12 April Blenheim Sun Newspaper

Amelie thriving

By Chris Valli

15 months young, Amelie Boyce’s smile and cheeky demeanour suggests what’s all the fuss been about?

At four weeks of age, ‘Millie’ had open heart surgery at Auckland’s Starship Hospital. A 20 week scan for Mum Chloe discovered Amelie had two large holes in her heart - an ASD (atrial septal defect) a hole in the wall between the heart’s upper chambers, and also a VSD (ventricular septal defect) a hole in the wall between the lower chambers.

Continued on page 2.

QUALITY TIME: Amelie ( Millie ) with mum Chloe. Millie’s heart is on the improve, and she is no longer on medication.

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Heart Kids NZ support absolutely amazing

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FULL OF LIFE: At Millie’s most recent check-up the Starship Paediatric Cardiologist was happy with how Millie’s heart was functioning and was confident that things would only continue to improve.

Continued from page 1. Chloe says her and husband Tim were ‘lucky’ to have found out at the scan which meant they could prepare for a potential worst case scenario at birth.

“I was induced in Wellington at 39 weeks,” says Chloe. “Luckily, Millie was fine and breathing well. It wasn’t until a check-up at Wairau Hospital when she was three weeks old where we were told that things weren’t great. The next day we were up at Starship.”

Chloe says it was a weird time being in hospital with Millie.

“When I think about things now it is still a bit of a horrible blur, full of triggering alarms from the hospital monitors and the numerous lines hanging out of her tiny little body,” she says. “The support we’ve had from Heart Kids really has been nothing short of absolutely amazing, especially since returning home from Starship with Millie. I was rung regularly and checked up on, had parcels dropped to my letterbox, coffee dates if I was up to it, and had free counselling available if I wanted it too.”

As a result, Chloe and Tim have organised a black-tie mid-winter

charity ball to be held at the Marlborough Events Centre on June 10. All the proceeds from the night are going to Heart Kids NZ.

Chloe says it was invaluable talking to other parents of Heart Kids who knew exactly what she was going through.

“As Millie gets older she’s going to become more aware of her scar which is when Heart Kids will come into play more for her. She will be able to attend catch ups, annual summer camps, build friendships, and have the support of many other children who have been through what she has.”

“Heart Kids provide lifelong care and support to children, teens, adults and families impacted by childhood heart conditions and they do it all for free. Hence why we are organising the charity ball so we can help them keep things free in a world that is getting terribly expensive.”

At Millie’s most recent check-up back in October the Starship Paediatric Cardiologist was very happy with how Millie’s heart was functioning and was confident that things would only continue to improve.

“She is currently not on any medication and they will keep monitoring her in the short term,” Chloe says. “Hopefully in the long term she will be discharged from paediatric cardiology care and will continue to thrive.”

Tickets and information for the ball are at https://www.asbtheatre.com/ events/heart-kids-mid-winter-ball/

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Linda - ‘I’m not going to give in’

By Chris Valli

Blenheim’s Linda Skelton is standing firm and will not be paying her parking ticket.

Linda arrived home after a few days away on the west coast to find a notice dated March 25 from the Ministry of Justice incurring court costs of $30 to her initial $40 infringement fee which is now $70. She now has 28 days to pay the new fine amount to the court. Payable by April 21, 2023.

“On the letter it says, warning, we will add $102 if ‘we’ take enforcement action. On the back it then says what my legal rights are. I’ve come this far, I’m not going to give in now,” she says.

After her story appeared in the Sun, on Wednesday, March 22, Linda says she heard from several people explaining their own frustrations with being ticketed and the ‘fairness’ of it all.

Linda had parked in the High Street car park (near Farmers) before 1:46 pm on December 28 last year and noted the time she needed to be back at shortly after 2:30pm. She noticed a parking ticket on her windscreen when she arrived home in Riverlands saying her time was still before 2:30pm.

The first hour of free parking is available in both Blenheim and Picton Marlborough District Council car parks.

To activate the free hour, drivers need to enter their car registration number in the Pay by Plate terminal and follow the prompts on screen which Linda says she duly did. Individuals no longer need to return to the

Linda Skelton is standing firm and will not be paying her parking ticket. “On the letter it says, warning, we will add $102 if ‘we’ take enforcement action. On the back it then says what my legal rights are. I’ve come this far, I’m not going to give in now,” she says.

vehicle to display a ticket because their licence plate number is used to confirm parking has been activated.

One local she spoke to says from his own experiences ‘Linda wouldn’t win as the council had their own lawyers who would knock her back’. He added that ‘Marlborough Roads just don’t listen’ and it’s a ‘hopeless cause’. Linda said the local she spoke to had also entered his registration number and was issued a parking ticket. She says he ended up paying the ticket as he was frustrated he had nobody to talk to at the council who would give answers or clarify misunderstandings.

Another local, an elderly Blenheim woman, says the same scenario happened to her and she too ended up paying the fine as she had no evidence to suggest otherwise, and said, ‘how was she going to fight it as she had nothing to prove?’

“The lady mentioned she wasn’t brave enough to fight it and said good on me for fighting it,” Linda says. “She said $40 was a lot and that there was a perception that parking in a council car park was a lot cheaper than parking on the street.”

The Alfred Street Car Park building changed to ‘Pay by Plate’ in November 2021, resulting in

Public Meeting

Sun The

Stuart Smith the National MP will be hosting a public meeting in Blenheim with Chris Bishop, National Party Spokesperson for Housing, Infrastructure and RMA reform. They will be discussing a variety of issues including the Government’s proposed RMA reforms and housing issues across New Zealand.

When: Friday 14 April, 2023, 12pm-1pm

Where: Whitehaven Room, ASB Theatre, 2 Hutcheson St, Blenheim

Annual Plan consultation - have your say

Council has signed off its Annual Plan 2023-24 Consultation Document, which is open for public consultation until Monday 8 May.

tickets no longer being required. If users don’t get to the screen “transaction completed”, the individual’s license plate hasn’t been registered and is liable for an infringement.

Linda says the old system of putting money in the parking machine and getting a ticket to place on the windscreen was proof that you had paid for parking.

“Now with entering the registration number it goes to their (internal) system. The only way to protect yourself is to use your phone camera when you press the OK button. It’s the only way I can see as my proof that you have activated the free hour.”

The Consultation Document proposes a small number of projects for the year ahead, with the majority of these to be funded from reserves and not rates. To find out more and have your say, go to Council’s website at www. marlborough.govt.nz or pick up a copy of the Consultation Document from council offices and libraries in Blenheim and Picton.

Consultation closes at 5pm on Monday May 8 with hearings scheduled June 6 –8. The plan will be adopted by council on June 29 with new rates effective from July 1.

Correction - correct name

Last week in our April 5th issue the Sun newspaper published some photos and credited them incorrectly to Gavin Conway. The photographer was actually Gavin Conroy of Classic Aircraft Photography. The Sun newspaper apologises for this error.

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Airshowan amazing team effort

By Chris Valli

The Yealands Classic Fighters

Omaka AirShow was a resounding success.

Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre Marketing Manager Rachael Brown says there were approximately 15,000 people at the show over the weekend.

Rachael says it will be a while until they can sign off on a final number on how much was raised but says they were especially happy with the number of online sales.

“In general, the feedback has been very positive with the team receiving rave reviews about the Black Falcons and Spitfire formation. RNZAF Hercules, the Yak 52 Team, Rocketeer, the five Waco’s, WW1 Battle, the V2 and the FW-190 flying,” Rachael says.

“It was an amazing team effort, the majority of which are volunteers. Some of whom have been giving their time and expertise for years. We couldn’t do this show without them. There are still a crew out on the air field right now packing down the huge amount of infrastructure required for such a large event.”

Over the next week or two the team will be finalising the numbers, putting away all the kit and a debrief already scheduled with a view to 2025.

Priscilla band is ‘HOT STUFF’

By Chris Valli

With a production like Priscilla and featuring hit songs Hot Stuff to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, the importance of a band with diverse talents and musical creativity goes a long way to the success and journey of ‘Priscilla fabulousness.’

Musical Director Penny Wytenburg says the home grown band are all experienced musicians from a wide variety of backgrounds.

“To some, this genre of music is familiar and to others it is something new,” Penny says. “But they are all showing their True Colours and Shaking’ their Groove Thing.”

The Priscilla band consists of Liz Murray and Simon Popham on keys 1 (piano), Grant Wright Keyboard 2 (on a variety of instruments), Matt Allcutt on guitar and Aimee Moore on drums. Penny is on bass, Peter Ehrlich on reeds (alto and tenor sax, flute and clarinet), Tristan Gregory-Hunt is on Soprano and tenor Saxes and plays The Guardian culminating in Alex Dunn on trombone and Gavin Stead on percussion. Louise Baker is the official ‘Band Aide’

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and is helping the band with cues if and when required.

When asked if there were any tricky timings or songs Penny says the songs vary depending on what instrument one plays.

“I think overall the more difficult parts are the underscores (music under dialogue) where there are no vocals to play to. Every one of the 36 numbers we play has some tricky parts, but they are coming together well. There is some outstanding solo work, particularly by Matt, Peter and Tristan.”

Band rehearsals for the May 17 opening started in January. Penny says collaborating alongside Vocal Director Con O’Brien has been beneficial as a collective and says she has spent a ‘lot of time’ at the cast singing rehearsals running the backing tracks and watching Con work his magic with the harmonies. “This has proved very useful when working with the band as I have become very familiar with the cues and dialogue as well as the music,” she says.

As for a favourite song, Penny says it’s hard to choose, as so many have amazing vocal parts by the fabulous divas or the gorgeous drag queens, or

A band with diverse talents and musical creativity:

Backrow: Peter Ehrlich, Penny Wutenburg, Aime Moore and Tristian Gregory-Hunt. Middle: Matt Allcutt and Gavin Stead.

Front: Liz Murray, Simon Popham and Grant Wright.

Absent: Alex Dunn.

the sweet harmonies from the ensemble.

“From the point of view of a bass player it would have to

be Hot Stuff, mainly due to the sweet little part I play with Matt and Grant in the middle of the song,” she says.

Jack Collier is going places

He’s recently bought a car to get him to and from his new full-time job, and says it’s a great symbol of his newfound freedom. For a young man with a passion for cars, it couldn’t be a more appropriate symbol for how far he has come.

Twelve months ago it was a different story.

Jack was unemployed and stuck in a rut. He’d finished school about two years beforehand and had lost a sense of where to go next. His mother, Katrina Sowden, says he was finding it difficult to motivate himself to do anything, because of his anxiety. “He’d lost his drive, good habits and routines – all he wanted to do was hang out with his friends,” Katrina says.

With some prompting and support from his family, Jack signed up for the Toroa Career Navigator programme, which was to prove a real catalyst for change.

Toroa is a programme run by the Graeme Dingle Foundation Marlborough. It is especially designed to help 15–25-year-olds who aren’t in work or training, but keen to be.

The Toroa programme involves pairing the young people with mentors, taking them out on worksite visits - coupled with lots of skill, knowledge and confidence building. The students develop skills that help prepare them for the world of work, as well as personality profiling and understanding their strengths.

Participants come away with a career action plan and the materials (such as a CV and interview skills)

to help put that plan into action.

Toroa Coordinator, Rachel Rodger says they could see that Jack had potential.

“He just needed the confidence to really soar. Part-way into the programme it became obvious he had made the decision to change his life. It was like a switch had been flicked. If you could see how far he’s come. His progress is unbelievable,” Rachel says.

Through his sessions in Toroa, Jack discovered he could put his practical skills and passion for driving to good use in the viticulture industry.

One of Jack’s mentors, Patricia Miranda-Taylor is a winemaker at Wither Hills. Patricia enjoyed working with Jack and the other students.

“It is so rewarding to be able to

make a contribution as a mentor and help someone change their life in such a positive way,” she says.

In a stroke of serendipity, Patricia was able to point him in the direction of a cadetship opportunity that had arisen at Wither Hills, and supported by Rachel and Assistant Vineyard Manager, Brent Thomson, he put his best foot forward in applying. He fronted with his newly-minted CV and cover letter, and performed well at his interview. The clincher he says was having Rachel’s support through the interview process. “I couldn’t have done that part on my own. That kind of thing had just got ‘too hard’ for me at that time, so having Rachel there every step of the way made the difference,”

he says.

Shortly after, he was delighted to hear he had his first job. He has now been working on his cadetship for almost six months.

“I’m definitely more confident. I just needed a hand to get started, to take those first steps. Rachel and Patricia still check in with me, make sure I’m going ok”.

“Pre-Toroa Jack” would not believe it if he could see him now: “He would say no way has that happened. You legend.” His advice to other young people not sure about their future path?

Redwood Village Lotto in Cleghorn Street sold a second division ticket at the weekend.

Seven lucky Lotto players will be enjoying a boost to their bank account after each winning $39,063 with Lotto Second Division in the weekend’s live Lotto draw.

One lucky player also won Powerball Second Division, taking their total winnings to $56,638.

When only

best

Since 1947

Jack Collier, Patricia Miranda-Taylor, Rachel Rodger and Brent Thomson reflect on Jack’s journey to success.

The planes take me back to my youth, great memories.

Q: What has been the highlight of the Classic Fighters air show for you?

The acrobatics has been a real highlight, it was fabulous, and corkscrewing, the spiraling was awesome.

This is my second time at the show. Seeing the historic vehicles and aircraft up close. I’ve always been interested. Nothing beats the real thing.

It’s my first time so just being here and seeing the old aircraft.

The air show has been great overall but definitely catching up with old mates.

to the editor

Letters on issues of community interest are welcomed. A maximum of 150 words please. They must be signed and a street address provided to show good faith, even when a nom de plume is provided for publication.

editor reserves the right to

Empathetic Journalist

I wanted to pass on some feedback from our parishioners after The Sun Journalist

Chris Valli was a guest speaker recently.

“The day went off really well - Chris was very good - no wonder he is such a good reporter, he really listens from his heart and empathises with the person he is interviewing.”

Patience

Re Gun Shots (April 5th): To the person complaining about gun shots in the vineyards. For goodness sake, have some jolly respect. It’s only for a few weeks during harvest and those people have a job to do. The same as if they have to

with emails.

withhold

Another person told me in person that hearing Chris talk has restored her opinion of journalists.

She said she never had a high opinion of them but hearing him talk and the passion he has in his work changed all that.

Renwick Anglican Aged Care Coordinator

use helicopters for frost protection. It’s only for a short time so give the workers a break and stop whinging. Work has to be done, like it or not.

Wine lovely.

(Name and address supplied).

Same Team, New Look at Roofline Marlborough

Roofline Marlborough is now called Freeman Roofing. You will notice the look of our business has changed. However, we are still the same local roofing experts, with the same great service and commitment to providing quality roofing products.

Freeman Roofing have been manufacturing roofing products for New Zealand homes since 1956, and have been serving the Marlborough region since 1990. Call us on: 03 578 8793

Stuart Street, Blenheim

context

Dear Ed,

I am writing in response to your story “Cell tower doesn’t comply?” printed on April 5.

It is disappointing that your reporter did not contact One NZ (formerly Vodafone) or Fortysouth (who now own One NZ’s cell site infrastructure and is building this site) to clarify and allow us to respond to the information and concerns raised in his story. If he had, we would have been happy to provide a response so the reader was well informed about the new cell site.

The Redwoodtown area is experiencing significant development which has led to increased demand for mobile services. This new cell site is being built on private land that is in an area with rural, industrial, business and residential zoning. It will be immediately surrounded by commercial businesses with residential properties on the opposite side of the road.

Residential properties located opposite the cell site received two letters about our plans and were provided an email to put their feedback in writing. Neither One NZ nor Fortysouth received any feedback or questions about the proposal. The email on the letters come directly to me.

When searching for new cell site locations, our site acquisition team are guided by the area’s District Plan.

The Marlborough District Plan allows for 25m

Letters PUBLIC MEETING

towers on residential, rural, industrial or business zoned properties in the town.

We considered several locations both on private land and in the road reserve and the location on Alabama Rd was selected because it provided the much-needed coverage improvements, was situated next to commercial businesses, the landowner had space available and could provide a long-term lease.

While we could build a 25m cell site, we have opted to only build a 20m cell site as that will meet the demand for much needed improved coverage in the area.

As well as improving coverage, this new cell site will also significantly improve capacity meaning less calls dropping off and significantly improved mobile internet coverage for users.

We understand that some people would prefer we put our cell sites out of sight and far away from them, but this is not possible. The infrastructure needs to be closer to the user to meet the capacity demands and in the last year alone demand for mobile data has increased by a whopping 60 percent and shows no signs of slowing down.

If residents want more information about this cell site they can contact me on communityrelations@ fortysouth.co.nz

Lisa Mulitalo Head of External Affairs

Friday

Wendy Simpson Oamaru

Diane Peterson Feilding

Corey Clemett Blenheim

Andrea Tainui Christchurch

Terry Ryan Nelson

Nigel Costley Nelson

Your local news from the Marlborough District Council

Annual Plan consultation gets underway

The 2023-24 He Uiuinga Mahere ā-Tau Annual Plan Consultation is open for public consultation until Monday 8 May.

Speaking at last week’s Council meeting Mayor Nadine Taylor noted the challenging economic climate.

“Like every council, we are facing much higher than normal levels of inflation, with the Consumer Price Index expected to peak at more than 7% this year. Supply chain issues are driving up costs and affecting many parts of the economy, including local government,” Mayor Taylor said.

“This year’s proposed budget maintains our current levels of service across Marlborough. It also continues a significant capital expenditure programme focused on our core infrastructure needs, primarily roading, sewerage and water treatment.”

“A small number of new expenditure items have been supported by councillors, leaving an overall proposed rates increase of 7.8% for the year beginning 1 July 2023.”

“I’m very aware of the cost of living pressures on households and recognise this is a relatively high rates increase,” Mayor Taylor said.

“However I’m very pleased to say that we have been able to maintain levels of service across our amazing community facilities and services, with no reduction or cuts.”

The two biggest drivers of rates increases are the Local Government Cost Index (LGCI) and capital expenditure.

“The LGCI - which is currently running at 5.9% - includes the cost of bitumen and water pipes, which are the main goods and services that councils purchase. We’ve worked hard to address this inflationary challenge and bring down what would have been a much bigger rates increase - well above 10% - without reducing levels of service,” Mayor Taylor said.

“We have also reviewed user pays fees and reduced expenditure where possible. Fees including resource consenting, environmental health and building control are proposed to be increased. By increasing fees we are reducing the impact on ratepayers by just over $1 million. I believe that is a fairer way of

spreading costs.”

“The Consultation Document outlines our key priorities for next year, which affect our rates, debt and levels of service. I encourage people to take the opportunity to read it, have their say and help us shape Marlborough’s future,” Mayor Taylor said.

The Consultation Document proposes a number of projects for the year ahead, with the majority of these to be funded from Reserves and not rates. They include: $26.8M for new sewerage treatment plants, pump stations, pipelines and other renewals in Blenheim, Havelock, Picton, Renwick, Seddon, Grovetown, Spring Creek and Riverlands

$15.7M for roads, footpaths, wharves and cycle ways including the Renwick Cycle Trail and streetscape improvements in Blenheim and Picton

$7.2M for drinking water improvements including new treatment plants in Blenheim, Picton, Renwick and Havelock; and a new reservoir in Picton

$5.8M for parks and reserves upgrades and renewals, including playgrounds, track improvements, street trees and the development of a new Taylor Pass reserve and dog park for Blenheim

$4.7M for flood protection and control work across the district, including the Town Branch Drain upgrade and options for flood protection for Renwick’s Lower Terrace

$3M for the senior housing development in George Street, Blenheim

$1.7M over four years for upgrades and improvements for community facilities and playgrounds in Blenheim, Renwick, Seddon, Ward, Wairau Valley and Havelock, with a rating impact of $21,440 in 2023-24

$29.4K to make the Picton to Blenheim return bus service permanent.

To find out more and have your say, go to Council’s website at www.marlborough. govt.nz or pick up a copy of the Consultation Document from Council offices and libraries in Blenheim and Picton.

Consultation closes at 5.00 pm on Monday 8 May, with hearings scheduled for 6 to 8 June. The plan will be adopted by Council on 29 June with new rates effective from 1 July.

New citizens celebrated

Twenty five people from India, the UK, South Africa, Malaysia, Brazil, Germany, Netherlands, Japan, Canada and the USA are Marlborough’s newest citizens.

Mayor Nadine Taylor welcomed them at a recent ceremony saying citizenship carried important privileges and they would all enjoy the rights and freedoms of nativeborn New Zealanders. She told the group the day was an important milestone in their new lives

as citizens.

“Your decision to apply for citizenship was no doubt made after very careful consideration and is a commitment to your future,” she said. “It is not a rejection of your past but in future your first loyalty will be to New Zealand.”

Following the Mayor’s opening address and the presentation of certificates, Council’s kapa haka group performed for the new citizens and their friends and families.

Mayor Taylor with Marlborough’s new citizens

Marlborough represented at Sport NZ meeting

Mayor Nadine Taylor and Councillor Matt Flight, who holds the Sports and Communities Facilities portfolio, recently represented Marlborough at a Sport NZ hui in Wellington. The hui brought together local government leaders and parks and facilities managers from councils across the country to provide an opportunity to better understand Sport NZ and its priorities, and to

hear councils’ thoughts about how Sport NZ could better support local government.

Mayor Taylor said the hui was a great opportunity to connect and learn. She said it was particularly useful to share some of the challenges Marlborough faced and to explain the key role Council has as the regional decision maker and key investor in this important portfolio.

Councillor Matt Flight with Sport NZ Group Chief Executive Raelene Castle (centre) and Mayor Nadine Taylor

The Last Parade

The 25th April, 1970 dawned like all the years before.

Ever since ANZAC Day had been ratified as a day of observance back in 1921, Robert (Bob) James Diamanti had never missed a parade. He rose a little earlier than usual at his Charles Street address. He wanted to be ready for when his oldest grandson called to take him to Seymour Square. His wife Cora had ensured his best suit was back from the “cleaners” and Bob had polished up his brown shoes the previous evening.

Being in his 80th year Bob was not averse, when sitting, to closing his eyes and “nodding off”. Looking around to acknowledge one or two familiar faces he sat down to wait. His mind wandered back through the years as he remembered his faithful farm horse “Old Don” who had been with him through all the training and annual camps before the first Great War.

After breakfast Bob returned to his bedroom, where approaching his wardrobe he reached up to find an old battered cash tin at the rear of a top shelf. Taking it through to the kitchen table he placed it down and turned the key.

This was a ritual that he had performed once a year for as long as he could recall. Taking out an old scrap of silk serge he unravelled it to expose three war medals and a silver badge of a fern. With his wife’s help these were soon attached to his person, the medals on the left chest, sitting proudly below the silver fern and a red poppy pinned to the lapel above. With hat and walking stick ready at his side he enjoyed a second cup of tea while waiting for his ride.

It was about 10.30 when the old soldier climbed out of the vehicle and insisted on walking alone. Those that knew him by sight couldn’t help but notice that he seemed to be walking taller, stretching to his full 5ft 7 inches, as he limped towards the allocated seats.

He smiled as he recalled how much “Old Don” had liked being on parade whenever the regimental band was playing, for he had developed a liking for music, lifting his front feet up and down, pawing on the spot, as if dancing. Although he had missed his horse Bob was relieved that when he finally left for Egypt with the 17th Reinforcements in 1916, no horses could be taken on the passenger ship. Also there was the sad situation of plenty of spare cavalry horses waiting, many with their “master” having failed to return from the Gallipoli Peninsula.

He thought of the “Pelorus Boys” who had been together as part of the Nelson-Marlborough Mounted Rifles; expecting to be home by Christmas they spent over three years fighting their way from Egypt into Palestine and on to Syria.

He recalled the sand, it was everywhere and got into everything; and if a fellow ate anything at all he must have necessarily eaten a fair proportion of it. However, men with plenty of grit were the kind that was needed over there!

How the Marlborough “mates” stood in amazement when seeing something other than a bird, away up in the sky.

It had kind of made them tremble when they first heard the whirl of a bomb rushing to earth, and hadn’t the slightest idea where it was going to drop, until an explosion occurred in the camp next to theirs. Every morning “Jacko” would be over about breakfast time, so they stood by their

horses and took their chances while anti-aircraft guns did their best.

As part of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles they soon became hardened fighters, achieving success with the NZ Mounted Regiment, commanded by General Chaytor.

Bob was promoted to head a mounted rifle section of four who would bivouac together in the field, developing a comradeship that would operate collectively in battle.

This was not a problem for four “lads”, all of whom grew up to know the value of horses – their horses always came first and for the Pelorus boys they were not just their wartime companions, but were truly their “Cobbers in Arms”.

After enduring the thirst and glare of the desert, the heat and dust of the Jordan Valley and the fatigue of long and exhausting marches; it was late in the War in 1918 that Bob had to face the most difficult decision of his time abroad.

It was during the battle for Amman, that the lance–corporal was called to HQ to be told that he was to volunteer a trooper to act as stretcher bearer for the raid on one of the last strongholds of the Ottoman forces.

Bob returned to his men with a heavy heart as the life expectancy of stretcher bearers was well known to be short. Who would he choose?

He certainly wasn’t sending Percy Neal, a veteran from Gallipoli who had seen his

brother “Will” fall dead right beside him.

Percy couldn’t even stop as it was in the middle of a bayonet charge where he himself had suffered a round through the back of his left thigh, another bullet grazing the head and clipping a piece out of his ear.

Bob would do everything to get at least one son back home to the parents in the Rai Valley.

Les Kerr was not well – Bob suspected that like most of them he had got malaria back in the Jordan Valley and even with weeks of rest had not fully recovered. Being a cousin Bob was sure his relatives wouldn’t thank him for sending Ernie Hill, the joker of the pack; and who else would make the “pikelets?”

To be continued next week.

Blenheim historian and writer Allen Diamanti shared with Chris Valli memories of his late grandfather, Wakamarina sheep farmer Robert (Bob) Diamanti, who was a corporal with the 10th (Nelson - Marlborough) Mounted Rifle Regiment during the Great War. This exclusive is part one of two to appear in the Sun in the lead up to Anzac Day.

“Men with plenty of grit were the kind that was needed over there!”

Wakamarina sheep farmer Bob Diamanti with mates Percy Neal, Les Kerr and Ernie Hill. The “Pelorus Boys” had been together as part of the Nelson-Marlborough Mounted Rifles and were expected to be home by Christmas. They spent over three years fighting their way from Egypt into Palestine and on to Syria.

Principals vote in favour of a work ban

Primary and area school principals across New Zealand have voted in favour of a work ban until they receive an offer from the Ministry of Education that addresses their ongoing serious concerns.

The work ban will begin at 8am on Monday 24 April, the first day of term two.

The principals, members of NZEI Te Riu Roa, confirmed the industrial action after a vote was put to ballot which closed last night.

NZEI Te Riu Roa member princi-

pals cover the significant majority of all principals in primary and area schools.

“The results of the vote tell you what you need to know; our members have had enough,” said Lynda Stuart, the negotiating team lead for primary principals.

“The Government hasn’t listened to us, so we are taking action.

“The work of school leadership simply isn’t sustainable and what we are seeking is greater support to help us do that work.

“We need the long standing issues around pay disparity to be addressed to ensure that we can attract great leaders into our schools.” Negotiations for the new agreements started in the middle of last year, with area and primary school principals rejecting a second offer from the government in February.

Principals joined teachers from primary, area and secondary schools, alongside kindergarten teachers, in an historic one-day

Real Change Tour

strike on 16 March.

The work ban will include a pause on all work that principals normally do with the Ministry.

This includes any work on introducing or implementing any new Ministry initiative such as the Curriculum Refresh, or collecting or collating any information for the Ministry.

It also includes any work outside 8am to 5pm weekdays apart from board meetings, and all work on weekends.

The work ban does not include liaising with Ministry of Education Learning Support specialist staff that support specific students, property staff or the roll out of the New Zealand histories curriculum.

“Like with the strike, these are not actions we take lightly,” said Stuart.

“We want to do our jobs and do our jobs well, but we need things to change and we need that change now.”

Authorised by David Seymour MP, ACT Party Leader, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

Chris Baillie ACT List MP

David Seymour ACT Party Leader

A crash, between two trucks, caused a spillage of grapes on the road in Riverlands at 3:40pm on Saturday. The incident occurred at the intersection turning into Cloudy Bay Business Park. The road was closed for several hours while the crash scene was cleared. Police said no injuries were reported following the crash.

OUTLANDER XT 650/ 1000R

Creating lasting memories

A point of difference to the grieving experience Sowman’s refurbishment

By Chris Valli

The Sowman name and family has been serving the Marlborough community in the funeral p r ofession for a number of years, since 1869 when Alfred Sowman established the business.

In 1959 Geoffrey T Sowman Funeral Directors was launched and Geoffrey’s son Alistair, a former Marlborough mayor, continues the tradition to the present day, together with his wife Thelma.

The premises have recently

undergone extensive refurbishment including the Mayfield C h apel renovation which is purpose built for people to celebrate the lives of their loved ones in complete comfort.

Jenny Saggers of Collaborate Design Studio redesigned the premises giving a new definition to a place to be quiet and reflect. Textured white curtains with high backed chairs provide a linen-look fabric.

Manager and funeral director Barry Holmwood says Sowman’s was already a nice place to work in with a great team

that works well together and ‘gets the job done’. The refurbishment allows the families to celebrate ‘light and life’.

“We wanted people to come in and feel relaxed,” he says.

“We want them to be at peace when they walk into the chapel and we have achieved that. The Memories Forever Wall can allow us to put anything up to add that extra touch.”

The Memories Forever Wall at the front of the chapel can display a range of images projected onto the wall to personalise the service for the deceased and the

families involved.

“We had a steam train operator who had died and as a train enthusiast, we projected a steam train on tracks, puffing smoke and steam,” Barry says. “We also had one young girl who died and played the guitar, loved it. We had a close up image of a guitar with someone strumming a guitar all throughout the service. The family knew nothing about it and loved it to bits. Once we know a bit about the person we can work with the digital display to make it personal for all involved.”

The professional Geoffrey T Sowman team: Bob Barnes, Thelma Sowman, Alistair Sowman, Barry Holmwood, Ethan Williams, Terry Ryan, and Faye Partridge.

Open Day - Saturday 15th April - 10am to 2pm

NEW BUILDS AND RENOVATIONS WITH A FOCUS ON QUALITY

Mathew Cutts | 021 297 0568 mathew@cuttsbuilding.co.nz www.cuttsbuilding.co.nz

&

Images and artwork from pioneer winemaker Kevin Judd a d d a touch of Marlborough with landscapes depicting the region’s picturesque vineyards, the inspiration behind the work.

Barry says Jenny chose New Zealand-made wallpaper with soft clouds for the viewing room.

“We have had exceptional comments regarding our viewing room,” he says. “It gives a feeling

of being uplifted with a chaise lounge allowing families and friends to sit and reflect. The children also want to sit, hug and hold and say their own farewells. It’s a touch of warmth and feeling that has been created. The idea of clouds floating beyond the casket is a wonderful image and feeling.”

The Mayfield Chapel can hold one hundred and fifty with extra

space available in the lounge area, allowing funerals to be personalised and catered for.

When asked what the best thing was about working for Sowman’s Barry says it’s the people he works with while working alongside the community that continues to inspire and motivate him after many years in the industry.

“It’s just a great place to be,

especially now after the revamp,” he says. “People who come in now are more relaxed. We have laughter in our main reception area with families. We are still professional funeral directors. We show empathy and we do care.”

Locals have the opportunity to see the updated premises with Sowman’s holding an Open Day this Saturday April 15 from 10am - 2pm.

Complete Electrical Marlborough Ltd. are proud to be involved in the alterations at Geoffrey T Sowman Funeral Services to make difficult times that little bit more comfortable for all. Call us on 021 371 818 or email us at admin@completeelectrical.co.nz to have your electrical needs completely handled.

Proud to be the builders of choice for the Geoffrey T Sowman refurbishment project

The Arrangement Lounge and Family Lounge have been redesigned to be peaceful, relaxing spaces.

The refurbished Mayfield Chapel is a place for people to be at peace.

Redesigned by Jenny Saggers of Collaborate Design Studio, the Mayfield Chapel can hold one hundred and fifty people.

The refurbished Viewing Room gives visitors a feeling of being uplifted. Designed by Jenny Saggers, it is a space for families and friends to sit and reflect.

G.T Sowman’s full ceremonial hearse beside some of the gardens that were redesigned and installed by the team at Marlborough Turf Professionals.

Bands to Honour our Fallen

Two Marlborough bands will join forces to honour our war heroes in the 2023 ANZAC Concert to be held in ASB Theatre next Saturday.

Marlborough District Brass Band with guest appearances from Blenheim & District Highland Pipe Band will perform separately and together in a musical tribute. Selections from Glenn Millar, Andrews Sisters, and Vera Lynne will celebrate the messages of hope and optimism of the music of the era and contrast with the moving major piece “Passchendaele, October 12th 1917” by New Zealander Dwayne Bloomfield which describes New Zealand’s darkest day; the WW1 battle near the Belgium city of Ypres where more New Zealanders were killed and wounded than any other, before or since.

The moving sounds of brass and pipes combined on such numbers as Highland Cathedral and Amazing Grace are sure

to be favourites with listeners.

Musical Director Robin Randall says another highlight of the concert will be the very poignant “In Memoriam: For the Fallen” which will be presented by Marlborough Brass and narrated by Duncan Mackenzie. This is a musical accompaniment to the famous 1914 Laurence Binyon poem ‘For the Fallen’, from which the well known stanza ‘They shall not grow old. . .’ originates. We hope that this varied and descriptive concert will be an appropriate tribute and will leave lasting and emotional memories with our audience.

Tickets are available at the Theatre box office or online at www.asbtheatre.com.

Both Bands will be on parade on ANZAC Day at the Blenheim ANZAC Service, with the Pipe Band also attending services at Picton and Renwick, whilst individual members will attend services at Seddon, Renwick and Ward.

Interislander ferry Kaitaki to return to service

The Kaitaki ferry will be back in full service today, providing more certainty for those hoping to cross the Cook Strait these school holidays, Interislander Executive General Manager Walter Rushbrook says.

Kaitaki has been out of service since March 4 due to a gearbox issue.

“Repair of the gearbox has gone well. Following sea trials, our own assurance checks and independent third-party signoff, Kaitaki is now ready to resume service,” Walter says.

as much certainty as possible about their travel. “

Walter says throughout the disruption they have managed to rebook the vast majority of passengers on alternative sailings. Everyone booked over the Easter weekend he says was offered a passage across the Cook Strait. Unfortunately, in some other cases they have had to cancel bookings and provide customers with a refund.

With 20 years of publication under our belt, there is no better reason than now to join the hoards who have already subscribed.

An email will arrive every Wednesday morning where a link will take you directly to the latest edition of Blenheim’s local news along with reader favourites - ‘Text talk’, ‘Out and About’, Word on the Street plus local business advertorials and features.

Simply go to www.blenheimsun.co.nz. On

the home page enter your email address and click ‘subscribe.’

It’s totally FREE and that easy.

And … best of all, you will be helping us reduce our impact on the environment in a number of ways.

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The Blenheim Sun Newspaper - easy and convenient for you.

“We are pleased to advise everyone booked to travel from tomorrow that they can cross the Strait as planned, beginning with about 500 passengers due to be welcomed aboard Kaitaki for a scheduled sailing at 0845am. Later this week Interislander bookings will be opened again after these were paused to protect any available space for Kaitaki passengers. The Kaitaki repair was complicated, requiring a particular type of metal for the gearbox that was manufactured and shipped from Germany, along with specialist technical support from the Netherlands. The gearbox failure was a surprise, given it was overhauled late last year in drydock. Our focus over the past few weeks has been on restoring Kaitaki to service and offering customers booked to sail on Interislander

“We know this hasn’t been easy for these customers and we are sorry for any inconvenience the cancellations and changes have caused,” Walter says. “As we look to the future, we’re working on a number of fronts to make sure our ferry service is modern, safe and reliable. This includes purchasing two new, larger ferries that will be built at Hyundai-Mipo Dockyard in South Korea. These hybrid electric/diesel vessels are due to arrive in 2025 and 2026.”

“In the meantime, we’re looking at what we can do now, over and above our already extensive process, to improve the resilience of our current, aging fleet. This includes taking our ships out of service more regularly for maintenance checks in wet and dry dock environments and instituting a new approach to managing our assets and fleet.”

Kathy Moseley, Ella Kernick-Harvey, Jesse Sawers, Ariel Rolf, Neil MacDonald, and Reiss Cootes warm up for next Saturday's concert. The Marlborough District Brass Band, under the direction of musical director Robin Randall, presents "ANZAC Concert 2023" with guest performance from Blenheim & Districts Highland Pipe Band. The concert promises to be another memorable and moving event celebrating the music of the war era and since, as well as commemorating the bravery and courage of New Zealand’s sons and daughters who were involved in many ways during the years of conflict. The concert is at ASB Theatre at 7:30pm on Saturday April 22.

Interislander ferry Kaitaki sailings resume.

Top quality service, at a fairer commission rate

In 2007, the founders of Total Realty believed that the commission rates charged by the real estate industry were unjustified.

Based on this belief, Total Realty was established throughout the South Island with a mission to offer excellent service with a fairer fee.

With no franchise fees and other unnecessary expenses, Total Realty has eliminated the costs that do not contribute towards selling your home, and therefore they pass these savings directly on to you.

Total Realty operates in Christchurch, Nelson, Rangiora, Kaikoura, Dunedin and Invercargill. When it comes to real estate agents in Christchurch and throughout the South Island, they’re tough to beat when it comes to value for money.

Their agents are knowledgeable and experienced so you are guaranteed professionalism and a high level of service every time. When

you combine this excellent price and excellent service you have the Total Package.

Hazel Youngman is your Blenheim-based Residential and Lifestyle Consultant, and she and her family relocated to Blenheim earlier this year to be closer to extended family and to take advantage of the incredible lifestyle Marlborough has to offer.

Hazel is a master at marketing your property to its absolute best, professional in her approach and methods, and skilful in her delivery of your property and its best features. Her impressive real estate and customer service background allows her to remain professional and focussed, while having a little fun along the way!

Hazel has won numerous awards during her real estate sales career meaning she has been recognised as a knowledgeable and experienced leader when it comes to getting results.

When Hazel was presented with the opportunity to bring Total Realty to Blenheim, she quickly realised that she could continue to offer her clients the same uncompromised and well respected service that she works hard for, and that she could add even more value to her vendors with the 1.5% commission fee.

If you want to know more about how Hazel can help you achieve a positive outcome, give her a call today.

Blenheim-based Hazel Youngman is a master at marketing your property to its absolute best.

Owner/operator Tony Flood has been operating Blenheim Radiator Services out of his premises at 44 Main Street since 1988.

He’d bought the business in 1983, but moved it to its current central site five years later. Stability and reliability are keywords – and when your return business is not just your first generation of customers, but their children and even the grandchildren, you know you’ve got it right.

Brett Uren, on the workshop floor with Tony, is another pointer to the firm’s reliability and stability, having been there since 1999.

Tony says their customers trust them, sometimes to do the impossible. And, he says: “We often find a way.”

After so many years in the business, Tony can call on people he knows personally, all round the country, to find what is needed.

That in turn means he can almost always have a new radiator in 24 hours, even unusual ones.

Some of those unusual requests are for vintage cars, a specialist area in which Tony is a trusted expert.

“And Brett is on to that now - that’s good for the future.”

He also has some expert advice about antifreeze and coolants for your car.

“They don’t last forever.”

He’ll check your radiator to make sure that what you have is still operating properly.

And, he advises: “You don’t necessarily buy the cheapest antifreeze or coolant.“

Different cars have different needs.

“Mercedes and BMW’s are examples.”

He has new stocks of the latest coolants for almost all of them.

Blenheim Radiator Services: at 44 Main Street since 1985

Census night

I thought census night was 7th of March. Back in the day people said “no I can’t come around tonight, it’s Census Night”. Now they’re advertising “... it’s not too late”.

Other labels

What’s the point of the term ‘cis’?

Surely a male who was a male at birth and still identifies as a male is just a ‘male’? I don’t need any other labels thank you.

Wallabies

I see MDC “pest” people are looking for non-existent wallabies. How about focussing on an existing pest Old Man’s Beard running rampant in Taylor River Reserve, on river and country roads.

Tidy up

Come on Countdown Redwoodtown tidy up, broken glass and litter down alley been there for weeks. Looks terrible.

Ferry woes

I would like to know when the Government are going to order the Interislander to provide the service we as owners deserve. They need to be told to stop price gouging and holding us to ransom. We own this service and also it is part of the main highway link between both Islands. Come on Government do your job.

Called out

My wife called me out on this. Who gives the right for politicians to wear inappropriate apparel i.e. hats in parliament?

Vote out

We Will Remember Them....in 2025!

And vote every one of the current Council out of office.

The absurdly high rates rise is totally, totally unacceptable.

Cuts on unnecessary spending and the adoption of a more professional operational methodolgy would have seen a zero adjustment, or even a reduction in our already

Shocked

Shocked and appalled at news of closure of Pelorus Bridge cafe. Best sausage rolls and apple strudel in New Zealand. Please investigate why DOC is not renewing licence.

Accommodation

Why aren’t the volunteer fire fighters using the sleeping accommodation at the Fire Station. When FENZ took over they decided to charge the volunteers board.

One can imagine the response.

Re: cricket

I too was watching the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka game and saw some reference to a team from Aotearoa playing .

A quick check of Wisden’s confirmed there is no such country playing cricket in the world. Clearly this is just more woke rubbish being espoused by the bought and paid for media. What is our beautiful country coming to?

Bizarre

Re the cricket 2nd T20 game on TVOne the wokeists turned NZ to Aotearoa and had Sri Lanka’s name changed to Hiraka. TVOne is of course government owned. Bizarre and Wokey!

Queen Charlotte College toilets

So the college is removing Boys and Girls toilets and replacing them with “Gender Neutral?” toilets and we are paying for this from our hard earned tax dollars. What utter madness. Wake up parents and stop this crazy “woke” ideology.

Good Youngies out there

Pulled in to get petrol today and a young lass pulled out her cellphone and gave me discount using her points. Wow that’s real special.

New firearms laws

So how are any of the new firearms laws going to save lives keep communities safe? Are the gangs going to put trigger locks on their mssa that they all handed in when the buy back was on?

Now I can only leave a firearm in a locked car unattended for an hour, what if I’m at a doc hut with strangers I’m going to have firearm in the hut, no thanks. They are stupid laws that achieve nothing and target the wrong people. But that’s what we have come to expect from bureaucrats who don’t have a clue.

Brain dead

What on earth were you thinking to hot mix the roundabout on Hutchinson st. Just finished and looked great but next day grape spill all over it. Why do you do these jobs knowing it is going to happen. The winner is the contractor. Use your head who ever ok’ed the job and did not wait until the harvest had finished. Cost to rate payers again. Hmmm.

Consent?

Resource consents seem to count for nothing depending on who you know in high places. Part of the original consent for Mitre 10 Mega was to plant screening so that we didn’t go blind looking at the big orange building. Now the east side trees have been removed without any notification of a change of consent. What’s going on ? Perhaps one of the building Police in council would like to clarify via the Sun paper ! !

Cars

So teachers want another pay rise. Just have a look at the cars they drive - see what I mean.

Sad

So where are our Returned Servicemen going to March to on Anzac day. So sad.

Not one to complain

I’m not usually one to complain but I am incredibly disappointed in the lack of informing in regards to the day early rubbish collection (Thursday BEFORE Good Friday). A small note in the notices page in the paper is the only place I saw it. Which doesn’t help when I read the paper on the weekends. Is a mail box notification really that hard to do. Usually happy with rubbish service so do better next

Talk of the week

Big thank you

A big thank you to all the people who helped put on the Airshow. It was a shame about the weather being cloudy.

Able bodied

A message for the able bodied few, who think it’s alright to sneak in and use the disability toilets. (and disability parking) My only hope is that one day, when your body does not work like it used to. You go to use these facilities, and you see someone doing what you now do and you realize just what a turd you were!

Re: accountability

Parents send children to school without breakfast or lunch, without pens or pencils. Children who have stayed up all night on devices and are exhausted. Children who are exposed to levels of trauma and stress that they have no way of coping with. And that’s when parents send their children to school at all.

Teachers are having to toilet train children, they are dealing with unprecedented levels of violence in the classroom. Teachers are filling the roles of parent, provider, counsellor and much, much more. Who should we hold accountable for that? Maybe the general public might want to take some responsibility.

We welcome your texts on 027 242 5266.

Limit to 70 words please. We reserve the right to publish at our discretion. Please note the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the

5 minutes with...

Barry Holmwood

Manager/Funeral Director, Geoffrey T

Sowman

Funeral Directors

 Are you a dog or cat person?

Ok with both, I like dogs and cats.

 My friends would say I am...

Easy going, relaxed, dry sense of humour.

 The best advice I ever received was?

To finish my apprenticeship, (my old trade) as a 16year old, that was the best advice ever.

 What would you buy if money was no object?

A nice classic car so I could drive people around and put a smile on their face, and make their day.

 Local coffee haunt?

Raupo Cafe.

 Favourite takeaway?

Kiwi classic Fish & Chips.

 The shop you can’t walk past is? Supercheap Auto.

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

I was given a glass Koru Fern from a past student, who I helped train in embalming. She received the Noel McNee Award, Top Practical Embalmer (as I did). I have this on my desk at work.

 Where is your happy holiday place?

As long as my wife Evelyn is with me, a cruise or just somewhere in our caravan.

 Favourite programme or series currently watching?

The Curse of Oak Island (Hunting for Treasure, series).

 What’s one thing on your bucket list? Circumnavigate the world in a cruise ship.

You are what you eat: By

‘Let Food be Thy Medicine and Let Medicine be Thy Food’

Fairly logical and common sense; if you eat healthy you will be healthy.

But what is healthy food and where do you get it from?

Vegetables and fruit that are grown naturally in fertile soil which is teaming in soil life (earth worms, microbes and beneficial fungi) is a healthy base to start with for growing.

Vegetable plants that receive adequate sunlight, chemical free water and natural nutrients and are allowed to grow at their own pace will be rich in goodness and taste great.

Vegetables that are grown in a chemical environment of man made fertilisers and with chemical controls; forced to grow quickly with applications of nitrogen will not have the health attributes of the above instead it will be fairly tasteless.

This produce will likely contain several chemical residues from sprays that were used to kill insect pests (chemical insecticides) and prevent plant diseases (chemical fungicides).

Lets look at each of these aspects; plants do best when they grow at their own speed which allows them to take up minerals and elements available in the growing medium.

They have a vital relationship with the soil life that helps provide the plants with moisture and nutrients in a form that the roots can take up.

Beneficial soil fungi attach to the plants roots sending out microscopic strands which collect moisture and nutrients and pass them to the roots in exchange for some carbohydrates.

This can increase the root catchment area of the plant by up to 800%.

The bigger the root system the bigger and healthier the plant.

Microbes in the soil break down organic matter which makes it more available to the plants and their ability to take up.

Nitrogen is vital to plant growth and when it is available naturally in the soil from actions of the soil life and from nitrogen brought down from the atmosphere with rain; the plant grows strong and steadily.

As opposed to synthetic nitrogen fertiliser?

Synthetic nitrogen fertiliser is any solid or liquid substance that is more than five per cent nitrogen by dry weight and is applied to land as a source of nitrogen nutrition for plants. Examples include manufactured urea, diammonium phosphate, Nitrophoska and sulphate of ammonia.

These compounds force plants to grow fast and unnaturally which means they have less chance of taking up beneficial elements that are available.

They are weak through forced sappy growth and thus vulnerable to attack by insects and diseases.

They are lacking in flavour and fairly tasteless.

Wally Richards

If a plant or fruit you eat has good flavour and tastes great that means it has excellent nutritional values.

If on the other hand you have to apply garnishes or condiments to obtain a favorable taste then the health benefits are minimal.

Growing vegetables and fruit commercially is a very expensive occupation these days and one that has a myriad of problems which include weather, cost of fertilisers, chemical sprays, labour, diesel and returns to pay for all the outgoings.

Also the more crops that can be grown in a year means more produce to sell hence the faster the vegetables are grown and ready for harvest the better off they are.

The produce has to be perfect on the supermarket shelves, no holes or blemishes thus the crop needs to be sprayed regularly with chemical sprays to control pests and diseases.

The vegetables absorb these chemical poisons through their foliage and the run off into the soil is taken up by the vegetables roots.

NZ Food Safety does annual checks to find out what chemicals are in local grown foods as well as imported foods.

See https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/36612-FRSP-2017-2019-Plantbased-foods-survey-interim-report

Have a look and be amazed and note the glyphosate (Roundup and other trade names) is not even tested for and yet one of the most used chemicals in horticulture?

The 2015-2016 survey did however have glyphosate in relationship to wheat see: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/19922-The-20152016-Report-onPesticides-in-Fresh-and-Frozen-Produce-A-survey-under-the-Food-Residues-Surveillance-Programme-FRSP-

There was in the past some discussion about people intolerance to gluten which is a health concern but it was also suggested that some of this was an intolerance to glyphosate?

My point being that in commercially grown produce that is not organically certified there is likely to be a number of chemical poisons that you are taking into

yourself through your food chain.

So your fresh (not so fresh actually days old from harvest) produce at supermarkets is not as healthy as it is promoted to be. Fast grown, lacks taste and goodness and may contain a number of nasty chemicals.

A reader passed me an article recently from their archives written by Chris Wheeler, former head of New Zealand’s foremost organic farm lobby group, the Soil & Health Association. Written in 2000...

See here https://truthwatchnz.is/ cancer-related/cancer-the-poisons-inour-food-nz-medicine-s-apparent-unofficial-wall-of-silence-around-thepesticide-issue

The guts of the article is how chemicals used in horticulture food crops have a strong connection to cancers and cancer rates in NZ and elsewhere.

Abstract from above article: ‘Who can seriously say there is really any serious interest in lowering breast cancer rates, or, for that matter, ANY cancer rates in New Zealand?

Certainly not our clapped out Ministry of Health, the Cancer Society, the breast cancer surgeons and oncologists or the farcical Australia New Zealand Food Authority who ‘police’ what contaminants are allowed into our daily diet.

They recently INCREASED for goodness sake(!) the allowable levels of the now well-established carcinogenic herbicide Roundup/glyphosate in our food just to help Monsanto’s sales figures.’

Home grown vegetables and fruit grown naturally with minerals added such as those found in Magic Botanic Liquid (MBL) taste great and are full of health giving nutrients for you and your family.

As it is very hard to avoid chemicals in the environment and our food chain then the answer is to get them out of your body by using any of the detox methods available.

Leaving chemical residues in cells and fat tissue can certainly lead to health issues.

Do detox regularly and grow some good healthy stuff in your garden or in containers to reap the health benefits.

Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka Air show

Vintage aircraft returned to the Marlborough skies as the 20th edition of the Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka Air show took place at the weekend. After a four-year hiatus there was plenty for aviation enthusiasts to see including three aerobatic teams, four World War 1 fighters and seven World War 2 fighters. the air show is the major fundraiser for the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.

PHOTOS: Chris Valli.

Riwaka residents Jim Fry and Noela Francois and their classic car.

GOLD PASS SECURITY: Volunteers Sharee Hall and Chris Burgess.

LOOK DAD A PLANE: Lewis Rigby gets a great view on his Dad Dylan’s shoulders.

Nelson familly Emily, Steve, Jyotika Carter and Serena Carter take in all the action in the sky.

Gareth and Diana Bonny along with Mary and Laurence Searley.

AIR FORCE UNITE: Alex Campbell, David Topp and James Leamy.

Blenheim volunteer Jo Hawker happy in her work.

EYES ABOVE: All eyes were in the skies over the Easter weekend.

GRAPES WANTED

The Marlborough Beekeepers Association AGM will be held on 30th April at 2pm in the Marlborough Research Centre Theatre, 85 Budge St.

Our names are Rhonda Gibson and Kylie Walker. We are missionary Bible teachers in the area. You are welcome to contact us if you would like to listen to the Word of God being taught or to read the Bible together. 0275727468. For one person or many. For one meeting or many.

St Andrews Church

Office Administrator/Accounts

Secretarial and accounts

25 hours per week

An exciting opportunity for an Office Administrator/Accounts to join our team. Complete job description available on request by email.

Applications close Friday April 14th

Ph 03 578 7119

St.andrews.church@xtra.co.nz

Part time cook P osition

One of Marlborough’s favourite lunchtime destinations, Wairau River’s restaurant offers an casual dining experience but with professional service and great food and wine.

We are currently looking for a cook to join our kitchen team.

The role involves:

• Minimum 3 rostered shifts each week, including some Saturdays

• Working the entrée and dessert section

• Being able to follow recipes and prelists

You will enjoy this role if you:

• Have a passion for, and learning about food

• Enjoy working in a team environment

• Are energetic, hardworking, and honest, with good communication skills

Please contact caramelize@wairauriverwines.com

Those with permanent work rights only please.

Thai

Our Busy Thai Cuisine Restaurant (Blenheim) and Japanese Restaurant are hunting for 2 Thai Chefs positions.

1 Japanese Chef and 2 Kitchen hand start immediately.

The ideal candidate will have:

• 3 Years’ experience in cooking for Thai Cuisine (for Thai Chef)

• 3 Years’ experience in cooking for Japan Cuisine (for Thai Chef)

• 2 Years’ experience in kitchen or hospitality business (for Kitchen hand)

• Can do attitude

• Great personal presentation

• An outgoing and friendly personality with lots of energy and enthusiasm

• Be honest and reliable and be available to work rostered shifts including day, evening and weekend shifts, plus working on statutory holidays.

Please send your CV and resume to nzpolarisgroup@gmail.com

For your sewing requirements

MOLESWORTH POSSUM CONTROL OPERATION

Vector Free Marlborough (VFM) wishes to advise the public of its intention to aerially apply the toxin Sodium fluoroacetate (1080) to parts of Molesworth Station and the adjacent Muller Station for the purpose of controlling possums. The Molesworth possum control operation is being carried out on behalf of OSPRI as part of its TBfree New Zealand programme, which aims to eradicate bovine tuberculosis from wildlife vectors that pose a risk to farmed cattle and deer.

Description of Control Area

The control area takes in a substantial tract of Molesworth Station and part of the adjacent Muller Station. The control area is more or less bounded by the Acheron Road in the east, Tophouse Road/Wairau Hanmer Springs Hydro Road in the west, including the head of the Wairau River, the Clarence River in the south and the Raglan Range to the north. A number of waterways flow through the project area, with the most notable of these being the Clarence and Wairau rivers.

The permission area for the Molesworth operations take in approximately 104,000 hectares of publicly owned land, administered by various agencies including the Department of Conservation, Land Information New Zealand and several local authorities. A detailed map may be obtained from VFM as per contact details below.

Commencement Date

The 2023 Molesworth operations will be carried out in two stages:

Bush Gully - Tarndale

Grants

Applications are now open for funds to be allocated in May.

Closing date for applications is 2.00pm 6 May, 2023

Application forms are available from the Blue Door website www.thebluedoor.nz

GOLD BUYERS

Scrap gold Gold coins Gold medals

Gold pocket watches Gold wrist watches Gold jewellery

Broken or damaged gold

Any Sterling Silver items ph 0800 00 24 25

Eric Jackson Antique Buyers, PO Box 665, Picton

Control in the approximately 96,000 hectare Bush Gully - Tarndale block is scheduled to commence from 1 May 2023, with the aerial application of non-toxic cereal pre-feed pellets. Note: Most pre feed will be dyed green, however in some areas non-dyed (straw coloured ) pre -feed will be used . This will be followed approximately 7-10 days later by the aerial application of bait containing biodegradable Sodium fluoroacetate (1080) also dyed green. In addition to aerial methods, supplemental ground control, using hand-laid 1080 pellets may be undertaken around sensitive areas and other places unsuitable for aerial methods.

All work is weather dependent, and commencement may be later than indicated. In the event of an extended delay, further notices will be placed to advise the public.

Yarra – Five Mile

Control in the approximately 8,000 hectare Yarra – Five Mile block is scheduled to commence from 1 September 2023. Public notices for this operation will be placed nearer the time. Control methods for this block will be the same as the Bush Gully & Tarndale block.

Bait Description

Aerial and ground control using 1080:

• Pre-feed - Non-toxic cereal-based pellet, approximately 16mm long, cinnamon-lured, non-dyed ( straw coloured) and/or dyed green

• Toxic bait - Cereal-based pellet, approximately 16mm long, cinnamon-lured and dyed green with a toxic loading of 0.15% Sodium fluoroacetate (1080).

Note - all prefeed and 1080 bait for aerial and ground application will contain deer repellent where consent conditions allow.

Precautions

The public are reminded of the danger that toxic baits and possum carcasses pose, particularly to children and dogs.

• Do not touch or eat baits

• Children must be kept under strict supervision in the control area.

• Dogs must be kept under strict control at all times and not have access to, or be taken into, the control area, as they are particularly susceptible to harm from contact with toxic baits and poisoned carcasses. The risk that poisoned carcasses pose to dogs may extend downstream of the control area.

• Toxin warning signs will be installed at main public entry points and the public are reminded that it is an offence to remove this warning signage. Please follow the instructions on the signs.

• Game animals should not be sold or taken for eating from within or adjacent to this area until it is declared clear of pesticides.

**If you suspect poisoning

Contact your local hospital, or dial 111

National Poisons Centre 0800 POISON – 0800 764 766

In the case of a domestic animal being poisoned, contact a local veterinarian.

For further information please contact

VFM Operations Controller - Molesworth

Vector Free Marlborough

PO Box 5171, Springlands, Blenheim 7241

Free Phone: 0508 548 008

Email: communications@vectorfree.co.nz

Website: www.vectorfree.co.nz

OSPRI helps protect and enhance the reputation of New Zealand’s primary industries and currently runs the TBfree and National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) programmes.

chef, Japanese chef and kitchen hand wanted.

Marlborough Riders dominate

By Chris Valli

Marlborough mountain bikers

Lachlan McNabb and Maddy

Sinclair claimed the U20 XC titles at the Cycling New Zealand Schools South Island Champs in Queenstown recently.

Maddy, a Year 12 student at Marlborough Girls’ College had an outstanding event taking third place in the overall U20 category.

Maddy was knocked off the line in the Country Cross event and developed a gap of one minute to the other riders after the first lap. However, she applied the pressure and broke clear riding consistently for the final two and a half laps pulling away to win by two minutes.

Rounding out the amazing podium efforts was Neve McKenzie who powered to Silver in

the U16s. Kobie Madsen, representing Bohally Intermediate, had a superb Enduro and took the U13 title in his first major competition. He also excelled in the downhill and took the silver medal. Meanwhile, Liam Harcus powered his way to a silver medal in the Enduro who is new in his competitive endeavours.

Spokesperson Neil Sinclair says the conditions at Coronet Peak saw it snowing on Monday night and Tuesday morning with the event having to be pushed back a day to allow for the tracks at Coronet to be cleared.

“Mother nature provided snow, rain and forecast gales at the riders,” Neil says.

Results were; Maddy Sinclair, U20 Girls Cross Country, Lachlan McNabb, U20 Boys Cross

Golf Results

Marlborough

Women’s Interclub

Played at Picton on Sunday 2 April. Picton 37- 5, Kaikoura 34- 5, Rarangi 33, Blenheim 39, Marlborough 39 - 5, Wairau Valley 32 - 5.

Blenheim Golf Club

Mon 3 Apr: 9 Hole Stableford: L

Boniface 18, D Waters 17, B Tapp 17,

M McConnell 17, P Couchman 16, L McKendry 16, G Parker 16. Women: J Hurcomb 18, Y Hoare 17, S Godsiff 16, J Pegler 16.

Marlborough mountain bikers Maddy Sinclair claimed the U20 XC titles at the Cycling New Zealand Schools South Island Champs in Queenstown recently. Maddy, a Year 12 student at Marlborough Girls’ College had an outstanding event taking third place in the overall U20 category.

Country and Kobie Madsen, U13 Boys. The Marlborough Mountain

Bike Club will be hosting the 2023 SKODA National School MTB championships in Blenheim

from October 4-7. The event will include Enduro, Downhill and Cross Country events.

Picton Golf Club

Tue 4th Apl: National Teams Nett-Anita McCaffrey 69; Margaret Frisken 70; Dido Harper 74: JO Prescott, Jenny Hart, 77; Helen McIsaac 79.

Thu 6th Apl: Stableford-Mike Ash-

Wed 5 Apr: Women’s Stableford: Div

1: S Grupp 32, M Flynn 31. Div 2: C McLeod 35, J Evans 31.

Thu 6 Apr: Men’s Stableford CV Ritchie: J Cootes 44, P Couchman 41, D Cassidy 38, B Tapp 38, D Lamond

Marlborough Golf Club

Tue 4 Apr: Mixed 9 Hole Golf Stableford: Div.1:Suzanne Clifford 23, Claire Houliston 21, Margret Hall 20, Leana

Gargiulo 20. Div.2:Rebecca Harvey 22, Leonie Savage 21, Elizabeth Bibby 19. Wed 5 Apr: Women’s LGU medal

Div.1:Julie Nicolle 80. Div.2:Bev Parker 74, Lucy Jefferis 76, Pru Jensen 77.

Div.3:Marion Tripe 69, Sue Lissaman 75, Lynn Dowler 76.

Rarangi Golf Club

Wed 5 Apr: Mens Stableford - Malcolm Dixon 39, Jack Gleeson 39, Tony Nichol 38, Phil Hill 36, Allan Shutkowski 35, Murray Ingram 35, Terry Grant 35, Hans Bloemberg, Allan Hogg 35, Graham Ilott 34, Alan Rutledge 33, Philip Shouler, Steven Fagan 33, Terry Allan 33, Greg Thomas 33, Owen Gibbs 33, Dick Hubert 33,

Div.4:Helen Lissaman 70, Ann Duncan 75, Pam Pullar 77.

Thu 6 Apr: Men’s Stableford Div.1: Guy Latham 41, Ken Steel 39, Bede O’Malley 39, Duncan Bint 39, Ramon Coleman 37, Hugh Bay 37, Trevor McGarry 37. Div.2:Paul Eden 40, Brian Chippendale 36, John Rodgers 36, Ian Walker 36.

Sat 8 Apr: Par Div.1:Julie Nicolle

Mike Walker 33, Terry Lane 33.

Thu 6 Apr: Charters Cup Stableford

- Rete Kydd 35, Dale McCrindle 32, Margaret Tapp 30, Diane McCarthy 30, Marg McLeod 27.

Sat 8 Apr: Medal - Ladies - Andrea Thomas 77, Tracy Bary 83. MensDennis Wye 71, Jack Wicks 71, Mike Walker 72, Rob Lopez 72, Brian Gill

worth 39; Leigh S/Smith 38; Tim McCaffrey 37; Ian Aldridge, David Bunt, Gary Aldridge, 35; Jeff Pascoe, Harry Schat, Ant Booker, Leigh McGlynn, Jock Mannington, 34.

38. 9 Hole Stableford: G Addis. Sat 8 Apr: T Bainbridge 43, J Findlay 39, T Poa 37, B Baker 36, G Parker 36, J Norton 36, G Hurcomb, D Matthews 35, P Starkey 35. Women: R Bell 39, B Arnold 36, S Grupp 36.

+5. Div.2:Gloria Rodgers +3, Annette Mason +2, Marion Tripe +1, Denise Pickering +1. Men’s Par Div.1: Wes Green +3, Stephen Harvey +1, Ramon Coleman 0, Mark Watson 0. Div.2:William Harrison +4, David Lightfoot 0, Duncan Bint -1, Bob Nicolle -1. Div.3:Paul Eden +3, Tony Armstrong +1, Terry Shagin +1.

75, Lindsay Parkinson 75, Gordie Lang 76, Terry Lane 76, Lindsay McAlpine

76, Greg Thomas 76.

Sun 9 Apr: 4BBB Stableford - Weaver & Dawson 47, Ando & Sutherland 47, Allen & Allen 46, Goodall & Gibbs 45, Laing & Kirby 45, Lang & Gill 43, Nichol & Smith 42.

IN THE FRAME: 9 holders, George Manson, Riley Guildford and Kees Grant. The future generation of Marlborough golf took to the Rarangi Golf Club on Sunday in the inaugural Futures Open. A great day saw a bunch of golf mad kids in their golfing element. Amelia Storey took the spoils by winning the overall gross for Futures Open. Results – Six holes; Fourth - Charlotte Manson, Third, Siena Miranda-Taylor , Second, Poppy Grant and first, Freddy Guildford. Nine holes; Second, Stableford - Kees Grant, First, StablefordGeorge Manson, First, Gross - Riley Guildford. 18 Holes; Second Stableford, Laura Kumasaka, First Stableford - Harry MacNeill, Second Gross - Max Short, First Gross, Amelia Storey.