Marlborough Weekly 24 January 2023

Valley up

Code stars

GP shortage set to slowly ease

PAULA HULBURT paula@topsouthmedia.co.nz

A shortage of doctors which has left some patients struggling to access regular healthcare could soon be over.

Six new GPs have been recruited over the last three months with more recruits set to arrive in the region soon.

Three surgeries, Picton Medical Centre, Marlborough Health Centre and Havelock Medical

Centre are currently accepting enrolments but this changes on a day to day basis.

This number will increase in the next few months, health bosses say.

Te Whatu - Ora Nelson Marlbor-

ough General Manager for Strategy, Primary & Community Cathy O’Malley says there are a number of local and national initiatives focused on training and recruiting new staff.

“Te Whatu Ora – Nelson Marl-

borough has strong links with community GPs. Together we provide care in partnership and are dedicated to increasing the GP workforce.

Photo: Matt Brown.

CHATS TO LOCALS AND ASKS...

Not in trades, you’ve got to wear steel caps. I think it all depends on your job, although I can’t think of a job off the bat where you could wear jandals. They’re more an item of clothing for relaxing or at the beach.

It depends on the job, but probably not. It could suit a lifeguard – the last thing

I would want to see if I was drowning is someone running towards me in jeans and steelcap boots.

I think so. These days people can get away with anything. It’s very casual, uniforms seem a thing of the past. I have no issues with it, although there are jobs where there would be safety issues.

Shorts are cool, but jandals – it depends. Jandals could be appropriate at a shoe store or a clothing store – even an office. How are jandals any different to strappy sandals? Food service or a medical environment, they’re not appropriate.

Healthier outlook for GP surgeries

“For example, the Nelson and Marlborough PHOs run an ongoing recruitment program to attract GPs and nurses to the district.”

While good progress has been made, it will take time to fully address workforce shortages, she adds.

“All health agencies are working closely together to provide the best access for Marlborough residents. National initiatives will also increase general practices’ enrolment capacity in due course.”

There are ten general practices across Marlborough and the current enrolled population for Marlborough is 46,500. No figures are available for those who haven’t been able to register.

Chief Executive Officer Marl-

borough Primary Health Beth Tester says plans are in place for those people who can’t get appointments.

“Just prior to Christmas, Marlborough general practices joined Practice Plus, a national Telehealth service provider which ensures that if local practices are unable to provide immediate appointments, patients can access consultations online.”

An international shortage across the health sector has seen a shortage of doctors and nurses in New Zealand across general practices.

Recruiting internationally has also become more straightforward with the easing of visa requirements, Beth says.

“A GP is the best choice for routine and non-urgent medical needs, and the ED is best reserved for emergencies and Ur-

gent Care is best for urgent and serious medical needs.

“For this reason, Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring GPs are accessible and available. Everyone is encouraged to enrol with a GP practice and to reach out to the PHO for assistance.

“Anyone having difficulty enroll-

ing in the Marlborough region may contact the Marlborough PHO’s reception team and they will facilitate access.”

The Healthpoint website can be used to find general practices, including up-to-date information on which general practices are enrolling new patients.

Chief Executive Officer Marlborough Primary Health Beth Tester says good progress is being made in GP recruitment.

Photo: NZ Doctor.

Are shorts and jandals appropriate work attire?

Glen Hamilton

Chase-Rain Williams-Kelsey

Ella Gerrard

Kate MacKenzie

Council tells Blenheim woman she has to stop her cat roaming

MAIA HART Local Democracy Reporter

A Marlborough woman has been told she needs to keep her cat contained to her property, after a neighbour complained it had ruined their vegetables and defecated in their garden.

However, the Marlborough District Council won’t tell owner Brenda Green who complained, leaving her perplexed how she could stop her cat annoying that particular neighbour when she did not know which property he was visiting.

“It just seemed ridiculous to send me a letter saying keep the cat off this section, but not tell me what section,” she said.

Milo the cat went missing for eight days and returned to his Blenheim home with a badly injured tail.

“It had clearly been trapped because he had on his back leg the skin was worn right down to the bone and his tail was a mess,” Green said.

Green was happy to have her wandering feline home, but upset to receive the letter from the

council alleging her cat had been a “nuisance” to a neighbour.

The council said Milo had destroyed flowers and vegetables and defecated in the neighbour’s garden.

It said under the council’s animal bylaw an animal “may not roam” off the property where it was kept or damage someone else’s property.

Milo is not Green’s first cat to come home injured. A previous cat returned home one morning with what she thought was a broken leg.

“We took him to the vet and in actual fact he'd been shot in his shoulder and his shoulder was shattered, and he actually had to be put to sleep.

“Now we've got this cat two years later, and it feels like the same scenario all over again. Someone in this neighbourhood does not like cats. It's very upsetting.”

So Green decided to ring the council to find out more about who had complained.

“I said; ‘How am I supposed to keep the cat off the section? Cats have roamed for years. It's their nature',” she said.

She asked which property Milo had been going to, but was told the council could not release that information due to privacy reasons.

The incident happened before Christmas. Milo is still recovering from the injuries, and was at the moment only allowed outside

in a small contained area of the property.

“My biggest thing is these people that are harming these cats, they've got to realise it could be an older person's only companion. It could be a child's loved pet. “Don't hurt them, approach the people, or get a water gun that

you can grab if a cat comes on your section.”

In a statement, a spokesperson from the council said the council had the power to act on complaints under its animal bylaw. Between 2018 and 2022, it received 26 complaints about cats. Last year, the number of complaints was only three, but this year it had already received five. “In the case of cats, council’s animal control contract manager takes an educative approach and asks owners to resolve the issue themselves,” the spokesperson said.

“The council does not take further action.”

The bylaw had some restrictions on cats, including not having more than four over the age of three months unless permission was given by the council. The spokesperson said it respected the wishes of the complainant who wanted to remain anonymous.

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ on Air.

Green was told in a letter Milo was not allowed to roam off the property. Photo: Anthony Phelps/STUFF.

Code club key to holiday fun

MATT BROWN matt@topsouthmedia.co.nz

A coding club is giving kids the programming know-how, from building websites to controlling robots.

The Marlborough District Library launched its free Fiero Code Club, designed to help young people learn to code.

And the popular club, which got underway late last year, is attracting fans both young and old.

While the club is aimed at youngsters, anyone with a library card can sign up and use the Fiero Code platform for free.

Community engagement coordinator Duncan Mackenzie says interest has been widespread.

“We know there are other people out there that don’t fall into the 8-18 age range. The oldest we have signed up is over 70.

“As long as you have a library card, you can sign up and take part.”

The club provides a fun and interactive environment for learning the basics of computer programming and coding.

The club is led by library staff who guide participants through a variety of coding projects, including building websites, creating games, and programming robots.

Participants also get the chance to work on coding projects independently and to collaborate with their peers.

Digital services coordinator Jen Steingraeber says library staff spent a lot of time doing due diligence on the platform.

“Library staff had a keen interest to get the code club going. Adults can sign up for the Fiero Code platform via the library.

“If we had enough interest, adults who wanted their own code club – we could do that as well.”

Seven-year-old coder Evee Tapp has been a regular at the club since it started.

She says she has learnt a lot.

“You get a laptop and you can do challenges and missions and get gear; and you can see your friends.”

Duncan says Fiero Code is a platform made specifically for libraries and allows users to learn six major coding languages: HTML,

CSS, Javascript, Python, SQL and Coding Blocks.

He says its success lies in being student-led.

“They say it’s not like school –they choose what they want to learn. That’s why we’re doing it during the holidays – it’s not aligned with schools. It’s not anything to do with school.”

“It gives them a sense of authority – it empowers them – and it teaches them about helping others.

“We’re raising a bunch of good citizens. It’s a really powerful

thing.”

Both Jen and Duncan are there learning alongside the young people.

Duncan says he hasn’t done much coding since he was about 14, when he was writing Fortran programmes on punch cards.

Now, his favourite coding language is HTML – one of the basic building blocks of almost every website.

“It’s [HTML] so much of so many websites. Inspecting websites and going, right – so that’s how they do that.”

He says the club members love learning how a computer works, instead of accepting it blindly.

“It’s like someone who has an interest in high performance cars having that lightning bolt of understand of how an internal combustion engine works.”

The Fiero Code Club meets once a week, on Thursdays from 3:304:30pm at the Marlborough District Library. The club is free to attend and registration is not required. For more information, visit the Marlborough District Library website.

A life in colour

With

degree in fine

want-

Now, she says her nature-inspired exhibition of acrylics at the Marlborough Gallery exposes her love-affair with colour.

The US-born artist derives inspiration from nature and expressionist artists such as van Gogh and Seyb, her work is characterised by bold shapes and colours.

The exhibition runs 9 – 16 February at the Marlborough Gallery, 204 High Street, Blenheim.

A Blenheim-based artist’s first solo art exhibition will share a love of colour through a series of paintings that amp up the volume on the colours in nature.

Carolyn Costley started painting after retirement from academia and during the 2020 Covid lockdown.

a bachelor’s

arts, Carolyn says she always

ed to get back to painting.

Seven-year-old Evee Tapp loves learning to code at the library. Photos: Matt Brown.

Library staff Jen Steingraeber and Duncan Mackenzie.

Artist Carolyn Costley is having her first exhibition. Photo: Supplied.

Picton cemetery neglect claims

PAULA HULBURT

A widow shocked by the messy state of Picton’s cemetery is calling for council to clean up its act, claiming the lack of care is “disrespectful.”

Picton woman Lynne Neilson was visiting her husband’s memorial last week and was shocked to discover the graveyard overrun with weeds and long grass.

And if council can’t commit to its regular upkeep, she has pledged to create a Friends of Picton Cemetery to help instead.

Lynne says seeing the cemetery looking so uncared for is upsetting.

“I’m saddened at the state of the Picton cemetery where my late husband lays.

“How can we treat these graves with such disrespect?”

Picton Cemetery dates back to the early European settlement of the Marlborough Sounds. Situated on Gravesend Place, the cemetery is cared for by Marlborough District Council staff. Individual graves and plots though are the responsibility of families.

Lynne says she formally complained to council last year too when a similar issue arose.

“Following that meeting there was action and an improvement, although temporarily.

“It’s now fallen back into a unkept mess. I’m happy to form a Friends of the Cemetery group to put some love and pride back and treat our deceased with respect.”

Lynne’s husband Gordon died in July 2020 and his ashes are in the Memorial Ashes Garden.

Ensuring the grass is regularly cut should be a priority, she says.

“Given the holiday period I thought, sure, people need holidays, but today when most people are back at work, I would have expected it to have been at least mowed.

“Perhaps I’m old school or maybe emotionally involved but for me respect prevails.”

Lynne says any group set up would also care for those plots where it was clear there weren’t any family members to take responsibility.

“After meeting with Parks and Reserve people they explained the plots belong to the deceased’s family.

“I get this, but as some deceased don’t have family to keep them maintained should we just let them go to

The upkeep of Picton cemetery has suffered as a result of recent wet weather. Photo: Supplied.

wrack and ruin?”

A council spokesperson says the recent wet weather has seen rapid grass and weed growth.

“We have alerted our contrac tors and asked them to tidy

Truck driver disqualified

TRACY NEAL Open Justice - Te Pātītī Reporter

It was the first time that Carlos Ronald Thomas Davies was behind the wheel of a heavy truck and trailer, loaded with lambs.

On November 24 last year he was travelling on State Highway 63 in the Tasman District when he lost focus, drifted across the road on a corner and rolled the truck, killing and maiming many animals.

The crash also blocked the only route open between Nelson and Blenheim for several hours, which inconvenienced many travellers.

At the time State Highway 6 was closed for repairs following major storm damage last August.

Davies was sentenced in the Blenheim District Court on Monday after pleading guilty to charges of careless driving and breaching a logbook by exceeding work time requirements.

Davies was uninjured in the crash, about 10 kilometres west of the village of St Arnaud, in which witnesses at the time reported the “very sad” sight of animals remaining trapped in the vehicle, many of which were badly injured.

Police prosecution told the court Davies said he had not been paying attention and drifted wide on a corner.

He had started work that day at 5 am, and according to the entry in his logbook, he had been driving for eight-and-a-half hours before the crash, which exceeded the maximum work time without a break.

The law states that drivers must take a break of at least 30 minutes after five-anda-half hours of work time.

Davies was described by his lawyer Tim McGuigan as a “reasonably inexperienced” driver who showed signs of being competent.

“It was a vehicle he was not used to driving – it was the first time he had driven that type of truck,” McGuigan said.

Judge Tony Zohrab said he was concerned that Davies’ had displayed a “pretty bad piece of driving”, which had potentially significant consequences for other road users, notwithstanding he had been driving a heavy truck and trailer unit loaded with lambs.

McGuigan said information provided by Davies’ employer showed he had learned a tough lesson by what had happened, and there was no heightened risk in allowing him to keep driving.

Judge Zohrab said in convicting Davies it had been a “bad case of careless driving with potentially significant consequences”, particularly for harm to others on the road.

On each charge, he was fined $250 and disqualified from driving for a month.

“I appreciate that will be difficult, but you have a heavy responsibility driving a vehicle like this,” Judge Zohrab said.

ROAD CLOSURES

Drivers in Marlborough need to be prepared for a series of night closures at Weld Pass. Two weeks of night works for essential maintenance are planned between Sunday, 22 January and Friday, 3 February. Planned maintenance between 22 and 25 January is also underway on the Hundalees between10 pm to 5 am.

WASTEWATER PIPE REPAIR

Ongoing work to repair earthquake damage to Marlborough’s earthenware wastewater pipes is entering its next phase with the fourth stage of work starting in Picton on Thursday 26 January. Approximately six kilometres of earthenware sewer pipe will be relined and more than 180 lateral connections to households will be either relined or replaced to the boundary over the next six months.

INSURANCE/EQC DROP-IN DAY

An insurance/EQC drop-in day for people who suffered property damage in last year’s storm is scheduled for Wednesday 15 February. Experts and representatives from various insurance companies and EQC will be available to talk to people about their red or yellow stickered property face to face rather than over the phone. Staff from Marlborough District Council will also be on hand to give advice about consents, repairs or rebuilding. Registrations for the day are essential and must be in by Friday 10 February. Email recovery@marlborough.govt.nz with your name, property address, contact details, your insurance company and claim number. Your personal information will be kept confidential.

Marlburians less satisfied with their council, but they are not alone

MAIA HART Local Democracy Reporter

Satisfaction in Marlborough’s council has decreased 6 per cent in the last year, but wider societal issues such as Covid-19 and inflationary pressure may be partly to blame, survey results suggest.

Meanwhile, it came as no surprised to councillors when they were told improving the state of Marlborough’s roads would help to bring those satisfaction levels up.

Strategy Insight Leverage (SIL) research managing director Dr Virgil Troy presented the 2021-22 Resident Survey to councillors at the Economic, Finance & Community Committee.

Troy said given it had been a challenging year nationally and regionally, the council had fared “reasonably well” in the eyes of residents compared to the previous year.

“That's across most council services, with very high positivity around some key facilities as well, while continuing to match and even outperform national benchmarks,” Troy said.

Three quarters of council services achieved a satisfaction score of 60 per cent or more, with 12 services achieving 80 per cent satisfaction or higher. The best performing services included public sports grounds (88 per cent), libraries (87 per cent), parks and reserves (88 per cent), sewerage (88 per cent) and swimming pools (87 per cent).

“Where you have a service rated slightly higher, for example your community facilities, drinking water, animal control, flood protection, that's actually pushing the ratings up,” he said.

But some services, including roads (44 per cent), housing for seniors (47 per cent) and resource consent management (49 per cent) pulled that overall satisfaction down.

“So if you're looking at the best bang for buck, what you can work on, definitely would concentrate on roads. Because that's something that has occurred as significant for the last five years,” Troy said.

This comment was met by a murmur of laughs from councillors during the meeting.

Troy said while it might look like the general trend was showing a decline in overall satisfaction, there could be some lingering affects of Covid-19 and inflationary pressure contributing to that. The council’s satisfaction rating was on par with the national average. The July 2021 storm also could have influenced public perception of the council’s performance,

after the council advised in September 2021 that repairs and slips were likely to take up to a year for some areas, such as the Kenepuru Sound.

Mayor Nadine Taylor said while it had been a difficult year for a variety of reasons, satisfaction levels were maintained in many areas of council services.

She said it was “quite reassuring”

to hear that what they were hearing on the ground, also matched what had been found in the research.

“We are doing well in a number of services. Eight services recorded a higher satisfaction compared to the last year, but we mustn't rest on those.

“It's been a difficult year for a variety of reasons, so I'm actually pleased we've maintained and improved on those services, but we have to absolutely acknowledge that you are correct.”

She said it was “not surprising” to hear the feedback about the roading network.

“We know the impact that the storms ... we know that they're absolutely broken,” she said.

The survey was collected quarterly between 2021 and 2022 via telephone, social media and postal survey. A total of 150 surveys were used each in the final analysis each quarter, meaning 600 people were surveyed.

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ on Air.

Marlborough mayor Nadine Taylor was reassured the survey results matched what they were also hearing from the community. Photo: Supplied/STUFF.

Crowds turn out in force at popular Picton festival

A perfect Saturday at the Picton foreshore saw thousands of people from near and far enjoy the Picton Maritime Festival.

A wide range of activities saw something for everyone at the two-day festival.

Beginning on Friday evening, the popular event saw Picton fit to bursting with a tangible festival atmosphere.

The event boasted raft races, magicians, cooking demonstrations, boat rides and markets.

Photos: Matt Brown.

‘Sign of the times’: Candidates spend little on local election

MAIA HART Local Democracy Reporter

A frugal election campaign was had by most council candidates in last year’s election – with most spending well under the allowed limit.

Marlborough mayor Nadine Taylor spent the most, at $21,500, while fellow mayoral candidate Chris Lippiatt spent the least, at $0.

Council candidates Dai Mitchell and Jamie Arbuckle also spent nothing, while David Croad donated $1500 to the mayoral relief fund established after the August floods.

Electoral officer Dean Heiford said in December Blenheim ward candidates Ni Fruean and Haysley MacDonald had not declared what they spent on their election campaigns. Although MacDonald claimed to Local De-

mocracy Reporting he had handed his in.

Election candidates are given 55 days from the local election to declare their expenses and donations they received. Failure to declare expenses “without reasonable excuse” was an offence and could lead to a fine of up to $1000 under the Local Electoral Act.

All the declarations returned were “well within the limit”, Heiford said. The amount a candidate could spend on their campaign was based on the population of that ward. Those running for the Māori ward could spend the least, just $3500.

Candidates for the Marlborough Sounds, Wairau-Awatere and Blenheim wards could spend $7000, $14,000 and $20,000 respectively. People running for mayor could spend up to $30,000.

“There was probably surprise in terms of how little people have

spent,” Heiford said.

“Some have come back nil. I think councillor Croad did his usual make a donation, and I think he made a donation to the mayoral relief fund for the flood, instead of doing any advertising.”

He said others recycled their signs, or chose to use smaller hoardings than usual which kept costs down.

“There's no major expenses there, Nadine Taylor's mayoral campaign was the most money, which you would probably expect, but there was nothing untoward.”

He thought it was probably just “a sign of the times”.

“People just didn't necessarily have the money to invest in that sort of thing and trusted on going to the meet the candidates meetings and meeting the people, which is what local politics is all about,” he said.

Arbuckle said his zero spend was

a “real change” from the “bucket load” he spent on his mayoralty campaign in 2019 – which came in at just over $19,000.

“I guess I was conscious this time that there wasn't a lot of people standing in Blenheim, and I'm still in shock how many people decided to retire,” he said.

“I think everyone knows that the motto was to vote back the experience, because obviously there was always going to be new faces around the table."

He was able to reuse billboards from his last campaign, and turned up to meet the candidate meetings as part of his campaign.

“You do a lot of stuff with constituents during the term, and it was just nice to see that I still polled very well.

“I was still campaigning. I was at the markets and doing things around town, but it was still good to see that I had a very strong re-

sult on the day.”

Meanwhile, Lippiatt said if he were to run again he would actually spend money on his campaign.

“As a comedian, it [campaigning] was the hardest job I’ve ever had ... I was trying to do comedy to a bunch of audiences that weren’t there for comedy,” he said.

“Upon reflection, my wife, who is my political advisor now, told me if you’re ever going to do it again, you need to do it seriously, so I would spend money.”

Lippiatt chose to put one sign up, outside his home in Renwick.

“I made it out of things I found in my garage,” he said.

The full list of expenses declared can be viewed on the Marlborough District Council website.

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ on Air.

The arches on Blenheim’s Market Street, in the center of town were removed on Friday. One of the arches were removed last year after being knocked askew by a vehicle. The area of town is under development as part of the Blenheim Business Association’s Marlborough Mile initiative, with a climate sculpture destined for the area. Photo: Matt Brown.

Step outside of your comfort zone in 2023

AMY RUSS

When was the last time you tried something new, struck up a conversation with a stranger, tried a new recipe, learned a new skill or got the blood pumping with a thrill-seeking activity?

Trying something new is hugely beneficial to our health and aids in the release of feel-good chemicals. It can help to boost our self-confidence, create a sense of achievement, or even overcome fears and discover new talents. It can be as simple or as testing as you feel comfortable with.

If change is something that causes anxiety, taking small steps can be beneficial towards taking a bigger leap of faith when it comes to choosing what to do. Building on the momentum of completing a new task can be useful to push boundaries towards more challenging goals.

Until you try something new

you will never know what you are fully capable of achieving. Life is all about progressing and the learning process continues long after we have left school. The brain needs to be stimulated to remain active and new things help to boost serotonin – playing a key role in mood, hormone, sleep patterns and stress levels.

Do not limit yourself to things within your safe zone – put the feelers out a little and push the boat out a little, test the waters and dip your toes into something fresh, stimulate your soul and open the doors to new experiences and opportunities.

The old cliches may sound tired, but they have also become cliches for a reason. They resonate with people and encourage them to step forth and conquer some of our biggest fears.

It can be hard to get out of that work-home rinse and repeat cycle but continuing a repetitive routine can sap the energy out of life and become mundane, bor-

ing and unhealthy.

Dancing, culinary adventures, joining a creative workshop, a walking group, book circle or casual sports team, volunteering, or signing up for an online course or taking an adult class can give you an edge in life.

It can be a great conversation starter, a breaker of barriers and open the door to new friendships.

When you try something new you learn a little something about yourself too including what your limits are. Imagine how you would feel if you discovered a hidden talent for pastry making, or a creative streak that you never knew existed.

Until you try it you will never know, and if at first you don’t succeed, then try and try again as failure is also part of the learning process.

So much happens when we step outside of our comfort zone – go there, your mind will thank you for it.

Marlborough Youth Development program is looking for a Physical Instructor.

CACTUS is an 8-week program, 3 mornings a week 6-7:30am, up to 3 times a year in Blenheim and Picton - which has been running in Marlborough for 14 years with support from Marlborough Lines, MDC, Marlborough Colleges and NZ Police.

Requirements: Trained and experienced PE instructor, like & enjoy youth, awareness of youth development strategies, enjoy working with an amazing team of orange shirt volunteers, pass a current Police Check and can start in Term 1 from 13th Feb 2023.

This position is a paid role, training will be given and supported by CACTUS Trainer & Orange shirt team.

INSURANCE BROKER

First Lane Insurance is looking for another awesome team member.

will need to have fantastic customer service skills, be competent and capable with computer skills and general business acumen. Good communication skills, reliable, honest, a problem solver and enjoy the business and finance industry.

Training will be given and assistance with exams to become a financial adviser.

Your home,

Take advantage of summer

Dive into a home renovation project

Summer is the perfect time to renovate and improve your home. Despite some mixed weather, the warmer days are perfect for jumping into a variety of projects that will make your home more comfortable and functional.

Don’t know how to achieve your renovation vision? Hiring a professional is a great, stress-free option.

Outdoor Projects

Summer is also a great time for DIY outdoor projects with one popular project to stain decks and fences which can help to protect the wood from weathering and improve the appearance of your outdoor spaces. When staining a deck or fence, it’s important to choose a high-quality stain that is designed for outdoor use, and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. If in doubt pop into your local paint or hardware store for advice on application, type and colour.

Another great DIY outdoor project is repairing outdoor furniture. With the warmer weather, you’ll be spending more time outside, so it’s an opportunity to ensure all outdoor furniture is in good condition. This can include fixing any loose or broken parts, replacing worn-out cushions, and giving your furniture a fresh coat

of paint or stain, which may include getting a bit more adventurous with colour!

If you are thinking of trying a little something different, consider making the most of your outdoor areas by building a barbecue area, installing a fire pit, or setting up an outdoor kitchen. These types of projects can also add value to your home, as well as providing a cool space for entertaining and relaxing with friends and family.

If you’re not comfortable with DIY projects, hiring a professional such as a handyman, builder, painter or professional installer to help you with your outdoor projects can be a worthwhile investment. Not only can they take care of everything from staining decks and fences to repairing outdoor furniture, they also can help with building a new patio, shed or fence to installing a pond and creat-

your way

ing new landscaping.

One must also not forget plant and lawn care. Over this period your plants will be growing more vigorously and with higher temperatures will mean regular watering and fertilizing. It’s also a great time to remove any weeds that have appeared and to keep your lawn well-watered during hot dry weather.

early, you can ensure that you have enough to last through the winter and will avoid the rush of people trying to buy firewood at the last minute and will know it will be bone-dry when it comes time to burn it (provided you have a well ventilated and covered area for your wood).

Enjoying summer pest free

Another important aspect of looking after your home during the summer is pest control. With warmer weather, pests such as ants, cockroaches, and mice can become more active, making it important to take steps to keep them out of your home. This can include sealing cracks and crevices, using bait traps, and hiring a professional pest control service. Book early with your local pest control expert as this season can be one of their busiest – otherwise you may find yourself on a long waiting list, struggling through summer with several pesky critters in tow!

Time for Firewood

One important aspect of home improvement during the summer is ordering your firewood early. As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, you’ll want to have a steady supply of firewood to keep your home warm. By ordering firewood

Overall, summer is the perfect time to tackle home improvement projects, both indoor and outdoor. With the warmer weather, you can enjoy your newly renovated and improved home to the fullest. Whether you’re doing DIY projects or hiring professional services, take the time to plan your projects carefully, and you’ll be sure to enjoy the results for many summers to come.

Our top summer tip: Organise your firewood early.

Sunny Marlborough days are a great chance to get outside and update your outdoor spaces.

Hydrangeas: Everything you need to know

By Gaye Williamson

Keeping it simple

Beautiful and summer/autumn flowering, provide hydrangeas with a moist cool root run and you will be richly rewarded.

Words I read to describe them are: adaptable, versatile, tough plants, demand little attention, easy to grow, low maintenance, affordable, require little effort and are extremely wind tolerant.

The main types are:

• Macrophylla - big leafed - mophead and lacecap types.

• Paniculata - panicle

• Arborescens - smooth leaf

• Quercifloia - oak leaf

• Petiolaris - climbing

Keeping it simple, most hydrangeas have two names: the genus, hydrangea, and the species, such as macrophylla. Occasionally they have three names with the third being a sub species.

Then there can be hybrids, which are the result of cross breeding of two. These are usually called varieties.

Flower colour

FLOWER COLOUR will be determined by the ph. level of your soil.

White flowering hydrangeas will not change colour. But note they can take on a pink or blue tinge as they age.

For pink flowers apply lime in August and October and for blue flowers apply aluminium sulphate in August and October.

If testing your soil with a DIY kit remember a ph level above 7 is acidic soil and below 7 is alkaline.

Some Hydrangeas have fragrant flowers. They do not have petals; they have sepals or bracts.

Situation

Naturally woodland plants, they like compost and well-rotted manure in spring. They are greedy plants and very thirsty and will take sun, provided the ground is moist enough.

Prune in July; I like to wait until leaf drop. Cut out any old gnarled stems at the base and trim young branches to a strong set of double leaf nodes.

Leave branches with furled points, as they flower first in Spring and remove spent flowers during their season.

Transplanting is best done in winter or early spring

Cuttings

Cuttings can easily be taken in spring and autumn. My preference is autumn, as I don’t have to fight with the leaves. Then simply place in sand or pumice.

Drying

Pick at the end of March when flowers are open and feel leathery.

A few choices:

• Put in a vase without water in a dry dark place

• Place in a vase with 3 cm or so of liquid glycerine.

• Hang blooms upside down in a shed.

In a vase

Pick fairly short stems, they are prone to wilt if not prepped correctly.

Cut current seasons green stems.

Flowers last longer if picked late summer/early autumn.

1. Crush ends and place in boiling water first, then plunge into deep cold water.

2. Put whole stem and flower head in cold water and leave for 1-2 hours (You may need to weigh them down. Use your bath)

Popular varieties, as I write, are ‘Annabel’, Limelight’ and ‘Merville Sanguine’ (or Bloody Marvellous).

For a spectacular local display visit the beautiful garden of Hortensia House on O’Dwyers Road.

GARDENING

Supported by View our full range of landscaping supplies online at centaland.co.nz and create your dream garden landscape with us!

This week’s GARDENING page is proudly supported by

Valley at the double

PETER JONES peter@topsouthmedia.co.nz

Wairau Valley were the main movers during last week’s double-header round of senior Twenty20 cricket.

Valley racked up victories on both Wednesday and Saturday, keeping themselves well in the mix to make the competition final on February 10.

On Wednesday they accounted for Marlborough Boys’ College, winning by 48 runs.

Batting first Valley amassed 1506, Matthew Stretch leading the way with 63 from 40 balls. Patrick Wilkins added 27. Most successful of the College attack was Baron Lindque with two wickets.

In reply, MBC limped to 102 before being dismissed in the 19th over. Rep coach Jarrod Englefield rolled back the years to register 41 opening the MBC innings but had little support, only Carter Aitken (15) and Tim Petrie (10) reaching double figures. Stretch claimed four wickets to complete a noteworthy double.

On Saturday, Valley took on competition leaders Wairau and prevailed in the final over.

Valley scored 142-7 batting first, openers Tom Leonard, 22, and Sukh Aulakh, 33 setting a strong early platform. Joel Pannell, with 27, and Sam Boyce, 28, kept the ball rolling to post a competitive target.

D Burton with 3-30 was the most successful of the Wairau attack.

In reply, Wairau also began strongly, despite losing Mike

Hood’s wicket with the first ball. Hunter Ruffell, 34, and Andrew McCaa, 66, provided the bulk of their runs as they closed in on their target. At 125-4 they were well placed to push for victory but faltered as the finish line approached, Jonathan Mackey being run out off the final ball of the 20th over with two runs needed for victory. Boyce and Pannell both snared a brace of wickets.

In Saturday’s other match, MBC picked up their second win of the season, downing Celtic by five wickets on the Horton Park three ground.

Celtic batted first, racking up a decent total of 140 in 19.3 overs, Greg Knowles, 24, and Tom Sutherland, 23, top scorers.

Josh Alexander with 3-19 and Nathan Brooke-Taylor, 2-36, led the MBC attack.

MBC’s replay began badly, losing a wicket first ball, however opener Griffin Carter stepped up, slamming a superb 79 runs from just 43 deliveries to see his side to victory in the 18th over. Tim Petrie, 15*, and Flynn Hawtin, 17*, were there at the finish as MBC got the job done for the loss of only five wickets.

Knowles, 2-22, was the most successful Celtic bowler.

On Wednesday evening, Wairau made it four wins from four outings when they defeated Renwick by seven wickets.

Batting first, Renwick amassed a moderate score of 128 before being dismissed in the final over. Opener Kirk Nicholas, who scored 48 from 28, was the main-

stay of the Green Machine’s batting, with help from Corey Bovey (22), and Andrew Nation (24). Wairau’s attack was led by Mackey, who claimed the remarkable figures of 6-22 from his full complement of four overs. Ruffell chipped in with a couple of wickets.

Wairau cruised to victory for the loss of just three wickets in the 19th over, openers Chris Turkington (22) and Tarin Mason (37) setting the foundation, then McCaa (24 not out), Harry Boyce (17) and Hood (18 not out) finishing the job.

Paddy Dawkins, Piers Landon-Lane and Keiran Gaudin were the successful Renwick bowlers.

MBC bowler Nathan Brooke-Taylor sends down another delivery during his side’s victory over Celtic at Horton Park on Saturday. Photos: Peter Jones.

MBC bowler Archie Cornelius steams in at Horton Park on Wednesday.

Sam’s Town turns the tables

PETER JONES

Sam’s Town, a seven-year-old gelding out of Robert and Jenna Dunn’s Woodend Beach stables, turned the tables on stablemate Dashing Major to claim the Marlborough Cup in the feature race of the two-day Marlborough Harness Racing Club summer meeting.

Dashing Major came to the meeting as the previous Marlborough Cup victor and underlined his strong claims to backto-back trophy triumps with a narrow win over Sam’s Town in the Cup Prelude, the feature race on Friday.

However, it was a different story on Sunday, Sam’s Town, driven by Tim Williams, scoring by one-and-a-quarter lengths over Dashing Major, again piloted by John Dunn. Outsider Get Up N Dance, driven by Bob Butt, finished third.

Both days were well-attended, cold drink providers doing a roaring trade as sizeable crowds sought sustenance and shade amid the balmy north-west conditions.

Racing was close, with redhot favourites hard to find in evenly-matched fields, leaving punters scratching their heads as they sought elusive quinellas

and trifectas.

There was a local training success, outsider Amarla, trained at Waterlea by Mark and Kendra Gill, getting up to take out race four on day one.

Punters wanting a driver to follow needed look no further than top pilot Sheree Tomlinson, who drove six winners at the meeting, including four on Friday.

That was her personal best result one-day effort, bringing home Brian Beatt, What’s Wanted, Fourth Amendment and Zsa Zoe on day one, then adding victories behind Tane JJ and Zsa Zoe on day two.

SportInBrief

GRAPERIDE OFF AGAIN

There will be no Whitehaven GrapeRide this year after organisers reluctantly decided to pull the pin. Originally scheduled for April 22, 2023, the state of the roads on the 100km circular course, which takes riders through Picton and Havelock, has meant the event has gone the same way as its 2022 predecessor, which was also cancelled, that time due to COVID concerns. The last time the event was staged, in 2021, more than 1000 riders took part over a variety of courses and distances. “It is with a heavy heart that we have to advise the cancellation of the 2023 event,” organisers announced on their website. “Unfortunately, the course has taken a pounding during major weather events over the last year and repair work is unlikely to be at a point where we can safely run an event of the magnitude of the Whitehaven GrapeRide.”

CRICKETERS SHINE IN LEVIN

The Marlborough year 9-10 cricket team, above, came away from the Central Districts tournament in Levin last week with a 50 percent record, winning two of their four fixtures. In their first match they lost to nearest neighbour Nelson, who scored 274-9 to Marlborough’s 157 all out. Luke Holdaway’s 38 was top score for the Maroons, while Lachie McNeill and Nathan Brooke-Taylor both snared two wickets. Next up Marlborough beat Manawatu by two wickets after holding their rivals to 264-8. Holdaway, 4-36, MacNeill 2-51, did the damage with the ball before Holdaway added a superb unbeaten 117 to guide the side home alongside Ollie Eyles, 40, and Luke Petrie, 29. Marlborough also accounted for the hosts, Horowhenua Kapiti, winning by three wickets this time. Brooke-Taylor, 4-40, Couper Robinson 2-11 and Teagan Birkett 2-13 grabbed the bulk of the wickets. Holdaway, 80, plus Max Ruffell and Sinclair Hill closed out the game with 35* and 15* respectively. In their final match Marlborough lost to Taranaki. They score 95 batting first, Robinson (27) and Brooke-Taylor 21* helping the team to a respectable total, but Taranaki lost just one wicket in their successful run chase.

KYREN SHINES AT SEVENS

CRICKET FIRST

A Marlborough year 7-8 girls cricket side broke new ground recently when they attended the Christchurch Girls Festival in Christchurch on January 18-20. They gave a good account of themselves, picking up two wins over Canterbury combinations from their five matches.

Marlborough Cup winner Sam’s Town is airborne as the finish line looms. Photo: Peter Jones.

Former Marlborough Boys’ College rugby player Kyren Taumoefolau, pictured, featured prominently for the Tonga sevens side at the New Zealand leg of the World Sevens Series in Hamilton over the weekend. Kyren, a utility back for the 2022 Waitohi premier side, scored tries against Great Britain, when his side scored an upset win, Australia, Uruguay and Kenya as Tonga picked up their first competition points of the series.

Athletes excel at Colgate Games

PETER JONES

Marlborough’s young athletes have enjoyed plenty of success against the nation’s best recently, picking up top placings in both North and South Island Colgate Games.

At the SI Games in Timaru on January 13-15, Isla Tilbury showed the way for Marlborough, winning a gold medal in the 400m on day one, and a silver in the 800m on day three, setting a new Marlborough record in the longer event. Her efforts saw her selected for the Nick Willis scholarship, which is awarded to the top two female and male 14-year-old athletes in the South and North Island events.

Another winner in Timaru was Elijah O’Donnell, who struck gold in the 800m and silver in the

1500m, both in Marlborough record times.

At the North Island Colgates, which were staged in Whanganui, Tilbury also claim gold in the 400m and silver in the 800m, O’Donnell picking up bronze in the 800m while Ryleigh Gale claimed silver in the 80m hurdles.

Results from South Island Colgate Games

Day one: Isla Tilbury - gold medal 400m, Callum Rayner- silver medal 1500m walk, Brooke Goodsir - bronze medal 80m hurdles, Ryleigh Gale- 5th 80m hurdles, Elijah O’Donnell - 4th 400m, Austin Ryan - 6th 1500m, Flo Paulo- 6th 800m, Brooklyn Smidt-Robinson - 6th 800m, Jaye Wiapo - 4th discus, Cooper Paulo- 6th high jump.

Day two: Elijah O’Donnell - gold 800m (a new Marlborough re-

cord), Hannah Harper - bronze 100m, 6th high jump, Neve Mckenzie - bronze 1500m, McKen-

PETER JONES

Tony Azevedo, a five-time Olympian, and captain of the silver medal-winning USA team, was highly impressed by some of the country’s rising water polo talent during a four-day camp at Stadium 2000 last week.

The camp, staged by the Marlborough Water Polo Club ran from January 16-19 and included over 40 players aged between 12 and 18 from throughout the country. It involved daily yoga sessions and 3-4 hours in the pool.

This was the second Tony Azevedo camp hosted in Marlborough, the first being in January 2020,

and is one of only two New Zealand locations to do so.

Helping Tony facilitate the camp was Auckland-based Jim Floerchinger, founder of the Sea Wolf Club and a long-standing family friend.

The pair have conducted a series of fundamental tests on a vast number of water polo players to provide a physical base line and have been impressed by the level shown at the Blenheim camp.

“Especially on the women’s side,” said Tony, “we did the challenge yesterday and in this group there were around 25-30 girls that were above average. Out of the 16,000 people that we have tested they

are in the top 10 of the 12 and under, 14 and under group.

“It is amazing and just goes to show how much talent there is out here. They have so much strength at such a young age and the challenge is to continue it so they don’t lose it when they are 15 or 16.

“Physically they are all ready,

zie Haronga - 6th final 100m, Oliver Cody - 200m final, 4th long jump, Callum Rayner- 9th 800m.

Day three: Isla Tilbury - silver 800m, (a new Marlborough record), Elijah O’Donnell - silver 1500m (a new Marlborough record), Hannah Harper - bronze 200m, McKenzie Haronga - 5th 200m final, Neve McKenzie - 6th 800m final, Cullum Rayner - 6th 1500m final, Leia Shaw - 200m finalist, Oliver Cody- 100m finalist, Jaye Wiapo - 5th shot put. Relays: Gold - 13 girls 4 x 100m (McKenzie Haronga, Hannah Harper, Jaye Wiapo, Ryleigh Gale); Silver - 13 boys 4 x 100m (Louis Thomas, Cullum Rayner, Jake Clark, Oliver Cody).

Results from North Island Colgate Games

Isla Tilbury - gold 14 girls 400m and silver 800m; Elijah O’Donnell - bronze 14 boys 800m, Ryleigh Gale silver 13 girls 80m hurdles.

they were holding back, not excited enough, and I felt there was this fear of not being good enough.

“Maybe they thought I was going to yell at them but I told the group that my job is just to help you be the best you can be.

“My sister, who travelled here with me, told them how she had

The gold medal-winning Marlborough 13 girls relay team – from left, McKenzie Haronga, Hannah Harper, Jaye Wiapo, Ryleigh Gale. Photo: Supplied.

CRICKET AMONG THE VINES

Marlborough’s Black Cottage Cricket Ground was the venue for an entertaining 40-over match on Saturday between the host club, United Country and Vineyards, and the Wanderers Cricket Club from Wellington. The visitors, who included former Black Cap Hamish Marshall and former All Black Jason Eaton, batted first and scored 200. In reply, UCVC were in trouble at 150-9 and, although their final pair put on 49 runs for the last wicket they came up one run short.

Rowers make mark at Canty champs

PETER JONES

A third placing in the open pair was one many highlights from the Wairau contingent at the recent Canterbury Rowing Championships at Lake Ruataniwha.

The Wairau pair of Fred Vavasour and Reuben Cook joined forces and, with only one week’s training together, turned in a top effort.

Reuben, who was back in the country on a break from his US university, plans to return to Wairau next summer and continue his partnership with Fred, who will be focussing on the open single for the forthcoming South Island Champs on January 28-29.

Wairau also had a group of five club rowers at the Canterbury regatta, their highlight coming with victory in the men’s club four, with Hugh Straker, Tristan Gregory-Hunt, Liam Collins and Joe Hughes on board. Hugh and Tristan also finished second in the men’s club pair while Liam finished third in the men’s club single. Four of that group will join forces with four schoolboys to race the club eight at the SI champs, as well as racing in the singles, four and quad.

The SI champs will provide a guideline to the make-up of boats and athletes the club will target for the national champs on February 14-18, also at Lake Ruataniwha.

Wairau’s leading A final results: GOLD

Men’s club four (Tristan Gregory-Hunt, Hugh Straker, Liam Collins, Joe Hughes)

Girls U17 coxed four (Grace Straker, Bella Rayner, Brooke Harper, Mila Van Rensberg, Grace McKendry – cox)

Men’s U19 eight (George Lindstrom, Shane Henry, Dylan Locke, Zac Jenkins, Louis Girling, Jock Flanagan, Walter Wickham, Hamish Lindstrom, Blake Pitts – cox)

SILVER

Men’s club pair (Tristan Gregory-Hunt, Hugh Straker)

Women’s senior coxless pair (Emma Flanagan, Lexi Timpson)

Women’s intermediate coxed four (Izzy Brick, Bella Rayner, Charlotte Thomas, Harriet McLauchlan, Tessa Unwin –cox)

Girls U17 eight (Jessica Bennet, Hazel Glover, Grace Straker, Izzy Brick, Brooke Harper, Mila Van Rensberg, Ella Barnes, Bella Rayner, Molly Wilkes – cox)

Men’s club single (Hugh Straker)

Girls U15 coxed four (Amelia Clementine-Hood, Georgette Herkt, Anna Hurren, Katie Fenwick, Pippa Sowman – cox)

BRONZE

Men’s premier pair (Fred Vavasour, Reuben Cook)

Boys U16 coxed quad (Hamish Lindstrom, Jock Flanagan, Louis Girling, Oliver Wakelin, Jack Shaw – cox)

Men’s open octuple scull (Willem Rowe, Henare Panaho, Drew Materoa, Logan Flight, Aiden Bennett, Toby Randall, Hunter Marfell, Luke Bown, Blake Marfell – cox)

Men’s club single (Liam Collins)

Women’s novice coxed four (Lily Smith, Georgia Marfell, Ana Bailey, Olive Paterson, Lilly McMillan – cox)

Men’s U19 coxed quad (Dylan Locke, Zac Jenkins, Shane Henry, George Lindstrom, Blake Pitts - cox)

Girls U17 coxed four (Jessica Bennet, Hazel Glover, Ella Barnes, Izzy Brick, Molly Wilkes – cox)

Fred Vavasour, left, and Reuben Cook in the open pair.

Photo: Sharon Bennett Photography.

Wanderers’ batsman Brent Coffey has his stumps re-arranged at Black Cottage on Saturday. Photos: Peter Jones.

UCVC spin bowler Hugo Davison sends down another delivery.

Notices

MARLBOROUGH’S COMMUNITY NOTICES

MONDAY

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

BEGINNER LINE DANCE CLASSES Mon 2pm & 6.30pm at Senior Citizens Hall 166 High St. 1st lesson free for new beginners. Ph Judith 5787554 or 0212341095.

BEGINNER LINE DANCE CLASSES Mon 2-3pm and Mon 6-7pm. First lesson is free, then $6 per lesson after that. Senior Citizen’s Hall, 172 High Street, Blenheim. Ph Judith 5787554 or 0212341095

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

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.

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

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

SUNBELT TOASTMASTERS Learn public speaking & improve your confidence. Tues 6.20pm Fortnightly. St Mary’s Community Centre. Contact sunbeltblenheim@ gmail.com or ph 027 600 1788.

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 & 3rd Tues mornings. Ph Tina 0211045945.

MARLBOROUGH TENNIS CLUB Parker St. Tues 8.3012pm. Social tennis. Morning tea 10am. Non-members $5. All welcome. Ph Joanna 0275786436

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.

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 RNZAF Base Woodbourne. Recruiting new cadets aged between 13 & 15 for 2023. For more info email: 27sqn@ cadetforces.org.nz

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

KNITTERS & SPINNERS Meet up Tues 10am, Picton

library. Bring your knitting to the library for this social catch-up.

PICTON TABLE TENNIS for adults Tues 10am-12noon. Little Theatre, Picton. $4 per session. Meet people & get some exercise. Morning tea provided. 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.

PICTON LINE DANCING Classes restarting Tue 7th Feb from 9.30am. Anglican Church Hall. $6 per class. Beginners welcome. Enquires to Carol 0212125252 or Raewyn 021715484.

WEDNESDAY

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 condition 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/caregivers catch up, Wed 10.30-12pm, town Plunket Clinic, 16 Henry St. No charge.

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.

DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP Meets every Wed 1011.30am to support each other, have regular speakers, outings, share in a safe environment. Ph Alistair Crawford 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 arrangement. 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 community 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!

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

THURSDAY

INVITING YOU TO COMPANIONS for ages 65+, 1st Thurs of Month. 1pm. Harvest Life Church, 22 Nelson St. It’s free, so no strings attached & there’s YUMMY afternoon tea. We have an interesting programme throughout the year. For more info ph Avon 03 579 2440, Lorraine 03 578 1240, or Shirley 03 578 3728.

COPD SUPPORT AND EXERCISE GROUP Free. Every 2nd & 4th Thurs 1.30pm. Redwoodtown Community Hall, Cnr Weld & Cleghorn St. For more info contact Asthma Marlborough 0272057244.

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

PICTON TABLE TENNIS Thurs 10am-12pm, Port Marlborough Pavilion, Waikawa Rd. All adults welcome. $4 incl. morning tea. Equipment supplied. Ph Ernest 0275 888 453.

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

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

KNIT & NATTER Marlborough District Library. We are starting Thurs 26th Jan, then 2nd & 4th Thurs of the month, 10am-12noon, tea & coffee provided. All welcome. Bring your yarn & have a yarn. For info ph Sue 5785317.

FRIDAY

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.

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

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

SATURDAY / SUNDAY

BAHÁ’Í DEVOTIONS 1st & 3rd Sun, 10.30-11.15am, Marlborough Community Centre, 25 Alfred St, 12th Lane, Blenheim cnr Farmers carpark. “In the garden of thy Heart plant naught but the rose of love”. www.bahai.org.

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.

BLENHEIM ROTARY BOOTSALE MARKET Railway Station carpark, Sat 8am-12pm. Blenheim Rotary Bootsale operating over 25 years, funds to local/international projects. New or used items, plants, food, cof-

fee carts welcome. See bootsalemarket on Facebook.

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

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

MARLBOROUGH MUSEUM at Brayshaw Park, open 10am-4pm.Maori treasures, Wairau Bar 1250 AD, The Wine Exhibition, Early settlers, Asian Dolls, 1870 to 1970 Fashion, 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 & ability. Including back country expeditions, easy local rides, more serious mountain bike races. Marlboroughmountainbike@gmail.com.

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

MARLBOROUGH ARTISAN CRAFT MARKET Sat, Market Place. Come down & meet your local craft people. Children’s area with games for young & old. A free Community Site to promote or fund-raise your organisation. Renwick Tennis Club 8 Uxbridge St.

REPAIR CAFÉ We’ll fix your small repair on site, on the day, while you wait and have a cuppa. Sewing/ darning, bikes, small furniture/wooden items, toys electronic and mobile phones. 28th Jan (Every 4th Sat monthly) 9am–12noon. John’s Kitchen, 2 Redwood St. Donations accepted.

MARLBOROUGH FARMERS MARKET A&P showgrounds, 9am-12pm Sun, local fresh & seasonal produce & products.

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.

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.

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

BLENHEIM RIVERSIDE RAILWAY Runs 1st & 3rd Sun of the month. We have Eftpos. Facebook / Riverside Railway.

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

BARNABAS CHURCH BLENHEIM 4pm Sun service. St Ninians Church, corner Riley Cres & Alabama Rd. More info: barnabas.org.nz.

KETO SUPPORT GROUP meets Sat fortnightly (approx. 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.

CANCER SOCIETY major event, Relay For Life, Lansdowne Park. 4th & 5th March. Gather your family & friends, talk to your colleagues & register your team now to Celebrate - Remember - Fight back https:// relayforlife.org.nz/marlborough Standard registration is $20 & includes team site, live entertainment, spot prizes & activities, hot breakfast, refreshments & more. Email relaymarlborough@cancersoc.org.nz or phone 03 5794379 with any queries

GENERAL GROUPS

BLENHEIM ROWING CLUB Rowing on the Wairau River from the boatshed at 259 Jones Rd, Grovetown. Every Sun from 8.45am. Tues & Thurs from 4.45pm. Novice & experienced rowers welcome, any age. Learn to Row programme. Full details at blenheimrowing. co.nz or contact 027487622.

WEEKLY STEADY AS YOU GO CLASSES Mon 10.3011.30am The Foundry, John St. Tues 1.30– 2.30pm, Union Parish, 40 Broadway, Picton. (2 doors down from Police Station). Tues 11.30am-12.30 St Christophers Hall, Redwoodtown. Wed 1.30-2.30pm, Marlborough Community Centre, 25 Alfred St, Blenheim. For more information call the Age Concern office 5793457. Cost Blenheim $2 per class. Picton $3 per class.

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 email soundsvehicle@gmail.com.

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

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 community. We provide equipment, tools & workspace for most woodwork & metalwork projects. Open Sat 9am-12noon. Mon & Thurs 1-4pm. Ph Dave 0212340057.

SENIORNET MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS Linkwater Hall, Queen Charlotte Drive. Our tutors are available for people 50+ who need assistance with their computer or smart phone. Contact Secretary Ian Cameron (03) 574 2558 to arrange.

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

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 lifestyle. Connect with us on Facebook.

MARLBOROUGH TRAMPING CLUB A very active club. Mid-week & Sunday trips, plus overnight & extended trips. Find info at http://www.marlboroughtrampingclub.co.nz or marlboroughtrampingclub@gmail.com

SITUATIONS

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public notice of application for on-licence & off-licence Section 101, Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012

Huia Estate Vineyards Ltd, 22 Boyces Road, Rapaura has made application to the District Licensing Committee at Blenheim for the issue of on- and off-licences in respect of the premises situated at 22 Boyces Road, Rapaura, Marlborough known as Huia Vineyards.

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Secretary/Administrator (Part-time)

We have an opportunity for an experienced individual to take up the position of Secretary/Administrator (30 hours per week, Monday to Friday). Flexibility will be needed when the 30 hours are worked and at times this may involve working extra hours.

The purpose of this role is to provide a range of secretarial and administrative duties across the organisation including formatting documents, organising meetings and minute taking, so an eye for detail and the ability to treat information with sensitivity and maintain confidentiality is essential.

It will suit someone who can work collaboratively within a team as well as independently, enjoys variety, has the ability to multitask and takes pride in producing professional work.

Ko ngā pūmanawa ōu | About you

• Intermediate to advanced experience of Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint).

• Experience taking meeting minutes or a willingness to learn.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• The ability to use initiative, in particular when editing others’ work ensuring excellent English, grammar and layouts are achieved.

• The ability to carry out a variety of tasks and prioritise competing workloads whilst working to meet deadlines.

• A helpful and ‘can-do’ attitude.

Ko ngā āhuatanga pai | What we offer

• A workplace that supports flexibility, health and wellbeing.

• An environment where input, initiative and innovation are encouraged.

• A competitive remuneration and benefits package (including life and income protection insurance, health insurance, enhanced leave and superannuation).

If you’re ready to progress your career with Te Kaunihera ā-rohe o Wairau - tono mai | apply now!

Applications close at 5.00 pm on 29 January 2023.

Applications should be made online via the careers page www.marlborough.govt.nz/your-council/careers/currentvacancies where you will find full information on the vacancy and how to apply.

For further information you are welcome to contact Bernadette MacDonald (Team Leader – Secretarial Services) on bernadette.macdonald@marlborough.govt.nz.

www.marlborough.govt.nz

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the next step, please send your CV to manager@itmhavelock.co.nz

The general nature of the business conducted under the licence is winery cellar door.

The days on which and the hours during which alcohol is intended to be sold under the licences are Monday to Sunday, on-premise, 10.30am to 6.30pm and offpremise, Monday to Sunday 8.00am to 6.00pm.

The application may be inspected during ordinary office hours at the office of the Marlborough District Licensing Committee at 15 Seymour Street, Blenheim.

Any person who is entitled to object and who wishes to object to the issue of the licence may, not later than 15 working days after the date of the publication of this notice, may file a notice in writing of the objection with the Secretary of the District Licensing Committee at P.O. Box 443, Blenheim 7240.

Contact Brian McNamara Chairperson

Kaikoura Labour Electorate Committee Phone 03 928 4479 or write to The Secretary Kaikoura LEC PO Box 1104 Blenheim

No objection to the issue of a licence may be made in relation to a matter other than a matter specified in section 105(1) of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

This application was lodged 20 December 2022. This is the first publication of this notice.

Make believe (7)

Malady (7)

All together (2,5)

Follow step by step (5)

Permission (5)

Sales Representative /

Trainee

Havelock, Marlborough

MARLBOROUGH DISTRICT COUNCIL