care.co.nz Phone: 03 577 9343 Putting Heart into Community Care

EXPERIENCED TRADESMAN JOINER WANTED Max George Joiners is a well-established locally owned and operated company specialising in high quality joinery solutions.

We have over 25 years experience in delivering custom designed, made to order joinery products to our discerning clients.

We are seeking to employ an experienced tradesman joiner with the following attributes: • The ability to work with our designer and clients to produce a finished product of the highest quality.

• Attention to detail and a high standard of workmanship.

• A team player who will fit in with our friendly team.

As one of our tradesmen you will take responsibility for your own projects from final measure to completed installation. There will be some guidance but you will need the skills to run your own jobs, communicating with your own clients.

If you are seeking a role that will allow you to further develop your skills, apply in strict confidence by phoning 5777099 between10am and 4pm or email: office@maxgeorgejoiners.co.nz.

Applications close December 6, 2017.

The

The

Follow us on Instagram if you want to get to know us better @pernodricardnz.

17

Friday December 1, 2017

garage

SALES Have some junk that could be treasure?

Advertise a garage sale today and turn trash into cash

Ph 5777 868

To advertise your business, call Gemma (03) 5777 868 • classifieds@blenheimsun.co.nz

Wednesday Sun The

Sun

Blenheim Marlborough

The

Blenheim Marlborough

18

Friday December 1, 2017

SPORT

death notices

friday fact

The Sun

MORAN, Christopher Francis (Chris): Passed away peacefully, on Tuesday November 28 2017, with family at his side.

Loved husband and soul mate of Sharon, adored and loved father and father-in-law of Damian and Cheryl, and Tristan and Kate.

Loved grandad of Ethan, and Florence.

Messages may be sent to 229 Scott Street, Blenheim 7201. A Rosary for Chris will be recited at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Maxwell Road, at 7pm Sunday December 3. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 12 noon on Monday December 4, followed by interment at Fairhall Cemetery.

Respectfully cared for by GEOFFREY T SOWMAN FDANZ Tel 03 578 4719

It is estimated that caring for a dog costs around $1,686 a year.

In Memoriam Remember your lost loved one on their anniversary.

church notices LIGHTHOUSE Christian Fellowship Senior Citizens Hall, 166 High Street. Sundays 10 a.m. All welcome. 5785030

Nativity Anglican Church 76 Alfred Street, Blenheim.

All welcome to our services Sunday - 8am Traditional Eucharist Service 10am - Family Service 7pm - Nativity @ 7pm Thursday - 10am Communion Service

The deadline is Monday 5.00pm.

Please contact the Sun for further details.

72 High Street, Blenheim, email office@blenheimsun.co.nz or phone 577 7868.

The Sun

The Sun

Births This Week

Death Notices

GONZALEZ, Luna Inkeri Bravo: November 17, 2017 HENDERSON, Gypsy Lillian: November 19, 2017 SIOVAEATA, Tupu Junior: November 26, 2017 VINING, Pippa Taylor: November 11, 2017

FEICKERT, Dianne: November 26, 2017 HODGE, Mary Eleanor: November 27, 2017 LUCAS, Phyllis Edith (Phyl): November 23, 2017 MARKS, Bob (Robert John): November 26, 2017 NORTON, Murray Richard (Alf, Alfie): November 23, 2017 O’CALLAGHAN, Morris Powell: November 25, 2017 RYAN, Patrick Joseph (Pat): November 23, 2017 WINDLEY, Weston John (Wes): November 20, 2017

Candlelight Remembrance Services

Geoffrey T Sowman Funeral Directors warmly invite you to attend our Christmas Remembrance and candle lighting services.

Picton Endeavour Park Pavilion, Waikawa Road, Picton 7pm Tuesday 5th December 2017 Blenheim Sowmans Chapel, Hutcheson Street, Blenheim 7pm Wednesday 13th December 2017

Jordyn Smith, Richard Bateman, Pania Huntley and David Taylor have returned from the New Zealand Rally Challenge with a trophy haul.

Trophy haul for local rally drivers

By Celeste Alexander Marlborough rally drivers outshone their opponents at the final round of the 2017 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship held at the weekend in Tauranga.

Richard Bateman and codriver Jordyn Smith reigned in the four-wheel drive class within the Gull Rally Challenge, taking out first place and Richard also picked up the trophy for runner-up in the driver’s title.

David Taylor and co-driver Pania Huntley also returned victorious after claiming the two-wheel drive title.

David went on to be awarded runner-up in the NZRC

Rookie category and while Pania scooped the co-driver championship award.

David and Pania were thrilled with their success.

“We are really lucky to take first place in our first year.

There are people who do this for five years and are not able to win,” Pania says.

For Richard it has been a repeat of his win in 2015 and despite the dusty, dry and hot conditions he was happy to be able to finish with enough points to reclaim the title.

“I’m happy, we did really well. There’s always room for improvement, something to work on going forward,” he says.

T h i s i s a n ‘i n c r e d -

ible achievement’ for the Marlborough Car Club, they say.

“For our club to take out the titles in two-wheel and four-wheel drive categories is really good,” David says.

The NZRC is this country’s premier nationwide rally championship. It attracts New Zealand’s best drivers to compete in numerous categories for the prestigious MotorSport New Zealandsanctioned rally championship titles.

For 2017, there were six NZRC rounds, each with a unique character reflecting the diverse regions – from Northland to Otago.

Marlborough water polo youngsters do well Marlborough Girls College Water Polo came of age this year at the South Island Secondary Schools tournament with the girls coming away with the silver medal in a sport that has traditionally been dominated by Christchurch and Dunedin private schools.

Manager Marty Birch says Marlborough went into this tournament un-seeded and had to fight through pool play to get to the finals.

The Marlborough girls’ team wanted ‘to make a statement’ in its first game, against Papanui High School, and beat them 26-0.

“This also become the only game throughout the tournament both male and female where a team didn’t score a single point,” Marty says.

They won their second game, against Villa Maria, 16-4, he says.

The next day’s game was against St Margaret’s, who had won the local Canterbury school competition. Marty says the Marlborough girls were slightly intimidated

Marlborough girls' team member Georgia Reed defends.

and got away to a slow start, and while they gained in confidence during the game, they ended up losing 12-8.

They won their semifinal 16-5 against Dunedin’s Columba Girls, from Dunedin, who had finished top of pool B. With St Margaret’s beating Rangi Ruru 13-7 in the other semi-final, it was Marlborough against St Margaret’s in the final, and Marty says this time the Marlborough girls knew what to expect.

It was a close game, he says, but the last quarter didn’t go to plan. Marlborough fought to the very end, with the final

score 11-7.

Marlborough was the only public school in the top five teams, Marty says, and can be very proud of their effort to secure the silver medal.

Georgia Reed and Louise Brown were named in the Tournament team.

Marty says the whole team of Louise, Georgia, Abbey Moody, Molly Norton, Ella Mawson, Meg Flanagan, Olive Smith, Erika Babb, and Chloe Derry represented Marlborough very well.

He says the Marlborough boys’ team didn’t have the tournament they had hoped for, losing most of their games by only 1 or 2 goals.

The Sun

Friday December 1, 2017

sport

Sport

sports talk

inbrief

With Jacob Page

Kiwis fail to take flight and blame everyone but themselves The Kiwis Rugby League World Cup campaign has been a PR nightmare from start to finish.

The best spin doctor in the world could not have saved this shambles which was punctuated by a 4-2 football score quarter final exit to lowly Fiji.

What happened post match was blood-letting of the highest order.

Captain Adam Blair, who is headed to the Warriors next year on a multi-year million dollar deal, gave a bizarre interview where he said the result on home soil was a good sign for international rugby league and that his team had given it everything.

Halfback Shaun Johnson took aim at the Kiwi supporters, say-

ing they had to shoulder some of the blame for being negative towards the team throughout the campaign.

Then there was coach David Kidwell, who gave a rambling radio interview where he defended his players and joined the firing squad aiming insults at the fans.

Last time I checked, the fans didn’t drop the ball, concede the penalties or miss the tackles that saw them exit the tournament after a loss to Tonga the previous week.

Johnson has since apologised for his comments and Kidwell has still yet to decide whether to reapply for the role.

It’s an easy decision - he shouldn’t.

The team played with no passion or heart.

They gave up a 14 point lead to lose to Tonga and they weren’t relatable or approachable.

Fans need a reason to buy in to a team and this Kiwis team was not able to produce anything but frustration.

Rugby league is in mediocre heart in New Zealand.

A lot of key former players want board-level, widespread change.

An independent review is now underway.

Fan support is a privilege not a right and New Zealand Rugby League took it for granted and Tonga stole their thunder.

Fans want to see the top players

performing at their peak.

They also want to see a winning culture or at least a team that is striving to be winners.

The fact is, this 2017 Kiwis team didn’t even come close to it.

Confusing public statements, poor selections and poor performances on the paddock led to the demise of any positive outcomes and the NZRL has missed its opportunity to capture the imaginations of the next generation of rugby league players in this country.

To sum up - much like the Warriors, the Kiwis promised so much and delivered so little and that’s a shame that cannot be swept under the carpet.

Regatta on in harbour

By Cathie Bell It’s a busy time for the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club as it readies for the regionals this weekend, with a series of events on in the sport.

Last weekend, three club members were sailing at the Naval Point Yacht Club in the Laser South Island event, which spokeswoman Christel Hopkins says was ‘pretty tough sailing’ for 18 yearold Alistair Gifford, 14 year-old Jasper Hopkins, and Rob Burn in steep choppy conditions.

Alistair moved on from his Laser radial and sailed a full rig winning all his races and placing first, Christel says.

“Jasper in Radial also had a great regatta. He placed 10th overall and was the second youth (Class 19 years and under). Rob, also in a radial, found the conditions a challenge and placed 17th.”

It is a’ very exiting year’ for Queen Charlotte Yacht club, Christel says.

“We already had a visit of part of the America’s Cup team. Picton pulled together and helped raise funds for the building project…a new Club. QCYC likes to thank everyone for helping out getting closer to this goal.”

This weekend, the club hosts the Regionals for all classes and included in this event is the South Island Championship for the Starlings and P-class yachts.

“We expect sailors from Nelson and other parts of the South Island and most likely also the lower North Island.”

The weekend caters for sailors who just learned to sail to the top sailors, she says, and the club is ‘an awesome family environment, encouraging everyone to obtain more skills in boat handling and

19

Down wind: two starlings in the front (Hamish Grigg, left, and Fergus Lane) followed by Lasers.

life in general’.

“Young and old help each other and QCYC and Picton are renowned for their hospitality. It is

Gaze Sanita tops world Blenheim woman Gaze Sanita has won won the female boxing featherweight category at this year’s International Mixed Martial Arts Federation World Championships in Bahrain, and was also named Best Female Athlete out of more than 250 entrants.

Games contestant B l e n h e i m - b o r n we i g ht li f te r Bailey Rogers is off to her second Commonwealth Games, as the 26-yearold, now based in Auckland, is among 12 athletes named on Friday to attend the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games as part of the NZ lifting team.

After leaving Marlborough Girls’ College in 2008, Rogers spent five years at Otago University and then a year working in Dunedin before moving to Christchurch, where she was selected for the previous Games.

She placed seventh in Glasgow in the women’s under 75kg category three years ago, but has made steady progress, finishing third at the 2017 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships and second at the 2017 Oceania championships.

Pigeon results Blenheim’s racing pigeons were to have an easy week’s racing just being from Christchurch on Saturday 25th, as in recent weeks they had been competing from longer distances.

Released at 7.15 am into fine sunny conditions, the 230 km journey was going to be just a leisurely jaunt up the island, but not far out of the liberation point, easterly conditions with the accompanying fog banks quickly put paid to a quick trip home and average speeds dropped considerably in light of the adverse weather.

First place to Alister Cooper at Renwick with a speed of 45.6 km/hr, second to Chris Bensley of central on 45.2 km/hr followed closely by Two Fishers loft at Dillon’s Point with 45.1 km/hr.

only a small club at the moment but keeps producing high level sailors.”

Records topple at club’s cycling time trial A strong field and good conditions saw records tumble in the Marlborough Red Devils Cycling club’s summer night series individual time trial held on the Ben Morven course on Thursday evening.

Leading the way, top under 23 rider Ethan Batt was in celebration mode after the announcement that he will ride for Australian team Mobius-BridgeLane.

He showed his class with a record 33min 35sec ride over the 25km course.

Despite the impressive time, Ethan is sure he can go faster, saying that he got his pacing wrong

and started too fast.

Another Marlborough pro, Georgia Catterick, took the senior women’s record and third place overall in 36min 48 sec.

The ride from Georgia was a superb demonstration of the finesse she brings to time trialling through her smooth, powerful technique.

Filling the gap in second place was Nick Batt, only 49sec shy of his M3 men’s record in 36min 31sec.

A host of strong rides from the rest of the field saw only six minutes separate the fastest from the slowest, with Paul Sell claiming honours in the battle of the

multi-sporters, filling fourth place in 37min 7sec.

On the 15km course, the records fell like autumn leaves, winner Niels Van Antwerpen coming home in a stunning 21min 51sec ride to claim the under-19 men’s record.

Andrew Bidwell, holder of the 25km under-19 men’s record came home second but was upstaged by younger brother Adam, who broke his own under-15 boy’s record by more than a minute, finishing in 24min 33sec.

Fourth place went to Rhonda Murphy, who took almost 3 minutes off her M2 women’s record,

finishing in 24min 57 sec., with Matt Straker taking over a minute off his M2 men’s record finishing sixth overall in 26min 24sec.

Not to be overshadowed by their record breaking parents, Hugh Straker, son of Matt, broke his own boy’s under-13 record with a ride of 28min 4sec while Caitlin Murphy, Rhonda’s daughter, set a girl’s under-13 record of 32min 32sec.

To round out the record breaking feats of the evening, Finn McKenzie broke his own boy’s under-12 record, riding 28min 4sec to tie for ninth place.

The course received high praise

from all riders, and club officials expect to see an even larger field on course, with the potential for more records to fall as the competition heats up.

Two-up 15km time trial results: Niels van Antwerpen and Gerard van Antwerpen, 24.04; Nick Batt, 24.50; Sam Spencer and Dylan Hodson, 24.54; Adam Bidwell and Andrew Bidwell, 25.33; Jess Spencer and Katie Batt, 30.14; Jess Johnstone and Mel Jones, 32.06; Shanay Harley and Colin McMahon, 32.32; Rhonda Murphy and Hayley Hampton, 41.34.

20

The Sun

Friday December 1, 2017

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