Jean Dowling

Administrator for Hydramech T/A Laser Plumbing

 Are you a dog or cat person?

I used to be both when on the farm but now I am a townie I do not have any pets.

 My friends would say I am…

Probably a pain in the butt at times, especially at not texting back.

 The best advice I ever received was? Think before you speak. I still get it wrong.

 What would you buy if money was no object? Maybe a campervan and hit the road to see more of our beautiful country.

 Local coffee haunt? Grove Road and Streetwise on Boyce Street.

 Favourite takeaway? Indian.

 The shop you can’t walk past is...? Red Hot Fashions and Thomas’ furniture depot in Blenheim.

 What’s the most thoughtful gift you’ve ever received?

A silver dog whistle engraved on a chain from my bestie after my son died. Gavin had just qualified for the National Dog Trails.

 Where is your happy holiday place? Anywhere near the sea.

 Favourite programme or series currently watching?

I haven’t really had time lately but Valhalla on Netflicks when my partner is not home, not his thing.

 What’s one thing on your bucket list? Travel overseas, I want to see the world.

By Wally Richards

There are a number of items that can be used in your garden to the benefit of plants.

For instance a year ago I wrote the article about using Apple Cider Vinegar on fruit trees to increase their performance and to reduce disease problems.

The formula is 250mil Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) mixed with 5 litres water in a 5 litre sprayer. Spray the mix in the evening when the sun has just gone off your trees or plants, so the sun isn’t heating/ burning leaves through the liquid spray droplets on them, and there’s time for the spray to dry before nightfall.

Spray the whole tree, vine or plant, under and over leaves, the trunk, branches, twigs, fruit everything.. This will also feed the tree through the leaves (when they are there for deciduous trees) as a foliage food.

Baking Soda applied at a tablespoon per litre of water with Raingard added is good to prevent some fungus diseases such as black spot. (Dont use on calcium sensitive plants)

Baking Soda can be sprayed over the foliage of oxalis to dehydrate the leaves. Oxalis is sensitive to calcium.

It does not affect the bulbs below but regular spraying of baking soda will keep the garden free of the oxalis foliage without affecting other plants.

To deal to the bulbs in the soil, mix Wallys Super Compost Accelerator at 200 grams per litre of water and water liberally over the foliage down into the soil to compost the bulb and bulblets.

Then there is table salt which can be sprinkled on weeds to kill them which is ideal on pavers and where you don’t have other plants growing. Cooking oils and vinegar can also be sprayed onto weeds in full sun light to dehydrate the foliage and kill annual weeds.

Condys Crystals, (potassium permanganate) a quarter tea spoon per litre of water with or without Raingard to control leaf diseases such as black spot, rust and curly leaf.

Sunlight Bar Soap (big yellow bar) lathered up in water to spray over aphids and soft body insects to kill them. (The fatty acids breaks down their soft bodies)

Dish washing liquid lathered up in warm water to break surface tension to allow water to penetrate.

Aspirin: in plants, just like in mammals, salicylic acid helps them cope with stress and disease. By adding Aspirin to the water, gardeners are hoping to help their plants cope with problems and grow faster and stronger.

The acid is effective on plants because many plants produce it themselves in tiny amounts. Plants produce this acid when stressed or fighting disease. Feeding them a greater supply of the acid proves beneficial. Giving the plant too much aspirin can have a negative effect as it can burn its leaves.

Dissolve 250mg to 500mg of aspirin in 4.5 liters of non chlorinated water and spray plants two to three times per month.

Similarly soak the leaves of willow trees in water for a week or more and use that as a spray as you would the asprin. Willow water is ideal also for putting cuttings in to help them form roots quicker.

All great uses and here is the most interesting one of all:

Hydrogen peroxide 3%.

I read about this some years ago and it was again brought to my attention recently.

Hydrogen peroxide, well known as an ingredient in disinfectant products, is now also approved for controlling microbial pests on crops growing indoors and outdoors, and on certain crops after harvest. This active ingredient prevents and controls bacteria and fungi that cause serious plant diseases.

Adding hydrogen peroxide to water promotes better growth in plants and boosts roots ability to absorb nutrients from the soil. Diluted 3% peroxide adds needed aeration to the soil of plants and helps control fungus in the soil. It acts as an insect pest deterrent and kills their eggs.

Ideal on brassica leaves for white butterfly eggs this time of the year.

I used 3% Hydrogen peroxide with Magic Botanic Liquid added on tomato and chilli plants in my glasshouse and there was reduced activity within a couple of days. A spray every 2-3 days is ideal for control or once a week or 2 weekly as a preventive.

I see on the internet that the 3% should be further reduced with water such as 1:1 so if using 3% strength it would pay to do a test spray on a small area of foliage on each type of plant and see if there was any adverse reactions before using at 3% over whole crop or plant. Ideal this time of the year to reduce pest numbers going into the winter.

I see the best use is in glasshouses where the product does not get washed away with rain. Use outdoors over and under foliage and you may need to reapply after rain.

WE’RE NOT WORTHY: Woodbourne RNZAF

Eli and receive fine support at the Stadium recently as part of their fundraising run for School Start First

TEMPO IS BACK: Nine-year-old Felix Huang will perform for Tempo’s concert this Friday, 7pm at the Wesley Centre. The concert will be in memory of Zoe Luffman, a long-time supporter of TEMPO for many years when she was learning piano. Zoe died tragically last year and the first TEMPO concert will honour her love of music, nature and theatre. TEMPO provides a platform for school-age musicians to perform regularly and gain confidence sharing their music in a non-judgemental environment with an appreciative audience.

Txt Talk

Got an important issue to share with Marlborough?

Text your thoughts to: 027 242 5266

MARLBOROUGH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY INC.

(Trading as Multiple Sclerosis & Parkinson’s Society) 25 Alfred Street Blenheim. e-mail mmss@xtra.co.nz Telephones 03 5784058 or 027 5093965

The ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the Marlborough Multiple Sclerosis Society Incorporated will be held in the meeting room of the Community Centre (where the Office is)

On Thursday 30th March, 2023 Commencing at 10.30am

Antique Buyers

Golf Results

Marlborough Golf Club

Mon 13 Mar: Allan Scott Women’s

Tournament Stableford Div.1:Lizzie

Turnbull (Marlborough) 43, Liz Fox

(Royal Auck) 40, Angela Beard (Greenacres) 40, Fran Sutherland (Totaradale)

39, Pip Murdoch (Royal Wgtn) 39, Janne Moyle (Paraparaumu Beach) 39.

Div.2:Ann Perkins (Rangiora) 42, Cris McGechan (Royal Wgtn) 41, Sandra Quinn (Rakaia) 41, Marilyn Smith (Rarangi) 39, Diane Bell (Tinwald) 39.Div.3: Mary Skilton (Marlborough) 46, Juliet McLeod (Mayfield) 44, Marion Elliott (Miramar) 42, Margaret Read (Mayfield)

41, Kaye Keys (Picton) 41.

Tue 14 Mar: Allan Scott Tournament

4BBB Stableford Div.1:Harding & Jones

52, Hancock & Marshall (Golden Downs)

50, Beard & Lofthouse (Greenacres)

49, Schott & Smith 49, Dickson & Greenstreet (Blenheim) 48, Kroeger &

Clothing

by Lynette Atkinson-Parker

Annual General Meeting

Members and friends are invited to attend the Band’s Annual General Meeting at 7:30pm

Wednesday 29th March 2023

In the Band Rooms

21 Auckland Street, Blenheim.

WANTED TO BUY- Old tobacco tins, NZ postcards, military items, garden tools, woodworking tools, records from the 1970’s/80’s, old petrol station related items, fountain pens, crystal decanters/whisky & wine glasses, NZ history books, gold jewellery, antique bottles, Tonka, Fun Ho & tin toys, white Crown Lynn vases & swans & all collectables. Collector of NZ / Maori & whaling related artifacts. All of the above are popular & fetching good money at the moment. Free quotes we travel. Rarity, condition & collectability = more $$$. Just Browsing 26 Battys Rd (03)5775402

Community notices

Learn Scottish Country dancing

6 week course, $40, Mondays 6.30 - 8pm at Whitney Street School hall, starting 27th March. Tutor Linda Glavin. Ph 0274545102

Driv E r r equired for Driving Miss Daisy Marlborough. We are looking for companion drivers in the Blenheim Area. You must have a P-endorsement and first aid certificate or be willing to obtain these. You need to be flexible with work hours and be available to work some weekends and nights. Please contact Dawn on 021503354

Job Vacancies

• Skilled Labourer

• Drain Layer

• Concrete Placer

Outside Havelock

Havelock Lions Summer Market Freedoms NZ

Come hear about, and be part of the freedom movement for our nation NZ. Meet and talk with Brian and Hannah Tamaki and others. Tuesday 28th March, 7pm venue to be confirmed. Txt or call Mark Terrill Marlborough co-ordinator on 021479482. All welcome / free admission www.freedomsnz.org.nz

Share your community events!

These are full time positions with a probation period. Experienced applicants only please. We also have an outstanding opportunity for:

• Apprentice Drain Layer

The Company

Clarke’s Drainage & Developments are a local based company in the Marlborough region delivering a diverse range of drainage and civil infrastructure across the board. Clarke’s Drainage prides itself on delivering value for money for its clients and sharing its success with its Team. We are a fast growing company with multiple ongoing works scheduled.

The Opportunity

Clarke’s Drainage & Developments are looking for experienced staff to join the team:

• Excellent wage & generous remuneration package

• Permanent positions

• Opportunity to increase your leadership skills

We are also looking for an Apprentice Drain Layer. No experience necessary, we will teach you everything. All you need is a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn, and be trustworthy and reliable.

Desired Skills/Licence & Experience

• Drainage registration (would be an advantage)

• Class 2 or fully licenced & R.T.W

• Strong work ethic & leadership skills

• Plan and coordinate day to day works

• Sound understanding of Civil scope

• Sound plant operating

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance to site policies & procedures are met

• Lead by example with the team

• Daily time sheets

• Maintaining equipment

• Honest/trustworthy & reliable is a must!

Our Culture

Pickering 46, Reynolds & Reynolds 46. Wed 15 Mar: Allan Scott Tournament

Medal Gross: Linda Nightingale (Titirangi) 78 Fleur Reynolds (Muriwai) 82, Andrea Thomas (Rarangi) 82, Sue Murray (Awatere) 83, Lail Emmerson-Smale (Gulf Harbour) 85, Tracy Bary (Rarangi)

85. Div.2:Anne Newman (Rarangi) 89, Diana Clark (Greenacres) 89, Bronwyn

Fletcher (Royal Auck) 90, Paula Bavin (Rarangi) 90, Lucy Jefferis (Marlborough) 91. Div.3:Jane Paterson (Royal Wgtn) 98, Pauline McLafferty (Omaha Beach) 101, Mary Skilton (Marlborough)

102, Barbara Ellingford (Omokoroa)

102. Net medal Div.1: Kerry McConchie (Motueka) 71, Barbara Simpson (Motueka) 72, Mary Murphy (Royal Auck) 72, Bridget Quaife (Rarangi) 72, Christine Pears (Akarana) 72. Div.2:Anne Newman (Rarangi) 67, Diana Clark (Greenacres)

68, Elizabeth Steele (Waimakariri Gorge) 69, Lucy Jefferis (Marlborough) 70, Bronwyn Fletcher (Royal Auck) 70, Paula Bavin (Rarangi) 70. Div.3:Jane Paterson (Royal Wgtn) 67, Valmai Prendergast (Tinwald) 72, Wendy Hancock (Golden Downs) 72, Pauline McLafferty (Omaha Beach) 73, Barbara Ellingford (Omokoroa) 73. Thu 16 Mar: Men’s stableford Div.1:Robert Lopez 38, Paul Eden 38, Trevor McGarry 38. Div.2: Robert Hille 44, Brian Chippendale 38, Ross Inder 36, George Mitchinson 36. 18 March, women’s Hidden Holes stableford Div.1: Julie Nicolle 22. Div.2:Marion Tripe 25, Elaine Porter 25. Men’s stableford Div.1:Stephen Harvey 37, Mike MacLeod 34. Div.2:Dave Knappstein 37, Ben Blackman 36, Ravi Johl 35, Steve Holtum 35. Div.3:Dylan Rigby 41, Robert Hille 39, Paul Eden 38.

Clarke’s Drainage & Developments is a tight knit team, led by two owners Manahi and Kelly. Our business rewards performance and loyalty with opportunities to grow your career with the business.

How to apply

If these opportunities sound like something you would like to be a part of, send your current CV with cover letter to info@clarkesdrainage.co.nz

Applicants must have NZ residency or working visa.

Picton Golf Club

Tue 14 Mar: Stableford: Diana Harper, Jenny Hart, 38; Denise Finch, Anita McCaffrey, 37; Margaret Frisken, Joyce Allen, Sue Hutchinson, 31;

Wairau Valley Golf Club

Thu 16 Mar: Stableford – Mike McGuire, Dave Mitchell, 39; Jeff Pascoe, David Bunt, James Fattorini, Ron Peters, 38; Andrew Sunley, Jerome January, Ron Jones, Paul Howden 37.