13 September Blenheim Sun Newspaper

Chris Valli

Covid re-educated us on how the immune system works

Continued from page 1.

The Malaghan Institute is New Zealand’s world-class independent biomedical research institute with a focus on breakthrough discoveries in immunology and immunotherapy. By being independent they don’t have to ‘play by the rules’ like the Government institutions and can ‘focus on the research’.

“We may look sweet and nice but we are research animals and really tough people who work very hard to chase the goal, a cure for cancer and to put an end to the suffering.”

The Blenheim-born Director/Chief Executive of Wellington’s independent research organisation covered a r a nge of topics including the institute’s New Zealand-first CAR T-cell cancer therapy clinical trial. A revolutionary new approach to fighting cancer, CAR T-cell therapy has the potential to transform cancer treatment.

CAR T therapy stands for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy. The one-off treatment works by redirecting a patient’s own immune cells (T-cells) in the laboratory, to directly identify and attack cancer cells. They are then returned to the patient where they can attack and destroy the cells. They have the potential to act as ‘living drugs’ providing long-term protection against relapse. Graham says it’s taken 25 – 30 years of development to ‘make things safe’ including the techniques (genetically modified cells) to get to this point.

“It’s alive and well, especially overseas. We’ve been working closely with a Chinese scientist and we’ve got a New Zealand licence to develop the drug here and it’s going really well. We want to bring it to the people in an outpatient’s clinic whether that is in Takaka, Gisborne or Blenheim.”

Other topics included allergy research, Covid vaccines, and global insights on the state of New Zealand research science and the future of human health.

The institute’s research and clinical trials are advancing understanding of the immune system and its relationship to human health. Graham says the immune system is critical to our own health, yet alone, a potential outcome and potential cure for cancer, including brain, stomach, and skin health.

“You cannot help but get absolutely captured by it,” he says. “Covid re-educated people how their body and immune system works. When you have kids you want to make things better.”

“Franca is trying to understand what is the basis for all these allergic diseases (fish, milk, nuts) going forward. We want(ed) to take this talk to Marlborough and find out what the community wanted to know about? There are some people out there with Covid returning in a mean or nastier form, or why we are getting more cancer in our younger people now,” he says.

Graham says there are a number of reasons why cancer numbers are on the rise from BMI (body mass index) increased obesity to sedentary lifestyles.

“To live in the world we live in we need to have foods which have a long shelf life or stabilisers with storage proteins,” he says. “When you disrupt the lining of your gut that means the immune system is exposed to things it shouldn’t be exposed to.”

The Malaghan Institute collaborate with some of the best globally-recognised research institutions such as Harvard University, the University of Oxford, James Cook University, the Weizmann Institute of Science

and the Czech Academy of Science, to progress their various areas of research.

Graham grew up in Marlborough with his own father who was in the air force while his mother was a nurse. He says he always liked learning and had a great group of ‘inspiring teachers’ at Marlborough Boys’ College back in his day.

“I wanted to do something scientific, interesting,” he says. “Back then science was called marine science and we had chemistry. Now we have incredible fields of molecular biology, genomes (set of chromosomes) and how they work and of course, immunology which is an amazing thing.”

Blenheim Professor Graham Le Gros, Professor Franca Ronchese, Bryan and Amanda Johnson at the Malaghan Institute's clinical cancer trial talk at Spy Valley Wines last Thursday night.

Someone to speak for us, to keep them honest

By Chris Valli

John and Lynette Wratt believe in common sense talk. They also believe in getting ‘their country back’.

The couple was part of a small but appreciative crowd of about 100 people at the ASB Theatre’s Whitehaven Room on Monday morning for the New Zealand First campaign’s election tour.

Lynette believes ‘we have a beautiful country going down the gurgler’.

“We just need someone to speak for our country and get us out of the mess we are in,” she says. “Everything is a mess. We’re in tough times.”

Partner John, a 73-year-old farmer says Winston Peters keeps them (opposition parties) honest.

John says if Mr Peters was in power or coalition with Labour, the likes of Marsden Point would not be closed down, referring to when Refining New Zealand considered importing refined fuels with the closure of the Marsden Point operation in April 2022.

In March that same year, Mr Peters said ‘at a time when there were shortages of supply and prices of oil’ and other essential materials going through the roof, Labour allowed ‘this kind of short-sighted jingoistic behaviour’ to occur by a foreign company on kiwi soil.

“We ended up with dirty fuel and that issue is one of many. It should never have been closed. If he was in power, it would still be there,” says John. “He talks common sense and

he’s all one nation.”

“It’s not my first rodeo.” NZ First leader Winston Peters addresses a public meeting in Blenheim on Monday.

Sun The

Senior housing development

Council’s senior housing development in Blenheim has reached an important milestone with the roof of stage one now in place.

When finished, the $4.3M complex in George Street will offer 12 one-bedroom residential units, six on the ground floor and six at first floor level, accessible by a lift.

It is due for completion in mid-2024 and aims to increase senior housing supply in Marlborough with “fit-for-purpose, centralised housing for seniors,” Housing for Seniors sub-committee chair David Croad says.

“Currently there is a waitlist of over 50 seniors who need low-rent accommodation in Marlborough, so this development demonstrates Council’s ongoing commitment to senior housing in the region. “This project has been well supported and advocated for by the Senior Housing Subcommittee for many years, so it’s exciting to see it take shape,” Clr Croad says.

Mr Peters claims the “seeds of apartheid” are being scattered through New Zealand legislation. It comes alongside confirmation that if his party re-enters government, Peters would invest billions of dollars into health and education, but he hasn’t stated exactly how he’ll pay for it.

Lynette agreed suggesting the country has become divided with ‘so much racism’ and suggested ‘we all need to work together.’ She says Marlborough and the rest of the country needs a quick dose of ‘knowledge and understanding’.

“We grew up with Maori kids,” she says. “They weren’t Maori, they were our mates. It wasn’t about colour or separatism; we were all equaled and treated the same way,” she says.

The comment comes after Mr Peters told supporters at a public meeting in Nelson on Sunday that Māori are “not indigenous”.

“Here’s the rub if you are Māori. We’re not indigenous We come from Hawai-iki. Where’s our Hawai-iki? We think it is in the Cook Islands. We think it’s in Rarotonga, but we’re not from here,” he says. “And [if] you go back 5000 years, we came with our DNA from China.”

Mr Peters, a former teacher and lawyer says he has done ‘more scandals and inquiry’ in New Zealand politics ‘than any other modern politician’ including the $12m Wine Box Inquiry, to investigate claims of corruption and incompetence in the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

LET’S TAKE COUNTRY BACK OUR

The Commission became popularly known as the Winebox I nquiry, as Mr Peters brought the documents at the centre of the allegations to Parliament in a winebox.

Mr Peters was at his distinctive, animated best, using humour and some light-hearted moments, telling Blenheim locals this ‘wasn’t his first rodeo’. He also says if people ‘knew the truth’ when Covid and the pandemic arrived (February 2020) ‘we would’ve been in a far better economic situation’ because we ‘didn’t have the science’.

If New Zealand First and Mr Peters achieve the five percent needed in next month’s election under MMP (mixed member proportional) it will be 45 years since the party has been in parliament.

Control Programme

A successful control programme to stop feral deer and goats chewing their way through native forest in the Marlborough Sounds will continue until the end of this month.

Biodiversity Coordinator Mike Aviss told members of Council’s Environment & Planning Committee recently the feral ungulate control operation was a “big win” for pest control in the outer Sounds.

The operation is a joint venture between landowners, Department of Conservation (DOC), Council, Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust (MSRT) and Endeavour Inlet Conservation Trust. DOC and MSRT are managing the operation with contractors Trap & Trigger.

“More than 1100 goats and deer (ungulates) have been controlled in what has been a great collaboration between all parties involved,” Mr Aviss says. “The control operation has mostly been on public conservation land but has also included private land where landowners are supportive.”

John and Lynette Wratt.

Stars give their time

By Chris Valli

There was a sense of shyness, enthusiasm and collaboration at the Springlands Lifestyle Village last Wednesday.

The kaumatua/residents at the Batty’s Road retirement home were visited by Year 9 and 12 students from Marlborough Girls’ College as part of the Stars/Ngā Whetū programme.

The programme is run by the Graeme Dingle Foundation Marlborough for MGC and pairs the Year 9s with Stars Peer Mentors from Year 12 and 13.

Year 12 Stars Mentor Bess Welbourn says helping the Year 9 students feel welcome and included at the college is one of the reasons she joined the programme.

Bess says when she first started at MGC and coming from Rapaura School as a Year 8 the college was a ‘scary big place’ coming from a small rural school.

“I wanted to help them as I had gone through it myself,” she says.

“It (the programme) allows me to be connected with the whole school and not just a Year 12 level.”

As part of the programme every Year 9 whānau (form) class at the college takes on a ‘Community Challenge’ to give back to the community in some way.

Stars Coordinator, Gemma Miller says it helps instil a culture of volunteering and working together to make the community better.

“Through Stars every whānau class goes through a process of reflecting on and identifying need in our community then they’re empowered to deliver to a project matched to that need,” says Gemma.

As well as having a positive impact on the community, Gemma says it also reinforces a sense of purpose and connection for the students and gives those valuable skills and experience developed in an authentic and meaningful context.

“For example, the projects require collaboration and teamwork for success,” Gemma says. “These particular whānau classes reflected on how social connectedness and intergenerational contact is so important for all ages and how sometimes our kaumatua can live a less socially connected life,

particularly in a time of Covid when health precautions have added impact,” says Gemma. The students planned a series of activities with the residents at Springlands Lifestyle Village including singing, nail painting and playing board games. The activities were designed to break the ice, give a shared focus, and make it fun.

However, the most important element of the day was the time spent together.

“As the saying goes, the most precious gift you can give someone is your time,” says Gemma.

28 August 2023

Temporary Reduction in Hours at Marlborough Urgent Care Centre

PUBLIC NOTICE

Temporary Reduction in Hours at Marlborough Urgent Care Centre

From Thursday 31st August 2023, Marlborough Urgent Care Centre will be operating from 8am to 4.30pm, closing doors at 5pm. This operation will be in pace Monday to Sunday.

Marlborough General Practices will continue to offer “on the day” acute appointments for their enrolled patients. Enrolled patients who are unable to get an appointment and who meet the triage criteria, will be referred to Practice Plus or Tele-health.

From Thursday 31st August 2023 , Marlborough Urgent Care Centre will be operating from 8am to 4.30pm, closing doors at 5pm. This operation will be in place Monday to Sunday.

Marlborough General Practices will continue to offer “on the day” acute appointments for their enrolled patients Enrolled patients who are unable to get an appointment and who meet the triage criteria, will be referred to Practice Plus or Tele -health.

For members of the public and visitors to Marlborough who visit the Marlborough Urgent Care and meet the triage criteria, will also be referred to Practice Plus or Tele-health.

For health advice when you need it:

1. Healthline 0800 611 166

For free health advice and information at any time

For members of the public and visitors to Marlborough who visit Marlborough Urgent Care and meet the triage criteria, will also be referred to Practice Plus or Tele -health.

2. Visit your local Pharmacy

For medical advice, prescriptions, vaccinations and minor illnesses.

3. Practice Plus

For health advice when you need it:

For medical advice, consultations, prescriptions and treatment online

1. Healthline 0800 611 166

4. Contact your General Practice

For free health advice and information at any time

For high fevers and rashes, feeling unwell and long-term care. Your General Practice team may refer you back to Practice Plus.

2. Visit your local Pharmacy

5. Visit Urgent Care

For minor injuries and urgent medical attention.

For medical advice, prescriptions, vaccinations and minor illnesses

6. Emergency Department for Emergencies

3. Practice Plus

For chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding and severe pain.

For medical advice, consultations, prescriptions and treatment online.

We thank the public for their understanding during this time.

4. Contact your General Practice

For high fevers and rashes, feeling unwell and long -term care. Your General Practice team may refer you back to Practice Plus.

STAR STUDENTS: Year 9 Marlborough Girls’ College students sing Country Road for the residents at Springlands Lifestyle Village last week. Betsy Frizzell and Maureen Hall look on.

The Marlborough Science & Technology Celebration is at the Stadium 2000 on Tuesday September 19. Spokesperson Hugh Lensen says there have been some notable exhibits so far including; measuring the effect of different coloured light on photosynthesis and methods for clarifying dirty water.

Critical, informed science students

By Chris Valli

Schools from all over Marlborough will be showcasing their inquisitive curiosity in the Marlborough Science and Technology Celebration at the Stadium next Tuesday, September 19.

Previously known as the ‘science fair’, students will be representing their schools showing the public a wide range of investigations. The SciTec Celebration gives students the chance to be a scientist conducting hypothesis and experiments to ‘find out about their world’ or indeed be a technologist, who solves

problems that people may have.

To be selecte d to attend SciTec, exhibits needed to pass preliminary judging at local school fairs and if selected by the school students enter the Regional Fair. Needless to say there are some rather enthusiastic students waiting to showcase their curious minds.

Projects will be presented in one of five categories including science investigations, technology projects, visual arts/ creativity, research/inquiry or a speech.

Spokesperson Hugh Lensen says there have been some notable exhibits so far including;

measuring the effect of different coloured light on photosynthesis; methods for clarifying dirty water; secrets of cellular senescence in autumn plants; how the brain sees colours; sweating blood; and ecological corridors in the Wairau Valley. Hugh has had a 30-year involvement with the Marlborough Science Fair and says he’s se en teachers having to add more and more to their curricula and assessment practices.

As a result, he says this reduces the times available to teach t he STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects, adding there are also

fewer teachers specialising in these subjects.

The first science fair in New Zealand was held in Auckland in 1959. The Royal Society, a group of eminent scientists, has been involved since 1960.

In Marlborough the Science Fair has been an annual event since the 1960s and is now a partnership of Blenheim Lions, local school teachers, minor community sponsors and our major sponsor Marlborough Lines.

The prizegiving is on Wednesday, September 20 at 7pm where there will be awarding of the student and school prizes.

Ben Pottinger and Katie Taggart at a previous ‘science fair’.

Sun readers have their say... with the WORD on the Street.

After a four-year hiatus, the Marlborough Primary Music Festival is back on at the ASB Theatre this week. What’s the best thing about being involved with the music festival?

To the Editor 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 abridge letters or withhold letters from publication. Email them to news@blenheimsun.co.nz or drop in to our office at 72 High St. Please note that your name and street address MUST be provided with emails. Letters/Opinions not necessarily those of the Sun management.

Re Cultural Dinosaur

Evan, quite a few of us do care. I grew up with an interest in Te Reo Maori but am shocked at what is happening. Maori names are being given to buildings and organisations that are not accurate descriptions but designed to create bizarre abstract images. These can have a multitude of interpretations depending on the reader’s imagination.

Te Kahu O Waipuna the name given to our new library we are told means The Cloak of Spring Water, certainly an abstract image. Kahu we hear used with reference to the harrier hawk, it can also mean

I quite like getting the community and the schools together to sing.

garment, cloth, egg white, foetus or stillborn child. What a variety of images can be created unless an English translation is provided. Then there is the Maori name for Work and Income – Te Hiranga Tangata which translates to The Important or Significant People. Can just imagine how much Billy T James would have enjoyed that.

Don’t know if dinosaurs had a sense of humour, hang on to yours.

David Sim Blenheim

This is my first time doing it. I like music so it’s going to be cool. I look forward to singing Don’t Stop Me Now.

My friends encouraged me to join the school choir, I love that I get to dance; it will be my first time.

Remember the Silent Majority

All serious political party contenders should wise up and recognise those who have really been hit hard by super high food/petrol/rents/ rates/mortgage interest rates over the last two, three years if they are serious in their endeavours to gain (or very unlikely re-gain) the treasury benches.

Yes, the many hundreds of thousands of low income (childless) couples, super annuitants and first time voting working part-time students.

The nett incomes for these groups have been drastically

Much has been said, of late, re English signage missing from the Blenheim library, and particularly so by the deputy mayor David Croad and Councillor Gerald Hope. Firstly, Councillor Croad would be very surprised how often overseas visitors, coming off of cruise ships, still fail to find the Picton library owing to its dominant signage Māori name of “House of Learning”, while Picton library, in small letters beneath, gets totally missed.

Likewise, with the “i site centre”, as they are looking for the tourist information centre. Sometimes we are too clever with our colloquial signage. Te Papa, “House of Treasures”, has been around since the 90s and is pretty well universally now known and extremely easy to pronounce.

Now, Blenheim library’s Māori name, while honourable, is not only difficult to pronounce, for non Te Reo speakers, bares no relationship to what the building is.

eroded by extended periods of high inflation/cost of living rates and urgent relief is needed.

A tax rate of 10% for the first $20k of income 15% for the next $20k would help ease the many burdens being experienced and would probably tip the scales in favour of the party that wises up to this essential change that needs to, and should humanitarily be made.

Ross Jordan Blenheim

Councillor Deborah Dalliessi is correct, when she says Marlborough ratepayers are voicing their concern and MDC needs to take note.

Now as at least 80% of Marlborough ratepayers are non-speakers of Te Reo and whose first language would be English, it would not be too difficult to understand as to why the Blenheim Library and Art Gallery having displayed in equal sized letters next to and on both sides of the library is causing concern. Afterall, 80% of us have paid for the library and will continue to do so through our rates.

Lastly, even some Māori friends think it most strange there is only one written language name, in a dual spoken language country, and it’s the minority one. In all my travels the dominant language, of the country, appears first then any minor or overseas languages.

Chris Davies Waikawa

Sina Asiata Blenheim

Mia Hura Blenheim

Jahliah Heihei Blenheim

I get to dance in front of people and sing.

Callum Gear Blenheim

Dancing and singing is awesome, I can’t wait.

Ayla Shaw Blenheim

I love being on stage, it’s a great experience and giving something back.

Molly Connor (St Joseph’s School) Kaikoura

Protecting Marlborough’s heritage for the future

Marlborough’s heritage is in secure hands with a full team now on board to preserve and protect the region’s treasured history and taonga.

Council’s Project Lead Arts, Culture and Heritage Nicola Neilson said the team at Marlborough Museum and Archives brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to their new roles. The team comprises Museum Manager Dr Liz Ward, Curator of Archives; Wendy Harnett, Collections Manager; Sally Papps and Museum Coordinator Sophie Wool.

“While the Marlborough Museum and Archives is temporarily closed, Council has concentrated on embedding the team, modernising systems to align with current best museum practice and performing an inventory of the collection,” Mrs Neilson said.

Mayor Nadine Taylor, who holds Council’s Arts and Heritage portfolio, said it was pleasing to see the museum and archives transition progressing so well.

“Marlborough’s rich history is important, not just locally but nationally and internationally. It’s great to now have the new structure in place and the people charged with preserving and protecting this heritage are highly skilled and experienced,” Mayor Taylor said.

At the Edwin Fox in Picton, existing staff Maritime Museum Manager Karen McLeod and Visitor Host Karen Knofflock continue caring for the iconic historic attraction.

“The Edwin Fox has had an incredible year with more than 15,000 visitors and I am very excited at what the future holds under Council’s new management,” Mrs McLeod said.

The Marlborough Museum has some significant Māori taonga. New Museum

Manager Dr Ward has been meeting and working with Te Papa and other museums with similar collections.

“We look forward to strengthening the museum’s relationship with iwi, working together to look after the taonga placed in our care,” Dr Ward said. “Our good relationship with the Marlborough Historical Society is also very importantwe are committed to this going forward.”

She has also been chatting with Marlborough schools about the future of heritage education in the region. “Any school is welcome to contact the museum to discuss how we can help,” Dr Ward said.

‘We have recently done programmes for both Springlands School and Bohally Intermediate. We worked with the teachers to find out what the learning objectives were and then made a programme to fit the objectives of teachers and needs of students.”

If anyone would like to check their donated items, they are very welcome to call Council to be put through to the museum or they can email marlboroughmuseum@marlborough.govt.nz

“We want to assure our community that Marlborough’s precious heritage collections and taonga are safe and being properly cared for,” Mrs Neilson said.

“Staff will soon be reaching out to volunteers for both the Marlborough Museum and Archives and the Edwin Fox Maritime Museum to implement a new and engaging volunteer program. If you would like to be notified about the volunteer meeting, please email the museum and you will be added to the list,” she said.

The Marlborough Museum can be opened by appointment for groups; the Archives are open by appointment only.

Realistic training for Marlborough team

Casualties from a range of simulated disaster sites were tended by emergency response teams, including Marlborough, at a recent South Island wide training exercise. Exercise Tempest was based on a severe and damaging weather event in Canterbury and the Marlborough Emergency Response Team (NZ-RT20) was one of nine teams and 130 rescue responders taking part.

Response Team Manager Gary Spence said teams from throughout the South Island were mixed to form composite teams.

“This creates a great learning environment and a good networking opportunity for all team members,” he said.

Organisers of the exercise brought in 170 role playing casualties, who had to act out their particular injury, in more than 25 different disaster sites including demolished apartment blocks and high-rise buildings. Operations base was a tent city where all teams were self-sufficient and the exercise ran from 4am on Saturday to midday on Sunday, Gary said.

“Aside from extracting casualties from extremely small spaces the Marlborough ropes team also rescued two people from a six-story high rise, which was actually the training tower at the Woolston Fire Station,”

he said (pictured above). “The team was very tired at the end of the weekend, but really enjoyed the challenge and was well thought of by other teams.”

Upcoming meetings

The following meeting is open to the public and anyone is welcome to attend. Copies of the agenda will be available online and at Council’s Office, 15 Seymour Street.

Council

Thursday 21 September 2023 at 9am

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

Realistic casualties were part of Exercise Tempest, in which the Marlborough Emergency Response Team participated

The team charting a new course for the protection and preservation of Marlborough’s heritage gather at the Edwin Fox in Picton – clockwise from left, Wendy Harnett, Sally Papps, Sophie Wool, Dr Liz Ward, Karen McLeod, Mayor Nadine Taylor, and Karen Knofflock

one on one with

A painting has the ability to communicate

Liz Kempthorne admits sometimes she is unsure which comes first. The emotion realised by the verbal images created by the poets or the drama of the surrounding physical environment.

“Perhaps it does not matter which comes first if they inform each other. The landscape has become a metaphor, a construct between observation and emotion; and the painting of course is a metaphor and there’s only reality in the physicality of the paint upon the canvas,” she says.

The 82-year old lives with her husband in Oceania Healthcare’s Marina Cove in Picton where the water, wind, sky and native wildlife is the stimuli for all things artistic. Her sanctuary if you will.

“The landscape here has taken over my life the past six years I have been here,” she reflects. I was living in Clyde and my daughter suggested, why don’t you come up here? I thought it would make a nice change.”

Growing up in Dunedin, she spent the majority of her life in central Otago, known ironically for its award winning wineries, gold rush history and dramatic landscapes. Her own parents she says met in an art class and so the ‘feeling of art’ was imbedded in her DNA.

She started painting at the family farm in West Otago where she had her first studio. Liz was Head of Art at Blue Mountain College in Tapanui where she was to return years later.

“I was always going to be a teacher and still am and do,” she says. “I’m teaching a wide range of ages. I really relate to that Otago landscape,” the 82-year old reflects. “I like the painting to dictate itself and to me once I get started and just go with the flow.”

Liz is an avid fan of poetry which allows her to tap into the visual imagery from the wide range of language she comes across through a plethora of prose.

One such inspiration is German language poet Rainer Maria Rilke, widely regarded as one of the more lyrically intense poets through new uses of syntax (arrangement of words) and imagery. In an aesthetic philosophy Rilke rejected Christian precepts and strove to reconcile beauty and suffering, life and death.

“It is often the start of quite a lot of my work. The wind paintings I have done have come from Rilke poetry. The images his word creates are wonderful.”

Liz opened the first art gallery in Wanaka. The gallery is situated in the heart of the town with a view of the mountains and lake from the first floor balcony and specialises from Traditional through Impressionism, Expressionism to Abstract Paintings, Limited Edition Lithographs and Giclees, Glass, Wood, Ceramic and Bronze Artworks.

Yes, that was all Liz. She concedes she hasn’t looked back since.

Liz has been tutored over the years by notable artists such as Dutch born Paul Van Den Bergh (painter) and American artist Joyce Kozloff, who’s politically engaged work has been based on cartography since the early 1990s. Joyce, who was a New York

based feminist, came out to an international school in Otago 20 years ago when the local school were looking for women artists. “She was amazing and made me start looking down that line and surer of what I was doing. All my tutors have given me something,” she reflects.

Liz is married with three adult children named Sarah – a pilot for Life Flight (Rescue Helicopter), Timothy who works on a farm and Kate who works at the Dunstan Hospital in Clyde.

Liz recently had a three weeks solo art exhibition at The Gallery Havelock, named ‘Autumn’. She admits the timing of the exhibition wasn’t ideal (there goes the artistic critical thinking) with the timing of the opening on the Thursday night in early August clashing with bridge night and then rugby on the Saturday afternoon. However, she says

exhibition or not, ‘she’ll keep on going anyway’.

“(Gallery Director) Vicki (Parker) did an amazing job showing the work, I was really pleased what she did for me,” she says.

Very early on she knew painting was not about putting a photographic image on a canvas, but rather about a painting’s ability to communicate an emotion or a feeling.

Liz says after mediaeval and early Renaissance painting and Persian miniatures were studied, the realisation came that while having their own individuality and landscape and narrative elements, they often had appealing mystical vibes as they interpreted largely non-secular themes.

However, she adds it was music and poetry that affected her more.

“It was the words that produced a visual and emotional image that resonated within me until they

became an integral part of the painting process,” she says.

“The small gouache and watercolour works are like a visual diary where ideas, memories, images both visual and textual flash past; the imprints retrieved later to become larger paintings. The larger works, although referenced from and to the smaller, are abstractions from them and are more about painting for its own sake. They are pairings that inform each other.”

As our interview concludes she suggests she will be ‘starting another painting’ that afternoon if she gets the chance.

“I’ve got the time to read and think. It’s an emotional release and satisfaction. I have to work hard to be satisfied with what I do and I do work hard at it. I love the journey of starting and taking it through to its conclusion.” Poetry personified.

Picton ‘lifetime artist’ Liz Kempthorne continues to produce stunning artwork well into her 80s. Chris Valli discovered Liz’s passion for painting who over the years has been tutored by among others, notable New Zealand painter Don Binnie and British colourist Patrick Heron.

“It’s an emotional release and satisfaction.”

Picton lifetime artist Liz Kempthorne with some of her work.

By Chris Valli

GMW Jewellery owner Gina Botham says it’s a crazy thought that she has been in business for five years.

“It feels just like yesterday,” she says. “So much has changed and happened since I opened back in 2018. It’s amazing.”

The business has been in the current location at the Redwoodtown Hub for five years. When the store first opened there were two staff, Gina and Amelia Pask. GMW now has a team of five

Fifth birthday celebrations

working part time and full time hours.

She acknowledges ‘surviving’ Covid and the challenges that came with it meant that the business model had to adapt to online and effective marketing through social media.

“We continued to grow through that and that was pleasing. I always believed that the workshop and retail part of the business complimented the other. I had to turn around the way I was thinking and create a way of generating revenue. That was where we got more focused through social media and the website

whereas before we never had that push or impetus.

“It was another way of making us known and stand out and pushing things like watch batteries and small service aspects which would bring customers in but plant the seed for something big. We’ve always been about customer service,” she says.

Gina says one of the best decisions she made for business was when she joined the nationwide jewelers group.

“It opened the door to more suppliers and being able to network with a range

of people. It connects you to those in the same boat and going through the highs and lows. The support was huge especially through Covid,” she says. As a result, the business is able to access a larger pool of supplies. On reflection she says she hadn’t really thought about where she would be after opening the shop five years ago, let alone what the shop would look like. She acknowledges her family has been her greatest support in the business sense and Noel Herd, fellow jeweller, friend and mentor.

GMW Jewellery’s Laura Main and owner Gina Botham.

GMW’s Aiden Smith in the workshop at the Redwoodtown Hub.

Amelia Pask guides the GMW clients on all aspects of jewellery design through to creating the finished product.

Battle of Britain Commemoration

By Chris Valli

It’s been 83 years since the Battle of Britain. This Sunday a commemoration of New Zealand’s airmen who served in the Second World War will take place at Seymour Square.

The commemoration, held every year, honours the service and sacrifice of those who flew for the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain, from July 10 to October 31, 1940.

The Battle of Britain was fought above the skies of Britain, between the RAF and the German Luftwaffe. Had British and Allied aircrew not defeated the Luftwaffe (aerial warfare branch) it is likely that Germany would have invaded Britain.

Germany’s failure to defeat the RAF and secure control of the skies over southern England made invasion all but impossible.

Of the 12,078 New Zealanders who flew with the RAF 3,285 died mostly in the bomber force. One in three deaths was a result of an accident on operations. 135 New Zealanders flew in the Battle of Britain. 20 were killed while a further 52 lost their lives later.

Mary Barnes, President of the Marlborough RNZAFA says less people are coming every year due to an aging population and the ANZAC service taking precedence. Having a base at Woodbourne ‘right on our doorstep’ Mary says, is a point of difference. She believes the number

Celebration of Song

By Chris Valli

of those soldiers who live in Marlborough and fought in the Battle of Britain is around 45 members.

Mary is also involved as the RNZAFA welfare person in Marlborough and is a key contact in providing face to face wellbeing if and when needed. The opportunity to connect and have a cup of tea and quality time.

“We support them. The mandate is big on helping those who leave the air force and to do whatever it is to help them. They get the newsletters that I write. I enjoy doing it for them.”

Mary has been involved with the RNZAFA ‘in one way or another’ since 1956 and says she enjoys helping all people, especially those who have served.

“I think our services do a damn good job actually,” she reflects.

“Considering the resources, money and equipment they have got.”

In 2009, during the then 69th Battle of Britain and Air Force Day Commemoration service at Seymour Square, Royal New Zealand Air Force commander of training group Stephen Davies Howard said the battle was a stunning victory won by the narrowest of margins, against all odds.

Commemorations begin at 11am with honoured guests including Mayor Nadine Taylor, aide de camp/ military officer Flight Lieutenant Kevin Shanley and Wing Commander Paul Drysdale from RNAZF Woodbourne.

A much loved music festival makes its return this week after a four year hiatus due to the pandemic.

The Marlborough Primary School Music Festival is back, supported by The Creative Kids Trust and will be run over three nights at the ASB Theatre.

The hard work and collaboration promises to be high on e n ergy with more than 600 children aged 7-13, from 15 schools, singing and dancing to a fantastic mix of old and new favourites, that will have you toe tapping and clapping along. The theme for this year’s event is ‘Celebrating Kids’ and will feature songs such as Walking

on Sunshine (Katrina and the Waves) to This is Me from the soundtrack, movie to The Greatest Showman. There is some lovely solo moments in this year’s festival and showcases the depth of singing and performing arts talent once again within the Marlborough region.

Liz McKay from Creative Kids says the students have been practising a repertoire of musical favourites and have been practising their harmonies and melodies since the start of Term 2, late April. So what does the festival do beyond the harmonies and collaboration?

“At the heart of the (festival) experience is a sense of pride of

self and belonging,” says Liz. “Proud to be who they are, and experiencing a place of acceptance, inclusion, and belonging.”

The show lasts for one and a half hours. Different schools will perform each night.

Tuesday 12th

Springlands School / Blenheim School / Kaikoura Children’s Choir / Riverlands School / Sedddon School and St Mary’s School

Wednesday 13th

Mayfield School / Witherlea School / Whitney Street / Waikawa Bay School and Linkwater School

Thursday 14th Renwick School / Rapaura School / Grovetown School / Fairhall School and Ward School

ALL TOGETHER NOW: Liz McKay from The Creative Kids Trust with students at a rehearsal for the music festival at the ASB yesterday morning.

Marlborough Professionals

Caro Gatley is in the business of helping people.

She has spent 30 years in the insurance industry, and is now approaching her 20th year of private practice. She is one of the prestigious top five percent of business advisers in New Zealand.

What age is the “right” age to elect to get insurance for yourself?

A lot of younger people have an assumption that they don’t need Life insurance or income protection until they have children or take out a mortgage. Back in the day banks “made” a customer take out insurance to cover the banks risk, not actually what was the customers’ risk.

In the past 12 months I have met with the following young people, who had been in perfectly good health all their life;

- 25 year female stroke victim

- 29 year female stroke victim

- 27 year male massive clot victim

- 38 year old man stroke victim

Ring fencing yourself from a younger age means no matter what health event may afflict you, at least you have some basic cover in place. Obviously you would need to be earning an income to pay for

your insurance but I can work with clients on as little as $25 per week to make sure they have a policy that could help them or their loved ones out financially if they have an health issue or meet with an untimely death.

With the above “patients” insurance would now be unavailable to them going forward, when they thought this would be when they need it in their future. Once a traumatic event has happened it is unlikely insurance is attainable ever again, or with extraordinary costs or exclusions. At the other end of the scale when you are retired and feeling the financial impact of retaining your private health insurance, there are ways to increase your excess, thereby reducing premiums.

As we all know our public health system is being compared to a third world country. Unless you have an accident or suffer an emergency event, the wait list can be up to 2 years or longer, whereby your condition will have worsened or worst case may be fatal. For a review of your current covers or advice on what you need, please feel free to contact me for an initial tele appointment caro@caroandco.co.nz

Mental Health Awareness Week

Five ways to wellbeing

Marlborough Youth Trust has a Focus for Youth aged 12- 24 during Mental Health Awareness week. Each day MYT youth workers will be booked into the Marlborough colleges at lunch during the week, using 5 Ways to Wellbeing resources, and then at Myspace engaging youth with 5 Ways to Wellbeing from September 18th to 22nd from 3:30pm.

The 5 Ways to Wellbeing are: Connect, Give, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Be Active.

The timetable for the week is as follows:

Monday: Give - MYT donating fruit into the college staffroom with the 5 Ways to Wellbeing resources. Max & Soni.

Tuesday: Active - 3:30pm with Sarah & Rory at Myspace.

Wednesday: Take Notice - Mad Hatter Tea Party Self Care at Myspace 3:30pm.

Thursday: Keep Learning – 3:30pm at Myspace with Rory and Soni.

Friday 25th Sept: Connect - “Open Mic Night” Marlborough Youth Trust 6-8pm at MYSPACE. Our local youth are actively involved in the 5 Ways to Wellbeing. Here they describe how they put the 5 Ways into every day practice.

Mackenzie O

I give back to the community by volunteering at Marlborough Youth Trust.

I am active by biking to work and walking down to Marlborough Youth Trust.

I keep learning in the fact that I always ask questions when I’m unsure about something and I am always open to new opportunities.

I connect with my community by attending any youth events that interest me and by going to Young Adults most Thursday nights.

I take notice of people around me by asking how they are.

Jazz

I give by helping others do little annoying jobs like organise their desk, cars, clothes and paperwork.

I take notice by seeing what people’s response is like and the actions they do.

I keep learning by watching others, like looking up to people and listening to their ideas.

I stay active by going for walks and going to Box on Boxing on Wednesdays.

I connect by getting involved in events like Spring Festival.

William

I connect by being involved in the youth group I help facilitate at MYT.

I give my time by helping organize the Marlborough Food Bank Street Appeal in November.

I take notice of my own mental wellbeing and take breaks when it gets too much.

I keep learning by visiting the library and studying cocktails and mixology to uplift my skills and allow me to make better drinks at my work.

I am active by walking to and from work and town, this keeps me fit and energized for work.

Eden

I keep my 5 Ways to Wellbeing balanced by connecting with my friends at youth group.

I go to the library regularly and study languages, especially Latin.

I keep active by going to the gym with my coworker.

I give time to the youth group I serve and at the foodbank street appeals.

I take notice to others, by listening to my friends and being there for them.

Keep an eye on our website and social media platforms for up to date info for the week of Mental Health Awareness Week www.myt.org.nz

“Promise me you’ll always remember — you’re braver than you believe and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

CARE Marlborough 21 years young

CARE Marlborough opened its doors on 20 October 2002 and has been serving the community and supporting Tangata whai ora and whānau to be mentally well since.

We are very proud of the mahi we provide, through the Mental Health Advocacy Service and the Day Activity Program, which is open 7 days a week.

We are very grateful to the generous grant from Rata Foundation which allowed CARE Marlborough to create wonderful new spaces in our kitchen and activity room, and outside which are already being utilized by several community groups as well as our

Tangata whai ora.

The local community support has been amazing from our Bamboo Gardens Dinner to Mitre 10 and Blenheim Lions significant financial support as well. Finally, to our remarkable and very professional local businesses particularly our builder, Phil Crocker, who worked diligently around our centre’s timetable and activities.

Come and celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week at our Open day at 26 Percy St on Tuesday 19 September 10.30 - 1.30pm to view the extensive renovations and enjoy a free sausage sizzle.

New youth service

Marlborough Primary Health Organisation and Health Action Trust are excited to announce the launch of a new youth primary mental health and addictions service across Wairau. This service is part of the Te Whatu Ora Access and Choice programme across Aotearoa. The service includes clinical support utilising evidence-based best practice interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as well as non-clinical peer support.

CARE Marlborough will be celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week with an Open Day at their recently refurbished rooms at 26 Percy Street next Tuesday 19 September, 10.30 - 1.30pm.

Peer support is about people who have had their own journey with mental distress and/or addiction walking alongside people on their recovery journeys.

The service is for 12-24 year olds and whānau experiencing mild to moderate mental distress, and delivers flexible strengthsbased support which is tailored to the young person’s goals and aspirations. The service is also mobile - meaning we can meet young people outside of a clinic room - whether it

be in nature, at home, or in school. The new service will start taking referrals this Spring, and will initially be through GP referrals only, before being rolled out to the wider community by the end of the year. Any questions can go to meg.goodman@ nbph.org.nz

Libby Wright (L) and Simone Pedersen (R) are Youth Peer Support Workers with the newly established Youth Service, based in Blenheim.

HERE COMES A POTENTIAL BRIDE: A gorgeous wedding dress has been donated for the Beavertown Blenheim Lions Second Chance Sale at the Redwoodtown Hall on October 6 and 7. Pictured are Janet Ormsby, Debbie King and Carol Taylor.

Second chance sale

By Chris Valli

Beavertown Blenheim Lions have been busy collecting preloved items for their upcoming Second Chance Sale. The club has been looking for a new project to help raise funds to donate to organisations supporting the children of Marlborough. The idea of the sale aligned with their desire to support the community and to reuse and repurpose items for sale.

The sale will be held in the Redwoodtown Hall on Friday, October 6 from 12noon – 3pm and Saturday, October 7 from 9am – 3pm.

Adult & Community Education 2023

Create A Ceramic Koru

Location: REAP Marlborough, 65 Seymour Street, Blenheim

Cost: $40.00

Time: 10.00am - 12.00pm

Tutor: Renate von Petersdorff

Date: Saturday, 16th September 2023

A hands-on opportunity with a wonderful tutor. Feel the clay and make your own Koru. Glazes and firing complete your art work and will be delivered to REAP Marlborough when finished. Students needs to bring an apron, pointy knife for carving, bring your own design or an idea of what you want to carve, pencil or pen, small carving tools if you have them.

The Art of Fermentation

Location: REAP Marlborough, 65 Seymour Street, Blenheim

Cost: $20.00

Time: 10.00am - 1.00pm

Tutor: Sally Rees

Date: Saturday, 14th October 2023

Learn the art of fermentation to improve gut health, increase immunity and improve brain function. We will make sauerkraut, brine pickled veggies, kimchi,kombucha, labneh, cashew cheese, cultured butter and milk/water kefir.

Students will need to bring:

- 1 cabbage - green or red

- 2 med-large carrots

- 1 jam jar with lid

Items for sale include clothing, shoes, jewellery, handbags and children’s clothing.

A generous donation of a wedding dress has been made which will be placed in a silent auction for those planning their wedding, a great opportunity to come down and place a bid. The dress is a size 16 strapless diamante bodice which goes out to a beautiful tulle full skirt.

All items for the sale will be priced competitively to ensure that everyone gets a second chance to grab a bargain. Cash is encouraged. For Sun readers keen to find out more contact Carol Taylor on 021 399 649.

Basic Computers For Windows Users

Location: 10/2 Stuart Street, Blenheim (corner of Kinross and Stuart street)

Cost: $65.00 (6 week course)

Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm

Tutor: Briana Adams

Date: Mon, 6th Nov - Mon, 11th Dec 2023

Basic computers for windows is for anyone who is new to computers. You will learn the basics of the operating system and the essentials people may want to use on their computer.

Basic Computers For Apple

Users

(phones are not included)

Location: 10/2 Stuart Street, Blenheim (corner of Kinross and Stuart street)

Cost: $65.00 (6 week course)

Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm

Tutor: Briana Adams

Date: Thurs, 12th October - Thurs, 16th November 2023

Basic computers for apple devices (phones not included) will teach the basics of the operating system. It will also highlight the differences between iPads and Macbooks. We will look at basic apps and essentials people may want to use with their device.

- 1 jar (for kraut) no taller than 15cm base diameter 10cm - with wire clip lid preferably If that is not available a half size Agee jar is fine

- 2/3 small-med plastic containers to take things away

- small bunch of fresh herbs - thyme or parsley or chives or oregano

- 500mls of blue milk

Traditional Chilean Baking

Location: Salvation Army Kitchen

Cost: $100 (3 week course)

Time: 5.30pm - 8.30pm

Tutor: Carina Gonzalez

Date: Mon, 2nd Oct - Mon 16th Oct

Carina will share with you some of her traditional food from Chile. You will bake 3 traditional foods dobladitas, brazo de reina and torta pina crema. Limited spaces for this one so get in quick.

Baby/Toddler First Aid Course

Location:REAP Marlborough, 65 Seymour Street, Blenheim

Cost: $20 per person (2 hour session)

Tutor: Nine Scott

Date: Thur, 12th Oct - 1.00pm - 3.00pm

Essential First Aid tips for your baby/ toddler. Scenarios covered include choking, CPR, burns fever, allergic reactions and more.

Over 400 locals attended a public meeting at the ASB Theatre last Monday night where Act Party leader David Seymour addressed significant concerns raised by Marlburians including a surge in lawlessness, economic mismanagement, and societal division.

INSET: Local Act candidate Keith Griffiths.

To enrol or for enquiries: 03 578 7848 admin@reapmarlborough.co.nz

Motorcycle Awareness Month

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• Radiators • Oil coolers

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44 Main St, Blenheim Phone 578 8176 anytime

September is Motorcycle Awareness Month, and with good reason. Motorcycle riders are 21 times more likely than other road users to be killed or injured on our roads. Add to that the time of year, when riders are getting their bikes out of storage to enjoy the longer days and warmer weather, and the risks are heightened.

To manage the risk and help reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities, here is a 21 point checklist to ensure you stay safe, get the very best from your bike, and get maximum enjoyment from your rides.

1. Check your helmet

Check the expiry date. If it’s 5 years or older, it’s time for a new one.

2. Know your ride

Check your bike for wear regularly, so problems can be found and fixed early.

3. Remaster the classics

Ease into the riding season and refresh that riding feeling by practicing your technique.

4. Own your safety

Take action and always look out for yourself.

5. Ditch that scratched visor

Make sure you can see clearly.

6. Set up your bike right

Adjust your bike for a more comfortable ride.

7. Check your brakes

Relax into your ride knowing your brakes are working.

8. How safe is your gear?

Check out MotoCAP to see if it’s up to scratch.

9. Brush up on the road rules

Respect the rules so you arrive safe every ride.

10. Know your tyre pressure

See how it feels and adjust no more than 2psi at a time.

11. Fine tune your skills

Check out Ride Forever’s Online Coaching to nail your core riding skills.

12. Get a pre-ride service

It’s time to clean, check and service your bike.

13. Be the best rider you can be

Keep improving and enjoy every ride.

14. Never forget your head checks

Know how to spot a blind spot.

15. All the gear, all the time

Cover up on every ride with a helmet, boots, gloves, armour, leathers and visor.

16. Ride like you’re invisible

Position yourself in traffic so you can always be seen.

17. Have a pre-ride chat

Get your riding buddies together and make a plan.

18. Plan your route

Take a look to see where the best place to stop is.

19. Don’t chase your mates

Catch up with your mates at the next stop.

20. Raise your sights

The further you look ahead, the more time you’ll have to react.

21. Book a Ride Forever course

Bike and gear sorted? Don’t forget your skills.

• Servicing all makes and models

• Engine diagnostics

• Transmission servicing

• Brake & radiator repairs

• Tyres & wheel alignment

Sun The txt talk with

World cup watch

Good on Mike Newman for altering opening hours so he and staff can watch the world cup. A few more employers could take a leaf out of his book well done Mike

Stuart St

Ha that’s funny I live down Stuart St and I think it’s primo, love it.

Wee bit noisy during the day but once everyone goes home it quietens right down. Weekends are good and as for the bikies, well better than having straight out gang members down your street. Best thing they could’ve done was move out.

Impatient drivers

Why are Marlborough drivers so impatient?

I was driving on a main road this week with next to no traffic.

As I approached a side street ahead on my right I noticed a small hatchback pull up to the give way.

The hatch started to slowly inch across the road before I had even gotten level with the side street, then it slipped in behind me.

I checked my rear view mirror and there was not a single other vehicle on the road behind. I can understand pulling out like that if there is traffic and the hatch wanted to slip behind me before the next car, but why be so impatient when there is no other traffic?

The same goes for drivers who for some reason have to dash across in front of me when there’s no other cars behind me.

Just wait another 5 seconds and then proceed at your leisure!

BP Connect Blenheim

Kudos to Management Staff and Standerby for going to my friends assistance in the forecourt as she was being abused by an angry cyclist who would not let whatever happened go. After some verbal abuse she went and paid for her fuel, as she came out of the shop he started up again.

Intervention sent him on his way, BP BLENHEIM then offered my friend and I a complimentary coffee.

I cannot heap enough praise on all involved thanks very much Hodge.

Downers: Picton

Thanks to Devon Street Downer people. Hardworking and taking pride in their work. None of this standing around in orange vests doing nothing hour after hour wasting thousands of $’s.

Mildly offensive

Maori and English are two of the official languages of New Zealand.

To leave one off the large signs on the library and art gallery is thoughtless and mildly offensive.

At least the new signage on the doorways clarifies the purpose of the beautiful building.

Three words!

No, relax folks, NOT waters, much more important. Lost in translation for over 10 years, when last seen in portrait political hoardings; ‘Honesty, Integrity, Openness’! Even now-corona Doctors SOS investigations demand this. Does fortune and wealth cover all sins?

Soothsayers

Marlborough Roads are soothsayers! Opposite the railway car park heading north just before the crossing is a sign “Works End”. Brilliant, as it is right beside a pothole steadily growing by the day, soon indeed your steering alignment workings will end and it’s around to Damian to fix it- not the hole! lol

Over their heads

A recent piece on social media has caused quite a stir here in NZ, a UK expat. placed online that trying to connect with the locals over here and form friendships can be hard work, they show a lack of interest in others, and as far as banter goes, forget it, they prefer gossip. Being a UK expat myself I have some sympathy with them, at one well known bar here in town, humour is a city in Arizona.

Prescriptions

The observation that some people were not picking up their prescriptions because they couldn’t afford it, has finally resulted in free scripts for all.

However many of those very people now have to pay to take their 14 year old, plus, to the doctor, so I doubt in many cases that will happen, leaving the poor child to suffer. Robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Submerged

Totally agree with Evan Robinson, letters to editor. We are being submerged with te reo Maori.

There appears to be the wording “Library, Gallery” now in place BUT it had been placed on the glass underneath the metal skirt around the new build in a soft grey colour which is hard to read and that’s IF you spot it....how many visitors who go over the river bridge will see this and still wonder what the hell the new building is? Madness and an insult to the English speaking natives and visitors = needs a BIG RETHINK.

Driving while on the phone

Wednesday 6th, 3.10pm. A sign written car driving West on Maxwell Road, turned right into Queen Street. Driver was holding cellphone with left hand to ear and driving one handed while talking on their cell phone. Perhaps next time you deliver sympathy flowers, reflect on yourself and yourself driving while holding and talking on your cellphone. It causes accidents and costs lives. Please, Respect our Road Rules. They are there for a reason.

Poorer

If you are wondering why we are all feeling poorer, it’s because we are being robbed.

Insanity

They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. So why would anyone vote for Labour or National at the next election. They have both sold us down the river and been a total disaster for this country. Wake up NZ.

Talk of the week

Re: Priority

What planet do you live on? Roads for the rich!

I assume that you walk everywhere and don’t contribute in anyway to any wear and tear.

There is a budget for all things and we pay taxes for a reason unless of course you somehow don’t .

Re: Cultural Dinosaur Flu

In response to last weeks Letter to Ed ‘Cultural Dinosaur’. I feel the same. Fearing this sudden cultural change. The challenge to adapt to Te Reo. And I’m not 76.

People please if you are sick with the flu STAY HOME don’t pass it on to every one else, be considerate to other people!!!

Especially in retail if you have kids DON’T send them to school sick we have been given more sick days to STAY HOME.

It’s common sense, these are why sicknesses spread to the vulnerable and elderly with poor immune systems.

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.

Kat Walker

Tayla Walker

with...

Mike Godsall

CBD Eatery Co-owner

Growing potatoes and the potato psyllid: By

Many gardeners will know the trick of planting a tomato plant deep into the soil right up to if not beyond the first set of leaves.

The reason is that the plant will create roots all the way up the trunk which is buried, making for a bigger root system and a better plant.

In fact later on the trunk that is above the soil level will likely produce bumps which are the beginnings of aerial roots and like potatoes you could mound up around the base of the tomato to have those bumps become more roots.

Now with a seed potato planted it will send up a shoot or shoots; which if they stretch, then new tubers will be produced all the way up making for a much bigger harvest of new potatoes.

To achieve this you dig a trench about one to two spade depths putting the dug out soil next to the trench which we will use later on.

 Are you a dog or cat person?

We have three cats.

 My friends would say I am... ?

One who doesn’t take time off.

 The best advice I ever received was?

Don’t be afraid to dream big.

 What would you buy if money was no object?

A nice long trip to Europe for Tania and myself to sample new food.

 Local coffee haunt?

Has to be CBD.

 Favourite takeaway?

Thai (but that’s before we get our food cart).

 The shop you can’t walk past is?

Hunting and Fishing.

 Where is your happy holiday place?

Anywhere but work.

 Favourite programme or series currently watching?

The Lincoln Lawyer on Neflix.

 What’s one thing on your bucket list?

Wally Richards

The seed potato should have produced small shoots from the eyes and if they have not done so just put them some where in the kitchen and they will soon sprout, just like the ones you buy to eat. Warmer temperatures will initiate shoots.

Once they have some sprouts you put them outside in a sheltered sunny spot to ‘green up’ the sprouts which hardens them up.

Done correctly the sprouts will be green and about 1 to 2cm long.

Then the seed potatoes are placed at the bottom of the trench about 20 to 25cm apart.

Under each seed potato place a few sheep manure pellets, a level teaspoon of BioPhos, a table spoon of gypsum and level table spoon of Wallys Neem Tree Powder. The Neem powder helps prevent damage from soil insects like wire worm.

As many of the green shoots should be pointing upwards and then you just cover so the shoots are hidden using the soil at the side of the trench.

Check every day and as soon as you see the green leaves of the shoots poking above the soil once again with a little soil just cover them.

You keep repeating this until you get level with the surrounding soil and then you keep covering, forming a mound.

You have then stretched the shoots so they are about 40 to 50 cm long and all the way up that distance should be your new potatoes to harvest.

If you don’t cover soon enough and the foliage gets between 4 to 6cm out of the ground then you have lost the plot and you will only get the potatoes below that; so waste of time continuing to cover any more.

Let the foliage grow and ideally spray it with Magic Botanic Liquid once a week till harvest.

Now if you grew potatoes last season and found that when you harvested you only had potatoes about the size of marbles which were re-shooting or if you had reasonable size tubers to harvest but they had dark rings inside when you cut them in half, then it means you have psyllid problems in your back yard.

The cell strengthening products we talked about last week for tomatoes will solve the problem for you.

What you do is this: when you do the second covering of the sprouts in the trench you give each plant a drink of the Wallys Silicon and Boron Soil Drench about 200ml per plant.

Apply again the same amount when you do the 4th covering of the sprouts and that is it for that product.

Once you have finished mounding and you are going to let the tops grow free, spray weekly over the foliage with Wallys Silicon Cell Strengthening spray with Wallys Silicon Super Spreader added which drives the former into the plant. If you have it, add also Magic Botanic Liquid to the spray.

The spray made up keeps well so use a trigger spray bottle and after wetting the foliage with the spray just leave it handy to use next time till all is gone, then make up a fresh batch.

Later on when the crop is mature and you harvest one or two plants and find they are good you can harvest the whole

crop if you want the ground for other vegetables or if not you can leave the crop in the ground to harvest as required but if you do this then cut the tops off and cover the stubble so nothing is exposed to any psyllid attack.

If you do not have garden space to grow a few potatoes then you can always grow some in buckets or plastic bags (PB24 or bigger is ideal).

To do it you place a layer of Daltons ‘Value Compost’ at the bottom of the container and then the products as mentioned above.

Once again you keep covering as the foliage comes though with more compost and treat the container and coverings just as explained above in the trench method. The best potato variety to grow in the containers is Swift.

Once you have reached the top of the container and allow the foliage to grow you may need to support the container with bricks or similar so it does not get blown over with the wind.

Watering is important in containers or open ground as potatoes need to be kept moist while growing, but they don’t like to be too wet.

There are some novel ways potatoes can be grown and one that comes to mind is in a barrel with some compost and goodies at the bottom of the barrel and only covered with more compost once after the sprouts come though.

After that you use polystyrene balls like used in Bean Bags to keep covering the foliage till it’s near the top of barrel. At that time you need to put a cover over the barrel made out of plywood with a hole for the foliage to grow through. The cover will lift as the new potatoes displace the polystyrene balls but you should if successful end up with perfect clean potatoes and a barrel full.

Obviously if this is the case you will need to remove surplus polystyrene balls on a calm day.

School Music Festival

the Marlborough Primary School Music Festival is back, supported by the Creative Kids trust and will be run over three nights, tuesday, Wednesday and thursday at the ASb theatre. Chris Valli was there on tuesday morning to see schools from Springlands, blenheim, Kaikoura Children’s Choir, Riverlands, Seddon and St Mary’s rehearsing.

The Community Quilt Collective, Marlborough held its first workday at the Havelock Town Hall recently. Some 40 quilters from across the district gathered to create quilts for those in need of comfort across the Marlborough community. Pictured is Michelle Campbell busy at her machine.

Out Ab O u t

&

Liz McKay in rehearsal mode.

Students listening to stage prompts and instructions.

Springlands soloists and Marlborough Girls’ College students singing, ‘This Is Me’ by Keala Settle (Greatest Showman).

WHO LOVES YA BABY? Cole Shepherd from Blenheim's Education Angels who along with his educators and mates visited residents at Waterlea Lifecare recently. Miyana Chin is in the background.

Looking for treasures in a donated box of fabric scraps from left: Carol Green, Margaret Marshall, Adrianne Healy, Yvonne Roberts and Suellen Beaman.

New CoNservative

Public meeting and meet the party Leader, Helen Houghton.

Saturday 16 September 7pm at Blenheim Croquet Club Rooms Pollard Park, Parker St, Blenheim

Authorized by D. de Boer, 61 Seaview Rd, Wellington

Fridge freezer 5'11'' high, new cond $1000 ono. 40" flat screen TV with remote $280 ono. Utlilty work boots in gold suede, steel cap, side zips, lace up, size 10, brand new $100. Ph 021-025-10407

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The board invites applications from parents who wish to enrol their children at Witherlea School for next year.

Enrolment at the school is governed by an enrolment scheme, details of which are available on the school’s website.

The board has determined that there are 6x New Entrant/Yr 1 places likely to be available for out-of-zone students next year. The exact number of places will depend on the number of applications received from students who live within the school’s home zone.

Next year there will be two enrollment periods. The first enrolment period runs from 1 February 2024 to 12 April 2024.

For students seeking enrolment within the first enrolment period, the deadline for receipt of applications for out-of-zone places is 11th October 2023.

Applications are to be made in writing by 11th October 2023 to:

Witherlea School Board

214 Weld Street

BLENHEIM 7201

Or by email to: board@witherlea.school.nz

Parents of students who live within the home zone and intend on enrolling their child at any time during the next year should notify the school by 13th October 2023 to assist the school to plan appropriately for next year. If the number of out-of-zone applications exceeds the number of places available, students will be selected by ballot. If a ballot for out-of-zone places is required, it will be held on 16th October 2023. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the ballot within three school days of the ballot being held.

Details relating to the second enrolment period are as follows:

Length of enrolment period: from 29th April 2024 to 5th July 2024

Deadline for receipt of applications: 5th April 2024

Date of ballot: 10th April 2024

Notice for consultation on proposed Enrolment Scheme amendments for 11 Blenheim Schools.

The Ministry of Education has identified 11 schools in Blenheim that require amendments to their enrolment schemes.

After engagement with the Boards of these schools, we have developed proposed enrolment scheme amendments for Bohally Intermediate, Fairhall School, Grovetown School, Rapaura School, Redwoodtown School, Renwick School, Riverlands School, Springlands School, Tua Marina School, Whitney Street School, and Witherlea School, under the Education and Training Act 2020.

As part of this process, we are consulting with the schools’ communities and with people living in the area.

Under these schemes, students can enrol if they live within the proposed home zones. The enrolment of out-of-zone students is governed by the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020.

A copy of the proposed enrolment scheme for Bohally Intermediate is available at https://consultation.education.govt.nz/education/bohallyintermediate-es

A copy of the proposed enrolment scheme for Fairhall School is available at https:// consultation.education.govt.nz/education/fairhallschool-es

A copy of the proposed enrolment scheme for Grovetown School is available at https://consultation.education.govt.nz/education/grovetownschool-es

A copy of the proposed enrolment scheme for Rapaura School is available at https://consultation.education.govt.nz/education/rapauraschool-es

A copy of the proposed enrolment scheme for Redwoodtown School is available at https://consultation.education.govt.nz/education/redwoodtownschool-es

A copy of the proposed enrolment scheme for Renwick School is available at https://consultation.education.govt.nz/education/renwickschool-es

A copy of the proposed enrolment scheme for Riverlands School is available at https://consultation.education.govt.nz/education/riverlandsschool-es

A copy of the proposed enrolment scheme for Springlands School is available at https://consultation.education.govt.nz/education/springlandsschool-es

A copy of the proposed enrolment scheme for Tua Marina School is available at https://consultation.education.govt.nz/education/tuamarinaschool-es

A copy of the proposed enrolment scheme for Whitney Street School is available at https://consultation.education.govt.nz/education/whitneyschool-es

A copy of the proposed enrolment scheme for Witherlea School is available at https://consultation.education.govt.nz/education/witherleaschool-es

If you have any feedback about any of the proposed enrolment schemes, please visit the respective website, read the information and complete the survey before Friday 15th September.

Contact email; Enquiries.Nelson@education.govt.nz

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Grovetown School would like to welcome enrolments for 2024

Enrolment at the school is governed by an enrolment scheme, details of which are available from the school office.

Applications for out-of-zone places are now being invited for those students who will become eligible for enrolment during the period 30th January 2024 to 15th December 2024.

We have places for; New Entrant/Y1 2 places

Y2 1 place

Y3 2 places

Y5 5 places

The deadline for receipt of applications for out-of-zone places is 18th September.

If a ballot for out-of-zone places is required, it will be held on 22nd September. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the ballot within three school days of the ballot being held.

If you live in the home zone and have not yet signalled your intention to enrol your child later this year, please contact the school immediately to assist us to plan appropriately.

For all inquires please email principal@grovetown.school.nz

Springlands School 2024 Enrolments

Springlands School Board continues to operate an enrolment scheme. Details of which are available on our website.

We are likely to have 10 New Entrant spaces available for out of zone students in 2024. The exact number will depend on the number of applications from students who live within the school’s home zone.

The deadline for applications is 22nd September 2023. Ballots will occur in the school holidays at the end of each term. Please contact the school office for more information and enrolment forms.

Ph 03 578 5220

Email: office@springlands.school.nz

Notice for consultation on a proposed Enrolment Scheme for Queen Charlotte College.

The Ministry of Education has identified that Queen Charlotte College is at risk of overcrowding and have given the school board notice of this.

After engagement with the school board, we have developed proposed enrolment schemes for Queen Charlotte College under the Education and Training Act 2020.

As part of this process, we are consulting with the school community and with people living in the area.

Under this scheme, students will be able to enrol if they live within the proposed home zone. The enrolment of out-of-zone students is governed by the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020.

A copy of the proposed enrolment scheme for Queen Charlotte College is available at https://consultation.education.govt.nz/ education/qcc-es

If you have any feedback about the proposed enrolment scheme, please visit the applicable website, read the information and complete the survey before Friday 15th September. Contact email; Enquiries.Nelson@education.govt.nz

Notice for consultation on a proposed Enrolment Scheme for Blenheim School.

The Ministry of Education has identified that Blenheim School is at risk of overcrowding and have given the school board notice of this.

After engagement with the school board, we have developed a proposed enrolment scheme for Blenheim School under the Education and Training Act 2020.

As part of this process, we are consulting with the school community and with people living in the area.

Under this scheme, students will be able to enrol if they live within the proposed home zone. The enrolment of out-of-zone students is governed by the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020.

A copy of the proposed enrolment scheme for Blenheim School is available at https://consultation.education.govt.nz/education/ blenheimschool-es

If you have any feedback about the proposed enrolment scheme, please visit the applicable website, read the information and complete the survey before Friday 15th September.

Contact email; Enquiries.Nelson@education.govt.nz

Te Tātoru o Wairau

MARLBOROUGH DISTRICT COUNCIL Library Assistant (Blenheim)

Mo tēnei tūranga mahi | About the role

The library team provides a range of library services, collections, programmes and spaces to the residents of Marlborough that support literacy, knowledge, information, research and study, recreation, and leisure activities.

The key focus of the Library Assistant role is to provide outstanding customer service. Other duties will include delivering programmes and training to the public, helping customers with a wide range of queries and information needs and managing behaviour and resolving conflict.

We are seeking someone who not only has a passion for libraries but loves to help others succeed to join us at the newly built Te Kahu o Waipuna. This part time role, working 26 hours per week, is worked across Tuesday to Saturday. The hours of work are detailed at the link below.

We are on a journey to be a community hub that is welcoming, engaging and inspirational. If this sounds like something you want to be part of, and you have some of the skills outlined, we look forward to hearing from you - Tono mai | Apply now!

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Full details of the vacancy and how to apply can be located at www.marlborough.govt. nz/your-council/careers/current-vacancies.

Applications close 5.00 pm on 24 September 2023.

Mo tēnei tūranga mahi | About the role

The library team provides a range of library services, collections, and spaces to the residents of Marlborough along with supporting the community in relation to literacy, knowledge, information, research and study, recreation, and leisure activities. We are seeking someone who not only has a passion for libraries but is also a positive, loyal, enthusiastic individual to be the first point of contact to assist in providing excellent customer service to our community and staff. The key focus of the Library Assistant role is to provide outstanding library help desk service to visitors. Then as the Customer Service Officer you will answer queries and provide information on Council’s wide range of community services, receive payments and direct enquires to the correct departments. You’ll engage with the community, build relationships and assist with everything from issuing and returning books to finding resources and answering basic computer questions.

This rewarding part time role, working 13 hours per fortnight, is based across Friday to Sunday once a fortnight.

This role is the backbone to the library’s daily operations, and will include a mixture of face to face, phone interaction and digital channels. Therefore, confidence in all these areas is necessary, so everything runs smoothly.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Full details of the vacancy and how to apply can be located at www.marlborough.govt.nz/your-council/careers/current-vacancies.

Applications close 5.00 pm on 24 September 2023.

www.marlborough.govt.nz

www.marlborough.govt.nz

If you can muster the local sports team, you could muster the community to vote.