Holiday Guide - 28 December 2022

Turf Hotel has big New Year’s Eve planned

“The first band will start in the garden bar at 6pm, with Philip from Flipside, who will play to a nice late afternoon/evening session which goes through to 9pm,” says Janelle Clark who co-owns The Turf Hotel with her husband Scott. “Then we’ve got a really cool band – Gentle Giant that will take over from 9 o’clock to 2023, so we’re expecting a really busy night. The summer months are a great time to come to The Turf

which always has plenty of fun things happening. Every Sunday afternoon, there’s usually some form of entertainment or band in the garden from 3pm to 6pm. “In the New Year, we will resume our Mammoth Meat Raffle which has been really popular,” says Janelle. That’s every Sunday afternoon at 2.30pm and everyone’s welcome.

“It’s $1 a ticket, so people buy them during the week and generally we have around $1200 worth

of meat packs up for grabs. There are usually around 50 prizes, so everyone tends to get something which is really cool.”

Adjacent to The Turf Hotel, The Bach Bar & Restaurant is the ideal place to bring your family or friends over summer. The Bach has a great summer menu with delicious Gourmet pizzas, Burgers, Roast of the Day, and

a variety of salads available. The restaurant has started to cater for more functions in recent times.

“We can come up with menus to suit groups and families, and we can provide set menus, buffets or platter menus.”

“We can offer exclusive use of The Bach for 50 people or more, and we have had 21st Functions, Wedding Receptions, Work Do’s,

Wakes, etc.

For special occasions, we are happy to decorate the restaurant with balloons for you.” The Bach has got capacity for 100 people or more if it’s just people mingling with canapés.

The Turf Hotel and The Bach Bar & Restaurant is located at 228 Songer Street, Stoke. To find out more, visit www.turfhotel.co.nz

Nothing like a bit of festive bash and crash

The Burson Logging Demolition Derby highlights the holiday break meeting at Milestone Homes Top of the South Speedway. The last car going gets to claim the prize as they try to wreck each other without becoming a casualty themselves.

The sound of crumpled metal and popping tyres gives way to all sorts of weird sounds that engines shouldn’t make, steam bellowing as the cars grab their last oomph of movement before grinding to a halt. The nearmisses or the chance of a roll over keeps everyone on their toes.

The victor will get to wave the flag in triumph, mates against mates, a battle of the classes. There’s always plenty of banter after the race, the what ifs or revenge sought for next time. Those who participate always want

to come back for more. The meeting will also see the debut of a couple of new Super Stocks; Mike Oakley and Kaylim McNabb joining the ranks, while Cleeve Kookshorn from Greymouth has registered his Super Stock with the Nelson club and has entered for the meeting. Mike was previously in the Stock Car grade, while Kaylim raced in Production Saloons. Cleeve has raced a multitude of race cars as well as jet boats and other forms of speed sport. He ran at Greymouth before Christmas and won two out of three races on his debut with the car. The new cars boost an increasing number of Super Stocks within the club. It’s a good sign as Nelson looks to secure the NZ Super Stock title in 2025.

The Street Stocks will be doing last minute checks as they head to Blenheim to contest their NZ title on the 6th and 7th of January at Eastern States Speedway. With State Highway 6 reopened just before Christmas, it

will be a quick trip over and back after months of broken and closed roads, limiting many people’s travels through Rai Valley, Pelorus and Havelock townships.

There are great hopes for our local drivers. On the same weekend, two of our Super Stock drivers will be racing in Huntly for the NZ title. Brett Nicholls is hoping to continue his impressive record of making the championship finals, while Alex Hill will be keen to back his triples win up North with another good showing. There will be many drivers hoping for stockings full of race parts, maybe a whole, new race engine might arrive in time for Super Saloon driver Ian Burson; he has his fingers crossed and is still on the good list, if only just!

Experience the luxury you deserve at the region’s newest cinema

Since opening in June 2022, Kiwi owned and operated Silky Otter Cinemas Richmond has taken the Nelson Tasman region by storm. The cinema itself was designed

As a team of highly-experienced industry veterans driven by a shared love of film, their goal is to deliver an elevated and modernised cinema experience that all Kiwis deserve, every time. Situated at Berryfields Crossing, Silky Otter Cinemas Richmond is engineered to entertain. The eight-screen complex is like nothing the region has seen before and, as with all Silky Otter Cinemas, has been built on a simple ethos of excellence and unmatched customer service. The experience includes a completely ad-free preshow showing just movie trailers, luxury recliners with more room for comfort, and cutting-edge screen and sound technology.

NZ

A full-service bar and kitchen provide real food made by real chefs and a mouth-watering specially-

curated menu using the freshest of ingredients, whether it’s freshly cooked hot food items, indulgent desserts, classic movie favourites, or a drink from our selection of premium beers and wines, there’s something to tempt everyone’s tastebuds and the friendly staff will deliver your order straight to your seat. Silky Otter aims to cater to all film lovers in their local communities by offering a range of films, whether it’s big mainstream blockbusters, a family favourite, or the best arthouse film. Managing director Ahmed Almukhtar says, “As film lovers, we want people to not only see the films they want but have an experience so good that they keep coming back for more.” The perfect destination

for your next private event, hiring an immersive, intimate, and quality venue with exceptional service has never been easier. “We provide events tailormade for you. Let us impress your guests, clients, family and friends with the ultimate cinema experience. Our cinemas are perfectly set up to cater to an extensive range of events, including corporate screenings, birthdays and anniversaries, gaming sessions, fundraising events, celebrations and conferences. “You can choose from the latest and greatest blockbusters, or get nostalgic and watch your favourite classic movie.

“Our cinemas are also perfectly set up for giving unique and impressive presentations.”

Welcome to our home, we hope you have a great time while you are here. We also hope that you get to see the sights and not us, Te Whatu Ora – Nelson Marlborough, so look before you leap, take care on the trails, in the sun, and at the sea.

If you or a travelling companion need health care during your stay, knowing where to go is the first step to getting the appropriate care in the shortest amount of time.

The Emergency Department (ED) is for emergencies and serious medical concerns. ED clinicians work hard to see and treat people in the quickest time while ensuring safety, but non-urgent cases will tend to have a longer waiting time.

Nelson Marlborough’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Nick Baker, says that in summer time as we explore all Te Tauihu (Top of the South) has to offer there is often an increase in in musculoskeletal injuries like sprains and impact injuries which can lead to long wait times if they present to

ED. “If there is no fracture, it is reasonable to attend an Urgent Care Centre or a GP appointment. If it is afterhours for these services, waiting until they are open, rather than waiting in ED, is also reasonable.

“It is important, however, to understand the difference between falling and injuring an ankle and falling and injuring your head.

The ankle may require non-urgent services, such as a call to Healthline, self-care, a GP visit, or the Medical and Injury Centre in Nelson or Marlborough Urgent Care in Blenheim. The head may require more attention.

If in doubt call Healthline on 0800 611 116. If is a free service available 24/7 to provide health advice.

“Local pharmacists can also help with advice on minor ailments and cold and flu symptoms.

You can find one near you on healthpoint.co.nz. Contacting your regular hometown GP is another option. A GP can consult over the phone and transfer prescriptions to a local pharmacy.”

Prevention, precaution, and knowing where to go means that any health concerns can be attended to as quickly as possible, so you can get back to enjoying your holiday.

Higgins Heritage Park Community Craft Fair

Make a date! It’s a big welcome to our very popular Annual Higgins Heritage Park Community Craft Fair, on January 2, at 222 Pigeon Valley Road Wakefield. This is a festive and fun day, held from 9am – 3pm, which includes activities for all:

• Cancer Society sunscreen available. Eftpos available and plenty of off-road car parking

• A very wide range of stalls with products including fruits, berries, handicrafts, artworks, jewellery, pottery, plants, garden art, soaps, liquorice, wooden toys, tools, quilts, sun hats and eyewear, a variety of food, drinks, ice creams, and a Ta-

huna Scouts sausage sizzle

• Children’s activities include Mahana School and Wakefield School artworks, Wakefield Fire Brigade kids challenge, Kids-Can products stalls, Face painting and balloons

• Busker music, Steam Up and traction engine, bush rail jigger, school bus and honey barrel rides.Vintage and heritage displays of steam, farming, forestry, vehicles, military and rural life are all featured at Higgins Heritage Park, which is the home of museum attractions of Pigeon Valley Steam machinery, including NZ’s largest portable steam engine. Visit the vintage sawmill, waterwheel and stamper machine and the Har-

ry Holmwood Memorial Museum. View Forge and Make a Knife, the Rex Kelly chainsaw and early logging collection, John Ward Forestry Hut, and the G and HO model train sets collection. The Nelson Vintage Engine and Machinery Club hosts a large range of tractors, farming equipment and small engines, and the associated Rural Life Museum. While the Nelson Rover Car Club boasts a specially-designed club room showcasing their vintage garage and yesteryear petrol pumps. The Historic Transport Museum has a large range of vintage trucks and transport memorabilia to enjoy, and the Ray Win Collection includes

Jowett marque cars, light lorries and 1980-90’s speedway bikes. Higgins Heritage Park is also home to the Army Centre Group who display military equipment and are passionate about re-enacting WW events. With a NZMCA campsite and a pavilion, the park is an ideal location for schools, special interest groups and learning programmes to visit for an educational experience. And with the plethora of vintage items on-site, it is the perfect spot for wedding photography! Along with their annual Community Craft Fair, the park will be hosting Vintage Engine and Machinery Club show days featuring the ‘Fergie’ tractors, on March 1819, 2023. Welcoming new members into the fold, there are club groups for all who are interested in maintaining, restoring, preserving, and for camaraderie and a cuppa. Call in on Tuesdays for Steam Machinery, Wednesdays for Historic Transport or Thursdays for Vintage Machinery. Their Steam-up and museum displays open on the first Sunday of each month from Sept – May. The Higgins Heritage Park Community Craft Fair event is proudly supported by NBS Community Banking and Tasman Pine Forests Ltd.

Richmond Mall - ‘the centre of it all’

Offering the largest shopping experience under one roof in the Top of the South, Richmond Mall hosts the region’s only food court and has been a community hub and favourite shopping destination for locals and travellers alike for over 40 years.

Covering 23,000 square metres of retail space, two supermarkets, department stores, over seventy speciality stores, a food court and more than 800 free car parks, the Richmond Mall provides fabulous fashion and divine jewellery, delectable food outlets, indulgent hair, health and beauty stores, convenient banking, popup shops, and lifestyle and leisure stores. You are guaranteed to find something for everyone in the family-friendly location.

Seeing over six million visitors each year, the Richmond Mall is adept at catering to families, boasting a toddler’s play area and Parent’s Room to help make your visit as stress-free as possible. The

play area is perfect for young ones to burn off some energy while you watch your children play and take a moment to relax with a coffee or a bite to eat. The Parent’s Room is conveniently located down the corridor between Hannahs and Acquisitions, near the food court, and is equipped with private and

comfortable feeding areas, baby change tables, toddler toilets, a microwave, and drinking water. Handy to Queen Street and the adjacent shopping complex across the carpark, the Richmond Mall has five entranceways to choose from and disabled and stork parking located at the key

entrance points. Shopping has never been easier! The information desk is located near the Queen Street entrance and is open during normal mall trading hours. The friendly team can provide a wide range of helpful information about the Mall and offer services including gift voucher

sales, free gift wrapping, and access to wheelchairs and strollers. You will even find a Justice of the Peace offering free services, including signature witnessing, document certification, affidavit administration and document declaration, every Saturday from 10am to 12pm.

Marchfest 2023

Brewers and musicians from around the country will join homegrown stars as preparations kick into gear for Marchfest 2023.

The popular craft beer and music celebration held in New Zealand’s main hop growing region is back. This year’s event – the 15th in its history - will once again be held at Founders Heritage Park on Saturday March 4th, 2023 from noon to 9.30pm.

All the beers available at Marchfest have been specially commissioned for the event and have never previously been tasted by the public. Every year around 15 craft breweries produce a new beer for the event. These beers all make their world debut at Marchfest.

PLUS there are ‘Brew Talks’ with a range of commercial craft brewers taking turns on the microphone, ready to answer all of your questions about their approach to making great craft beer. All of this is FREE as part of your entry ticket

Back by popular demand is the Tasting Bar. This means that all you festival-goers can sample a paddle of 5 taster-sized brews!

Come sit at a table, sample a few beers before going on to the main bars to enjoy your favourites.But Marchfest is not just about beer.

Great live music is always a big feature of the event - This year’s lineup includes 12-piece Newtown Rocksteady with their all brass, all bass, all party, big band, big dance, chant down MASH UP - expect a generous dose of soul and a solid helping of skank, as well as Grump Monkey from Marlborough and more.

Last but not least, Marchfest also showcases local Cider & Wine, plenty of local cuisine and there is heaps of cool stuff for kids to do in the dedicated Kids Zone.

This year for the first time Marchfest has a Zero% ticket option for non-drinkers.

Come join us in Nelson for ‘NZ’s Big Little Craft Beer Festival’!

Earlybird tickets on sale now. Tickets and more event information can be found at www.marchfest.com.