3 May Blenheim Sun Newspaper

By Chris Valli

Stars in Your Eyes contestants 2021 from left; Alison Dight as Brooke Fraser; Tom Clerke as Ed Sheeran; Racheal Kenyon as Cyndi Lauper; Chris Lippiatt as Eddie Vedder; Kylie Fleur as Linda Perry; Katrina Lange as Catherine Zeta-Jones; Ella Kernick-Harvey as Meghan Trainor; Rene de Ruiter as Cat Stevens and Simon Popham as Elton John. File photo.

Stars - accessibility to the arts

Continued from page 1. Auditions will be held on Saturday, May 27. The last show in 2021 was won by Blenheim’s Kylie Fleur, who took out first place with her performance of 4 Non Blondes/Linda Perry’s, What’s Up?

Production organiser Liz Mckay says the event is ultimately about individuals bringing themselves to the stage, and singing a song which is well-known to audience members.

“People love their artists and they love the fact they can have a focus on them,” Liz says. “They can pick someone they can relate to and portray, and put it out there in a way that is not quite as exposing for them because they are telling the story through someone else.”

“So for people who are looking for an opportunity to be on the stage to feel confident and safe, it’s a nice medium.”

Liz says the event is a vehicle for those with ‘accessibility

to the arts’ for people who wouldn’t necessarily have it.

“People are surprised at what they see from people that they know. They get a great sense of ownership from people that they know and they buy into it.”

Any advice for auditionees?

“Pick your Star well,” Liz says. “Try and deliver some of the characteristics of your star and a really strong story.”

The local charity event is proudly presented by Creative Kids Trust and Fulton Foundation Marlborough. The three winning contestant prizes will benefit their respective charities.

Potential auditionees can contact Liz on email liz@ creativekids.org.nz

Stars in Your Eyes is on at the ASB Theatre, August 26.

RIGHT: Kylie Fleur is joined by her daughter Danniella, (then 9 years) and son Harley, (6 years) after winning Stars in Your Eyes 2021.

Sounds Future Access Study update

Work by engineering consultancy

Stantec to prepare a business case on behalf of council and Waka Kotahi to fund a future-proof transport network in the Sounds is moving ahead.

Mayor Nadine Taylor said it was a very complex piece of work but progress was being made.

“Public consultations in February saw

over 500 people attend meetings and over 900 fill out a survey. Stantec and council have also talked with iwi and stakeholders like DOC, Marlborough Lines, the emergency services and community associations.”

“Stantec is using the community’s feedback and a range of technical criteria to inform potential future transport

options for the Sounds. Council expects to be in a position soon to propose an indicative preferred option for each of five areas in the Sounds. As Council we hope to show the public what our indicative option will be by mid to late June. We plan to run drop-in meetings around the Sounds and in Blenheim and explain what we’re proposing, and the

likely cost of each option.” Council recently made a request to Waka Kotahi for a further $52.4m to complete repairs for areas mostly outside the Sounds Future Access Study area, however it does include some work to hold and maintain current roading standards within the Study area.

life

New library child’s play

By Chris Valli

There was a sense of intrigue and enthusiasm last week as Marlborough children visited the yet to open new library and art gallery.

There has been a great deal written and talked about the old and new library in recent times. However, the children’s faces said it all with grins as wide as the Wairau River when they indulged and explored the upstairs children’s space.

Six-year-old Jay Flood thought the ‘circles on the wall’ looked awesome and were ‘pretty comfortable’ while Leo Taylor, 7, was excited about all the room to move and the ‘cool stairs to go up and down in’.

“I like the stairs, they look fun,” he says.

The Arthur Street library closed on April 23 in the lead up to the new $20 million library and art gallery which is to be open with a ‘soft launch’ on Friday, May 12.

Marlborough libraries manager

Glenn Webster joined the staff at the Arthur Street library back in 1989. The current Marlborough District Library building was completed in 1966 and used to be the Dalgety

building, a farm merchandise company.

When asked what he was going to miss most about the current building and environment, he spoke fondly of the children’s space which has welcomed young and old and been a constant hub of learning and wonder.

“We’ve had four carpets installed over that time,” he laughs. “We moved here in May 1989 so we’ve almost been here 34 years,” he says. “The children’s space has always been amazing because of

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the celestial windows (a windowed wall of a room that is carried higher than surrounding roofs to light interior space). But we’re moving to a space which has an equally fantastic ceiling site.”

One of the more unique features upstairs to the old children’s space, is a tuatara on the wall. Glenn says the tuatara came about as a project funded by what was known as ‘friends of the library’ which was completed by local artist and painter Rick Edmonds.

“Rick was commissioned to do the project and one of the things was the tuatara,” Glenn says. “We plan to take it with us to the new art gallery and library.”

Glenn says people can access the online facilities while the three week transition to the new facility takes shape.

“Customers can use our online resources with their membership card including the newspapers,” he said. “And the Picton Library and Service Centre will be open as normal.”

When spoken to about the new facility last year Glenn said the increased floorspace didn’t neces-

sarily mean more books, and that a major focus was more multi-use areas, especially for the younger generations.

“The children’s area is really important to us. Children are our future, so we’ve put a lot of effort into making children feel welcome,” he said.

Meanwhile, early last Friday morning tangata/mana whenua Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Rārua and Rangitāne o Wairau blessed the new Marlborough Library and Art Gallery building, in the lead up to its opening. Iwi representatives were joined by Mayor Nadine Taylor, Councillors and Council staff, along with members of the Marlborough Art Gallery Trust, staff from Robinson Construction and Warren and Mahoney architects.

Kaiwhakahaere Matua (General Manager) of tangata whenua iwi Rangitāne o Wairau Corey Hebberd said the new facility sits on whenua adjacent to a former Rangitāne pā site and the blessing process enabled the iwi to acknowledge the significance of the whenua and the importance of the new building for the Marlborough community.

Sun The

Still time to have your say

The consultation period for feedback on the future management of the Wither Hills Farm Park has been extended until Monday May 15 so if you haven’t had your say now’s the time to do so.

Consultation focuses on a review of the current management plan. Community suggestions on what the management direction of the farm park should look like will help ensure the area best meets the needs of Marlborough residents into the future.

Assets and Services Committee Chair Councillor David Croad said the Wither Hills Farm Park is an iconic and highly valued backdrop to Blenheim and the Wairau Valley. “It plays an important role in soil conservation and is a significant recreational asset for our community,” he said.

Council is appreciative of the effort taken by those who have already responded. If you haven’t had your say on the Wither Hills Farm Park Management Plan Review go to www. marlborough.govt.nz/your-council/ have-your-say-consultations

Lest We Forget?

One Picton resident has rung the Blenheim Sun to express her disappointment, ‘disgust actually’, because wreaths laid at the Picton Memorial Gates at the Anzac Dawn Parade had disappeared the next day. “I took an overseas visitor down to look at them and they were all gone. I don’t know why they all went at once and so soon, as they are owned by the different groups that laid them.”

“It was such a disappointment, because they used to stay for a week or so and it gave you time to think and reflect as you looked at them individually. I’m sad about it.”

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Front row; Alanna Cain (10), Leo Taylor (7), Jay Flood (6), Petra Valli (10). Back row: Mckenzie Snowden (17), Olive Taylor (9), Isabella Cheung Javurek (10), Kayla Flood (9) and Sylvie Crowe (16).

Marlborough libraries manager Glenn Webster. The new library and art gallery is set to open with a ‘soft launch’ on Friday, May 12.

Kindling for sale

George Middlemiss, an Alzheimers Marlborough volunteer is busy splitting kindling for Alzheimers Marlbrough to sell.

Rapaura Timber has kindly supplied the wood. Bags are $5 each and are available from Alzheimers Marlborough, 8 Wither Road, every day including weekends from 8.30am - 3.30pm.

All proceeds go to Alzheimers Marlborough to assist with supporting people in our community with dementia.

CARE Marlborough Fundraiser Dinner

By Chris Valli

A CARE Marlborough fundraiser dinner next week will feature guest speaker rugby commentator Tony Johnson.

For 21 years CARE Marlborough has been serving the community by providing support to family/whanau affected with mental health and addiction issues.

The fundraiser will go towards the extensive upgrades to CARE Marlborough’s centre at 26 Percy St to better meet the needs of their tangata whai ora - ‘people seeking health’.

Tony Johnson, who hailed from Picton is a commentator and presenter for SKY Television. Tony played for the Queen Charlotte College 1st XV as a lock and loose forward before playing club senior reserves.

Tony says his connection with CARE Marlborough is a personal one.

“Someone very special to me has been helped by them for a significant time, and in that time has not only learned to live with a challenging mental health issue, but has also been given the opportunity to upskill and gain qualifications to help others,” he says. “So I have first-hand knowledge of the wonderful work they do at a time when mental health, like most areas of our health sector, is really battling for funding and resources.”

Tony believes the mental health landscape is ‘definitely on the improve’ with people like Mike King and Sir John Kirwan empowering people by talking openly about

A CARE Marlborough fundraiser dinner next week will feature guest speaker rugby commentator Tony Johnson. Tony admits he has been really lucky himself with his own mental health journey and remembers getting nailed by depression back in the early days of his career.

their own challenges.

“Jazz Thornton who won Dancing with the Stars is another. When people of their status are willing to share their experience and promote better understanding of mental health issues, it can remove a lot of damaging stigmas. It gets the message across that it is OK, that it’s something that affects a lot of people, and the more we talk about it the better able we’ll be to deal with it.”

Tony admits he has been really lucky himself with his own mental health journey.

“I do remember getting nailed by depression back in the early days of my career. I was having these awful panic attacks and I felt like I had to suffer in silence because people just didn’t want to know about it,

kept saying “snap out of it” and other really useless stuff. It’s better now, but we’ve still got a way to go.”

When asked how ‘as a community’ we shift the goalposts around mental health especially with our young men in Marlborough Tony says it comes down to understanding and listening.

“By being open, honest, and understanding. Don’t try and fight it yourself, there are good people who can get you through it and we can all help by supporting the great work of people like Carla Brownie and her team at CARE Marlborough.”

The fundraising dinner is at Bamboo Garden, Monday May 15 from 6 - 9pm. Tickets are at www.eventfinda.co.nz/2023/ care-marlborough-fundraiser

Judy Bailey finds joint support worth sharing.

KORU NUTRITION

TV icon Judy Bailey has shared her positive experience with Koru FX Pro, a natural joint support cream, which she says has given her fast acting and long-lasting support for her foot.

Bailey, who is entering her seventh decade, said she had been given the cream but forgot about it until a weekend trip to the Coromandel when her foot started troubling her. “I rubbed it in and noticed it almost instantaneously! And what was even more impressive was that the effect seemed to be really longlasting. I didn’t have to apply it again that day,” Bailey said.

Koru FX Pro, which contains high-quality oils such as calendula, arnica, manuka and black pepper, along with 12 others, is described by Koru Nutrition as a “powerful natural joint cream that is suitable for daily use”.

Over 60,913 New Zealanders

are recommending the cream for its ability to harness natural ingredients for fast-acting and long-lasting support, making it New Zealand’s number one joint and muscle support cream.

“I really do think Koru FX Pro is a great product but don’t take my word for it...

I recommend you try it for yourself to see if it’s right for

you,” Bailey said.

Koru Nutrition has developed Koru FX Pro into a professional-grade joint support cream that can be used at home. The cream is deeply absorbing, fast-acting and long-lasting, and suitable for those who prefer natural products. Bailey said the cream had a nice consistency and smell, unlike some

muscle creams that smell like a rugby changing room.

If you’re looking for a natural product for joint support, then Koru FX Pro may be for you. The cream has received positive reviews from thousands of New Zealanders and has been recommended by Bailey. Try it out for yourself and see if it’s right for you.

An overwhelming contribution

By Chris Valli

What do you call 160 pairs of slippers?

Marlborough community spirit to the fore.

Blenheim’s Sue Maher had read a post on Facebook from a lady in Napier who was asking for knitted slippers for those impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. Two months after the event, she got in contact with a fine group of local knitters.

“I thought maybe that is something I could do,” she says. “So I talked to someone at Community Craft at St Christopher’s (Anglican Church).”

Sue, who had set up a knitting group at the Blenheim Library a few years earlier, got hold of some of her contacts including a lady from the Picton Library who had given her some slippers and the word spread - or should that be a row of stitches aligned.

“A kind lady from down Kaiuma (Pelorus Sound) arrived with ten blankets which are used for going over a baby’s car seat,” Sue says. “There was also a lady who saw my post on Neighbourly (neighbourhood-based social networking site) and has knitted a few beanies too. While another lady arrived with slippers but had also been to Kmart and bought two packets of socks with seven in each packet, she thought they might need them.”

Sue says the lady who had knitted the beanies had provided extra care and attention with a card on each beanie, stating the size, with a heart and message ‘to you’ on them. Other knitting items include baby booties, baby singlets and toddler knitwear. Three banana boxes were making their way to Hawkes Bay last week. However Sue says

she was looking for a local sponsor to ‘take the rest’.

“It’s overwhelming to find that all these people have contributed,” she says. “I’m just amazed. Thanks to all the generous people, they are going to keep a lot of little children warm in the winter.”

we’re hiring a chef manager!

Sue Maher says the support has been overwhelming.

Letters

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.

The editor reserves the right to

Charges over Pollard Park flower plants

abridge letters or withhold letters from publication.

Email them to news@blenheimsun. co.nz or present to our office at 72 High St.

Please note that your name and street address MUST be provided with emails.

Blenheim Police have charged a man and woman with theft over the unlawful taking of flower plants from Pollard Park.

A 40-year-old man and 57-year-old woman were arrested at 1.40am Monday after a member of public called Police to report suspicious behaviour.

Officers located the pair, and 17 flowering plants that had allegedly been dug up from the parks garden beds.

Both appeared in the Blenheim District Court Monday morning, both charged with theft. The woman also faces two drug-related charges. The flowers were replanted by the attending officers.

Police would like to thank the public for their assistance, and remind anyone who sees illegal or suspicious behaviour to call 111 if it’s happening now, or 105 if it’s after the fact.

I got the surprise of my life to see my Grandfather on the front page. I was not expecting that.

Thanks for doing the article. I have given a copy of the paper to my ailing father who will be quite chuffed I’m sure.

Jonny Orr

Forklift Hire Services Ltd Blenheim

Ganesh Raj invites Marlborough for breakfast

Celebrity foodie Ganesh Raj is asking Marlborough locals to show their support for Kiwis affected by breast cancer this May by hosting a Pink Ribbon Breakfast, Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s largest annual fundraiser.

The co-host of TVNZ’s Eat Well for Less says hosting a Pink Ribbon

Breakfast is a fantastic way to raise awareness and help fund research into this devastating disease.

Br east cancer is the most common cancer for Kiwi women, with around 120 diagnoses in the Nelson Marlborough area every year. People can register at pinkribbonbreakfast.co.nz

New library and art gallery blessed

Last week tangata and mana whenua Ngāti

Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Rārua and Rangitāne o Wairau blessed the new Marlborough Library and Art Gallery building, in the lead up to its opening on 12 May.

Iwi representatives were joined by Mayor Nadine Taylor, councillors and Council staff, along with members of the Marlborough Art Gallery Trust, staff from Robinson Construction and Warren and Mahoney architects.

Kaiwhakahaere Matua/General Manager of tangata whenua iwi Rangitāne o Wairau Corey Hebberd said the new facility sits on whenua adjacent to a former Rangitāne pā site and the blessing process enabled the iwi to acknowledge the significance of the land and the importance of the new building for the Marlborough community.

“Rangitāne has a long association with the awa and adjacent land, which was the home to former pā and gardens alongside the waterways around which Blenheim is built. It is fitting that the new library and art gallery will play an important role as a hub that will sustain and nourish the knowledge, wellbeing and resilience of our community into the future.”

Mayor Nadine Taylor said the dawn blessing was a significant milestone - the building is just over a week away from opening to the public. “This wonderful new facility has been 10 years in the making and will be a hub of knowledge, information and activity for everyone in Marlborough,” Mayor Taylor said.

“The current library has 15,000 visitors a month and we expect that will increase significantly with this new, multipurpose venue. The new building will bring people into the centre of town and help revitalise our central business district,” she said.

Marlborough Art Gallery Trust Chairman Rick Wilson noted the new facility will provide an exemplary art, information and education hub for decades to come. “It’s the most significant project for our region and it will undoubtedly attract locals and visitors alike into the Blenheim CBD,” Mr Wilson said.

The $20 million dollar build was one of the first ‘shovel ready’ projects to be allocated funding from the Government’s Kānoa Regional and Economic Development Unit, of $11 million in 2020.

Warren and Mahoney were appointed architects and local company Robinson

Construction was awarded the contract for the build, which began in August 2020.

The project was initiated in 2013 as part of the “Growing Marlborough” process, which identified that public art gallery and library facilities in Blenheim and Picton were no longer adequate. Community consultation was carried out as part of the 2015-25 Long Term Plan and again as part of the 2018-28 Long Term Plan, when approval to progress the development was given. Picton’s new library and service centre was completed in 2017.

An official opening and naming ceremony will be held on Friday 30 June.

Seymour Square annuals giveaway - Monday 8 May

Twice each year, Council’s gardeners plant thousands of annuals in Seymour Square.  With autumn here, the time has come for them to be dug up and the garden beds prepared for winter planting.

Next week, the beds will be dug over and the geraniums, salvias, gazanias,

pyrethrum, rudbeckia and gaura given away.

Come along on Monday 8 May from 8.00 am until 10.00 am. If it is raining the event will be postponed until Tuesday 9 May. The gardeners will be on site to help answer any questions. Please bring your own fork and containers.

Tree planting to mark the coronation of King Charles III

Marlburians are invited to attend a tree planting event in Seymour Square on Saturday 6 May at 11.00 am to mark the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. Mayor Nadine Taylor said Marlborough is joining a nationwide tree planting initiative organised by the Government’s Visits and Ceremonial Office, which has 46 tree planting events happening nationwide.

“In Marlborough we will plant a native Kahikatea, a species that was once common on the Wairau Plain,” she said.

The He Rā Rākau Tītapu tree planting happens on the same day King Charles is crowned in London.

When: Saturday 6 May at 11.00 am

Where: Seymour Square, Blenheim

Change of Council opening hours

From Monday 15 May the Blenheim Service Centre reception at 15 Seymour Street will change its opening hours to:

• 8.30 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday

• Closed Wednesdays between 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm.

Mail can be left anytime in the after-hours mailbox by the front door.

Customer service officers will continue to monitor the Council email inbox and respond to telephone enquiries from 8.00 am until 5.00 pm Monday to Friday. For any urgent issues, call the Council phone number - 03 520 7400 – which is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

one on

Remembrance Army puts the pieces together

Charlie Osgood’s demeanour depicts a man who has seen a few things in life.

Hard graft, resilience, old school values. The days when one called a spade a spade and just got stuck in without whinging. He also has that dry sense of humour which no doubt got him through life’s tough times. The ability to take the mickey out of others and himself. No PC palava with Charlie.

85 years young, Charlie was educated in Nelson at Motueka District High School and is well known in Marlborough in his role as executive with the then Marlborough Rugby Union.

What has been discovered is that Herbert Samuel Osgood trained in Trentham and embarked for overseas service on board the troop ship Tofua on May 29, 1916 and disembarked in Devonport on July 27, 1916.

Herbert left for active service in France August 12, 1916 and was in 4th Battalion 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade, which took part in the battle of the Somme on September 14, 1916.

Herbert stayed in the field until he was sent to hospital on January 27, 1917 in France. He did return to active service until he was classed unfit for active service on August 27, 1917 on account of illness contracted on active service. As a result, he returned to New Zealand from Plymouth on 28 November 1917.

The day we meet for a chat he carries a family tree booklet like a Mastermind contestant in his specialised topic, Osgood. The ancient Anglo-Saxon surname which came from the late old English personal names Osgood and Osgot and a patronymic familiar within Marlborough.

“A first cousin of mine from Hastings sent me the booklet about the family, I had never really thought about it until that,” he says. “It made me wonder, I best go find some of these relatives.”

After thumbing through some of the ancestry and trying to join the dots, Charlie approached the Marlborough District Council after learning there was ‘no record whatsoever’ about his grandfather Herbert Samuel Osgood.

Charlie can recall (as a then 16-yearold) Herbert in the 1940’s lived on a launch in the Eckfords Wharf area after his grandmother died in 1942. The steamship `Opawa’ at Eckfords Wharf was owned by Captain Thomas Eckford and used in the river trade between Wellington and Blenheim on the Wairau and Opawa rivers by the Eckford Shipping Company.

Herbert - known affectionately as Sam - had two daughters and one son. The eldest daughter Gladys married Harold J Sowman, the founder of Geoffrey T Sowman Funeral Directors.

“As a school boy we stayed in the house he owned, the old joinery shop where the chapel is now,” says Charlie. “There were bricks around Blenheim with the name Osgood on them.”

Charlie knew Herbert was cremated in 1954. However, in the early 1950’s there was no crematorium in Blenheim which begged the question, where was his tombstone?

Cue New Zealand Remembrance

Army.

Charlie’s niece, Glenda Page nee Osgood, contacted NZRA to find out more. The funny thing is, neither Charlie nor Glenda, who lives in Feilding, had any idea that the other one was researching their own family lineage.

“Glenda is friends with my daughter Debbie. She told Debbie and Debbie told me,” he laughs. After initial contact and communication with the NZRA, Charlie says they simply ‘didn’t have to do another damn thing.’

“They kept in touch with me and the next thing they sent a photo of my grandmother’s headstone with grandad’s war memorial plaque attached to it, all done for nothing……thank you very much. I found out he was in fact cremated in Nelson.”

“The Remembrance Army is a trust where their collective mission is to locate, restore, research, record and share the

graves and stories of those who served. They honour the sacrifice of those who served by returning dignity and in Charlie’s caseclosure - to their graves and ensuring their service is remembered.”

“The NZRA was found ed in 2018 by former Kiwi soldier Simon Strombon and has since grown to over 50 teams and over 4000 volunteers across the country.”

“Charlie says after working his way through the family tree, it prompted motivation to find out more which led to research on his great grandmother and great grandfather James Osgood’s headstone in the same plot at Omaka Cemetery.”

Subsequently Charlie has learnt that James arrived in Blenheim in 1855 and worked in a sawmill and the bush at Pine Valley.

James was one of six boys and six girls and later married Susan Thompson in 1861.

The NZRA estimates there are over 350,000 service graves in New Zealand, spanning every conflict ranging from South Africa to more recent times with Korea, Malaya, Vietnam and Afghanistan. Herbert served in France in World War 1.

Blenheim’s Charlie Osgood talks to Chris Valli about how the New Zealand Remembrance Army helped find answers and connections to the Osgood surname and ancestry.

“There were bricks around Blenheim with the name Osgood on them”

Charlie Osgood's late gradfather Herbert is bottom row far right. Charlie knew Herbert was cremated in 1954. However, in the early 1950’s there was no crematorium in Blenheim which begged the question, where was his tombstone?

Charlie Osgood.

Selmes tractor to benefit wider community

By Chris Valli

Grants for the purchase of a new tractor for Selmes Garden Trust will continue to provide skills training in a supportive environment.

The Batty’s Road nursery provides employment and training for members of the Marlborough community with disabilities making a significant difference for not only these people but the wider community.

The purpose of the trust is to provide a sense of wellbeing, belonging, and genuine purpose in the lives of those with disabilities by providing meaningful work through skills training and inclusive employment.

Selmes Garden Centre is the largest retail nursery in Marlborough, General Manager Angel Cooper says Selmes applied for half the tractor amount through the Pelorus Trust and the other half through Pub Charity. As a result, Angel says they were ‘extremely fortunate to receive both’ and were able to purchase a new John Deere compact tractor with loader from Drummond & Etheridge Ltd.

Angel says the new tractor will provide greater accessibility and allow greater confidence for those with disabilities.

“We found that the old tractor was difficult for some of our staff to operate and

intimidating for some whom we wished to train,” says Angel.

“Now with this easier compact, modern tractor, we will be able to safely train more of our team members with disabilities.”

Selmes Garden Trust offers employment opportunities for many in the community who may have difficulty finding job placement elsewhere.

They also have a number of volunteer opportunities and work experience opportunities that provide skills training in a supportive and confidence-building environment.

Angel says the team would like to thank the Pub Charity and Pelorus Trust for providing them with the funds to be able to purchase the ‘important piece of equipment’.

“A very special shout out to all of our volunteers who help support the work that we do. The Marlborough community continues to be very supportive,” she says.

“Having the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people in such a great environment is awesome. Even in the rain, the garden centre is full of healthy plants and smiling faces. Our garden centre provides an inclusive and therapeutic environment for many of our volunteers and staff members.”

Steve Loffhagen from Drummond and Etheridge hands over a brand new John Deere tractor to Selmes Garden Centre general manager Angel Cooper.

130 years of service to Marlborough community

By Chris Valli

Providing a personal touch and accessible options for the Marlborough community is something Public Trust has been proud to do for this local community for over 130 years.

Public Trust is celebrating 150 years of helping Kiwis and has had a presence in the Blenheim region for at least 130 years. The heritage-listed building of the now Hotel d’Urville was built especially as the first dedicated Public Trust office and formally opened in 1924. The trust has helped over 11,000 people in the Marlborough community with their wills and EPAs in the past 50 years since 1973.

Chief Executive Glenys Talivai says the Blenheim team plays a vital role in supporting people in the community to complete these important documents, especially those who are most vulnerable.

“Wills and EPA are such important life documents. Wills help ensure the people and things that matter most to you are looked after once you’re gone, and EPAs let you nominate someone to make decisions on your behalf when you’re unable to. These two documents form a key part of planning for the future,” Glenys says.

“If you die without a will, it can make things quite complicated and stressful for your family and friends left behind. We encourage all New Zealanders to have a will in place. It is quite easy to create one,

it just requires some thinking about what your wishes are.”

She says wills can cover important things like who you’d like to look after your children when you’re not around anymore, and what your wishes are for your assets, including your KiwiSaver account, pets, family heirlooms and other special possessions.

Glenys says all Public Trust’s channels (online, call centre) have a role to play in helping locals create wills and EPAs, but customer centres like Blenheim provide unique face-to-face support and advice.

“Our trustees can be an empathetic and compassionate ear when our customers are dealing with individual or unique circumstances. Trustees build up relationships with families, with individuals that can carry on through generations,” she says.

“I am so proud of Public Trust’s presence in Blenheim for so many years.”

Trustee Cristy Cameron, based in the Blenheim office, says the customer centre is a friendly point of contact for anyone wanting to learn more about wills EPAs or other products that may be suitable for them.

“Come on in and see us. We are always happy to have a chat and answer any questions you have,” Cristy says.

Having a customer centre in central Blenheim means the team can offer faceto-face personalised service.

The Blenheim team pride themselves

Public Trust trustee Cristy Cameron says they are more than happy to visit people in their homes if they aren’t able to come to them. "We probably do this more here than in the bigger centres as everywhere in Blenheim is just five minutes away, so it’s really easy for us.”

on building relationships with a personal touch which sees them making home visits to those who aren’t mobile, or if it just makes things that bit easier.

“We are more than happy to visit people in their homes if they aren’t able to come to us,” Cristy says. “We probably do this more here than in the bigger centres as everywhere in Blenheim is just five minutes away, so it’s really easy for us.”

The central location in the Forum building makes Public Trust services more accessible for people too, says Cristy. Having a presence in the region for so long means there are a lot of family connections too.

“A lot of people here trust Public Trust and have long family histories with us. We might have done their parents’ or grandparents’ wills or estates,” Cristy says.

The Ned fundraiser

By Chris Valli

What are your plans this Sunday morning? Fancy tramping up the Ned?

Tramp The Ned is a fundraising event for Fairhall School and the Marlborough Falcon Trust.

The Ned is a 909m peak rising off the privately owned property of Tempello, near Blenheim, and is a conservation area teeming with native flora and fauna, including rifleman birds, kānuka forest and mountain tōtara.

Fairhall parents Sally Kardos and Nikki Grigg are organising the tramp this year. Sally says they anticipate that many of their families and children will be taking up the unique

opportunity to ‘Tramp the Ned’, as it’s such a great event.

“It’s just after our Tongariro crossing camp that the Year 6-8 children have just completed, so they are ready for this challenge. We’ve been promoting this throughout the school and other schools have also shared this in their school newsletters, so we are hoping for an excellent turnout on the day.”

Sally says the tramp is an opportunity for the school to raise money to support the children’s learning.

“We have a strong focus at the school on our outdoor education programme. This involves a wide variety of activities and outdoor experiences, each building on the last across children’s time at Fairhall School,” Sally says. “We link our

experiences to the local environment and beyond. It links strongly to our Health & PE curriculum, our emerging local curriculum and our environmental focus throughout the school. Any funds raised will be used to support these areas.”

The school would like to thank Herb + Olive who are their new major sponsor along with Tempello Biodiversity project, Rose Ag, Mayfield Motorworld, Tinto Containers, David Searle at Harcourts, George Guthrie Construction, Indevin and WaterForce.

The tramp is this Sunday May 7, 8.30am - 9.45am at Taylors Pass Road, just before the saddle. Cash registrations on the day.

Three - five hour tramping time,

ONLY IN MARLBOROUGH:

Tramp The Ned is a fundraising event for Fairhall School and the Marlborough Falcon Trust. The tramp is this Sunday May 7. 8.30am - 9.45am at Taylors Pass Road, just before the saddle. Cash registrations on the day.

700m climb, 10km walk. $15 per adult, $40 per family, $10 school aged child. A cash cafe with baking, hot drinks and sausages will be on site.

For the Rangitane people, and according to tradition, the 909-metre peak the Ned - known as Te Hau was the area’s founding ancestor whose authority s t retched from the Waiautoa (Clarence River), north to the Wairau. He, along with Uenuku, are believed to have arrived on the ancient Uruao waka, stepping

ashore at what is today known as Rakautara.

From a European perspective, the origins of the name ‘The Ned’ are uncertain, however several mountains including Altimarlock and Blairich in the area were named by a Scotsman, McCrae, who was an active explorer of the interior of Marlborough, and a ‘ned’ is a Scot’s t e rm for a hooligan or loutish youth, so it’s possible McCrae may have been the source of the name.

Mothers day s pecial!

Mushrooms on Toast - $16

rich creamy mushrooms, served on toast, spinach and topped with a free range poached egg.

Opening HOurs

Mon-Fri: 7am - 4pm saturday: 7am - 3pm sunday: 8.30am - 2pm

Breakfast Menu: all day

Kitchen closes 2pm Mon-Sat and 1.30pm Sunday

Esther RÖkk Under Fashions®

Finding a comfortable and supportive bra was next to impossible for Christchurch woman Esther Rokk, until she was fitted with the Beauty Bra.

“They are so good I wanted to share them with other women,” she said.

After training to become a ShapeWear Specialist many years ago, Esther is continuing to pass on the benefits to other women. “It is so rewarding to see women made comfortable and their figures enhanced.”

One of her customers, Janice, says it is the most comfortable bra she has ever worn. “I’m not in a desperate hurry to get it off at the end of the day like I used to be.”

The Beauty Bra does not have stretch straps, under wires or shoulder strap pull – just amazing comfort and support.

The quality fabrics and manufacturing techniques used in the Beauty Bra means they just last and last. “In fact, they outlast other bras three to one” Esther explains.

Esther says up to 70 per cent of women wear the wrong size bra and when coupled with under wires, may impede lymphatic drainage. Your bust must be lifted to allow for good circulation and the breast needs to be supported from underneath - not suspended from the shoulders.

Most of the weight is taken on the Beauty Bra’s inbuilt shelf, which lifts and supports the delicate breast tissue into the cup area, so there is very little weight on the shoulders at all.

Another customer, Janet, also swears by the Beauty Bra.

“Because of a shoulder injury, I used to find one bra strap would always be falling off my

shoulder. Now that I wear the Beauty Bra, there are no more problems.”

All these benefits lead to a healthier breast and the strain is taken off the neck and shoulders.

According to Esther, “The bra also ensures your clothing fits properly by enhancing your figure. The Beauty Bra really does slim the fuller figure and gives definition to the dainty figure too. I have over 200 size combinations which makes it easy to find an exact fit.”

The Beauty Bra is like no other on the market:

• No under wires. Just a cleverly designed ‘shelf’ inside each bra cup to provide support and uplift with minimal weight on the shoulders

• No stretch straps

• No shoulder strap pull

• Straps do not fall off the shoulders

• The Beauty Bra comes in over 200 size combinations

• The Beauty Bra lasts 3 times longer than your usual store-bought bra

• The Beauty Bra is ideal for the active woman as there is very little movement of the bust.

• Ideal for horsewomen

Esther will be in Blenheim from 15 May until 19 May and will be situated at 53 Park Terrace, Blenheim. Come for a free, no obligation fitting with Esther.

Book your appointment by phoning 021 167 4537. Be quick as spaces are extremely limited.

From the President’s Desk

Grey Power Marlborough had the great privilege of hosting the Aged Care Commissioner, Carolyn Cooper, on Wednesday the 26th of April. The Commissioner’s role came in to being one year ago and was lobbied for through Grey Power Federation to give further voice for our most vulnerable seniors in New Zealand. This role is not a government position; it sits with the Governor General.

Ms Cooper presented to the Positive Ageing forum (previously known as the Older Persons forum), a public meeting at the Wesley centre, and staff at Alzheimer’s Marlborough.

Ms Cooper took up her career in nursing at Masterton Hospital and she has furthered her career in the health sector ever since.

I found Ms Cooper to be a very down to earth person with a clear grasp on the plight of seniors with much focus on housing and health continuums.

Our Federation President, Jan Pentecost, sent advice to all associations on the list of issues they are taking to government ministers in May. We have been requested to give feedback from our members on some of these issues. Our committee made the decision to focus on three major issues, which are the Gold Card becoming a formal form of identification, senior housing, and the lack of banking facilities in certain areas.

A survey has been sent out to our members who are on email as due to the tight time frame we are unable

50

Walk for Wellbeing

Hippocrates once proclaimed:

“If you are in a bad mood, go for a walk. If you are still in a bad mood, go for another walk.” Centuries have passed but the Greek physician still has a point.

Author and actor Andrew Mc-

Carthy discovered the power of t aking strolls when he traveled 800 kilometres across Spain on the Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrimage route.

“Has anyone ever emerged from ambling through nature for an

Some tips for oncoming winter

hour and regretted their improved state of being? Not likely,” Andrew says. Walking “not only nourishes the body but also soothes the mind while it burns off tension and makes our troubles recede into a more manageable perspective.”

Everything you need to know about the Winter Energy Payment

Winter can mean higher energy bills as we switch on the heaters and electric blankets to stay warm. Grey Power urges you to stay warm this winter by using the government-introduced Winter Energy Payment. This provides superannuitants, veterans and other eligible candidates with weekly payments to deal with the additional expenses involved with keeping warm, safe and comfortable over the colder months.

If you qualify, it will be paid to you automatically, in addition to any other regular payments you usually receive, to use as you like. The Winter Energy Payment is paid from 1 May to 1 October and is non-taxable.

A single qualifying person will receive $20.46 a week. Qualifying couples and families (defined as a person with dependent children) will receive $31.82 a week.

To learn more about the Winter Energy Payment, visit https://

www.workandincome.govt.nz/ products/a-z-benefits/winter-energy-payment.html

Check out the Grey Power Electricity blog for tips on how to keep your winter usage lower at https://www.greypowerelectricity.co.nz/our-blog/8-life-hacksfor-saving-money-on-your-power-bill-this-winter/

If you are interested in switching to Grey Power Electricity, please give their friendly team a call on 0800 473 976.

A recent fund-raising walk above Picton. Locals enjoying the Cape Campbell coastal walk.

Introductory remarks from John Cragg, President Marlborough RSA.

Blenheim and Districts Pipe Band.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Neil Connell lines up to lay a wreath.

PAYING THEIR RESPECTS: Leela Brown and Staci Southall.

ALL SMILES: RSA District Welfare Manager John Capill.

OLD AND YOUNG paid their respects by laying wreaths.

IN CHRIST’S LIGHT: Principal Paddy Dowling and students from St Mary’s School.

Deputy Mayor David Croad is joined by National MP Stuart Smith and his wife Julie.

TIMELY: At the going down of the sun.

Blenheim and Districts Highland Pipe Band drummer Jace Partridge.

Marlborough Boys' College student Jed Cornelius singing the national anthems.

Clear Marlborough skies for the fly past at

Thelma Sowman Alistair Sowman

A POWERFUL WAIATA: Nan Kahu Chadwick leads the way.

Evie and Amanda Furber.

Robin Randall leads the Marlborough District Pipe Band.

ALL EYES ON THE PERCUSSION: Gavin Stead and Ella Kernick-Harvey. Dave Woodhouse paying his respect.

Blenheim guides marching along Seymour Street.

50 +

Access and Mobility

Grey Power asked questions and got responses from the Access and Mobility meeting held under the auspices of the District Council in March. Committee member, Robyn Blackburn, reports as follows.

To a question of the need for Taylor River shared path signage to be improved, the answer was that MDC does have ‘etiquette’ signs up on the Taylor River at various places. Some painted messaging was on the ground, but this has worn away. Funding is being sought in 2024-2027 budget to promote ‘Shared Path Etiquette’ messaging.

The timely use by cyclists of cycle bells or other warning methods to alert walkers on shared pathways who they are approaching from the rear raised two issues. That the warning be timely enough to allow reaction, and the volume of the warning be loud enough, considering especially those hard of hearing. Cycle bells are not mandatory.

The response was that MDC has given out 400 bells during the ‘Treasure Hun’ cycle event. The use of a bell or calling

out is encouraged on the path etiquette notice board.

To the issue that training of older cyclists (E-bikes) returning to two wheels is being offered but the possible cost might be daunting for some members, the answer was that training costs $95 pp for two hours. MDC Road Safety provides $50 subsidy.

Considering training for mobility scooter users, the reply was that Age Concern were considering something in this space.

With respect to trip hazards on Council road network or parks/reserves, the answer was that trip hazards can be reported through the Crash/Near Miss link on the MDC website. In the search space, search for Near Miss. Reporting all pedestrian or cycling issues is actively encouraged.

Regarding a worsening trend of cyclists on footpaths, the reply given was that RSE pastoral care providers have been contacted about this issue. Cycle training is given in most schools now. Mobility scooters and other small

Office Snippets

Thank you very much to all our lovely members who have paid their subscriptions already!

We are now up-to date with the online payments, the last ones are in the post. If you have not received your green membership card and Discount Book, please get in touch after allowing a week for the post to reach you.

If you have not yet paid, it is not too late! Please pay online or come into the office during the opening hours of 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday. We’d love to see you.

wheeled devices have to use footpaths. A discussion about footpaths being under-utilised and not enough safe space for cyclists will be discussed at the next A & M meeting. If Grey Power members have any comments about these issues they can report these to GreyPower by emailing: office@greypowermarlborough.co.nz

Alan Washington, Grey Power Committee member

I was born in Blenheim and for many years worked in the Scott Street Social Welfare office, moved to Wellington for three years then returned to Blenheim where I was later employed at ACC and then in Workbridge, helping people with disabilities into paid employment.

I have never regretted the return to Blenheim with its healthier lifestyle to be appreciated, and friendly population. Currently I have a role at the Kaikoura

HOME SECURITY

Do you need some advice?

Brought to you by SeniorNet Marlborough Sounds Tony Sampson from Gary Ching Ltd will give a presentation on the latest home security systems available.

If you want to ‘beef-up’ your security and feel safe in your space, join us on Saturday June 10th, 2pm at Linkwater Hall

ALL WELCOME

Electorate office supporting the Member of Parliament to perform his role. It allows me to use my many years of experience in the public service to assist constituents and members in their own experiences with our own Government departments and agencies.

I am a Justice of the Peace and registered Celebrant which further allows me engagement in the community. It is a similar opportunity to support

our community that attracts me to Grey Power’s work in supporting their members.

It was a privilege to be invited onto the Grey Power Committee and I hope I can continue to bring a worthwhile contribution. I witness the work of other committee members and am proud to be associated with this group who represent our members in a professional and meaningful way.

If for any reason you have not received an invoice, or have misplaced it, please get in touch with the office and we will email or send out a new one.

Please remember to let us know when you change contact information such as addresses, or if you switch from a landline to a new mobile phone number. It helps us speed things up when we have a query.

From time to time, we do send out emails regarding issues or events that we feel are of particular importance for our members. Please get in touch if this is of interest, and we will add you to our email list.

We try to keep you informed on Facebook, Grey Power Marlborough, where we advertise our events, local information, Grey Power Federation (the national body) press releases, and local

WELL INGTON OR CHRIS TCHURCH DIRE CT TO CHATHAM ISLANDS

Kono NZ sold to Talley’s

By Chris Valli

Marlborough-based seafood company Kono NZ is being sold to Talley’s.

As a result, about 300 staff across Blenheim, Havelock and Golden Bay face a wait to find out if they still have their jobs. However, Kono bosses say they’re working closely to make sure most staff is offered new roles.

More than 250 roles have been created at Talley’s, with opportunities for people in Blenheim, Motueka and Golden Bay as well as potentially other areas of the food business.

Securing employment opportunities for affected staff beyond the sale was a key factor says Kono NZ Chief Operating Officer Andy Wotton.

“We’re really pleased that Talley’s will take on the overwhelming majority of our valued staff and that the roles will stay within the region.

“Talley’s is a leading player in the industry and they’re firmly committed to this area and its long-term development.”

“[Nelson] Food and beverage company Kono NZ, an associated business of Wakatū Incorporation, produces and exports Kono New Zealand Greenshell™ Mussels.”

The sale of the seafood assets forms part of a wider strategic reset for Wakatū, to ensure its portfolio of businesses align more closely with its 500-year vision Te Pae Tawhiti.

Talley’s CEO Tony Hazlett says he is

Kono NZ Chief Operating Officer Andy Wotton says they’re pleased that Talley’s will take on the overwhelming majority of their staff and that the roles will stay within the region.

pleased to welcome the Kono team into Talley’s.

“With national and global demand for Greenshell Mussels, we were looking at how to meet that demand through our state-of-the-art Blenheim-based mussel plant, which can have up to 450 staff working there on four product lines.

“With capacity at our mussel facilities we are thrilled this deal with Kono will enable us to employ hundreds of skilled local people, keeping them in our region.”

Kono and Talley’s will be working together to ensure continuity for people, suppliers and customers throughout the sale process and beyond.

The sale is set to be completed on May 22.

Together as one - Unity in Nature

By Chris Valli

Marlborough Girls’ College values have been expressed visually on a mural designed and painted by a dedicated group of Marlborough Girls’ College students. Students based their discussions and concepts on the MGC’s values: Kotahitanga (u nity), Whanaungatanga (relationships) and Manaakitanga (respect/care).

The vision and name of the mural ‘Unity in Nature’ came about after an invitation for local artist Kylie Fleur to spark initial talks and artistic inspirations.

Marlborough Girls’ College arts coordinator Ewa Zielinska says the students met almost every week to research, talk and draw.

“By expressing their concerns and worries, asking questions and being brave, students finally found a picture of what it is that represents the school values and all students at MGC. It was very important to them to have a visual representation of that environment,” says Ewa.

“During the creative process and paint-

ing we learnt to ask vital questions, share new ideas freely, quick problem solving, compromise, and we had to be very good at predicting weather.”

The mural was completed in the school holidays and was a process driven by enthusiasm for the visual arts and hard work.

“It is not so easy to create a mural that expresses ever evolving wonderful ideas of our amazingly creative youth,” Ewa says. “It took the students almost a whole year to conceptualize the imaginative thinking and constant curiosity about the cultural, social and political world they are a part of at school.”

The mural was curated by UK born NZ artist Rowan Belcher who is also a secondary visual arts teacher. The group also had a visiting Ukrainian artist Anastasia Shumkova who helped them with painting.

The project involved the following students: Emily Pitcon, Maia Anderson, Paxton Boyd, Emma Minehan, Lexie Newman, Anika McPhee, Ayla McPhee, Grace Boyd, Abbie Cornelius, Chelsea Craig, and Jessica Bell.

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 31 Stuart Street, Blenheim freemanroofing.co.nz/blenheim

DISPLAYING MGC VALUES: Ukranian artist Anastasia Shumkova, Rowan Belcher, Emily Pitcon, Ayla McPhee and Anika McPhee showing their visual creativity on the mural, ‘UNITY IN NATURE’.

Celebrating our Firefighters

By Chris Valli

Remember when you were young and you wanted to be a fireman?

Tomorrow is International Firefighters Day and is observed annually on May 4 internationally.

It’s a day when people around the world celebrate the mahi of all firefighters, past and present, and the service they have given and continue to give to their communities.

T here are around 1,800 career firefighters and nearly 12,000 volunteers in New Zealand across more than 650 fire stations.

One of those volunteers is Blenheim’s Steve Smith, Chief Fire Officer with the Blenheim Voluntary Rural Fire Force.

Steve says the best part of the role is often at the end of a fire call out and says it’s a great feeling to know you have done something positive for the community and that collec-

Fire Safety Equipment

tively you answer a call to go and fix.

“When you work alongside someone and you’re putting a fire out you get to know them really well,” he says.

The most memorable fire for Steve was when it was his friend’s birthday. He says they got a call and found themselves working on a particular stretch of the road to Whites Bay.

“We were there from midnight until about 10am the next day,” he says.

“As an incident it had its moments and was memorable for various reasons. In our crew we have active members whose experience ranges from a matter of months through to over 25 years.

“I say this honestly, if anyone out there has ever thought they’d like to be a firefighter, come and see us. It’s a serious commitment but well worth it.”

Fire and Emergency Chief Execu-

tive Kerry Gregory says firefighters do a remarkable job and are committed to serving and protecting their communities.

“These days, firefighting has become more than just protecting life and property from fire. Our firefighters also respond to medical calls, motor vehicle crashes, ha zardous substances, technical rescues, severe weather natural disasters. They also help to reduce the number and impact of fires through community outreach, education and fire safety messaging. They help communities to recover and get back on their feet after major incidents.”

“I’d also like to acknowledge and thank all those who support our firefighters, employers who release them to respond and families who support them. This support enables our firefighters to be there to help our communities when they need them.”

Authorised by Stuart Smith, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.

Stuart Smith MP for Kaikoura

ACKNOWLEDING OUR FIREFIGHTERS: Blenheim's Steve Smith, Ryan Anderson and Jenn Ruffell. Steve is the Chief Fire Officer with the Blenheim Voluntary Rural Fire Force and says the best part of the role is often at the end of a fire call out. "It’s a great feeling to know you have done something positive for the community and that collectively you answer a call to go and fix."

THE SMILE SAYS IT ALL: Jono Poswillo and Steve on Jono's first call-out.

Arable excellence expanded with new awards

New Zealand’s arable industry is once again gearing up to acknowledge and celebrate the innovators and leaders who drive progress in the sector.

The NZ Arable Awards on August 10 at Wigram Air Force Museum in Christchurch is time for some celebration and fun and Federated Farmers are calling for nominations of deserving people and organisation.

“There’s a danger that with all the focus on costs and challenges our growers are grappling with, we lose sight of our significant success stories and all the hard mahi that underpins a sector that returns more than $1 billion in farm gate sales,” Federated Farmers arable chair Colin Hurst says.

New Zealand’s arable sector is notching signification production gains, with 2.3

million tonnes of product sold in 2021 (a 31 percent increase since 2018), and within that seed production of 81,000 tonnes (a 41% increase since 2018).

While each of the organisations have awards stretching back multiple years, the 2023 event is only the second time Federated Farmers, the Foundation for Arable Research, United Wheat Growers and the NZ Grain and Seed Trade Association have combined to honour our industry stalwarts and rising stars.

Nine awards were presented in 2022; this year there will be 12 as the line-up is expanded to recognise the cream of our scientists/researchers and employers.

“The arable sector provides full-time employment for more than 11,300 New Zealanders. The new Arable Employer of the Year Award will recognise some -

one who has demonstrated exemplary employment practices, promoted positive workplace culture, employment retention and/or a progressive career pathway in the industry,” Colin says.

The other two new awards this year are for Arable Researcher of the Year and for top Plant Breeder/Plant Researcher.

“We haven’t secured our place in the world as a leader in seed production - 60% of the world’s radish seed, 50% of white clover seed and 40% of global carrot seed, for example - as well as underpinning our pastoral farmers with maize, feed and grass seed, without cutting edge research and development,” Colin says.

Other awards cover growers of the year, innovation, emerging talent, agronomy, environment and sustainability and the hotly contested Arable Food Champion.

Federated Farmers arable chair Colin Hurst says the sector provides full-time employment for more than 11,300 New Zealanders. The new Arable Employer of the Year Award will recognise someone who has demonstrated exemplary employment practices, promoted positive workplace culture, employment retention or a progressive career pathway in the industry.

Arable farming contributes $1 billion a year to the economy.

Feds call out misinformation from Greenpeace

Greenpeace is spreading harmful misinformation that there is a link between nitrates in water and colorectal cancer.

According to Federated Farmers Vice President Wayne Langford the misinformation is a new low for Greenpeace, who are using misinformation about a human health issue to prey on people’s fear of cancer and to push an anti-farming agenda.

“Farmers and others in rural communities are drinking this water, so if there is a link then we want to know about it. But we will be taking our advice from health professionals, not environmental activists,” Langford says. “Greenpeace aren’t remotely qualified to be making those claims, and what they are saying is wildly at odds with what credible health professionals and organisations are saying on the issue.

“Nobody is disputing that we have an issue with nitrates in Canterbury, that’s been known for some time. What we are disputing is Greenpeace’s claim that there is a link between nitrates in drinking water and cancer,” Langford says. “Greenpeace are misleading the

public by basing their claims on a single Danish correlation study rather than what the international body of scientific evidence shows.”

Langford said farmers are well aware they need to make changes to reduce nitrates in waterways and have been working hard with their communities for over a decade to improve environmental outcomes.

“We’ve fenced and planted waterways to exclude cattle and absorb nutrients, and we’re now a lot more precise with the way we use fertiliser, which means we use less of it.”

“It will take time for us to start to see the fruits of our improvements, but I’m confident we are heading in the right direction, and we will start to see results. There are plenty of good reasons for us to be working to reduce nitrates in waterways, but Greenpeace’s misinformation isn’t one of them.

“Langford believes Greenpeace needs to be held accountable for the accuracy of the claims they are making and the information they share with the public.

It’s just causing needless stress, anxiety, and division,” Langford says.

9.30am

MONDAY 19TH June 2023

Linda HoLdaway

Music teacher/musician

 Are you a dog or cat person?

Definitely a dog person.

 My friends would say I am

I’m kind and a bit eccentric.

 The best advice I ever received was?

Don’t ever give up on your dream.

 What would you buy if money was no object?

A holiday to France.

 Local coffee haunt?

Watery Mouth cafe.

 Favourite takeaway? Chinese.

 The shop you can’t walk past is?

Any shoe shop.

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

An engagement ring.

 Where is your happy holiday place?

Anywhere with my family.

 Favourite programme or series currently watching?

Offspring reruns on Netflix.

 What’s one thing on your bucket list?

To go with my brother on an overseas trip.

Importance of phosphate: By

Phosphorus stimulates budding and blooming. Plants need phosphorus to produce fruits, flowers, and seeds. It also helps make your plants more resistant to disease.

Phosphorus helps plants gain more energy from sunlight and with cloudy, hazy skies we are seeing too often; plants need all the advantages possible to gain energy from sunlight.

Phosphorus doesn’t dissolve like nitrogen. The soil will hang onto phosphorus, not releasing it into water.

Phosphate is needed by all life forms but if taken in too greater quantities it becomes harmful.

In the distant past phosphorus was obtained from manures, especially bird or bat droppings called guano.

Phosphorus is also obtained from Reactive Rock Phosphate which is a hard phosphatic rock. In most soils it dissolves very slowly.

To make the rock phosphate more readily available to plants man discovered a process of using sulfuric acid early in the 1900’s, and a new agricultural fertiliser was created called Super or Super Phosphate.

It became a boon to agriculture and farming with tons of Super being spread to cause fast growth in fields and crops.

Unfortunately like a number of discoveries such as DDT and Asbestos, there was a hidden price to pay. Super phosphate kills soil life because its acidic and with their demise leads to unhealthy plants.

Not only that, it was also found that Super laden plants and grasses caused health problems in stock including cancers.

I read a very interesting book years ago called ‘Cancer, Cause and Cure’ written by an Australian farmer, Percy Weston.

Percy observed the results of the introduction of Super on his farm and the malaise that occurred.

For many years now I have not used any chemical fertilisers or chemical sprays including any herbicides anywhere on my property.

For a while I noticed, that even though I obtained good healthy crops and plants, there was some factor that appeared to be missing and the crops are not as lush as I felt they could be.

I often thought that I am not getting sufficient phosphorus in my composts and mulches.

This caused me to do a bit of re-

Wally Richards

search on the Internet and found to my delight a company in New Zealand called Sieber Technologies Ltd who make a product called BioPhos. They take the reactive rock phosphate and break it down naturally with micro organisms making it as readily available to plants as Super is. The company sent me a booklet and it showed trials that proved that not only did BioPhos work as well as Super, but actually better as it did not have a ‘peak’ growth on application and gave a much longer sustained release of phosphorus to plants. Instead of killing soil life it actually supplies new micro organisms to the soil which carry on breaking the natural phosphorus down, meaning that only one application is needed per year unless you are cropping during the winter as well.

Some rose growers and rose societies recommend using BioPhos for better, healthier roses.

BioPhos contains phosphate, potassium, sulphur and calcium at the rates of P10:K8:S7:Ca28.

BioPhos is Bio Certified for organic growing.

It is pH neutral and used at the following rates; New beds work in 100g per square metre, the same with lawns but water in to settle.

Side dressing plants; seedlings 8g (a teaspoon) around base of the plant or in the planting hole. Same for potatoes which do well with phosphorus. Sowing beans, peas, etc sprinkle

down row with seeds.

Roses and similar sized plants 18g or a tablespoon full around plant or in planting hole.

Established fruit trees etc, spread at the rate of 100g per square metre around drip line or where feeder roots are. Apply to vegetable gardens in spring and a further application in autumn if growing winter crops. Can be applied to container plants also.

Apply to tomatoes when planting or side dress existing plants.

A number of gardeners over the years have obtained BioPhos and applied it around their gardens; then a few weeks later many have phoned me to say what a big difference the product has made to their gardens. I presume one of two things has happened or maybe both of the following:

The gardens and plants were lacking in phosphate and the introduction of it gave a noticeable difference to the plants.

Or the plants were able to obtain more energy from the sun and hence creating a growth spurt.

BioPhos is a must for root and bulb crops such as potatoes, carrots and garlic.

I have now completed a third session of gardening with Rodney Hide which likely aired this coming week then available after that on replay at: https://realitycheck.radio/replays/ real-talk-show-replays/

Highly recommend

Cannot recommend Mark from Airify Heat Pump Cleaning enough. Brilliant job and educates us on being more energy efficient and effective before he leaves. Fantastic service.

Anzac Day

This day is an important day for New Zealanders. All our brave men went away and died for New Zealand. On TV1 News in a piece showing parades from around the country, we were called Aotearoa. It was an emotional day and out of respect for those brave men and women, ‘New Zealand’ should have been used as our nation’s name.

Stuck pig

I love the cultural diversity in Blenheim however question how appropriate it is to slaughter live pigs in a central Blenheim residential backyard. It is now very apparent where the expression ‘to squeal like a stuck pig’ originates. Thoughts?

Sneaky... deserves indigestion

I am very disappointed to read this person’s txt message. My husband and I were sitting next to this couple, in an extremely busy cafe. They had changed seats from the ones they were allocated, without informing the staff, even though there is a notice at the counter advising patrons to do so. As they did not do this, their chips were delivered to the right table, where other patrons were now sitting. This was neither the fault of the staff nor the other couple who consumed the chips. It lay absolutely with the text writer. The couple’s order was not delivered with the chips, but some time later.

She has name called the other couple in public media. I hope she has the decency to apologise in the same media.

Sneaky meal order

“To the persons who received a sneaky meal, only to have someone else eat it, just before Easter, I went to a restaurant with people for a meal. No sooner did I walk in , someone came up and said “These are our SPECIALS for the night .” (About 4 on the paper ). So I went for fish and chips and salad. Went to pay my bill, same price as usual. (?) So I looked at the Main Menu! Same price. So much for being a SPECIAL. Very sneaky and crafty devils. Anything to encourage people to eat those items before shutting for the public holidays, rather than let the customer pick from the Main Menu. “

Referendum

To person championing Aotearoa, there has been no referendum or act of parliament to change NZ’s name. As for Te Reo why not Chinese as a high percentage are now of Asian descent. Or Indian?

Rates increase

Marlborough District council.... you’ve got to seriously look at taxpayers rates increase. You are getting greedy. Lower it and building leases and the business will increase in the CBD stop wasting OUR money on dumb sculptures.

Power bill

I am a old person, 82 years old. Always take my account to the post office to pay. They don’t know how to process this anymore. I do not have a computer. But why is it so hard to pay your power bill at the post office.

Walkways

Why has so much ratepayers money been wasted on walkways which are flooded constantly. Also the disgusting ditch in Tremorne Ave. No farmer would be allowed to have such a health hazard on its doorstep. This is residential. Council pull finger.

Name changes

It now appears that the internationally known and respected name of New Zealand has been discarded in favour of the contestable name Aotearoa. Rumour has it that the iconic colloquial term ‘Kiwi’ is also to be replaced by the term ‘Aotearoan’.

Re: Moaning

In reply to moaning, you are missing the point, we know a bit of The Reo, what we are MOANING about is the govt media and Maori wanting to change everything in NZ to Maori.

Puzzled

I am puzzled. Anzac Day was day 115 of 2023. Only 49 of the 115 days were school days. We are told that 60% of children do not attend school and it’s a bit hit and miss with the other 40%. Can someone explain to me why teachers feel overworked and underpaid?

Such kindness

I would like to thank the ladies and the gentleman with his car that helped my husband George after a bad fall in High St, Wednesday 18th April 10am. Two ladies knew how to get him onto his feet and another was a red cross lady who did up his cut hand. A gentleman pulled up in his car and wanted to take George to the chemist as we were going there for our flu shot, needless to say he didn’t get his. Thank you to the Indian nurse at the hospital and the doctor. A big thank you to the ladies at the Life Pharmacy who did up all his cuts and bruises.

Opawa/Taylor Rivers

We are told that flooding because of no maintenance is to protect spawning whitebait. According to the internet whitebait go up river in the spring and come back down in the autumn and spawn in tidal estuaries. They spawn on spring tides then hatch on the next spring tide. With our rivers flooded it is no longer tidal. Some years ago the council held a meeting on the River Queen and person from the council said a strip of weed was to be left on the river edges for the fish which was a great idea. Whitebait surely have more brains than to spawn in the middle of the river.

Duck Derby

With the duck derby planned for 7th May I sure hope the wee ducks have their weed walking shoes on as floating may be rather difficult with the amount of weed to navigate through. It’s going to be a great whitebait season but I feel sorry for the ducks!!!

River woes

What is the point in spending millions of our rates on The Quays and new Library etc when the river is in an appalling state. To say it’s to protect spawning fish is rubbish. Clear the river of weed before spawning! After all they only get caught and eaten later as whitebait…..

No sound system

Very poor that the MDC did not afford the community to fund the sound system for the unveiling of the Māori battalion on the Picton foreshore on ANZAC day. Such an important moment.

Why?

Why oh why didn’t the council do something about the weed in the river before February 1st. It’s a mess and the council should be ashamed of themselves.

Talk of the week

Kind gentleman

Mid morning Monday 24th at Countdown in town a gentleman paid for my groceries. While not needing the help I appreciated his act of generosity and have doubled the amount which has been given to the food bank. Thank you Sir.

How?

How do we show interest in Opawa Reunion if we are not on face book?

Am a member of 1969 competition winning team.

Financial skills

Wouldn’t it be great if all children left school with real financial skills. Talking to young people this is what they want.

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 Sun management.

GREAT HAIR DOESN’T HAPPEN BY CHANCE, IT HAPPENS BY APPOINTMENT.

Jo Lorraine Debby Arthur

Giraffes only need to drink once every few days. Most of their water comes from all the plants they eat.

Thursday

Clothing Alterations: by Lynette Atkinson-Parker

For your sewing requirements

1010

Annual General Meeting

The Marlborough Ploughing Association (Inc.)

Date - Wednesday 17th May 2023, Time

ANTIQUE BUYERS

Gold Jewellery, scrap gold

Pocket watches, wrist watches

Old bank notes & old coins

Military & other medals

Sterling silver, Ivory, old pens

Paintings & Maori artifacts

Clocks, Fun Ho & tin toys

Moorcroft, Clarice Cliff etc.

ph 0800 00 24 25

Eric Jackson Antique Buyers, PO Box 665, Picton

4 May 2023

Social Badminton: 9am-noon: Thursday mornings. Simcox Stadium, Battys Road.  $5. All adults welcome.  For more details phone Cathy 021 503 348.

Ulysses Retreads Group:

11am: Meet Brayshaw Park Thursdays. Ride to various destinations for lunch. Come by bike, tin top or magic carpet. Bring your laughing gear, a thermal to wear and a story to share.

Keep U Moving – gentle walking exercise in the hall for Seniors.

Every Thursday 11:30am - 12:30pm at St Christopher’s Church Hall (except 4th Thursday in each month). Stay for a cuppa and chat afterwards. Cost $2. 92 Weld Street, Blenheim. For more information contact Donna Wahrlich, Eldercare Coordinator 027 385 2333 or donna@stchristophers.co.nz

Library Book Club:

6.30pm-8pm: Marlborough District Library. We meet on the last Thursday of the month. Simply bring a book to recommend to other members, and enjoy listening to other member’s (including librarians) book picks. To attend please wear a mask.

Picton Library Book Club:

6.30pm-8pm: Picton Library and Service Centre. Join us in meeting new people and chatting about books. We meet on the first Thursday of each month. To register please email pictonlibrary@marlborough.govt.nz. To attend please wear a mask.

Community Choir: Thursdays 7-9pm, during school terms. St Ninian’s Hall, 1 Riley Crescent, Redwoodtown (opp church). Come and join the community choir Creative Voice.  All musical abilities and new members welcome. CreativeVoice@singforfriendship.

Friday 5 May 2023

Vintage Farm Machinery:

Open daily, 10am to 3pm, Brayshaw Vintage Farm. Phone John 577 7442.

Marlborough Museum:

Open daily, 10am to 4pm, free entry to the museum on Saturdays. Brayshaw Heritage Park, 26 Arthur Baker Place. 03 578 1712.

Saturday 6 May 2023

Blenheim Chess Club: Meets at Delicia Café, Scott Street, every Saturday 10am – 1pm. All welcome.

Kia ora, welcome to Cancer Society

Marlborough

Relay For Life

Despite the winter chill in the air, our team are still reliving the warm glow of Relay for Life 2023. Our incredible community fundraised over $80,880 with over 40 teams and 500 participants joining us to celebrate, remember and fight back. This figure doesn’t include the sponsorship donated by local businesses and groups that help make it possible for us to host this unique event. We’ve had to get back to our core business of supporting people with cancer - but still have hundreds of community acknowledgements to make! We thank our team of staff, volunteers, sponsors, donors, fundraisers, survivors, and participants – your personal contribution and support is what makes this such a special event. Relay will be back at Lansdowne Park in 2025.

You’re ‘Simply the Breast’

news tips

Repair Cafe:

We’ll fix your small repair on site, on the day while you wait and have a cuppa. Sewing/darning, bikes, small furniture/wooden items, toys; electronic items and mobile phones.  Every 4th Saturday monthly. John’s Kitchen, 2 Redwood St. Donations for repairs accepted.  Enquiries to Gerrie 0273030762.

Sounds SeniorNet:

Meet at the newly refurbished Linkwater Hall for Saturday information afternoons at 2pm. Entry free and afternoon tea provided. Everyone is welcome. Whitehead Park Bowing Club, Redwoodtown: Saturdays mainly tournaments from 9.30am to 3pm. All welcome. Contact John 573 9086. Also Mondays and Wednesdays. Summer timetable starts October.

Sunday 7 May 2023

Blenheim Country Music Club Inc

Are hosting a club day this Sunday 7th May, at the Nurses Hall, entry off Taylor Pass Rd, starting 2pm. Afternoon tea will be provided. Door entry fees are: Financial club members $3 per person, Non-members, $4 per person. Singers and musicians are welcome, musicians, please bring your ow n instrument. Our club’s theme is Country Music. For furthur details, contact John Walding: 0273555209, or Nola Carter: 0277727484

Marlborough Farmers’ Market: 9am-noon. Marlborough A&P Showgrounds. Fresh produce from your local farmers. Tasty line up of fresh and seasonal, gourmet and artisan produce and products that this region has to offer.

Picton Rail and Sail:

On the Foreshore - mini train rides and mini yacht hire to sail on our pond every Sunday 11am-3pm, operating every day during school holidays. Only 20 cents per ride/yacht hire!

Blenheim Bonsai Group: Islington Gardens, Rowberry Road on the 2nd Sunday of the month 1pm-3.30pm.

Marlborough Tennis Club: 3pm to 5pm Parker St. Every Sunday– Social Tennis.

Non Members $2 All welcome. Contact: Joanna 027 578 6436

Ulysses Rides Calendar: Sunday Rides depart Railway Station carpark as listed. Thursday Rides depart Brayshaw Park carpark

11am. Every Saturday, Coffee at The Runway Cafe 10am. All Rides are weather dependent.

Marlborough Stamp Collectors sale day 10.00-1.00 34 Arthur Baker Place ph 021 157 3496 for more information.

Monday 8 May 2023

Marlborough Stamp Collectors Club: 34 Arthur Baker Pace. Phone 021 157 3496 for more information.

Rotary Clubs in Blenheim: Monday & Tuesday evenings at 5.30pm. Rotary is a world-wide service club for men and women –doing great things in your community. For further information phone Kevin on 0211 738 784.

Blenheim Scottish Country Dance Club: Every Monday at 7.30pm at Whitney Street School Hall, Whitney Street. Come and try it! You don’t need a partner. For information ring Miriam 928 4479.

Blenheim Badminton Club:

Every Monday: Juniors 5.30-7pm, seniors 7-9pm, St Mary’s Hall, corner Francis and Hudson Streets. Anna or Mike, email blenheimshuttlers@gmail. com.

Whitehead Park Bowling Club, Redwoodtown: Every Monday afternoon from 12.30pm to 3pm. All welcome. Contact Mike 572 4013 or John 577 5295. Summer timetable starts October.

Coming Up:

Ulysses Rides Calendar May 2023

Thursday 4 May 11am Retreads Group

Sunday 7th May 11am Kaikoura for lunch

Thursday 11th May 11am Retreads Group

Sunday 14th May 1pm Rai Valley

Wednesday 17th May 7pm Committee Meeting

Kelvin Watson

Thursday 18th May 11am Retreads Group

Sunday 21st May 11am St Arnaud

Thursday 25th May 11am Retreads Group

Sunday 28th May 1pm Social ride to Kekerangu

Working Bee Dates for Te Whanau Hou

Grovetown Lagoon

Working bees for tree planting, propagation and maintenance. Every second Sunday of the Month (excluding Easter and December) Meeting at the Wairau Rowing Club at 9.30am. 14 May, 11 June, 9 July, 13 August, 10 September, 8 October, 12 November.

Marlborough Stamp Collectors general meeting.

Sunday 21st May. Exhibit 2023 Auckland review, doors open 1.30pm. 34 Arthur Baker Place, phone 021 157 3496 for more information.

We’d like to acknowledge our local dragon boat team, Simply the Breast, who travelled to attend the National Dragon Boat Championships at Lake Karapiro last month. They also stayed on to participate in the International Breast Cancer Paddler’s Commission Festival. As the team nears the end of your season we congratulate you on a fantastic year. We hope the many hours of work to coordinate, fundraise, organise, train and travel to attend regatta are all worth it when you get out on the water. While the physical benefits of dragon boating are supportive for recovery from breast cancer treatment, but we know the emotional and social benefits for both breast cancer survivors and support paddlers is beyond measure. If you’d like to learn more about dragon boating or join the crew for a friendly paddle, now is the time! Please get in touch with Bridget by email stbdragons@ gmail.com or ph. 027 5757504.

Jump For Cancer 2023

Let this be the year you finally tick skydiving off your bucket list, all the while doing good and giving back to our community! Jump For Cancer is back - simply register, raise $1000 for the Cancer Society and you will skydive for free! We’ll be hosting a ‘Jump Day’ on May 20th at Skydive Abel Tasman, but you can also choose your own jump date or location from around NZ. To learn more, visit www.jumpforcancer.org.nz or get in touch with us on marlborough@cancersoc.org.nz.

Upcoming Events

• Breast Cancer Support Group - 7pm on 2nd Monday of the month

• Marlborough Prostate Cancer Support Group7.15pm on the 1st Tuesday of the month

• Prost-FIT - 6.00pm Mondays or 10.30am Wednesdays (for men with ANY cancer)

• Live Stronger - 6pm Wednesdays (for women with ANY cancer)

• Volunteer Drop-In – 10am on last Friday of the month

• Look Good Feel Better – Tuesday 16th May, 12pm

• Jump For Cancer – Skydive Abel Tasman, Saturday 20th May

Cancer Contacts

Cancer Society Marlborough, 76a Maxwell Rd, PO Box 233, Blenheim. Phone 03 579 4379

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am-4:00pm

Email address: marlborough@cancersoc.org.nz

Cancer helpline: 0800 CANCER (226 237) Cancer Society website: www.cancer.org.nz for reliable and up to date information, links and chat forums.

The Cancer Society is funded entirely by charitable donations and thanks the Marlborough community for its continued support.

Alex wins Pipe-Opener Tournament

By Chris Valli

The first night of competitive table tennis was held last Thursday, with the annual Pipe-Opener Tournament being held.

Thirty four players took part, ranging in age from 9 to 80, and showing that the sport isn’t just a game for all ages, but for families as well with eight families being represented.

The tournament took just over three hours to play and was very well-run by Life-Member of the Association Debbie Stratford.

Club captain Alex Kennedy won the tournament by beating

Michael Kamson in the final by 11-8, 11-5, 13-11. Alex, who last won the title in 2021, looked sharp in the final and had to be as Michael started well with some great service placement and aggressive topspins. Alex was forced into some counter hitting and scored points with some well-placed drives.

Michael was still producing forehand winners in the third set, at eight-all in the third set.

Alex returned a short serve with a backhand winner cross court to take the lead and managed to keep the advantage to win the match in three sets. Alex reached the final

Golf Results

Wairau Valley Golf Club

Tue 18 Apr: Margaret Anderson Cup: Overall

Nett: Alison Graham 63. 0 – 24: Gross: Sue Murray 81, Nett: Robyn Pupich 66, Stableford: Mel Hampton 39. 25 – 45: Gross: Lynn Dowler 94, Nett: Jan Rutherford 69, Stableford: Judy Jones 35 c/b from Anita McCaffrey 35. Sat 22 Apr: Stableford: Bevan Boon 40, Sam Rutherford 38, Reginal Reid 37, Pete Jerram 36, Taylor Puffy 36, Matthew Anderson 34, Brian Roughan 34, Tim Latter 33, Robin Lacey

Women’s Golf Interclub

Played at Kaikoura Sunday 30th April. Kaikoura 36-5 v Marlborough 35-5. Wairau

Picton Golf Club

Thu 27 Apr: Jeff Pascoe 43; Barry Slater 42; Brian Carver 40, Nick Wright 40; Jock Manning 38; Leigh McGlynn 36, Gary Aldridge 36; William Withey 35; Len Barlow 34, Mike

Rarangi Golf Club

Wed 26 Apr: Mens Midweek Stableford: Allan Hogg 40, Mike Walker 38, Phil Hill 37, Roger Mitchell 37, Allan Ryder 37, Peter Browning 34, Jerome January 34, Stuart McLagan 33, Leo Coffey 33, Phil d’Auvergne 32, Graham Ilott 32, Clarry Neame 32, Dick Hubert 32, Jack Gleeson 32, Allan Shutkowski 32, John Jones 32, Terry Lane 32.

Thu 27 Apr: Bisque Par: Sue Lang 3, Anne Newman -3, Helen Neame -3, Rete Kydd -3, Carolyn Reaney -4, Dianne Betts -4, Kathy Payne -6.

Sat 29 Apr: Net Medal: Ladies - Dianne Betts 75, Rete Kydd 78, Carla Hepplethwaite 78,

with a four set win over Nathan Cross, while Michael reached the final with a win over Matt Millar. The quarter finalists were Graeme Jackson, Josh Sim, Jason Kennedy and Billy Hebberd.

Results of the closest matches were: Ray Zinsli beat Peter Welsh

13-11, 3-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9 , Barbara Burkhart beat Kylie Hurren

11-7, 12-10, 12-14, 3-11, 13-11, Rob Honour beat Rory Osborne 9-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-4, 11-9.

Results of other finals were:

Special Plate: Chris Hood beat Rob Honour 12-10,13-11, 11-5.

Semi-finalists: Zac Cowdrey, Rory Osborne

32, Richard Bruce 30, Colin Baker 30. Twos: Richard Bruce.

Sat 29 Apr: African Stableford: Tim Latter & Glen Griffiths 68, Mike Collins & Mel Hampton 65, Bruce Roughan & Bill Linklater 56, John McLauchlan & Maureen McKenzie 54, Rob Chee & Mike McKenzie 51, Roger Meyer & Pete Bishell 49, Dene Cross & Brian Roughan 46, Rex McGarry & Robyn Pupich 41.

Valley 36-5 v Rarangi 35-5. Picton 29 v Blenheim 43.

Ashworth 34. Fri 28 Apr:9H Vicki Eastgate 17; Lyn Pawson 16, Maria McCoway 16; Anita McCaffrey15;

Lynn Naysmith 78, Marg McLeod 80, Joanne Rainbird 81, Dale McCrindle 81. Mens - James Sutherland 69, Neil Butts 71, Allan Shutkowski 72, Paul Silke 72, Terry Allen 74, Phil Hill 74, Phil d’Auvernge 74, Jerome January 76, Tony Nichol 76, Lindsay McAlpine 76, Alan Milne 76.

Sun 30 Apr: Net Medal: Ladies - Aroha

Minhinnick 75, Kathy Payne 75, Frances Price 77, Pippa Lee Minhinnick 77. Mens - Ryan McDonald 67, Jack Wicks 69, Robert Lopez 70, Neil Butts 71, Phil d’Auvergne 71, Jerome January 71, Shane Weaver 72, Mike Garrett 73, Kobe Hart 73, Arthur Ross 73, Allan Shutkowski 73.

Plate: Warren Haszard beat Peter Welsh 11-7, 11-9, 11-9. Semi-finalists:Marion Wood, Barbara Burkhart

Consolation plate: Lucy Thom beat Zaraya Wilson 11-6, 11-8.

11-4 Semi-finalists: Blake Hebberd, Fletcher Phipps

The inter club competition starts tomorrow while the next big event is the Marlborough Open on May 13 and 14.

The Open and Under-15 sections double as a qualifying tournament for players wishing to be considered for New Zealand selection for the Oceania Championships later in the year.

Ladies Pennants

Mon 1 May Kaikoura: 4th Round: Rarangi 10, Kaikoura 8, Picton 6, Awatere 6, Blenheim 4, Marlborough 2.

Marlborough Golf Club

Tue 25 Apr: ANZAC Day Red Cross Tournament Stableford: Mary Skilton 38, Jean Dowling 36, Lynda Shanks 36, Bridget Quaife 34, Jane Anderson-Bay 34, Emily Stenhouse 33, Tina Marfell 33, Helen Neame 33. Men’s Stableford: Wesley Green 39, Lance Nuttall 38, Andrew Noad 38, Kobe Hart 37, Dave Knappstein 37, Jon Nicol 37, Daniel Adriatico 36, Brian Burgess 36, Paul Silke 36, Pete Marfell 36, Mark Watson 36, Hans Blohm 36.

Wed 26 Apr: Women’s Home Links net medal Div.1: Julie Nicolle 74. Div.2: Jo Grigg 75, Ann

Overall Rarangi 30, Awatere 28, Picton 26, Kaikoura 25, Blenheim 19, Marlborough 16.

Duncan 75. 27 April. Men’s Stableford Div.1: Paul Roughan 37, Hugh Bay 35, John Rodgers 34, Lance Nuttall 33, Ken Steel 33. Div.2:Murray Bishell 40, Rex Scoble 39, John Wadsworth 36, Werner Pluss 36, David Wilkins 34.

Sat 29 Apr: Home Links net medal Div.1: Lynda Shanks 71, Jane Anderson-Bay 71. Div.2:Denise Pickering 73, Marion Tripe 74, Julia Knowles 76. Men’s Stableford Div.1:Mike MacLeod 38, Malcolm Wratt 34, Tracy Goss 33. Div.2:Pete Marfell 40, Ian Newport 38, Guy Latham 37. Div.3:Terry Shagin 39, Tom Kelsall 38, Graeme Barsanti 36.

Marlborough Veterans Golf Association

Mon 1 May: Picton Golf Club: Individual:

1.Grant Flynn (Blenheim) 36 points; 2. Richley Down (Picton) 36 points; 3. Trevor Gullery (Picton), Graeme Barsanti (Marlborough) and Michael Ashworth 35points; 6. Stuart Parker (Blenheim) 34 points; 5. Richard Anderson (Blenheim) and Raymond Herd (Blenheim)

Blenheim Golf Club

Mon 24 Apr: 9 holes Stableford Men Dean Ormsby 22 Blue Arthur 21 Tom Kane 18 Paddy Couchman 17 David Waters 17 Dave Menzies

16 Les Boniface 15 Glen Hurcomb 14 Stuart Parker 14 Alan Wilson 14 George Addis 14 Dan Crawford 14 David Dyer 14 Don Lamond

14 Mike McConnell 14 Ladies Jenny Evans 18 Elaine Brown 17 Jenny Adams 16 Dawn Walker

15 Helen Neame 15 Marlene Gregan 15 Dianne

Betts 15 Jan Pegler 15.

Wed 26 Apr: LGU Medal 0-29 Vickie Lane

67 30+ Jenny Evans 73 9 Holes Jill Hurcomb, Elaine Brown Ann Walker

36 points; 7. Jeffery Pascoe (Picton) and Stuart McLagan (Blenheim) 33points. Team: 1st Picton #1: Trevor Gullery, Mike Ashworth, Jeff Pascoe, and Nick Wright 112 points. 2nd Blenheim #1: 110 points. 3rd Blenheim #2: 108 points. Next Tournament: Monday 15th May 2023 at Marlborough Golf Club.

Thu 27 Apr: Medal Desz Campbell 66 Stuart Parker 69 Mike McConnell 70 Don March 70 Graeme Parker 71 Bob Tapp 72 Don Lamond 72 John Cootes 72 Alan Wilson 73 David Waters 73. 9 hole Stableford Dean Ormsby 22 George Addis 19 Pani Swann 18.

Sat 29 Apr: 5 club Stableford Kobe Hart 39 Mike Guillemot 36 Doug shaw 36 Bob Tapp 35 Ross Agnew 34 Don Lamond 34 NTP Fairweathers 9/18 Rachel Bell Sowmans 3/12 Paddy Couchman Ladies LGU Medal Sue Duckworth 75 Judith Batty 76.

Club captain Alex Kennedy won the tournament by beating Michael Kamson in the final by 11-8, 11-5, 13-11.