Marlborough Weekly 22 November 2022

Hortus managing director Aaron Jay accept ed the Supreme Business Award, the Ray White Blenheim Primary Sector Award and the MDC Workplace Wellbeing Award at the Marlbor ough Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, at Omaka Heritage Aviation Centre, on Friday night. Photo: Matt Brown.

CHATS TO LOCALS AND ASKS...

I haven’t given it any thought whatsoever; I thought Black Friday was when a Friday was on the 13th. I’ve seen things, advertising, and wondered what they were on about.

I feel like it’s a big have – like Boxing Day sales. It’s a big have to get people in to spend money they haven’t got.

It’s an American thing, any ex cuse for a sale I guess. But if it’s a good deal for shoppers, why not?

Both, probably. The private companies love it because they can make a bunch of money. And if people are going to get a deal on something that they need, that’s good. If it’s some thing they didn’t need, it’s a waste.

Warning as COVID numbers rise

PAULA HULBURT

A top health boss is warning peo ple to be prepared as the number of COVID-19 cases across the region continues to grow.

Te Whatu Ora, Health New Zea land, Nelson Marlborough Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Baker says the number of new cases a day in Marlborough has risen to around 100.

And with the number expect ed to increase in the lead up to Christmas, the health care sys tem will continue to struggle, he says.

“Usually, we had the winter peak but this year the workload just hasn’t reduced and we are seeing a lot of respiratory illnesses.

“We’ve eased most of the protec tive measures from respiratory infection, less masks, less hand

washing and less distance.

“My feeling is it’s more of a dome [not a peak] and we’re on the up slope for a good while yet.”

There were 581 active COV ID-19 cases across Marlborough last week, with the numbers gradually rising.

Dr Baker says he doesn’t expect to see a sharp peak but says case numbers are going up and will rise until Christmas or just after wards.

“We were seeing between 50 and 70 cases a day and that’s going up now into the hundreds.

“We are aware that as people are less meticulous with mask wear ing and sharing locations that there will be more cases.”

“Marlborough is seeing similar numbers to both Nelson and Tasman.”

Alongside COVID-19, medical

staff are also seeing a high num ber of cases of Respiratory Syn cytial Viru (RSV), which is at its highest level this year. The respiratory virus is hitting children under 5 years old the hardest, and COVID precau tions may be partly to blame, Dr Baker says.

“It’s always the case that you’re going to see a lot more bugs over winter but because of the years of COVID, there are children who haven’t had a lot of expo sure. There are parents out there who may never have had a child with a cough or cold.”

Dr Baker says it’s important not to be too worried about COV ID-19 and to continue to prac tice good hand hygiene, mask wearing and distancing where possible.

“It’s about seeking healthcare

and advice from GPs, pharma cies and Health Line when need ed and taking basic care.

“We like to keep our emergency departments clear for emergen cies.”

Where to seek help

Health Navigator website for symptoms and at home treatments.

Call Healthline free on 0800 611 116.

Visit a pharmacy for advice and treatment or minor ail ments

Visit your family doctor or practice nurse

Go to Emergency Depart ment or Urgent Care for urgent medical attention For life threatening emer gencies go to Emergency Department or call 111.

Black Friday sales are on this weekend. Do you think it’s a good time to start your Christmas shopping, or a cynical cash grab by craven corporates?

Tracey Harrison

Carolyn Tipene

John Griffin

Eric Munro

First fibre, now bins: The street in Marlborough where services stop short

MAIA HART Local Democracy Reporter

Vivienne Bond had a feeling her street would miss out – it nearly always does.

Last time, it was fibre internet. This time, it’s council wheelie bins.

“I had heard they were going to be including Renwick, but we just assumed we wouldn’t be includ ed,” the Alma St North resident said.

She was right. Meanwhile, over on Blicks Rd, about 300 metres away, wheelie bins were on the cards.

The Marlborough District Coun cil was looking at rolling wheelie bins out across the district. But, just like its maroon recycling crates, it wouldn’t be economic for everyone to get one – or two, as the case may be.

The proposal would see Marlbor ough households get two 140-li tre bins – one for rubbish, one for recycling – collected on alternate weeks. Households would also get a separate 55-litre crate for glass.

But, of course, they had to draw a line somewhere, which meant not every household would fall

into the proposed boundaries.

Bond, who was planning to sub mit on the proposal, said she could not imagine anyone on Alma St North being against council wheelie bins.

As the street did not have any kerbside services from council, a lot of residents on the street al ready had wheelie bins for waste through a private company.

Bond said her and her husband had to stack their recycling in the garage and cart it to the Blenheim refuse centre, a 15-minute drive away, once a month.

So having a wheelie bin would be “much more convenient”, she said.

“In this day of climate change, where all our young ones are tell ing us we have to do as much as we can, it would be better.

“It just makes it that much harder to have to load it all in the car and traipse in [to Blenheim].”

While the council had marked out wheelie bin zones in its pro posal, solid waste manager Alec McNeil said earlier this year those could be tweaked depend ing on feedback received during consultation. A street not in zone could even get together to make an argument for being in zone, he

said.

The proposal would, however, see the likes of Grovetown, Have lock, Rarangi, Rai Valley, Seddon, Spring Creek, Tuamarina, Wairau Valley and Ward get in on the re cycling action.

Bond’s neighbour Raelyne Per kins said she used to have a wheel ie bin, through a private contrac tor, and would love to have one under the council scheme.

It was expected to cost house holds an extra $27 a year, if they already had kerbside collection. The service would cost $160 a year for residents getting kerbside collection for the first time. This figure could still change.

“I’d definitely prefer wheelie bins, because I live on my own,” Per kins said.

“It was much easier to pull it [wheelie bin] than try to carry rubbish bags, they are sometimes very heavy.”

The Alma St North cut-off felt a “bit unfair”, Perkins said. “Why don’t they go a little bit further?”

Another neighbour, John Simp son, who was renting, said he preferred to pay for a wheelie bin through a private company as it made things easier for him. He was concerned his landlord

would have to pay more rates if the council added Alma St North to its collection route.

McNeil said the council wanted people to have their say on the “future” of the region’s rubbish and recycling scheme. Some community information sessions had already happened, while oth ers were planned for more ru ral areas over the next couple of weeks.

He said display wheelie bins could be found at the council offices in Blenheim, and at the libraries in Blenheim and Picton.

Consultation was open until 4pm on November 30. To have your say on the waste services propos al visit the consultation page of the council’s website and fill in a

submission form: Community Consultation – Waste ServicesMarlborough District Council. Submissions would be fed back to the full council through the 202324 Annual Plan process. If the bins were adopted, the contract would start on July 1, 2024.

Information sessions

Rai Valley: Rai Valley School Hall, November 22, 6.30pm

Seddon: Seddon Community Hall, November 25, 6.30pm

Ward: Ward Community Hall, November 29, 6.30pm

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ on Air.

The Nov 8 edition of the Marlborough Weekly mistak enly included a two year old story by Local Democracy Reporting's Chloe Ranford on the proposed roll out of wheelie bins.

This was incorrectly labelled as a story by LDR's Maia Hart. The story that Maia Hart did in fact publish on the wheel ie bins that week is today in cluded.

Marlborough Weekly apolo gises for any confusion this may have caused.

Vivienne Bond thinks most of her Renwick neighbours would love a council wheelie bin, as a lot of them already pay for one privately. Photo: Anthony Phelps/STUFF.

One hundred bucks for diving family

A love of diving has netted a Kaituna woman $100.

Looking for a poncho for her div ing-mad son, Kathryn Musgrove visited Ocean Hunter - the diving section at Marine and Outdoors. But she didn’t just get excellent ser vice and quality products, she got a winning entry into Top South Me dia’s Shop & Win competition.

“It’s going towards Christmas pre sents at Ocean Hunter,” she told Marlborough Weekly when she dropped by to pick up the cash.

“It’s a good surprise.”

Originally an Awatere girl, Kathryn says diving brings her family togeth er.

But the love of outdoors nearly made her write off the competition

altogether.

“We were trout fishing in Onamalu tu with bad reception,” she says.

“I missed the call – and then I got another, different call with a robot voice. I thought the lot was a scam.”

Luckily, a follow up text message and another phone call convinced her of her windfall.

She says the service she receives at Marine and Outdoor is second to none, and she’ll be going straight back to spend the $100.

“They will see a lot of me and the boys over the summer.”

To be in to win $5000, or a $100 spot prize, you just need to shop local. A full list of the participating busi nesses is on page 22 of this newspa per, or keep an eye out for the Shop & Win posters in the windows of participating businesses.

Dressage star rises in world ranks

PAULA HULBURT

A talented Marlborough horse woman is now as the 70th best dressage rider in the world.

Melissa Galloway, 29, has just moved up the Federation Equestre Internationale world dressage athlete rankings from 104 to 70.

The news comes as the New Zealand number one is recov ering at home after surgery for a broken leg.

“A nice spot of good news while I can’t do much,” says Melissa.

Melissa broke her left leg in October and had surgery to her tibia at Wairau Hospital. Now on the mend, she says she cannot wait to get back in the saddle.

“I think it had to happen, I probably needed to slow down a bit.”

With the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris firmly in her sights, Melissa plans on returning to the gym as soon as she can. Once she is fully recovered, she will begin training again in ear nest.

Melissa scored a new personal best at her senior championship

debut at the World Dressage Championship. She surged to the top in 2020, clinching the coveted National Grand Prix Champion’s title and Horse of the Year title on J’Obei. Getting the news she had gone up in rankings was just the ton ic she needed, she says.

With a string of wins under her belt, the elite rider says she has been lucky to escape serious in jury so far.

Having just returned home from a year training and work ing in the Netherlands, Melissa says she is grateful the accident happened at home.

“This is the first time I’ve had something serious happen.

‘Initially, in my head, I was going to get straight back on [riding] but now I see I’m going to have to take it day by day.

“I won’t let it affect Paris.”

Dressage rider Melissa Galloway has been recognised for her talents.

MATT BROWN

Kathryn Musgrove is another Shop & Win

winner. Photo: Matt Brown. Marlborough Weekly

An unbroken chain: Sixth generation begins at Wairau

A sixth-generation student has started at Wairau Valley School.

Nearly 130 years separates five-year-old Archie Mc Cabe and his great-greatgreat-grandmother Louisa Hooper’s first day at the his toric Wairau Valley town ship’s school.

The significance of the event paled in comparison to Ar chie’s excitement for his first day, his grandmother, An drea McCabe (nee Schol lum), on the other hand, was proud to reminisce about her family’s long history in the region.

“It’s the only sixth generation student we know of,” she says.

Louisa began at the school in 1893 – her parents owned Erina Station, it’s still in the family, but known now as Erina View.

Andrea says her grandmoth er, Myrtle, would ride her horse to the fire station and walk to school from there.

Louisa’s eldest daughter Myr tle Eves started at the school in 1916, followed by her son, Rex Schollum in 1939.

Andrea started in 1972 – she says the roll was about 80 stu dents then – nearly double today’s number.

Archie’s dad, Stephen McCa be, started at Wairau Valley School in 1994 – he says not a lot has changed.

“Most of the playground is still here.

“We’re happy to be back in it.”

He says being back in the val ley wasn’t planned, but when a property came up, they leapt at the chance to move back.

Andrea says Archie’s great gran, Kate, lives next door, and they’re only 2km up the road from the original farm.

Archie won’t be the only sixth generation for long – his sis ters Ella and Olivia are only a few years behind.

“It’s a cool wee school and it’s something the community bases itself on,” say Andrea.

MATT BROWN

The latest three generations of Wairau Valley School students, Stephen McCabe, Archie McCabe and Andrea McCabe. Photo: Matt Brown.

Below: Each generation prior to Archie, and the date they began at Wairau Valley School.

Stephen McCabe, 1994 Andrea Schollum, 1972 Rex Schollum, 1939 Myrtle Eves, 1916 Louisa Hooper, 1893

PAWS TO HELP

Marlborough Four Paws animal rescue and re homing charity needs food donations to help get them through kitten season. The Blenheim based organisation says supplies are running low for both animals in their care and for those they help in the community. Visit Marlborough Four Paws on Facebook for more information or donate to Marlborough Four Paws BNZ 02 0600 0312016 000

DRIFTWOOD WIN

Driftwood Eco Tours are proud to have put rural tourism on the map at the recent New Zealand Tourism Awards. Driftwood Eco Tours achieved a top three placing for the community engage ment category. The eco-tourism company offers small-group tours to back country New Zea land. Congratulations to Will and Rose Parsons and the team.

CRICKET PAVILION VANDALISED

Volunteers have been putting in hours of elbow grease to help clean up the pavilion at Blen heim’s Horton Park after it was vandalised last week. The popular pavilion is home to many community groups, including Marlborough’s cricket clubs. Users were shocked to discover the building has been tagged in graffiti, with many stepping forward to help with the clean up.

Staff at Redwoodtown’s Hospice shop are asking people not to leave donations outside the store when it is shut. Staff say some donations have been ruined by the recent rainy weather and others get taken. “We appreciate your generos ity but want to make sure that your donations count, by getting them into the shop, getting them sold, raising funds to support those people in our community needing Hospice care.”

Charity close to volunteer’s heart

PAULA HULBURT

A dedicated Heart Founda tion volunteer has revealed how the charity stepped in to help when she was given a shock diagnosis.

Jenny Goss from Blenheim was diagnosed with heart failure after a routine tread mill test discovered her heart was not pumping properly.

needed life-saving heart sur gery nine years ago in Wel lington, when he had a me chanical valve replacement.

“You can hear it ticking at night but we’re both used to it now,” Jenny says.

“He usually asks people if they want to come and listen to his heart. It’s a good story to tell when I’m out collecting for the Heart Foundation.”

As a volunteer area coordina

with a heart condition,” she says.

Heart disease is New Zea land’s single biggest killer, claiming the lives of more than one person every 90 minutes

Heart Health Advocates from the Heart Foundation help coordinate community sup port groups that are open to anyone who has had a heart event.

Jenny volunteers her own time every month to run a community group.

“We get together and support each other like a family,” she says.

“People like us need this ca maraderie and it would be impossible to get it without the help of the Heart Foun dation.”

The Big Heart Appeal takes place on Friday 24 and Satur day 25 February. To volunteer visit www.heartfoundation. org.nz/get-involved/bigheart-appeal/street-collec tion.

Heart Foundation volunteer Jenny Goss was shocked to be diagnosed with heart failure.

Residents Affected Venue Date Time

Rai Valley Rai Valley School Hall Tues 22 Nov 6.30–8.30pm

Blenheim Springlands School Hall Thurs 24 Nov 6.30–8.30pm

Seddon Seddon Community Hall Fri 25 Nov 6.30–8.30pm

Ward Ward Community Hall Tues 29 Nov 6.30–8.30pm

Seddon Seddon Community Hall Fri 25 Nov 6.30–8.30pm

Ward Ward Community Hall Tues 29 Nov 6.30–8.30pm

Going the distance for male sexual abuse awareness

MATT BROWN

A Waikato man rested his feet in Blenheim at the weekend after four weeks of walking.

Thirty-nine-year-old Sam Trough is walking nearly 3000 kilometers, from the bottom of the South Is land to the top of the North, in a bid to raise awareness for male sexual abuse survivors.

“Awareness and education is the vi sion,” Sam says, taking on the mon iker The Road to Healing Aotearoa and encouraging others to follow and share his social media content.

“There’s no point being the ambu lance at the bottom of the cliff.”

A survivor himself, Sam says sex ual abuse is hard for people to talk about.

From the age of 14 to 23 he was moved between boys’ homes. Then he went to jail.

It was a cycle he couldn’t escape, he says.

“If someone had reached out – I would have told them.”

But when he had kids, he knew he had to change his life.

“Someone’s got to stand up and put a face to it.

“We talk about mental health, su icide statistics. What is the root cause?

“It’s got to be spoken about.”

He says 65 per cent of Australian men in prison were sexually abused as a child.

“There’s not a statistic for New Zea land,” says Sam.

The father of six is missing birthdays and Christmas to further his cause.

“I listened to a podcast called The Clink by Brent Simpson, he cycled Brisbane to Perth for basically the same cause. That inspired me in starting.

“In July, I decided we would do it.”

“Lets take the fight to the front line.

“Talk to our children. We’ve got to start educating.

“We can’t just sit on the fence.”

Follow Sam’s journey on Instagram at instagram.com/theroadtohealin gaotearoa/

Picton aquarium has month to vacate building after High Court ruling

MAIA HART Local Democracy Reporter

A Picton aquarium has 20 working days to leave its wa terfront building after a High Court bid to stop its eviction failed.

A decision from Justice David Gendall, released on Friday, said EcoWorld’s claims, name ly that it had a 10-year right of renewal on its lease, had been “dismissed in their entirety”.

EcoWorld owner John Reuh man had built his case “exclu sively” around a letter from his landlord, Port Marlborough, in 2015, offering him a right of re newal of EcoWorld’s lease. But as soon as Reuhman made a counter-offer to – as his law yer accepted – “chance his hand for better terms”, that offer was “extinguished”, Justice Gendall said in his decision.

It was a basic principle of con tract law that a counter-offer was a rejection of the original offer, Gendall said.

Talks between the two over the next three years discussed a number of “potential chang es” to the lease, which included the “possibility” of a right of re newal, the decision said. Yet throughout all talks –where Reuhman sought to achieve “better rent, future development, and early termi nation conditions” – no agree ment as to a new lease was ever reached.

Justice Gendall said Reuhman should have known he was being evicted on July 22, 2021 when the lease expired, but instead refused to vacate the land.

“Mr Reuhman himself accept ed in cross-examination, the

parties were in negotiations as to the terms of the lease, but no variation to the lease, and in particular no right of renewal, was ever agreed,” the decision said.

Evidence was heard from both parties during a six-day High Court trial in September. Port Marlborough filed its own ac tion, seeking possession of the property, and costs to cover the rehoming or release of wildlife and removal of the building.

Justice Gendall described Port Marlborough as a “careful, ac commodating and patient” commercial landlord through out.

He said Reuhamn’s claims of slaughter were “unfortunate to say the least”, after the port complained Reuhman deliber ately made inflammatory and misleading comments to the wider Picton community and the media.

“They do not appear to be sub stantiated and in any event as I see it there does not appear to be any evidence of poor be haviour on the part of the port here,” the decision said.

Justice Gendall said he was sat isfied Port Marlborough had met its obligations in respect of the lease, and went “above and beyond” to try and achieve a new lease with EcoWorld.

“The most that could be said is that the port made EcoW orld an offer – indeed, numer ous offers – for a 10-year right of renewal, which, however, EcoWorld never accepted.”

He said the “evidence is clear” the port had on multiple oc casions offered to assist with a “sustainable and effective” rehoming of the animals and marine life.

“On this, to its credit, it [Port Marlborough] has engaged with Te Papa Atawhai/the De partment of Conservation, the Zoo and Aquarium Associa tion, and other expert bodies to do so.”

The decision said the only time the port might have “bordered” on being “somewhat unfair” was in April 2021, when it made an offer of $75,000 to get EcoWorld out of the building, and gave Reuhman only two weeks to consider the offer.

Meanwhile, it was “unlikely” councillors-at-the-time David Oddie and Nadine Taylor, now Marlborough mayor, told Reu hman, as he claimed, the port would “never kick EcoWorld out”, Justice Gendall added, as both knew the Marlborough District Council could not in terfere with the port’s business. The port was owned by the council.

Justice Gendall gave Reuhman four weeks, or 20 working days, to vacate the land.

“I have no doubt the port would actively and properly carry out the safe and effective rehoming as it has assured the court it would be able to do if this may be required,” the de cision said.

Justice Gendall said the port was entitled to damages for the costs of removing improve ment from the land, including the aquarium and its stock which remained after the 20 working days. Reuhman must also pay any legal costs in curred by Port Marlborough as part of the proceedings.

Public Interest Journalism fund ed through NZ on Air.

EcoWorld director John Reuhman’s claims that he’d have to “slaughter” animals if evicted were “unfortunate to say the least”. Photo: Matt Brown.

Sam Trough is walking the length of New Zealand to raise awareness of male sexual abuse. Photo: Matt Brown.

Basketcase to Beautiful

style it was laid out.

ing the light-hearted doco.

The love of engines, great and small, has earned a Blenheim film-making team accolades at a local film festival.

Basketcase to Beautiful, which follows Dave Lochead and Roger Wadham’s car restora tion journey, won best doc umentary at the Top of the South Film Festival.

And first-time film maker Dave says he had no idea their cooking show-inspired car show would have the legs it did.

“The finished product is very different to what we started with,” says Dave.

“We wanted it to be different. We were trying to avoid the whole overdone car show.”

He says they took inspiration from cooking shows in the

“It fixes on the story of the peo ple,” he says. “How they got there and what they’re doing.

“It’s a lot more successful that I thought it would be.”

The ten-minute documentary is directed by Blenheim film maker Tyler Redmond and filmed by Tyler and Keelan Walker. Dave wrote, starred in and produced the production. He says the award recognized what is very much a team ef fort.

“When you’ve got Tyler and Keelan Walker behind the camera, you get beautiful re sults,” says Dave.

“We’ve got a lot of people be hind the scenes. [The award] is for everyone involved.”

He says they didn’t take them selves too seriously when mak

“I like to think we came across as normal guys,” he says.

“It’s very much scripted, rather than a reality show.”

He says the award has extra significance when looking at the competition they were up against: veteran documentar ians Paul Davidson and Peter Blasdale.

“I knew the competition we were up against – competent, seasoned people whose work I greatly respect.

“It was a big surprise to win.” Watch this documentary and other films submitted to the Top of the South Film Festival this Saturday 26 November at the Blenheim screening at Event Cinemas. Go to https:// tsfilmfest.org/ for more infor mation.

MATT BROWN

A still from Dave Lochead and Roger Wadham’s Basketcase to Beautiful documentary.

Caci Blenheim wins top Westpac Business award

Krista Coningham with the help of her team at Caci Blen heim has been acknowledged as 2022’s top Franchisee in New Zealand.

Krista purchased the oneyear-old Blenheim Caci clinic in 2021, having been part of the team awarded the ‘Fastest growing new clinic’ award at Caci’s annual awards held in 2020.

With a goal to keep building a high performing team and meaningful connections with their customers the Caci Blen heim team were awarded Ca ci’s top Gold Clinic Award in 2022.

“My great love of the Caci brand started over 20 years ago when I was living in an apart ment upstairs from Caci Pon sonby. Every day I walked past the clinic on my way to my corporate job, always allured by the brand.

My pipe dream was always to be part of this brand, but I could never imagine how. I was stuck in the corporate fi nance trap. Fast forward a cou ple of decades and here I am in Marlborough, the proud own er of Caci Blenheim. Pinch me!”

“Becoming a Caci franchisee is the most rewarding and fulfill ing experience I have had. I am living my dream!”

Well, Krista has a great reason to be pinching herself – com

ing out on top at the West pac New Zealand Franchise Awards 2022 held at the Cord is, Auckland on Saturday No vember 12.

From the judging panel: ‘This winner presented a robust, detailed submission with strong evidence of success, as well as commitment and en thusiasm.’

‘Krista is developing a success ful business founded on good knowledge, experience and lots of energy.

Her award entry showed a strong commitment to busi ness, culture and the people who work there – eg. hav ing a process around staff experiencing treatments and training them to deliver the services respectfully and pro fessionally. Well done on your outstanding achievements to date.’

From Krista: ‘My heart rate went through the roof when the Franchisee of the Year for Retail and Hospitality was be ing announced and when I heard my name I went into a numb state! I managed to get on the stage, and accept my award and managed to get a few words out that I had pre pared and memorised just mo ments before.’

‘I always get choked up when I think about my amazing team at Caci Blenheim so I had to take a few deep breaths before

I started – the silence was deaf ening! I was happy to get back to the table to relax and enjoy celebrating with my amazing support team from FAB Group (Caci Franchisor).’

‘I have a world class brand, processes and systems that have stood the test of time and continue to evolve to be the best in the industry and support from an incredibly passionate team of experts within Caci.

As a business owner and fran chisee, I have the flexibility and creativity to run my own business and make my own mark with the power of the brand right behind me.

Winning the Supreme Award has really sparked another little fire deep inside that has given me even more deter mination and ambition than before.

Most of all I am thankful for the incredible team of tal ented and passionate women who make up team Caci Blen heim. I thank them for giv ing me that moment. I would never have been there without them.’

From the Caci Support Team: ‘Krista has a courageous vi sion for her clinic and team, chasing goals with a real sense of passion and purpose.’ ‘We are so proud of her taking home this win, it is very much deserved!’

Franchise Association of NZ Chair, Dawn Engelbrecht, Krista Coning ham and Westpac NZ National Franchising Manager Daniel Cloete.

Johno Williams, Penny Chapman, Kelly Howarth, Krista Coningham and Richard Coningham.

Emily Stevenson, Penny Chapman, Krista Coningham, Richard Coning ham, Jonelle Akers, Kelly Howarth and Sam Benner.

Darrell Bate

Melissa Bayne

Pete Coldwell Marlborough Chamber of Commerce

Brad

Meeting People by

Founded by Malc’s Grandad Allan Russell in 1947, ‘A. Russell Car Painter’, Allan’s knowledge came from painting military tanks, sidecars, jeeps etc that were used during the war. When he fin ished serving in the Army, Allan then went on to painting cars in a

garage in town before opening his own business.

The passion and knowledge of car painting was passed onto Allan’s son Des, who then with his wife Janice after Allan’s passing took over running the business for many years. Malc and wife Trina then took over in 2007 rebranding to their current name. Servicing

the region with collision repair and restoration work, the couple proudly continue the family tradition of putting people’s needs at the forefront of their business. “It’s really nice to be able to help customers who used to deal with my Dad and Grandad, with the added bonus of the stories they tell us”.

Malc and Trina are hands-on business owners, and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree with Malc’s parents still popping into the workshop every now and then for a catch up with the staff and Malc’s sister Sharon, who also is part of the team.

“I just love what I do.” says Malc. Get ting stuck into projects is truly his hap py place. “I love working on cars, creat ing, rebuilding and learning about new constant evolving technologies. Every year I do a lot of training. I’ve been in the industry for over 30 years and I’m still learning new skills. It is amazing how quickly technology changes.”

Malc’s wife Trina helps with the busi

ness and takes care of the accounts.

The couple attribute a lot of the busi ness’s growth over the past decade to being a member of BNI (Business Network International) also working alongside Chris Walbran from Prime Strategies.

Never compromising on delivering a quality service, the secret to the busi ness’s longevity is having great staff. “We couldn’t do this without them, it’s a team effort. Their huge amount of ex perience and knowledge and the ability to think outside the square is important in this ever-changing industry. This is the reason our customers keep coming back.”

Specialising in collision repair, and providing award-winning car and motorcycle restoration work, the team have been known to do more than just vehicles. From kitchen cabinetry to gar den pots, kettles to antique ice making machines, Malc and the team have had some strange requests over the years

Charlie and Malcom.

including a full-size horse sculpture. “We have had all sorts of things come through. We are just happy to help the customer where we can, but probably one of the strangest requests we have had was to colour match a customer’s dog so we could spray paint his rifles the same colour. That was a pretty unusual one.” Of all the jobs that he has done, restoring classic racing cars and boats are at the top of the list of Malc’s favourite projects. “Honestly, it’s so rewarding!”

In the midst of refurbishing, the busi ness still operates from the same build ing, at the exact location Malc’s grandad built it, behind his house, at 2 Park Ter race, Blenheim. “Grandad had a house on Main Street with just a paddock out the back. He built the workshop on that site and was told he wouldn’t get many customers on that side of the railway tracks. He proved them wrong and town has since has grown around it. Now we are right in the heart of the township.” The house has since been demolished and the business expanded through to Main Street with the original building remaining in use. Trina and Malc would like to say thank you to Allan, Des and Janice for the opportu

nity to carry on and grow this family business.

With the catchphrase of the business being, ‘Meeting people by accident since 1947’, Malc says the team have had some interesting characters walk through their doors and he says there have definitely been some standout moments over the years. “We have had the opportunity to meet some really amazing people. Some highlights for me would be meeting Denny Hulme, Greg Murphy and Rodger Freeth, some of New Zealand’s great motorsport celebrities.”

Community remains a strong focus for the team, with Russell’s Paint & Panel contributing to a range of local organi sations including Hospice Marlborough and Seddon Lions Club. “For us it’s not about expecting anything in return, it’s just great to be able to give back. Giving back to the community also enables us to teach the next generation the value of helping others, all it takes is a bit of effort.”

The team at Russell’s Paint and Panel would like to thank all their clients and suppliers for their support.

No job is too big or small for Will Power Electrical.

Our commercial and industrial work is complemented with domestic projects from switchboards, small electrical repairs, or wiring new homes.

We also provide powerline work throughout the region and locally in new subdivisions. And are able to undertake all tasks on the Marlborough Lines Network, including hv poles, transformers and underground reticulation.

Our qualified and experienced team provide quality electrical solutions anywhere, anytime, with a 24-hour call-out service.

Email or call our professional team at Will Power today for more info and a free quote

The Russell’s Paint & Panel team Backrow: Kris, Rowan, Louis, Trina, Malcolm, Ernesto and Sharon Frontrow: Edel, Eric and Orlando

Irises:

Keeping Irises healthy

• Situation – they need 5-6 hours of sun daily and require well drained soil. They thrive better in slightly acidic conditions.

• They like frosts and dislike humidity.

• Best planted in groups. Watch you don’t have too many colours and types together. A chosen colour running through the garden, recurring here and there, will give cohesion and unity to your plantings.

• Plant your irises mid to late Autumn. They can also be planted mid to late Summer, but more attention will be required. Plantings are best at 30-50cm apart as this will mean no division will be required for 3-4 years. The rhizome must partially sit above the soil to get some sun.

• If dividing – this is best done in Dec/Jan.

• Avoid using fertilisers at planting time and at all times avoid animal manure, as this can just promote leaf growth with fewer flowers. Irises benefit when you use superphosphate of lime, dolomite lime and potash to en courage flowering.

Colour palette

The Greek word for “Iris” means rainbow and surely no other name could so aptly describe the tall bearded irises with their stunning col our palette.

When discussing iris colours you may hear the following dialogue.

• Bi colours – Standards and falls of different colours or two tone of one colour.

• Amoenas – White standard with coloured falls.

• Near Amoenas – Near white standard. Tinted with some other colour with deeper coloured falls.

• Blends – Mixture of two or more colours, of which one is always yellow.

• Variegata’s – Yellow/golden standards with brown, purple and violet falls.

Possibly a bit technical, unless you are an avid collector, but worth understandingI think. Most common diseases

1. Rhizome rot (soft rot) often caused by old undivided and congested plants.

2. (Dry) Rhizome rot. A fungus and form of botrytis.

3. Leaf spot. A fungus caused by Didynelina gracile. Appears usually in autumn.

Lime Sulphur can be used for disease.

Fast facts

• Iris textures can also vary from silk, taffeta to velvet and their flares may be ruffled or flared.

• The fragrant orris root powder is derived from one of the iris varieties and is extensively used in scent making and pot pourri.

• Irises can flower either E – early, M – mid or L – late season.

• September to December is their time to shine.

Floral displays

• Iris flowers will last 3-7 days in a vase if treated correctly.

• Pick in bud stage. Remove foliage below the water line.

• Hydrate in a solution of warm water and floral food for 2 hours before use.

• Re-cut and refresh the water daily.

Last notes

I use to have beds of irises in the paddock and they were spectacular when in bloom, but I confess I struggled with the weeds in the beds.

Now a 100 odd Iris live in pots awaiting my decision on what to do with them. Oh did I forget to mention? They dislike pots long term.

This week’s GARDENING page is proudly supported by

Everything you need to know

Opinion

Where did the year go?

CHRIS LIPPIATT Comedy Chris

Where did the Year Go?

It’s the rhetorical question that gets more airtime than ‘what came first, the chicken or the egg?’

It begins around February and as the year progresses it gets asked with more frequency and inten sity.

Once October leaves us, it’s all over for having a nice simple, to the point conversation with any one without the ‘Where did the year go? Popping up like some terrible 90’s sitcom catchphrase. And then the response always has to be along the lines of ‘I know, right. It seems like Christmas was just last month’.

It’s like we’re all surprised that time flows in a singular direction and we’re oblivious to the fact that maybe it’s our perception that might be skewed.

Especially when the where did the year go is followed by the ‘It seems like every year is getting faster and faster’ comment.

Of course it is.

When you’re 10, one year is 10% of your existence.

A sizeable chunk.

When you’re 100, a year is only 1% of your existence, which is kind of negligible by comparison. It’s an illusion. As each year takes up a smaller and smaller portion of your life it will appear like a shorter and shorter period of time.

But to answer the question of where did the year go? I have a

crazy notion that I might have the answer.

In the past.

Yep, the year that has been is in the past, just like all the previous years. I checked the history books and they’re all there, in the past. So that should solve this mystery for you and anyone who asks you that question. ‘Where did the year go?’ ‘In the past’.

If they press you on that answer then you can break it down.

Like when a mechanic gives you a bill and then has to explain why everything costs what it does.

You tell them that the year is in the past. And they say ‘But where?’ here’s how you break it down.

Remember all that time you scrolled through Facebook on the toilet? That’s where the year went. Remember spending two hours looking for something to watch on Netflix and then spending 45 minutes watching that thing? That’s where the year went. Remember saying just one more Tik Tok, Youtube, Instagram etc at 10pm, then looking up and seeing that it’s now 3am?

That’s where the year went. And most importantly. Remem ber the 245 conversations you’ve had with me over the past month where you asked where did the year go?

That’s where the year went!

For anyone concerned with the speed at which the years whizz by and need to find a way to stretch it out, try these handy time stretching tips Book a Doctor’s appointment then leave your phone at home so you have only the pile of old magazines, the medical pam

phlets, and the nervous glances of the other patients trying to figure out if you are contagious or not to keep you company.

Boil the jug for your morning tea/coffee. But don’t walk away. Just stare at it until it boils. Your mornings will feel like they last for days.

Make a weekly phone call to In land Revenue and just listen to the renditions of three quarters of a Dave Dobbyn or Brooke Frasier song that sounds like it was play ing through a $2 shop UE Boom at the bottom of an aquarium in another room, only to be inter rupted by the automated mes sages saying that someone may eventually answer, or strongly suggesting that you just use the internet.

Just a thought.

It’s like we’re all surprised that time flows in a singular direction and we’re oblivious to the fact that maybe it’s our perception that might be skewed. “

Taste, sip and savour the best of Marlborough!

Set in a beautiful park like venue, get set to celebrate Marlborough at the Ray White Savour in the Park event on November 26.

Arranged under the tall trees of Churchill Glade Pollard Park will be a feast for the tastebuds, from sea food - including fish, whitebait, kina and Cloudy Bay Clams ice bar, - to low and slow BBQ brisket, pulled pork or hangi meat. “Perhaps you’ll fancy a flaming paella,” says Event Manager Katrina Lange. “Or Asian street food, maybe some sliders or gourmet burgers? You can also make up a platter with delicious home-made dips and salamis with gelato to finish. All this and much, much more to showcase the region’s huge variety of local produce and eateries. Be guided by those who

grow, know, and prepare the food, by choosing from a selection of tasty menus!”

Matching these gastronomic de lights will naturally be a selection of Marlborough’s outstanding wines, and the chance to try some amazing local craft beers and ciders, or gin and vodka cocktails, all beautifully crafted using natural ingredients.

“We’ll also have fresh pressed juices and coffee available.”

Entertaining the crowds, Vinyl in the Vines DJ’s kick things off by pumping out some fun summer vibes followed by local legendary band AMinor Thing. “We’re totally excited to be bringing Stellar as our Headline Act to Marlborough – fea turing none other than the awesome lead singer Boh Runga! AutoMatic 80’s will round off the festival with

their frontman extraordinaire Jus tin Mclaren bringing the stage to life, along with band members Pearl Runga, Ryan Wood, Todd Rice and Glen Child.”

Be sure to pack your appetite, as the best of the region’s vibrant food and beverage scene come together for a special new event in Blenheim, Saturday November 26, Churchill

Glade Pollard Park, 11am – 6pm. Get your friends together and book your tickets before you miss out, says Katrina. “You won’t want to be the ones hearing about this epic event!”

Tickets are on sale now for the R18 event via www.savourmarlborough. co.nz or Eventfinda.

“Let’s celebrate at Savour in the Park!”

savourmarlborough.co.nz

AMY RUSS

Dressage duo riding high after sports awards evening

PETER JONES

Marlborough’s dressage ace Melissa Gal loway capped off a hugely successful year by being named 2022 Marlborough Sport sperson of the Year on Monday evening. During a glittering night at the Marl borough Events Centre, Melissa initially claimed the Sportswoman of the Year cat egory, then was awarded the annual Marl borough Sports Awards’ supreme prize. Her recent rise in the rankings of her demanding and exacting sport has been spectacular. Taking their skills abroad paid huge dividends for Melissa and her mount Windermere J’Obei, the duo rep resenting New Zealand with distinction against the world’s best at the 2022 World Equestrian Games.

Melissa qualified for, competed at and registered podium finishes in some of Europe’s most prestigious dressage events along the way. After being confirmed as part of the three-strong NZ dressage team, Melissa and her mount nicknamed “Joey” managed a personal best score at the worlds, reinforcing the fact they are well and truly on track for the ultimate goal, representing NZ at the Paris Olym pics.

At the sports awards she was one of five category winners on the night who went on to contest the top prize.

The Glenn Kirby, Bayleys Marlborough Junior Sportswoman of the Year was row

er Charlotte Lightfoot who won the girls’ under-18 single sculls title for Queen Charlotte College at both the New Zea land and South Island secondary school Championships. Those efforts earned her selection into the NZ under-19 team which competed at the world champion ships in Italy.

Winner of the Redwood Trust Junior Sportsman of the Year award was squash player Paul Moran, who attended the world junior squash champs in France, representing NZ in both individual and team competition. He was runner-up in the NZ junior champs.

The Greywacke Sportsman of the Year was Callum Saunders, a member of the hugely-successful New Zealand track cy cling team at the Birmingham Common wealth Games. He was part of the bronze medal-winning sprint team and finished fifth and best Kiwi in his favoured event, the keirin.

The fifth category, the WK Advisors and Accountants Team of the Year was taken out by the Wairau senior men’s quadruple sculls crew of Reuben Cook, Fred Vava sour, Kobe Miller and Logan Docherty. They claimed the premier men’s quad ti tle at the South Island Club Champs as well as the Canterbury, Otago and Marl borough champs. They then took out the men’s senior quad final at the New Zea land champs, underlining their status as the top men’s quad in the country.

2022 Sportsperson of the Year Melissa Galloway and her pal “Joey”. Photo: Supplied.

The popular Marlborough Medal cat egory, where someone who has giv en sterling service to their particular sport is recognised, was reintroduced this year.

The recipient of the 2022 Marlborough Medal was small bore shooter Val Wadsworth, a man who has put countless hours into his chosen sport over many decades, both as a top-level competitor and an administrator.

Although the main awards were shared among six people, all 33 nominees had their moment on stage at the event – be ing acknowledged by their supporters, family and peers for their accomplish ments over the past 12 months.

Major awards 2022: Fairweathers Marlborough Medal: Val Wadsworth – smallbore shooting Glenn Kirby, Bayleys Marlborough Jun ior Sportswoman of the Year: Charlotte Lightfoot – rowing

HOMES

Redwood Trust Junior Sportsman of the Year: Paul Moran – squash MoreFM Sportswoman of the Year: Melissa Galloway – dressage Greywacke Sportsman of the Year: Callum Saunders - cycling WK Advisors and Accountants Team of the Year: Wairau senior men’s quad –rowing Marlborough Weekly, Blenheim Round Table, Sport Tasman Sportsperson of the Year: Melissa Galloway – dressage

Classic performance

Lance Nuttall and Bridget Quaife, pictured flank ing tournament sponsor Terry Sloan, were the overall winners when the Biddy Kate’s Fairhall Classic golf tournament was staged at the Fairhall course recently.

One hundred and twenty golfers turned out for the popular two-day event at the Marlborough GC course and relished the well-manicured lay out. Nuttall’s score of 137 was enough to take out the men’s nett overall division one prize, from Paul Ferguson (140) and Nick Robinson (141). Chas Craig produced the best gross score (141). In men’s division two Andrew Stowell (175) had the best gross, while Bob Nicolle scored the best nett (142). Terry Shagin’s 185 claimed the men’s division three gross, with Robin Taylor (148) pro ducing the best nett score.

Quaide scored 143 to land the women’s overall best nett prize, with Denise Pickering (146) sec ond and Julie Smith (152) third. Marilyn Keenan took out the women’s gross with 184.

In the pairs four-ball-best-ball competition, Nut tall and Grant Coles prevailed over Ferguson and Allan Parker by two strokes.

PETER JONES

Junior Sportsman of the Year: Paul Moran – squash.

Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Charlotte Lightfoot – rowing.

Fairweathers Marlborough Medal: Val Wadsworth – smallbore shooting.

Sportsman of the Year: Callum Saunders - cycling.

senior men’s quad

Exton’s career revs up - at home and abroad

Marlborough karter William Ex ton is off and racing - in two dif ferent fast lanes.

Recently the 18-year-old won a three-way shoot-out at Hamp ton Downs and a cash prize of $37,500 towards his debut in the six-round Toyota 86 champion ship, which begins at Highlands Motorsport Park in January. Then, this week it was back into karting mode as he flew off to Europe with seven other Kiwi drivers to take part in the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Fi nals in Portugal from November 19-26.

The week-long Grand Finals have attracted 400 karters from 60 na tions to the Kartodromo Inter nacional do Algarve in southern Portugal.

The Rotax Max Challenge Grand

Finals is run on a one-engine ba sis, with all drivers provided with the same controlled and sealed engines, chassis, tyres and fuel, which leaves the focus on driver ability.

For William it is a dream come true and follows an exciting cou ple of weeks for the teenager after winning the Tony Quinn Foun dation cash prize towards his upcoming introduction to the Toyota 86 nationals and follows on from defending the KartSport New Zealand endurance title with Dunedin’s Arron Black and Daniel Harvey.

He is super-excited about his op portunity against the world’s best in Portugal.

“It is 100 percent the best worlds because everyone is on the same terms. We get one full day of test ing and one set of tyres and go for it,” William said.

“It is very strict and there are very few things you can do. Tyre pressures are important but it all comes down to driver ability.”

It will complete a busy year for the Marlborough driver, who has been mixing a busy race schedule with fulltime work at a local vine yard, while he faces an exciting summer in motorsport, hopeful ly with some hardware to show from karting’s premier global competition.

Practice at the Rotax champs starts on today (NZ time), with qualifying on Friday, pre-fi nal on Saturday and finals on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the door just opened wider for William as he pursues his dream of competing in the Toyota 86 car racing series.

He graduated through the Hamp ton Downs NZ Racing Academy (HDNZRA) and was chosen for

its annual shoot-out along with Cormac Murphy, 18, and young ster Tom Bewley, who has just turned 15.

The trio were tested in front of TQ Foundation Trustee’s Steve Horne and Josie Spillane with founder Tony Quinn joining online from Australia. For former Indycar team owner Horne, the competition to choose a winner was intense.

William is already committed to the Toyota 86 series and has driv en his own car at two endurance events so far in the lead-up to the HDNZRA shoot-out. While that may have given him a slight edge it was his off-track evaluations that pushed the scoreboard in his favour.

“Tom was very impressive on the track, and the split between William and Tom was about half-a-tenth (of a second) in race

speed but William just had a lit tle more consistency, a bit more experience and was certainly the most commercially savvy among them,” said Horne.

William has no doubts about what is the best way to pro gress from karting to car racing. Last year’s Marlborough junior sportsman of the year says the pathway via the HDNZRA is the best route for a young driver to make the switch.

“We think the 86 series is the best route, very close racing and with a good environment around it.

The academy is the best place to start if you want to go car racing. Come to Hampton Downs and do a few rounds with Dan, he’s the one who pretty much taught me how to drive the ’86.

They have a very good facility here,” he added.

Marlborough junior sportsman of the year in 2021, William Exton is on a fast track to motorsport success. Photos: Peter Jones.

PETER JONES

Trophy match curtailed by weather

PETER JONES

The weather had the first and last say in the inaugural Gary Mac Donald Trophy match between Marlborough and Nelson’s senior rep cricketers at the weekend. The two-day fixture, played at Nelson’s Saxton Oval, was de signed to give both sides a chance to hone their red ball skills lead ing into their respective Hawke Cup qualifying campaigns. At stake was a new provincial crick et prize, the Gary MacDonald Trophy, named after a man who has made a significant contribu tion to cricket in both regions. Marlborough named a relatively inexperienced side for the en counter, regular skipper Matthew Stretch, veteran batsman Andrew McCaa and Cooper Roberts un available. Into the side for their debuts came young all-rounders Hunter Ruffell and Luke Pannell while Benjamin Ivory-McCullum returns to rep cricket after a sea son away.

The Marlborough team was: Jamie McVittie, Sam Boyce, Hunter Ruffell, Tim Petrie, Tom Leonard, Corey Bovey, Nick Weaver, Luke Pannell, Benjamin Ivory-McCullum, Griffin Carter, Joel Pannell, Jaden Adams. Rain and a wet outfield meant the match started two hours late on Saturday, Nelson winning the toss and sending the visiting side in to bat.

After Marlborough opener Sam

Boyce was bowled by Nelson paceman Ronan Restieaux with just six runs on the board, Ruffell joining young Englishman Jamie McVittie at the crease and the pair consolidated, pushing the score to 49 before McVittie fell for a patient 23 from 90 balls. Ruffell and Tim Petrie continued to battle against accurate bowling before Ruffell was adjudged lbw for 26 from 97 deliveries, leaving the visitors precariously poised at 3-68.

Keeper Tom Leonard came and went quickly, bringing Corey Bovey to the wicket, his part nership with Petrie becoming Marlborough’s best. The duo put on 58 runs before Petrie depart ed, caught and bowled by for mer Marlborough player Sean Neal, for a watchful 35 from 100 balls.

Bovey and new batsman Nick Weaver continued on, the pair pushing the score towards 150 before both were dismissed by the impressive Restieaux. Bovey’s 45 from 96 deliveries included six fours and one six.

No more wickets fell before stumps at 7.30pm, Luke Pannell and Griffin Carter remaining unbeaten, as Marlborough end ed the first day on 166-7, having faced 78 overs.

from seven overs, while the other wickets were taken by Matthew O’Sullivan, Ollie Jones-Allen and Mitchell Grant.

Unfortunately, no play was possi ble on Sunday with the rain con tinuing to fall and play was called off around 12.30pm.

Despite the abbreviated match, Marlborough’s stand-in coach Greg Logan was happy with what his predominantly youthful squad got out of it.

“The wicket was pretty challeng ing for batting in the early stag es, then played better as the day progressed. I was impressed with the fact several of our batters put a big price on their wickets.

“They were given a chance to oc cupy the crease, something we will need to do in the Hawke Cup games, and most of them did just that. It was pleasing to get some red ball cricket under our belt and I was rapt with the way some of the younger players stood up against a steady Nelson attack.”

On Saturday the spotlight re turns to white ball cricket with the Marlborough senior 40-over final to be contested between top-qualifiers Wairau and sec ond-placed Wairau Valley.

In last week’s Marlborough Weekly it was reported that Wairau would play Celtic in the

Tight tennis tussles

PETER JONES

Marlborough club teams took the honours during the latest round of Wine Brokers NZ pre mier division one interclub ten nis on Wednesday, both scoring 5-1 victories over their Rapaura opponents.

Competition leaders Marlbor ough Forrest Wines, fresh from their first loss last week and with a full team on board, bounced back in style, downing Rapaura Wairau River Blanc.

The ‘old firm’ of Hamish Mor row and Chris Nott got the ball rolling with a relatively com fortable 6-3, 6-2 win over Ant Walkenhorst and Clyde Sow man in the men’s doubles, then Amber Lyons and Scott Walpole doubled their advantage with a see-sawing 6-7, 6-3, 10-5 victo ry over Donna Clark and Jared Bell.

Morrow beat Walkenhorst 6-1, 6-4 in the top men’s single before Bell pulled one back, downing Nott 6-1, 6-3. Walpole was too good for Sowman, prevailing

negotiating their way through some tightly-fought encounters against Rapaura Wairau River Noir, three of the five matches they won going to a super tie breaker.

In the top double Dan Clarke and Stephen Dempster enjoyed a battle royal with Hamish McRae and Ella Sowman, the former duo eventually getting up 5-7, 6-1, 10-7. The second double was also a thriller, Mie ko Kimura and Daniel Riordan taking the honours 2-6, 6-2, 10-7 against Glen Cameron and Eveline Apthorp.

Clarke and McRae had a torrid tussle in the top men’s single, Clarke coming out on top 6-4, 4-6, 10-7. Dempster beat Sow man 6-3, 6-3 and Riordan got the better of Cameron 6-2, 6-1 before Apthorp grabbed Noir’s sole win, beating Kimura 6-0, 7-5.

In division two, Rapaura Wairau River Rose beat Marlborough Falcons 5-1 while Marlborough Next Gen downed Marlborough Mix ‘n’ Match 4-2.

Marlborough opener Jamie McVittie in action at Saxton Oval on Saturday. Photo: Shuttersport.

Stephen Dempster notched a couple of valuable wins for his Marlborough Forrest Wines 2 side during Wednesday’s round of premier tennis. Photo: Peter Jones.

MARLBOROUGH’S COMMUNITY NOTICES

MONDAY

MARLBOROUGH GUILD OF WOODWORKERS Mon 9am-12pm, 7pm-9pm. Wed 9am-12pm. Sat 9am12pm. Wooden toys & projects. 1st Sun monthly 1-4pm. Brayshaw Park. Ph Philip 570 5188.

RUMMY-0 CLUB Mon 12.30-4pm Bowls club rooms, Weld St. Ph Joy 577 6191/Mary 5788747.

BLENHEIM SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING Mon 7.30pm Whitney St School Hall. No partners needed. Beginners welcome. Ph Heather 02102587325.

CARE AND SHARE A place for creatives to meet, en courage & share their skills. Mon 9.30am fortnightly. Nativity Centre (76 Alfred St). Ph 5783909 for more info.

LINE DANCING Beginner line dance classes. Mon 2pm & 6.30pm at Senior Citizens Hall 166 High St. 1st les son free for new beginners. Ph Judith 5787554 or 0212341095.

ROTARY CLUBS in Blenheim meet Mon & Tues 5.30pm. A world-wide service club for men & women, doing great things in your community. For info on meeting venues, ph Jon 0272229505 or Kevin 0211738784.

TUESDAY

RED HAT SOCIETY The Kiwi Damsels in De-Stress are part of a worldwide organization for women to enjoy fun, laughter & friendship. A specific dress code is part of the fun. This daytime group meets twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Tues mornings. Ph Tina 0211045945.

SAYGO Exercise & Balance for Seniors. Ph Diana Brooks Eldercare Coordinator 0212694198 or email diana@ stchristophers.co.nz for more info.

PICTON NEWCOMERS NETWORK 1st Tues of month ‘COFFEE & CHAT’ 10-11am, Seabreeze Café, London Quay. New to town? Need help to settle in? Interested in local activities? We can help! Ph Cathy (Coordinator) 0210451799 picton@newcomers.co.nz

ST JOHN BLENHEIM YOUTH DIVISION 6-7.30pm Tues (school term) All youth welcome, 5 - 18 years. Adult leaders 18+ Marlborough Youth Trust 18 Kinross St, Blenheim Central.

PICTON LINE DANCE CLASSES Beginners welcome. Tues 9.30am. Anglican Church Hall. $6 per class. Ph Carol 0212125252 / Raewyn 021 715 484.

RENWICK PLUNKET PLAY GROUP Tues 8.45-11.45am during school term. Renwick Playcentre building, Have lock St. Come & join us for some great fun. All welcome!

MARLBOROUGH TENNIS CLUB Parker St. Tues 8.30am-12pm. Social tennis. Morning tea 10am. Nonmembers $5. All welcome. Ph. Joanna 0275 786 436.

PERSISTENT PAIN SUPPORT GROUP Tues 5-6pm, Biddy Kate’s, 2 Market St. Drop-in group for people with persistent pain & those supporting them.

DAFFODIL CONNECT is an informal coffee group to meet other people living with cancer. This group is ON HOLD from Tues 22nd Nov through the holiday period and will resume in Feb 2023. Any queries, please con tact Cancer Society 03 579 4379.

MARLBOROUGH HERB SOCIETY Meets 4th Tues of month. 7pm, various locations. Promote use, educate & identification of herbs. Text only Meredith 0272122773.

SIT AND BE FIT Tues & Thurs 1.15pm Cost $2. Contact Riversdale Community House 5780469 or 0223007342.

SUNBELT TOASTMASTERS Learn public speaking &

improve your confidence. Tues 6.20pm fortnightly. St Mary’s Community Centre. Contact sunbeltblenheim@ gmail.com or ph 0276001788. Last meeting this year 6 Dec 2022. First meeting next year 17 Jan 2023.

BLENHEIM CHORAL (Marlborough Singers) Tues 7pm, Wesley Centre, Henry St. New members welcome, no auditions necessary. www.marlboroughsingers.org.

BLENHEIM AIR TRAINING CORP Tues 6.30-9pm RN ZAF Base Woodbourne. Recruiting new cadets aged between 13 & 15 for 2022. For more info email: 27sqn@ cadetforces.org.nz

KNITTERS & SPINNERS MEET-UP Meet up Tues 10am, Picton library. Bring your knitting to the library for this social catch-up.

ART THERAPY GROUP for pregnant women. Tues 5-8pm. Ph Tatiana 0279019807.

TABLE TENNIS for adults Tues 10am-12noon. Lit tle Theatre, Picton. $3 per session. Meet people & get some exercise. New members welcome. Ph Ernest 0275888453.

RENWICK MENZ SHED 54 High St Renwick. Left side of church. Morning tea provided. Tues 9am-12pm. Ph Dave 021 0228 2592.

WEDNESDAY

BLENHEIM PROBUS CLUB Retired/semi-retired? Enjoy good fellowship? We’d love to see you at our meet ings, 1st Wed of the month (except Jan), 10am, Wesley Centre. Coffee mornings & outings as well. Ph. Raewyn 5784576 or Robert 5788938

INNER WHEEL CLUB OF MARLBOROUGH Womens’ Service Organization. We’re looking for new members interested in service for the community, along with fun & friendship. Meetings 4th Wed of the month. Ph Dot 0210632995.

LITTLE CRITTERS PLAY GROUP Wed 9.30-12noon. Community House, 131 Budge St. Ph Linda 0221099242 STRETCH & BREATHE Exercise for Seniors. Ph Diana Brooks Eldercare Coordinator on 0212694198 or email diana@stchristophers.co.nz for more info.

MARLBOROUGH MULTICULTURAL CENTRE hosts a newcomers morning tea, Wed 10.30am-12noon, 21 Henry St. Opportunities for Newcomers & Marlburians to make friends, practice English & support each other. Everyone welcome. Tea, coffee & biscuits provided. Ven y practica tu inglés. Te esperamos.

HEART HELP SUPPORT Community group dedicated to the well-being of those who live with a heart condi tion or experienced a heart attack. Offering support to whanau. Meet 3rd Wed of the month, 10am, Quench Chateau Marlborough, 95 High St. Ph Jenny Goss 0211629102.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS casual parents/caregiv ers catch up, Wed 10.30-12pm, town Plunket Clinic, 16 Henry St. No charge.

SUPPORT GROUP for postnatal mothers. Every Wed, 9.30am to 12pm. Childminders help with babies. Ph Tatiana 0279019807.

MARLBOROUGH CHINESE FELLOWSHIP Chinese Christian group, whether interested in the Bible or Christianity, desiring to grow in the faith, or would like to meet new friends, we welcome you. Wed 6-7.30pm, St Christopher’s Church. 92 Weld St. Ph Guan 0221 642 782, Mandy 0224 326 886.

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING 7.30pm, Wed, Picton Little Theatre. No partner needed. Beginner’s welcome. DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP Meets every Wed 1011.30am to support each other, have regular speakers, outings, share in a safe environment. Ph Alistair Craw ford for details 0272 883 032.

MARLBOROUGH VINTAGE CAR CLUB MUSEUM Sun & Wed, 1.30 – 3.30pm, Brayshaw Park, Arthur Baker Pl, Blenheim. Donation appreciated. Other times by ar rangement. Ph Bill 0275 784 322.

BLENHEIM PETANQUE CLUB Games held at courts, 65A Weld St, Wed 1-3pm & Sun 10am-12pm. Ph Chris 5787303 or Brian 5742267.

LIONS’ CLUB OF BLENHEIM Serving the commu nity for over fifty years. Would you like to know more about the Lion’s Club? Interested in becoming a Lion? Tea Meetings held on 2nd & 4th Wed. Ph Delphine Lee 0299425004 Helen Williams 0211458572.

WAITOHI SOCIAL CLUB for a bit of fun & friendship. Join us the last Wed of month, 10am Picton Library. FREE event, all welcome!

THURSDAY

NO WALKING GROUP due to Eldercare Xmas Lunch. Thurs 24th Nov 10am-1pm. St Christophers Church Hall. Bookings now closed. Contact Diana Brooks 0212694198.

COPD SUPPORT AND EXERCISE GROUP Free. Every 2nd & 4th Thur 1.30pm, the Foundry hall, 3 John St. For more info Ph Karen at Asthma Marlborough Inc 035791609 or 0272057244.

KNIT & NATTER Marlborough District Library 2nd & 4th Thur of the month, 10am-12noon, tea & coffee provided. All welcome. Bring your yarn & have a yarn. For info ph Sue 5785317. Last day for the year 2nd Thurs of Dec 2022. Start again 4th Thurs in Jan 2023.

COMMUNITY CHOIR Thurs 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. F: CreativeVoice@singforfriendship.

MARLBOROUGH AMATEUR RADIO CLUB 2nd Thurs of month, 7.30pm, Emergency Management Operating Centre. For all interested in Amateur Radio, Electronics & Emergency Communications.

SOCIAL BADMINTON Thurs morning 9-12noon Simcox Stadium Batty’s Rd. $5. All adults welcome. Ph Cathy 021 503 348

PICTON TABLE TENNIS 10am-12pm, Port Marlbor ough Pavilion, Waikawa Rd. All adults welcome. $3 incl. morning tea. Equipment supplied. Ernest 0275 888 453.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS Thurs 7-8pm Riversdale Community House, 131 Budge St.

FRIDAY

RENWICK SOCIAL TENNIS Fri 4.30-6.30pm weather per mitting. Members $2. Visitors $5. 10 Uxbridge St (behind Bowling Club). Ph Leigh Andrews 0211913034 or visit our Facebook Page for more details & other upcoming events.

UPBEAT ORCHESTRA community orchestra for all ages, instruments, from beginner-grade 5. St Ninians Church Hall, Alabama Rd every Fri 5-6.30pm For more info email upbeatorchestra@gmail.com.

PICTON NEWCOMERS NETWORK ‘SUNDOWNERS’ @

Chart room, Picton Yacht Club Hotel, 25 Waikawa Rd, 5-6pm. New to town? Need help to settle in? Interested in local activities? We can help! Ph Cathy (Coordinator) 021 045 1799 picton@newcomers.co.nz

LINK Fun & board games & afternoon tea for all in the lounge at Nativity Centre, 76 Alfred St every Fri 1pm. Gold coin donation appreciated. Ph 5783909 for info.

SATURDAY / SUNDAY

MARLBOROUGH TENNIS CLUB Parker St. Every Sun 3-5pm. Social Tennis Non-Members $2 All welcome. Ph Joanna 0275786436

BLENHEIM ROTARY BOOTSALE MARKET We’re back! Railway station carpark, Sat, 8am-12pm. Blenheim Rotary Bootsale operating over 25 years, funds to local/ international projects. New or used items, plants, food, coffee carts welcome. See bootsalemarket on Facebook.

THE ROADHOUSE BREAKFAST for car enthusiasts of all genres. 1st Sun of month, Riverlands Roadhouse, coffee cart on site, cafe has great food. 100+ cars at each of first two events.

BAHÁ’Í DEVOTIONS 1st & 3rd Sun, 11am, Marlborough Community Centre, 12th Lane, Blenheim cnr Farmers carpark. “In the garden of thy Heart plant naught but the rose of love”. www.bahai.org.

CRUISEY CHURCH for kids of all ages & their families. Includes bible stories, games, songs, crafts & dinner. 3rd Sat each month 5-6.30pm. St Andrew’s Church, 5 Henry St, Blenheim. Koha appreciated.

REDWOOD MARKET Redwood Tavern car park, Cleghorn St. 8am-noon every Sat. Plants, garden products, flowers, crafts including handmade soaps, cards & jewellery. Raising money for your community.

MARLBOROUGH STROKE CLUB is a voluntary organi sation dedicated to the wellbeing of those who have experienced a stroke, and to the support of their car egivers. We offer support, friendship & education with various meetings held each month. Ph Vyvienne Dunlop 5783837 / 021929955.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS Sat 5.30-6.30pm Rivers dale Community House, 131 Budge St. MARLBOROUGH MUSEUM at Brayshaw Park, open 10am-4pm. Maori treasures, the Wine Exhibition, Wairau Bar 1250 AD, Early settlers, Asian Dolls & Tex tiles, local pottery plus more! FREE entry on Saturdays.

MARLBOROUGH MOUNTAIN BIKE CLUB committed to seeing mountain biking flourish in Marlborough. We hold regular rides suitable for all levels of fitness & abil ity. Including back country expeditions, easy local rides, more serious mountain bike races. marlboroughmoun tainbike@gmail.com.

BLENHEIM FAMILY HISTORY GROUP Interested in Family History Research & building your Family Tree? Contact us for advice & assistance. Informal gather ings held 3rd Sun of month, 1.30–3pm, Family History Rooms, Brayshaw Park. Ph Lauri 578 8385.

MARLBOROUGH ARTISAN CRAFT MARKET Sat, Mar ket Place. Come down & meet your local craft people. Children’s area with games for young & old. A free Com munity Site to promote or fund-raise your organisation. Renwick Tennis Club 8 Uxbridge St. REPAIR CAFÉ New community initiative. We’ll fix your small repair on site, on the day, while you wait & have a cuppa. Sewing/darning, bikes, small furniture/wooden

items, toys electronic & mobile phones. Every 4th Sat monthly, 9am-12pm, John’s Kitchen, 2 Redwood St. Donations accepted.

PICTON RAIL & SAIL on the Foreshore. Mini train rides & yachts from 20 cents. Every Sunday & the school holi day’s, subject to weather.

BLENHEIM RIVERSIDE RAILWAY Runs 1st & 3rd Sun of the month. We have Eftpos. facebook/RiversideRailway.

MARLBOROUGH TENNIS CLUB Parker St. Every Sun 3-5pm. Social Tennis Non-Members $2 All welcome. Ph Joanna 0275786436.

MARLBOROUGH FARMERS MARKET A&P show grounds, 9am-12pm Sun, local fresh & seasonal pro duce & products.

BARNABAS CHURCH BLENHEIM Sun services, 4pm (all welcome). St Ninians Church, corner Riley Cres & Alabama Rd. Scripture-based, church (est. Jan 2019). Affiliated to Church of Confessing Anglicans Aotearoa New Zealand (CCAANZ). More info: barnabas.org.nz.

WORKING BEE Te Whanau Hou Grovetown Lagoon, followed by BBQ. Every 2nd Sun, Feb to Nov. Planting & tending trees, weeding, mulching & continued conser vation. Meet at Wairau Rowing Club, Steam Wharf Rd, Grovetown. 9.30am-12pm. Email Justine: Johnsonmar lborough@gmail.com

KETO SUPPORT GROUP meets Sat fortnightly (ap prox. beginning & mid-month), 10am, Revival Cafe, Springlands. Informal gathering of folk interested in this dietary practice. No charge, no obligation - but the coffee’s great! Ph 027 505 7774 for more info.

MARLBOROUGH ASSOCIATED MODELLERS SOCIETY miniature train rides, $2, 1st & 3rd Sun of month, model yacht & boat sailing Sun, 1pm-4pm, Brayshaw Park.

GENERAL GROUPS

BROOKLYN CROQUET CLUB Tues, Thurs, Sat, 1pm Golf Croquet, Whitehead Park grounds, Brooklyn Dr. Mallets supplied.

MENZ SHED Blenheim, 4 Dillons Point Rd, Bright Centre Complex. Where men of all ages can meet to just chill out or do projects for themselves or the com munity. We provide equipment, tools & workspace for most woodwork & metalwork projects. Open Sat 9am12 noon. Mon & Thurs 1-4pm. Ph Dave 0212340057.

MARLBOROUGH YOUNG PROFESSIONALS (MYP) not-for-profit networking group dedicated to the next generation of professionals. Connecting like-minded people & fully integrating them into Marlborough life style. Connect with us on Facebook.

MARLBOROUGH COMMUNITY VEHICLE TRUST Have difficulty getting to medical appointments in NELSON? This trust was created to carry people to Nelson for medical appointments. Ph 574 1311 or soundsvehicle@ gmail.com.

AA MEETINGS Marlborough area. Ring alcoholics anonymous for help to stop drinking. Ph 0800 229 6757. www.aa.org.nz.

SENIORNET MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS Linkwater Hall, Queen Charlotte Drv for people 50+ to learn about technology & what it can do for them. Includes monthly ‘Drop-In’ session open to all. Interest groups meet monthly. Digital imaging, Family History, Smartphones, Tablets. Ph Liana Bull 027 255 1511.

Janet Gill

Gibbon (Gibbo) - gibboandco@xtra.co.nz

Drummond (Drummo) - grdrumo@gmail.com

Dobson (Dobbo) - dobsonshom@xtra.co.nz

Marlborough Vintage Musseleer’s 25th Anniversary March / April 2023