Wairarapa Midweek Wed 3 April

Sweeping fear aside with strength

Continued from page 1

putting your brave face on.”

Now, nearly three years after her first “have-a-go” at dragon boating, Sandie is a committed member of Cansurvive Dragon Boat Club, a club for breast cancer survivors and supporters, and completed her third Wellington Dragon Boat Festival last month.

A dragon boat is a human-powered watercraft originating from the Pearl River Delta region of China’s southern Guangdong Province.

Dragon boaters sit in two rows of 10 and face forward, using paddles to propel the vessel.

Research has shown dragon boating can support the recovery of cancer patients – particularly with lymphedema, which can be a side effect of cancer and cancer treatment.

To get there, Sandie chose to do some groundwork on her fitness.

“I didn’t want to be a lump on the boat,” she said. “So, I walked into Health Fit in Greytown and said, ‘I want to dragon boat and I need to be fit’.

“I was almost crying

because I was scared. It took me quite a long time to get out of the car and into the gym.”

Soon, Sandie was working out four days a week. Getting gym-fit gave her back “ownership of my body, and the fact that it can do stuff ”.

“Because, when you are in your cancer journey, your body really isn’t your own.”

Dragon boating with Cansurvive, and the club’s social team, Canthrive, has built Sandie’s fitness, boosted her confidence

and self-esteem, and even forced her to reevaluate a long-held belief that she wasn’t “a sporty person.”

“Turns out, I just want to go fast!”

Sandie also credits dragon boating with Cansurvive as providing her with a new supportive community of women she loves, admires and respects.

“With dragon boating, you are instantly part of a family. You’ve got that connection,” Sandie said. “We’re all getting up and getting going. And for

some people, the cancer comes back around again, and then we’re all there to stand alongside them.”

Sandie wants to be a dragon boater for “a long time”, and is currently learning to be a sweep –the team member who stands at the back of the boat steering with an oar.

It’s quite a skill, involving balance, patience, courage and leadership – particularly on “bumpy days”, Sandie said.

“Standing at the back of the boat it’s like being on a trampoline with three kids, and they are all jumping at different times.”

Sandie battled choppy weather during the threeday Wellington Dragon Boat Festival, sweeping for crews in several races.

A highlight was sweeping for a team of high school paddlers from St Catherine’s College, who had only managed to squeeze in three training sessions before race day.

“It was probably one of the best experiences of my life,” Sandie said. “Those St Catherine’s girls were incredible.”

“It was the most perfect day weather-wise, and we just flew down the racecourse. I got off the water and I said, ‘Girls, you’ve just done the most amazing thing, and this has been one of the best days of my life.’

“I walked out of there feeling 10 feet tall.”

Sandie’s mediumterm aim is to be an accredited sweep in the Cansurvive crew in time for the International

Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission in France in 2026.

Sandie is a long way from the “terribly frightened, mousy woman who just looked petrified” on the shores of Henley Lake a few years ago.

With the support of her family and friends – “I was showered with love” –Sandie has “come out the other side”.

“There’s the ‘before’ this thing happened, then there’s this terrible thing – cancer – in the middle, and then there’s after.

“I feel like this is my second chance. I’m still the same person but I’m stronger and clearer and less scared. There are silver linings.

“I feel kind of unstoppable.”

Hide a book to inspire love of reading

Freddie Wilkie

A Masterton woman has launched a new challenge for children over the school holidays – one that she hopes will inspire a love of literature.

observing, in her work as a property manager, “a lack of kids’ reading books”.

“It is a shame as they just don’t read as much as they used to. As a property manager, I go around a lot of houses, and I hardly see any books,” she said.

at Queen Elizabeth Park – with notes that congratulate the kids on their new find.

“It tells them to read the book and then re-seal it for others to read it.”

Voice said she also hoped the initiative would encourage her seven-yearold great-granddaughter to read – and not spend so much time on technology and screens.

In a new take on a traditional Easter egg hunt, Avis Voice has started planting books around Queen Elizabeth Park for tamariki and their families to hunt out and read together.

Voice was inspired to start the initiative after

“I’ve also noticed parents aren’t taking their kids to the library as much. Hopefully, this will help get kids and parents loving reading.”

Voice has started placing books, kept in zip-lock bags in case of rain, around the island

She started placing the books last Tuesday, and did a “restock” after the Easter break yesterday. She will continue placing books until the end of the school holidays, which finish on April 28.

“It allows them enough time to read the books and send them back for others to read.”

After announcing the initiative, Voice said she contacted Douglas Park School.

“They are really onboard with the idea and want to support it,” she said.

The initiative is funded entirely by Voice, and she is encouraging “as many people as possible” to come and hunt for books.

LEFT: Sandie celebrates win at at the Wellington Dragonboat Festival.

ABOVE: Sandie sweeping at the recent Festival . PHOTOS/BIG TOP MARK & CO

What is the williwaw?

Wairarapa’s veteran quizmaster Chris Cogdale knows it’s a wind in Alaska.

It’s one of the questions in “Coggie’s” collection as he approaches 2400 quizzes delivered in the Wellington region since 1997. His clear, calm voice is probably replayed in many a head, after the dramatic ups and downs of a quiz night.

If the tables were turned, Coggie would love a quiz battle with British television star Mark “The Beast” Labbett on the game show The Chase. Beating Labbett would be the ultimate challenge, he said.

“I’ve watched The Chase ever since it started – I record it and watch it when I can.

“The Beast has a cockiness about him. But I have met The Chase’s Dark Destroyer [Shaun Wallace] when he came to Wairarapa in 2019. I’d love to walk into the Kuripuni Tavern quiz night with Shaun.”

Other TV game shows Coggie enjoys are The 1% Club and Hard Quiz [from Australia].

For the last few decades, he has hosted quizzes at fundraisers, club nights and corporate events. A typical week may have him asking questions in Pahiatua, Masterton, Silverstream and Porirua, while also working as the Wairarapa Times-Age’s sports reporter. The most quizzes he’s done in a year is 148.

At a quiz last month to raise funds for Wairarapa College choir Cantate, Coggie pushed past the pain of a leg injury, after a cricket ball caught him on the shin during a stint as an umpire.

Customised for the crowd, the Cantate quiz had no sports round, plenty of music, and a picture round asking teams to identify women called Katherine, Catherine or Kate.

The school hall lights were bright, the paper plates of chippies were out, and young choir members cheerfully circled the room, collecting answer sheets.

Coggie delivered eight rounds of questions, ad-libbing and smoothly timing his deliveries between escalating whoops and yells from the players.

“Which large land animal makes a sound called nuzzing?” he asked. A camel, of course.

For the final Conundrum, teams were given progressive clues, each with a lower points value, to identify technology giant Samsung – which began as a noodle trader in South Korea.

In a dramatic twist, the

team which had trailed the field of 16 groups all night, risked an early answer and got it right –for maximum points and light-hearted praise from Coggie.

He’s seen and heard it all – but has yet to witness a team achieve the perfect score of 10/10 for every round.

Quizzing started for Coggie in the early 1990s, when he organised some sports quizzes at the Red Star clubrooms, and some fundraisers at the former Slug and Lettuce pub in Masterton.

“The DB Breweries rep, Murray Persico, said, ‘We could do something with this’”, he recalled.

He invited Coggie to run a sports quiz in Silverstream, which evolved into general knowledge quizzes.

A series of quizzes in chartered clubs, sponsored by DB Breweries, followed –which ran for about 15 years.

“From that, I picked

up the Johnsonville Club, which I’ve been doing for 26 years and the Upper Hutt Cossie Club for more than 20 years.”

In 2010, Coggie gave up his job in radio to have a crack at quizzing full-time, providing quiz packs to pubs and clubs. Nine years and many questions later, he was offered his newspaper job and has found a balance between the two.

He describes himself as “old school”, no longer sending out packs and avoiding the latest technology. Coggie turns up in person with a wheelie suitcase, laptop, PA system and questions for all ages –“although some people may complain about my lack of Taylor Swift questions”.

“I’m often catering for 20-year-olds and 70-yearolds at the same quiz,” he said.

Coggie’s hot tips: “Have a team with a wide range of interests and don’t play your Joker [double points] on the 50-50 round.”

He draws material from Google and buys quiz

books.

“The books are to get ideas for questions or rounds, then I word them to make them relevant to New Zealand players. I also have collections of almanacks and encyclopaedias. Encyclopaedia Britannica is particularly good.”

An important caution when setting questions is not taking the first thing on Google at face value, he said. The world’s most populous city can be Tokyo, Mexico City or Sao Paulo, depending on the source.

“I make sure I have two or three firm reference points and often add a source to the question, such as ‘According to the US Census Bureau…’

“I’m not perfect and sometimes make a mistake. But if that happens, I can give everyone a point.”

Coggie’s experience means he can quickly read a quiz room.

“From the first round, I can tell which teams are strong and who is not. People don’t realise the amount of ad-libbing I do

[to help out].”

He may be the Wellington region’s roaming quizmaster, but on his Wairarapa turf, people know Coggie as a local bloke and a sportswriter.

“Kuripuni Tavern is great. I love it there,” he said.

“Medici Café in Martinborough has no quiz night prizes – teams make a donation into a bucket and the winner chooses which charity or organisation gets that money.

“I think that’s really neat and it works a treat.”

LEFT: Quizmaster Chris “Coggie” Cogdale in action at a quiz in Masterton.

PHOTO/JULIA MAHONY

Julia Mahony

julia.mahony@age.co.nz

ABOVE: Coggie with The Chase’s Shaun “The Dark Destroyer” Wallace on his visit to Masterton in 2019.

PHOTO/FILE

A fond farewell for Trade Aid

Catherine Clouston

The national closure of Trade Aid’s retail arm has prompted a wave of warm reflections from the staff volunteers who have served in the Masterton store over the last 37 years.

Trade Aid marks its 50th anniversary this year, and the Masterton store opened on November 2, 1986 – the 22nd in the network.

Over the years, its location has changed a few times, opening firstly in Centrepoint Mall, then 52 Queen St, where it remained for 17 years.

Other Queen St locations included sojourns at number 96, a brief return to 52 Queen St in 2012, and lastly in 2022 to its current location at number 98.

The heart of Trade Aid has always been about helping artisans and farmers in developing countries to overcome unfair trade barriers and get a fair price for their work.

Over the years, Trade Aid Masterton has had many volunteer retail assistants and helpers, without whom the store would not have been able to operate.

One of the youngest has been Megan McCaffrey, just 14 when she came on board.

Starting out at the back of the store, Megan was motivated to make a change in her community. But she found her decision to “give back” had personal benefits as well.

“I have retail skills now, and I’ve met people outside of Trade Aid that I really would not have spoken to,” she said.

“I started out doing vacuuming – you’ve got to start somewhere. Then I

started doing stock takes and out the back doing labelling. There’s a lot of behind the scenes stuff I learned, and open and closing the shop.

“Even in a small way, you feel like you are making an impact somehow.”

Another volunteer, Alice Williams, has been involved in the Masterton store from its inception in 1986.

A love for retail and a belief in fair trade were her driving reasons – and, as the mother of four, volunteering gave her an interest outside of the home as well.

Alice later became one of Trade Aid’s educators, talking to schools and community groups about fair trade.

She rejoined the volunteer crew recently on retiring. “The volunteers have been a small group who have come to know each other very well and appreciate each other’s company.”

Each Trade Aid store was governed locally by a board of trustees, which bought stock from the group’s headquarters in Christchurch.

The organisation has supported thousands of artisans and farmers in 25 countries.

After the stores close, Trade Aid will continue selling products online and focus on its successful wholesale coffee business.

The chairman of the Masterton Trade Aid trust, Tim Bannatyne, said he wanted to thank the many people who had volunteered their services over the years, and the many Wairarapa customers who choose to support fair trade.

Crazy socks for a special friend

Pupils at Douglas Park School put their best feet forward last month to celebrate of World Down Syndrome Day [WDSD] — and a very special member of the school community.

On WDSD — March 21 — children and staff wore colourful, mismatched “crazy” socks to school as a tribute to Year 4 pupil Noa Bolt, who has Down Syndrome.

Mismatched socks have become the symbol for WDSD as a celebration of diversity — and because human chromosomes look similar to pairs of socks under a microscope. Down Syndrome is caused by an extra copy of Chromosome 21.

In honour of WDSD, the Douglas Park pupils made and designed their own

crazy socks [using paper and felt tips] and made a video tribute to Noa, where they shared all the things they loved about their schoolmate.

Mum Danielle Bolt said Noa is “the coolest little girl – bossy, cuddly, cheeky, and has the best laugh. She’s adored by everyone.”

Alice Williams [right] and a colleague at the Masterton Trade Aid store in 1986.

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Working together to help whānau out

people,” Jack said.

Masterton’s Hato Hone St John op shop has teamed up with Wairarapa Community Centre [WCC] to give local whānau a hand in the kitchen.

The Chapel St store will be assembling “starter packs”, made up of kitchen utensils and gadgets, for WCC to provide to low income and vulnerable families in the region.

The initiative was the brainchild of WCC manager Bev Jack, who discovered attendees at the centre’s regular cooking classes had “little to no practical kitchen tools”.

“One family had a stove and one pot and were cooking for four

“Having packs with items like utensils, jugs, cutlery, bowls and sieves means these families can put their newly acquired cooking skills to good use.”

St John op shop manager Paul Bryant said his staff will collect items for the starter packs “as they come into the store over the next few months”.

“Bev and her team will identify those who could benefit the most,” he said.

“This is a great opportunity for the two organisations to work together to support those in need.”

Bryant said the shop receives “lots of donated items”, some of which don’t sell.

“So instead of dumping them, we

look at repurposing the items or finding another use for them.

“While our main objective might be to raise funds for Hato Hone St John, the bigger picture is about supporting our community in whatever way we can.”

Bryant said the op shop “is always looking for volunteers” so, if interested, people are welcome to visit the store to pick up an application form.

• The Hato Hone St John is at 19 Chapel St and is open weekdays 9am to 4pm, and Saturdays 9am to 3pm. For more information about the WCC’s cooking classes, email info@wcct. co.nz.

Spiegel bringing ‘groovy’ jazz

An internationallyacclaimed guitarist and composer will be bringing the “groovy” sounds of the jazz age, the deep south, and Latin America to the stage in Greytown this week.

Studio 73, on Greytown’s Main St, will be hosting US-based musician Russ Spiegel, who will perform live in a cabaret-style show with his band, the Russ Spiegel trio, as part of his New Zealand tour this Friday evening.

Spiegel will play original compositions from his seventh studio album, “Caribbean Blue” –covering a variety of styles, from rock and blues, to funk and Latin, to “hardswinging” modern and post-modern jazz. He will be joined on stage by Wellington-based musos Umar Zakaria on the double bass and Mark Lockett on drums – both of whom are regulars on the international jazz scene in their own right.

Described as “groovy,

US

swinging, and sophisticated at the same time”, Spiegel arranges music for all types of ensembles – especially big bands – and has performed at jazz festivals and concerts throughout the world. His most recent album is a tribute to his global travels, with tunes inspired by his visits to New York, Germany, Brazil, the Caribbean, and Australia, among others. Spiegel also hosts

musical masterclasses while on tour, has acted in television shows, and composed various film scores. He currently teaches music at Miami Dade University in Florida.

• Russ Spiegel will play at Studio 73 on Friday, April 5, starting from 7pm. Tickets are available at the door – $25.00 for adults, $15.00 for students. Ticket sales are cash only. Alcohol is BYO.

Hato Hone St John op shop manager Paul Bryant is excited to partner with Wairarapa Community Centre to help those needing basic cooking equipment and utensils. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Freddie Wilkie freddie.wilkie@age.co.nz

Local design skates into book

A prominent local photographer, an awardwinning landscape

and a popular Wairarapa skatepark are all featured in a new book celebrating “artistic and spectacular” skatepark constructions around the world.

Skateparks: Waves of Concrete showcases nearly 50 skateparks from far-flung places such as La Paz in Bolivia, Munich in Germany, L’Aquila in Italy... and Masterton in New Zealand.

The Masterton skatepark renewal project is one of two skateparks designed by Rich Smith of Rich Landscapes to feature in the hardback coffee table book, illustrated with images by Pete Nikolaison – who has been working as a photographer and framer in the Wairarapa region for the past 40 years.

Smith, who has made a career of combining his love of skateboarding and his passion for “good urban and landscape design”, is delighted his parks made the cut for the book.

MIDWEEK PHOTOS

Have you got a photo you want to share with Wairarapa?

Whether it’s a reader photo, a cutie, or a snap of you with your Midweek, email it to midweek@age.co.nz with ‘Midweek Photo’ in the subject line, and it could be featured in this segment.

READER PHOTOS

Smith, based in Auckland, was motivated to get involved in skatepark design “back in the day” because “we just had so many poor examples of skateparks getting built.”

The renewal of the Masterton skatepark is one of 80 projects Smith has designed.

By putting the wants and needs of existing and potential users of the park at the heart of his design, he incorporated a multilevelled box jump and street elements – like rails,

“It’s been a great opportunity for us. I think this is awesome that we got invited to forward a couple of projects to be displayed amongst all the other great designers around the world.”

ledges and stairs – into the revitalised design, as well as a liberal use of colour.

“The colours really ‘popped’ the whole park,” Smith said. He also created a visual tie-in with the deciduous trees in the background.

The skatepark’s colourful skin and its leafy setting are features Nikolaison has also made “pop” in his photographs for the book.

“It’s always good to see your work published,” Nikolaison told Midweek

When he got the email about the book project he thought, “That would be a cool shoot.”

He used a drone for the dramatic overhead shots, and also used the park’s floodlighting to his advantage in some nighttime shots.

“You go down and watch the place, and it’s just so cool to see it being so well used.”

Waves of Concrete is not only “great global publicity for the skatepark”, but for the region as a whole, Nikolaison said.

“The Wairarapa is a stunning place. And we’ve got all the facilities we need and it’s easy living.”

Pete Nicolaison’s images of Masterton skatepark feature in the book, Skateparks: Waves of Concrete. PHOTO/PETE NICOLIASON

architect

Reader Angela sent in this beautiful shot of the morning skies above her home in Carterton. “Rain might be on the way,” she predicted.

PHOTO/ANGELA YEOMAN

Reader Pauline took this striking photo on her drive home to Whangaimoana, on the Wairarapa Coast. She said, “This part of my drive delights me every time, especially when the ocean is this blue. Quite breathtaking.” PHOTO/PAULINE TERREY

Lucy

Colour Your Garden With Peonies

These large owering beauties are a wonderful investment for Wairarapa home gardens. Our climate can be just right, they thrive in frosty, cold conditions & also tolerate drought!

The best time to plant bare rooted peony tubers is now, before the ground gets too cold. This allows the plant to establish roots before winter & gives them a strong start to life when they emerge in spring. It can take around 3 years for these to become fully grown, so the sooner you get yours going, the sooner you’ll reap the rewards.

Choose your planting spot wisely—if the conditions are right they can thrive for around 15 years!

Peonies Not Blooming?

Here’s a few things to check if your established peonies are struggling to ower:

Was it planted too deep?

As mentioned earlier, it’s important to get this right otherwise they can struggle to make their way out of the ground.

Is it being overshadowed?

Shade from buildings or trees can result in weak plants that struggle to bloom. If you need to transplant yours, the best time to do this is late autumn/early winter.

Has it got a disease or pest problem?

Some insects, such as thrips, can deform owers and stop them opening and a fungus called botrytis blight can also stunt & deform the growth. A preventative spray with a combination of Grosafe Groventive Garden & EnSpray 99 may help.

Most peonies prefer:

 Full Sun (around 6 hours per day)

 Well drained soil—they don’t like to be water logged, especially in winter

 Deep fertile slightly alkaline soil is best, but most will grow in poor soil

 A clear area of around 1m2 - they don’t like to have trees, shrubs or overhanging branches crowding them

Herbaceous peonies will die down every Autumn, and depending on the variety start popping through the ground in spring. Most ower from late October to early December - check your packet for speci c details.

In the rst year you may only get one or two stems, and likely no owers. If you do get owers in the rst year don’t be tempted to use them as cut owers—the stems do not regrow during the season, and the leaves are needed for building up strength for the following year.

For more information on growing peonies head to:www.nzpaeonies.co.nz

TOP TIP: It’s very important to get the planting depth of bare rooted peony tubers right, if planted too deep it will take longer to come out of the ground. Most need to sit in a hole with a depth of around 5cm, with their buds facing upwards and the storage roots gently sloping down. Remember to take into consideration the settling of the soil when measuring the depth, and read the speci c planting instructions on your packet as some varieties may differ.

Get in quick, they’re selling out fast

We have received a very limited number of New Season Citrus and Fruit Trees.

Get in quick so you don’t miss out!

Here at GardenBarn we are the only stockists in Wairarapa of ican garden products. These are products that give our customers top quality products at exceptional prices. You may see the ican logo in our fertilisers; fruit trees; seeds + much more. Find out more by heading to the new website: www.icangarden.co.nz/

Duchesse de Nemours. Lots of creamy white owers with light canary yellow in the centre, and shadings of green at the base of the petals; then fades to pure white.

Dr Alexander Fleming. Fully double, deep pink blossoms with a sweet scent. It has a short dense bushy habit with good foliage.

Alertie. An early bloomer, producing light pink, sweet smelling owers.

Paul M Wild: Double ruby red, large luscious velvety red owers that are fully double & resist fading. Lightly scented

Kelways Glorious: Masses of rich fragrant, double white owers with a creamy-yellow centre

Bartzella. Very large, bright yellow, slightly spicy scented double blooms with a slight red centre & lush, dark green, deeply dissected foliage.

Red ‘Sarah Bernhardt’: Large double purple-red blooms with a mild sweet fragrance, deep green foliage & strong stout stems

Bouquet Perfect. Bright pink perfectly shaped delicately scented owers & straight strong stems. A great choice for growing in a pot.

Bunker Hill. Considered to be one of the best varieties for cutting. Pleasantly scented blooms of red-pink and long, straight stems.

Peonies do best when they have a clear space to grow in the sun

Dragonfruit

Ginger Citrus

Passionfruit

Tumeric

Peaches

Nectarines

Nominations are now open for the awards ceremony celebrating “Carterton’s coolest people”: Community leaders, business people, young achievers, and more.

The triennial Charles Rooking Carter Awards, organised by Carterton District Council [CDC] will be held at the end of June. It celebrates those who have contributed to the Carterton community through innovation, entrepreneurship, volunteer work, and championing sustainability and the environment.

Since the ceremony’s inception in 1994 [then called the Charles Rooking Carter Community Awards], close to 150 awards have been presented to “people who generously provide time, passion, and commitment to making Carterton a caring and thriving place to live”, a CDC spokesperson said.

The awards were last held in 2021, with 55 nominations from the Carterton community.

This year, people can nominate deserving recipients across five

categories. These are:

Volunteer Service Award – recognising the important role of volunteers – individuals or groups – whose service positively impacts the Carterton district; Entrepreneurship Award – for an individual, organisation or project trying something new and innovative to solve problems; Business Award –rewarding a business which has demonstrated commitment, excellence,

and creativity in creating a positive and supportive work environment; Environmental and Sustainability Award – going to those making outstanding contributions to improving te taio [the environment] in Carterton; and Youth Award –celebrating the passion, success and commitment of rangatahi [aged 12 to 24 years], who are leading change in their community.

There will also be an overall supreme award, with the recipient chosen by CDC.

The awards are named for Carterton’s “founding father” Charles Rooking Carter – who was a strong advocate for Wairarapa settlers and instrumental in developing many public services in Carterton, including the library, an observatory, the cemetery, post office, courthouse, and police station. His most notable gifts to the town were the Carter

Putting and revving up for Hospice

The Carterton Golf Club was buzzing with activity late last month, as the community gathered to take a swing, hit from the rough, and land the elusive hole in one to support “a cause close to many hearts”.

On March 22, the club played host to the Jo Kelly & Co Golf Charity Day in support of Hospice Wairarapa – which raised $20,000 “for important services that go straight back into the community,” chief executive Gretchen Saulbrey said.

The golf tournament came on the heels of a major donation from Masterton’s Magoos Street

Home for aged men, now known as Carter Court, and the Carter Reserve.

Noteworthy past Charles Rooking Carter awardees include the Grace Yeats Trust and Eion Clarke –who has maintained the town clock for close to 50 years.

The awards ceremony will be held at Carterton Events Centre on Saturday, June 22.

The call up for ‘coolest people’ begins Carterton

Rods – which raised close to $10,000 for Hospice during the 1933/34 Ford New Zealand Model 40 Convention, held earlier in March.

Saulbrey said the golf event was a “resounding success”: With “perfect weather”, 34 teams taking part, breakfast and dinner provided by Caveman BBQ, and a lively auction which raised “significant funds” for the charity.

“The day was not just about sports. It was a community effort to support those with lifelimiting illnesses and their whānau,” she said.

“It was an absolute privilege to be part of it.

There’s a huge amount of community spirit and generosity that goes into a day like this, and it all came together to make a great day out for all involved.

“Hospice looks forward to continuing this tradition next year, further supporting its invaluable work in the community.”

The tournament was sponsored by various Wairarapa businesses, including Rigg-Zschokke, Pak n Save Masterton, Martinborough Brewery, WBS, Mitre 10 Mega, and The Offering Greytown. Saulbrey said funds raised will go towards funding Hospice’s social programmes: Such as

For information about how and when to nominate, visit www.cdc.govt.nz/ your-district/awards

in-home and caregiver support, spiritual care, family counselling and wellbeing therapies.

She was similarly grateful for Magoos Street Rods’ donation of $9,500 – which it raised with a charity auction and “show and shine” event as part of the Ford convention.

The convention celebrated the 90th anniversary of the 1934 Ford, and featured over 90 cars from around New Zealand.

“Our gratitude to everyone involved is huge. It’s so wonderful when businesses and the community work in such a positive way to help charities,” Saulbrey said.

The proceeds will go towards equipment allowing people to “stay as comfortable and mobile as possible in their own homes” at the end of life.

Last year’s Charles Rooking Carter Awards recipients: Esther Dijkstra, Liz Pollock, Larissa O’Brien, Jan Farr, and Sharon Aston.

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Hospice Wairarapa chief executive Gretchen Saulbrey with Lloyd Wilson of Magoos Street Rods – and a classic Ford.

Happy belated Easter, Wairarapa. I hope the His

vicious. “Why dump Honey Puffs? A Kiwi cereal icon.

patron.

Honey Puffs is the latest in a string of “Kiwi icons” and childhood favourites to fall victim in recent years to “market changes”. Much to the ire of their adoring recognise the world we are wordplay: “I have le shoque and la outrage,” and “Oui Manufacturer Bluebird time, we’ve seen demand

for the product decline as consumers’ taste preferences have changed,” a spokesperson fronted. I don’t know – there’ll always be room in my diet for synthetic cheese.

Speaking of 90s lunchbox fillers, Bluebird axed CCs corn chips in 2010 –having discovered, during blind taste tests, that chip connoisseurs were more partial to Doritos. The connoisseurs not invited to the panel were scandalised.

“If nobody speaks up now, what will we do when Marmite, pavlova or Watties’ sauces are replaced with their American alternatives?” thundered one devotee.

Indeed. First they came for the MSG-laden comestibles, and I didn’t speak up. Then they came for the puffed wheat, which may contain honey...

Team CCs should have taken a leaf out of Sparkles fans’ playbook – why rant online when you can start a full-blown junk food black market? Twenty packets of Sparkles were sold for over $50 on TradeMe, after Pascal axed the little orange lollies in 2008. Twelve pots of Tangy Fruits and twenty bags of Snifters, both discontinued by Cadbury the same year, were later sold for $100 and $170,

respectively. Nostalgia – a lucrative business. Those not on board with trading in cancelled confectionaries turned to industrial action. In support of “the big three” – Sparkles, Snifters and Tangy Fruits – a group of fans, dubbed the Sugar Liberation Army [SLA], staged a loud protest outside Cadbury’s factory in Dunedin. SLA members had also, apparently, “discussed a shortage of decent licorice straps”. You have to wonder –where are these liberation armies when companies actually conduct their market research? Joni Mitchell was right: You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone. My thoughts? I’m not much of a cereal person, a corn chip’s a corn chip [sue me], and Snifters were a bit sickly for my palette. I do rather miss the chicken satay sandwich at Subway, though. That was tasty. What have we learned here? Kiwis aren’t eating much for breakfast, Watties sauces will get replaced if we don’t speak up, people will buy anything on TradeMe and you can pry our sugar from our cold dead hands. Better stock up on the Jet Planes now, folks. No-one is safe...

www.presscouncil.org.nz.

is subject to New Zealand Media Council procedures. A complaint must first be directed in writing to the editor’s email address. If not satisfied with the

response, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council P.O Box 10-879, Wellington 6143. Or use the online complaint form at

The Easter Bunny – bringer of chocolate and all-round good egg

So, how did Easter go this year?

CONTACT US

Deliveries in Wairarapa were slightly up on last year – lots of new young families. And lots of new parents needing

You deliver to adults as Absolutely. You’re never too old for a sugary pickme-up! Your Editor put in a pretty big order this year... And you deliver all around the world...you must be exhausted!

Ninety-five countries around the world celebrate Easter – it’s a big job! Us rabbits can hop for a fair distance, which comes in handy. And the kids help out with all the

I didn’t know you had a family?!

Five little apprentice Easter Bunnies. It’s a tradition for us to go

into the family chocolate delivery business.

What tends to be the most popular Easter egg among Kiwis?

Marshmallow eggs always rank pretty high. Creme Eggs have dropped down the list – they’ve gotten much smaller over the years.

Do you have a favourite Easter chocolate?

Well, no ... I’m a rabbit. No chocolate allowed. Terribly unfair. I hear good things about the Lindt bunnies, mind. And they capture our likeness very well.

Speaking of, how do you feel about your likeness being represented in popular culture?

A lot of artists get my ears wrong – they’re not that floppy! The Easter Bunny at the White House Easter egg hunt is just

You may share your opinion in print and online. To comment online, message our Facebook page and feel free to comment on any of the stories. Please email letters to midweek@age.co.nz or post to Wairarapa Midweek letters, P.O. Box 445, Masterton. Include name, address, and phone number. Noms de plume are not accepted. Letter writers’ town of origin will be published with the letter. Letters should be no more than 250 words, and may be edited for space and clarity.

creepy – that’s not me, I swear! I did think Hugh Jackman did a good job with my character in that DreamWorks movie.

Rise of the Guardians?

That’s the one. I’m not that big on movies. I’m more into TV series – with all the streaming services, you don’t have to leave home!

Any favourite shows?

I do love a good cooking show. Always a bit scary when they cook rabbit dishes though.

What else do you like to do in your spare time?

I like a simple life. Eating carrots. Wiggling my nose. Bouncing around. Playstation with the kids. Regular rabbit stuff.

Any plans for retirement?

My pension doesn’t kick until next Easter. We’ll see...

MIDWEEK PHOTOS

Have you got a photo you want to share with Wairarapa?

Whether it’s a reader photo, a cutie, or a snap of you with your Midweek, email it to midweek@age.co.nz with ‘Midweek Photo’ in the subject line, and it could be featured in this segment.

CUTIES OF THE WEEK

Who, me?! Reader Rachael sent in this cute and very cheeky snap of Jackson, her son’s 11-week old puppy – who thought it was a good time to catch up on some reading. We all love a well-read doggie!

Baby buddies!

Reader Grace took this adorable photo at the weekly Little Latch On, hosted in Masterton by Breastfeeding Wairarapa.

Left to right are: Gryff [7 months], Colton [11 months], Lyla [10 months], Freddie [16 months], and Riley [3 months]. Little Latch On is held every Thursday at Hōkai Tahi – and is available to anyone who has questions about feeding their baby or toddler, or just wants to hang out with other parents.

PHOTO/GRACE OAKLY

PHOTO/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

PHOTO/RACHAEL EAST

Extra

Beautiful critters celebrated

Becky Bateman

Terry Wreford Hann is our autumn featured artist. You’ll probably recognise his work from his famous New Zealand Seafood posters that can be found in every fish and chip shop around New Zealand.

Terry grew up in Devon, on the southwest coast of England and from an early age, loved the sea and sea creatures.

“The southerlies on the coast blew straight in off the Celtic Sea carrying that salty smell that I love so much. My family spent a lot of time on the coast fishing and poking around rock pools for crabs and shrimp,” he said.

“It was much later in life, when I got the chance as a commercial photographer to do some work for the New Zealand seafood industry, that I went out to sea on a variety of fishing boats and started photographing whatever came up from the deep. My version of the iconic seafood poster has been around for the last 25 years.

“What I enjoy the most is producing fish art. Fish are

It

incredibly beautiful when swimming around in the sea. Unfortunately, when dragged from the ocean, the colours fade quickly and the delicate tails and

fins are easily damaged. In order to retain as much detail in form and

colour, it is necessary to photograph fish as close to the time they are caught as possible. Spending weeks at sea is a prerequisite to fish photography.”

As the autumn featured artist, Terry is trying out some new ideas, but still based on his favourite models – fish and sea critters.

“I’m trying out different ways of showing these beautiful photographs, using wood, aluminium and canvas. It’s really neat actually,” he said.

Recently, Terry has been enjoying noticing the small details and patterns on fish, from fins to scales.

“They have incredible patterns when you start looking.”

He has been combining them to make new images.

“I hope that you enjoy my celebration of the beauty of fish and find something that will look good in your home or office wall.”

Terry Wreford Hann’s new retail artworks will be showing April-June at Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History in Masterton.

will be a long wait for solar wonder

Nick Sault Sky Watch

Firstly, let’s talk about what we aren’t going to see: The solar eclipse.

On April 9, people in the United States will see total or partial, depending on where they live. Mexico and Canada will see a partial eclipse. But that is where it ends. By the time New Zealand has rotated around to catch the sun, the moon has gone on its way. Well not far. The

moon will still be close by the sun [line of sight] but glared out of existence as per normal at this stage of the lunar cycle.

We must wait until July 22, 2028 for our few minutes of eclipse wonder.

If you are a Gemini, you might want to see your constellation on April 15 when the halfmoon plonks itself in amongst it, making a nice

equilateral triangle with the bright stars Castor and Pollux. Then on the April 23 the Virgo people get a treat as the nearly full moon obliterates with its brightness the normally bright star Spica, the brightest star in that constellation. All this could detract from what goes on overhead, where the Milky Way crosses the sky from Orion setting in the west, down to Scorpius rising in the southeast. Scanning across the sky from the west to southeast is the best piece of sky in the world, with the three brightest stars visible in

LOST YOUR DOG?

Has your dog gone for a wander? Let Animal Services staff know using the Masterton District Council website: www.mstn.govt.nz

You can also add a photo, which wil help staff keeping an eye out for the dog. Type ”lost dog” into the search bar on the homepage of the website. The link to the form for reporting a lost dog will appear at the top of the page.

Dogs that are registered and microchipped, and wearing a current registration tag, are more likely to be returned to their owner without being impounded, provided the owner contact details are up to date.

that scan – Sirius first, then Canopus and Alpha Centauri [Rigil Kentaurus] towards south-west. On that journey you cannot miss the Southern Cross [Crux]. View these before the moon begins to put the damper on things by April 15.

On April 7 we have to muck around with the clocks for the end of daylight saving. On April 11, if you can be around before dawn, Venus is now close to the eastern horizon at 6.30am. But just higher in the sky at that time, Mars and Saturn are almost on top of each other in Aquarius. That

should be a sight. If you can get hold of binoculars, so much the better. At the same time, 6.30am, cast your eyes due north. There we have stolen two denizens of the northern hemisphere, Deneb in the constellation of Cygnus the swan, and Vega in Lyra, the fifth brightest star in the sky. Interestingly, Deneb is intrinsically far brighter than Vega, to the tune of about 100,000 thousand times brighter. It just happens to be over 3000 light-years away. Vega, at 25 light years, is one of the nearest stars visible to the unaided eye.

An example of Terry Wreford Hann’s images of creatures from the deep. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Lifestyle

Tales of love and enchantment by trio

formed Amiki

Vocalist Barbara Paterson, flautist Karen Batten and pianist Rachel Thomson are all itinerant music teachers at Samuel Marsden School. A corridor conversation sparked a desire to make music together.

‘Amiki’ as a verb in Māori means to tell a story in detail and the trio has developed their concert programme on the theme of ‘Tales of Love and

Enchantment’.

The scope for this combination is wide and Amiki Trio has explored repertoire ranging from expressive French lyricism to contemporary composition.

Voice, flute and piano blend and contrast, as the musicians take you through a varied programme, from subtle French colours, to a narrated tale of an emperor and a bird. Hear the nightingale sing, the shepherd sigh, the water

swirl around a water nymph, in compositions by Delibes, Ravel, Schubert and Reinecke. Chamber music is an important element in the freelance careers of all three musicians. All agree that the intimate performance of these trios and duos allows all to relish the essence of chamber music: Emotional communication through music and thus connection with the audience.

that contribute to the busy lives of the three freelancers are teaching, orchestral performance and choir direction.

Thomson is an examiner for Trinity College of London, which sees her travelling the motu throughout the year. Paterson is an artist teacher of classical voice at Te Koki New Zealand School of Music, teaches privately and also conducts the Capital Choir.

Other musical activities

Orchestra Wellington

provides Batten with plenty of challenging orchestral repertoire and she has just rejoined the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band, after a hiatus of 18 years to raise her two boys.

• Amiki Trio: Tales of Love & Enchantment: 4pm on Sunday, April 7 at 57 Wood St, Greytown. Admission $30, children $10. For bookings email efjacooke@gmail.com, or ring [06] 304 9497.

The Amiki Trio – Barbara Paterson [left], Karen Batten, and Rachel Thomson – is coming to Greytown.

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Recently

Trio, based in Wellington, is coming to Greytown.

Toastmasters Wairarapa held a Speechcraft course that finished on March 13. Held over six weeks, it compressed a year’s

thoroughly enjoyed the course and gained a lot of new practical skills. Various “educationals” were provided, including how to construct a

These evaluations helped each speechcrafter’s learning, in addition to controlling fear and understanding what can add or detract from our communications.

Course attendees said:

“This was an amazing course and I got much more from it than I had ever imagined.”

“The ‘me’ prior to Speechcraft was a

different person, I have grown and changed for the better during this course.”

“Fantastic value and I thoroughly recommend Speechcraft and Toastmasters.”

For the final night, family members were invited to witness the speechcrafters’ achievements and join in the fun.

• If you are considering joining or would like to do the next Speechcraft course, contact Toastmasters Wairarapa, which meets in Carterton. For more information: Wayne Buck [027] 3355 825 or email wairarapa@ toastmasters.org.nz. Visit the Toastmasters Wairarapa Facebook

show o their Speechcraft Completion Certi cates. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Speechcrafters [left to right] April Hendry, Robert Sankey, Melissa Quarrie and Doris Routledge

Senior of the Year for an iconic Masterton Mayor

Local – and now national – icon Bob Francis was announced the Kiwibank Senior of the Year in front of a large audience at a glamorous event in Auckland last week.

Francis, from Masterton, was sitting on the stage at the Viaduct Events Centre last Wednesday night, alongside the two other nominees, when presenter Toni Street announced he had won the prestigious award.

The award recognises Francis’ many decades of community service, leadership, and commitment to improving the nation’s health services.

Speaking to Midweek the day after the celebrations, Francis said he was “grateful to have won it.”

“I wasn’t too nervous sitting on the stage. I’m at that stage in my life where I handle those

things well.

“It was so satisfying, and I’m happy to have had friends and family around me who supported me.”

Recalling the euphoric feeling of being awarded the honour, he said it was good for him and the region.

Francis’ list of contributions to the community is vast and extensive, and covers a wide range of sectors, including sport and local democracy.

He was Masterton’s Mayor for seven

terms – from 1986 to 2007 – which is one of the longest periods of mayoral service in New Zealand.

He has also been an international rugby referee, overseeing nearly 100 first-class matches, including 12 Ranfurly Shield games and 10 test matches. In the 1980s, he was considered the world’s number-one referee.

Closer to home, Francis has had stints as chairperson of the Wairarapa District Health Board and the Fire Service Commission.

“There is very little Bob hasn’t done,” current Masterton Mayor and Francis’ friend and biographer, Gary Caffell, said.

“I was absolutely delighted to see that he had won. Even in Masterton, I’ve noticed the whole place is buzzing about it.”

While this award is important for Francis

and the community, he is no stranger to being recognised for his service, as his full list of honours indicates: CNZM, QSO, MBE and JP.

Francis was appointed a member of the Order of the British Empire at the 1991 New Year’s Honours, and was made a companion of the Queen’s Service Order for public service in 2002 in the Queen’s Birthday and Golden Jubilee honours.

It was in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours that he was appointed a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the community and conservation.

In preparation for the awards ceremony in Auckland, Francis travelled to Wellington a few weeks prior for an interview on camera, which was edited and played on the awards night to over 900 guests.

Local Icon Bob Francis wins the award for Kiwibank Senior of the Year 2024.

PHOTO/FILE

After the announcement that the Solway Reserve boardwalk was to close in August 2023, my wife Joan and I met with Ian Osland, the Masterton District Council [MDC] facilities and open spaces officer.

Ian encouraged us to form a volunteer group, with like-minded people, to become involved in restoring the reserve, which had become infested with exotic “garden escapees”. We held a meeting and the Friends of Solway Reserve was formed.

Howard Evans began trapping possums and laying bait for rats in September 2023. It wasn’t long before he had caught 33 and it has remained at that number since then.

Nine volunteers turned up for the first working bee on November 2, 2023. The group started clearing the stream of arum lilies and ripping out a vast coverage of ivy. We decided to meet on alternate Thursdays, but soon it became every Thursday because of our enthusiasm and the enormity of the task.

means we will be severely restricted in the amount of land and natives that we can enjoy for recreation.

The Friends of Solway Reserve has now begun clearing large patches of karaka seedlings, which are smothering the smaller natives like totara and kahikatea. Howard has been the main dedicated trapper, but three traps from Predator Free Masterton have boosted the group’s trapping capability and, in the last few weeks, three hedgehogs and three rats have been caught.

Odell Sugrue, MDC parks and open spaces advisor, has been wonderfully supportive and has managed to get funding for Greater Wellington Regional Council [GWRC] to spray vast tracts of blackberry.

One of the best moments

from a recent working bee was clambering into the centre of the bush to see the swathes of wonga wonga vine branches lying dying on the ground after being cut down by GWRC. Odell identified it back in spring, when its beautiful white flowers were adorning the highest canopies. It’s an Australian native that had become rampantly dominant, cloaking and choking our patch so we’re excited to see it go, thus allowing our natives to flourish.

The plan for planting starts with the border of the reserve entranceway in late autumn and, at a later stage, planting along the western boundary will begin.

The boardwalk is still

an issue and will be addressed in the upcoming MDC Long-Term Plan and submission process. The boardwalk is a vital aspect of the reserve, without which it will be impossible for many people to navigate across the wetland to the centre of the reserve – the best place to see the spectacular mature kahitakea standing sentinel to the smaller trees.

One issue is the lack of access from the north end. The only access currently is from William Donald Drive. A second issue is that the current main public walking track borders the new Solway Country Estate. Soon we are to lose a substantial strip of that track, which

It’s difficult to say how well the reserve is used but we’d like to do a survey of that in the near future. We know it is loved by all who do use it and it attracts people from other parts of Masterton, as well as those who live locally.

There have been so many great moments of our volunteering action so far. The group has come with such passion to see this beautiful, unique taonga restored, to see a resilient habitat for endemic flora and fauna to increase in number, variety and quality.

Many of us are novices to this world of natives and we are all learning so much from the knowledgeable people supporting us.

The Predator Free movement is such a great inspiration, with hundreds of individuals, schools, community groups and neighbourhoods ‘chipping away’. At the same time new technologies are being developed to see the vision of a Predator Free NZ being realised by 2050. It’s so exciting to be a small part of that movement.

Volunteers are reviving Solway Reserve in Masterton. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Michael Desmond and Wairarapa Pukaha to Kawakawa [WaiP2K]

A young Wairarapa farmer is one step closer to a national title after being crowned the East Coast FMG Young Farmer of the Year on Saturday.

Regional final winner Archie Woodhouse competed in a two-day showdown at Masterton’s Solway Showgrounds on Friday and Saturday.

“The win came as a bit of a shock,” the 21-yearold Eketāhuna sheep and beef farmer said.

“Some of the modules this weekend were a bit out of my comfort zone, but it was a great way to learn some new things and figure out what the gaps in my knowledge are.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting the other contestants, as well as catching up with old friends.”

Woodhouse will now go on to compete against six other regional winners at the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final in Hamilton from July 11 to 13.

South Wairarapa Young Farmers representative Callum Woodhouse –

Archie’s older brother – secured second place, while Ben Irwin placed third on the podium.

By the end of April there will have been seven regional finals held across New Zealand to select the competitors in the grand final.

Comedian Te Radar has been acting as master of ceremonies for the nationwide competition since 2016 and said part of the joy of hosting is seeing plenty of familiar faces.

What makes the competition unique is the

breadth of knowledge the participants are required to demonstrate, he said, showcasing what it takes to be a farmer across the disciplines of livestock, agribusiness, crop, and everything else. The “courage” of competitors willing to

Effluent plan given legal view

Emily Ireland emily.ireland@age.co.nz

New legal advice says South Wairarapa District Council’s [SWDC] plans to discharge treated effluent to gifted land is “defensible”, despite the council not seeking a court order to do so.

“This is because the terms of the trust allow for council to deal with the Pain Farm for the benefit of the inhabitants of Martinborough,” the advice states.

The Pain Farm land was bequeathed to the former Martinborough Borough Council by George Pain in 1932 to be used as “a sports ground for the residents of Martinborough and as a playground for the children”.

A 1966 court order approved the following scheme: “that the income of the trust lands should be used ... in maintaining and improving the Borough’s parks, sports grounds, camping ground, swimming baths, providing, equipping and maintaining sports facilities and a children’s playground in such manner and in such

view a 360-degree angle of livestock.

“It was great, like an intellectual version of ‘Gladiator’,” he said.

New Zealand Young Farmers chief executive Lynda Coppersmith said the organisers are continually “blown away by the calibre” of each contestant.

“Their knowledge, skills and passion for the industry is impressive and certainly leaves us excited for the future of our industry,” she said.

Coppersmith said the credit for making Young Farmers the prestigious event it is today goes to regional communities.

“We simply couldn’t do it without the tireless work of our local committees, communities, and volunteers,” she said, adding she is “incredibly grateful” to those who support the event “year in and year out”.

give it a crack is “not to be taken lightly”, Te Radar said, while noting that the best venue during the Masterton event was for the junior quiz, which was held in the centre of a dusty sheep auction ring, with the audience sitting where buyers normally

The East Coast regional final also included junior young farmer and AgriKidsNZ competitions [the results of which were not available at press time], and about 180 contestants competed in Masterton across all three levels.

Last year, SWDC requested that 76 hectares of Pain Farm be designated for “waste disposal purposes” in the Wairarapa Combined District Plan.

The requested designation came as a shock to the community, despite the project being signalled in the council’s 35-year-consent, which was approved in 2016.

At a recent meeting, elected members asked

council staff to provide a report with sufficient information to “reassure residents and interested people of the legality of the use of Pain Farm for wastewater disposal and that consultation occurred with the community at the time that decisions were made resulting in its designated use”.

Included in the report, which will be discussed by SWDC on Wednesday, is legal advice spanning the years 2011 to now.

Legal advice to the council in 2011 stated

that “utilising a portion of Pain Farm to dispose of human effluent would not be consistent with the purpose for which it was gifted to the council” and that the council would need a court order to do so.

Further legal advice in 2013 said the council had two main options for confirming whether Pain Farm could be used for effluent disposal: to seek a declaration from the High Court; or to seek an order confirming a new scheme for the land under

the Charitable Trusts Act 1957.

“For both options, the likelihood of success will largely depend on whether the use would continue to generate an income stream for use in maintaining or upgrading recreational facilities in other locations.

“If council opted to seek a new scheme, the court may also wish to revisit the issue of whether the Pain Farm itself could be used for recreational purposes, given the lapse of time since the last scheme was approved.”

Legal advice to the council regarding “restrictions on use of property” from 2014 states “in our view, this proposal is not inconsistent with the terms of the trust under which the council holds the land”.

The latest legal advice, received on March 5, states the council’s position “that a further court order is not required in respect of its ability to discharge treated human effluent to Pain Farm” is defensible.

“We understand the discharge will be treated and not affect the land, therefore there will be no material decrease in value of the Pain Farm,” the advice states.

“Further, the discharge of the treated human effluent is in pursuit of upgrading Martinborough’s wastewater system,

which is of benefit to the inhabitants of Martinborough.

“Finally, we note the intent to produce baleage on the area of the Pain Farm discharged to, will be a revenue stream that applies in accordance with the trust [and the Scheme].”

The report to the council also states the proposal underwent significant consultation, based on available records.

Last month, 18 nearby residents sent a letter to SWDC saying that “using the Trust Land to dispose of wastewater and/or human effluent is not an option for SWDC or the regional council without significant legal steps being taken, none of which have been taken at this time”.

“Furthermore, the fact that SWDC has failed to plan for sewage management isn’t a valid reason for further degrading the Trust Land, especially when the Trust Land was gifted for another purpose.

“That a sewage/ wastewater plant needs to be put ‘somewhere’ is not a valid justification for why George Pain’s bequest should be abused and residential areas impacted.”

Above from left: Third placed Ben Irwin, overall winner Archie Woodhouse and Callum Woodhouse who placed second.

New legal advice says South Wairarapa District Council’s e uent plan is. PHOTO/EMILY IRELAND proportion as the council shall from time to time decide”.

Kate Judson kate.judson@age.co.nz

Little Sew and Sew

clothing alterations and repairs.

We are two experienced seamstresses with both industrial machines for heavy duty fabrics and domestic machines for delicate fabrics.

We’ve been 10 years in business.

We also o er sewing lessons for children and adults.

A simple clean each year with the SKYVAC system can prevent water build-up.

Brian Pope of Coolavin Property Maintenance can easily clean all gutters with his SKYVAC ground-based gutter cleaning system.

The SKYVAC doesn’t use water. Instead, it simply sucks up all the debris and water in a gutter, resulting in a clean and tidy job. Working from the ground with a camera for vision, Brian can clean gutters up to eight metres

ACROSS

1 Surgical stitches (7)

4 Capital put into an enterprise (10)

9 Ready (7)

13 Bacon rasher edge (4)

14 Chirping insect (6)

15 Charge a liquid with gas (6)

16 Germ (7)

19 Causes for complaint (10)

20 Stiffness (8)

21 Finger by thumb (5)

24 Bell tower (6)

25 Grief (6)

27 Militia (4,5)

32 Soldiers’ accommodation (8)

33 Acute insufficiency (6)

34 Confidentiality (7)

38 Cosmetic renovation (8)

39 Radioactive element discovered by the Curies (6)

40 Defeat decisively (4)

41 Totted up (5)

42 Horizontal stair part (5)

45 Innocent, naïve, over-trustful people (5,2,3,4)

52 Outspoken (5)

55 Put on (5)

56 Nil (4)

57 Make dim (6)

58 Light gas (8)

61 Bringing up (7)

62 Huge people (6)

63 Court (8)

66 Excite pleasantly (9)

68 Astonished (6)

69 Blunted (6)

73 Card game (5)

74 Intrepid (8)

76 Bluish-green colour (10)

81 American grassland (7)

82 Old coin worth two shillings (6)

83 Bird enclosure (6)

84 Queen Elizabeth II’s daughter (4)

85 States categorically (7)

86 Pupil’s text (10)

87 Own up to (7)

DOWN

1 Small branch (5)

2 Real (8)

3 Overly thin (6)

4 Fatuous (5)

5 Calf meat (4)

6 Bird (7)

7 Optical illusion (6)

8 Renowned (5)

10 Downfall (4)

11 Spouse (7)

12 Disease of dogs (6)

17 Checked and repaired (10)

18 Horse (5)

22 Enter unlawfully (8)

23 Paper quantity (5)

24 Helpful factor (7)

26 Killer whale (4)

28 Become too big for (7)

29 Building assembled from ready-made sections (6)

30 Affection (6)

31 Skin disorder (6)

33 Condescend (5)

35 TV accessory (5)

36 Peak of perfection (4)

37 Board game (4)

43 Decayed (6)

44 Boring tool (5)

46 Mimicked (4)

47 Self-centred person (7)

48 Violet antiseptic (6)

49 Grows weary (5)

50 Final (8)

51 Rehearsal (3,3)

52 Common parlance (10)

53 Sprockets (4)

54 Oil from flax plant (7)

59 Garden pest (5)

60 Upward slope (4)

64 Icy rain (5)

65 Coalition (8)

67 List in detail (7)

68 Store of weapons (7)

70 Planks (6)

71 Oddball (6)

72 Material (6)

75 Historical object (5)

77 Prompt (5)

78 Makes regular (5)

79 Closed hand (4)

Sudoku

80 Visible aura (4) Jumbo crossword 5x5

ACROSS: 1 Shape, 4 Pipped at the post, 14 Gross, 15 Small, 16 Conspiracy, 17 Gouda, 19 Gel, 20 Heading, 21 Cinematic, 22 Yields, 25 Knowledge, 27 Keeper, 28 Swarms, 33 Commercial, 35 Arc, 36 Evoked, 37 Step, 39 Kid, 41 Disrobe, 42 Stucco, 43 Mousetrap, 44 Feeds, 45 Smallest, 50 Of, 51 Offender, 55 Nomad, 58 Rearrange, 59 Opaque, 60 Midwife, 61 Tar, 63 Writ, 64 Stable, 65 Oar, 66 Frightened, 68 Ghetto, 69 Crates, 71 Harboured, 76 Cobweb, 77 Sanctuary, 79 Slacken, 81 Rye, 84 Error, 85 Formulated, 86 Tabby, 87 Eases, 88 The back of beyond, 89 Beret.

DOWN: 2 Hamlet, 3 Paled, 5 Iron, 6 Pushing, 7 Drivel, 8 Tiara, 9 Haywire, 10 Pigs, 11 Studio, 12 Tongs, 13 Useless, 14 Gallows, 18

Answerable, 23 Debit, 24 Reforms, 26 Numeral, 27 Kickoff, 29 Retired, 30 Podium, 31 Lance, 32 Rebuff, 34 Lots, 36 Edges, 38 Paper, 40 Fete, 45 Strew, 46 Avarice, 47 Lure, 48 Sonata, 49 Smite, 50 Odorous, 52 Faithfully, 53 Nowhere, 54 Eiffel, 55 Newborn, 56 Sabre, 57 Gulf, 62 Limbs, 67 Stables, 68 Guarded, 70 Traffic, 72 Already, 73 Search, 74 Suburb, 75 Pebble, 76 Cease, 78 Curio, 80 Craze, 82 Crab, 83 Keen.

Insert the missing letters to complete ten words — five across the grid and five down. More than one solution may be possible.

THURSDAY APRIL 4

Alcoholics Anonymous: Featherston Community Centre, 7.30-8.30pm. Call

0800 229 6757. See al-anon.org.nz for more information.

Belly Dance for Beginners: Kiwi Hall, Featherston, 6.30-7.30pm. Call Antonia Blincoe [021] 105-7649.

Carrington Bowling Club: 57 High Street, Carterton,1pm for 1.30pm start. Call Pauline Hodgson [027]

406-672.

Carterton Community Choir: 7.159pm, St David’s Presbyterian Church Youth Wing, 164 High St South. Call [0278] 205-801.

Carterton District Historical Society: 142 High St North, Carterton, open 2-4pm or by appointment. Call Vivienne 379-5564 or email carterton.hist.soc@gmail.

com

Carterton Scout Group: At Rangatahi Hub [behind Carterton Event Centre], Scouts [11-14 years] 6.30-8.30pm. Contact Sylvia [027]

249-3395.

Cobblestones Museum and Wairarapa Heritage Village: Greytown. Open 10am until 4pm seven days.

Danzability Class: 11am-noon, at Studio 73, Greytown. Contact physio. rachel.horwell@gmail.com or [022]

077-2654.

Digital Seniors Wairarapa: Call [0800] 373-646 to book or for advice.

Martinborough: 9.30-11.30am, St Andrew’s Church; Featherston: 1.303.30pm, Featherston Community Centre.

Fareham Creative Space: Also Fri/ Tues, open studio, 10am-3pm, 80 Underhill Rd, Featherston. Email: registrations@farehamcreativespace.

nz Featherston Menz Shed: 61 Fitzherbert St, open from 6.30pm. Food Market: Food trucks, 4.30-7pm outside the Masterton Town Hall, rain or shine.

GirlGuidingNZ: Carterton Pippins, 5-7 years, 4.15-5.30pm. Carterton Brownies, 7-9½ years, 6-7.30pm. Call Sharon [021] 033-0550.

Justice of the Peace: Masterton CAB 9.30am-12.30pm.

KeepFit!: 10.30am, Senior Citizens Hall, Cole St, Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Masterton Petanque Club: 2pm, in Queen Elizabeth Park. Call Myrna Lane 377-3064.

Masterton Toy Library: 10am-12pm, 365 Queen St.

Narcotics Anonymous: 7.308.30pm, at St Matthew’s Church, Church St, Masterton.

Parkinson’s Exercise Class: 1.30pm, at the Wairarapa Boxing Academy, Dixon St. Call Roslyn [027] 264-8623.

Patient Activity Programme: At Hospice Wairarapa, 59 Renall St, Masterton, 10am-1pm. Call 378-8888.

Pickleball: Masterton Rec Centre, 2 Dixon St, 5.30pm-7pm. All gear provided. Contact Sue [027] 449 0601.

Red Star Table Tennis Club: 5-7pm at Red Star Sports Association 10 Herbert St, Masterton. Call Peter [027] 566-4664 or Brian 377-4066.

Ruamahanga Club: Cards, 500, 1-4pm, at Wairarapa Services Club, Essex St, Masterton.

Social Learners Bridge: 1-3.30pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Barbara [06] 304-9208.

Steady As You Go: Falls Prevention and Balance Class, 9.30am, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St, Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Thursday Morning Bikers: Meet at the fountain at the Queen Elizabeth Park entrance, 9.30am. Contact David [021] 246-0295.

Wairarapa Fern and Thistle Pipe Band: Weekly practice, Masterton Brass Bandrooms, Park Ave, Masterton. Email fernandthistle21@ gmail.com

Wairarapa Model Aero Club: 9amnoon, at the Masterton Aerodrome. Whakaoriori Shufflers: Line dancing, Red Star clubrooms, Herbert St, Masterton, intermediate, 1-2.30pm. Call 377-5518 or 377-1135.

FRIDAY APRIL 5

Aratoi: Lester Blair: Twenty-Four Churches to Apr 16; James Bragge: Splendid Scenic Gems to May 5; Choice: Staff picks from the collection to May 5; Lisa Chandler: Landscapes of Loss to May 19; King Street Artworks to May 26.

Carterton Craft Market: Mon-Sat: 9am-4pm, Sun: 10am-3pm, 25 High St North. Call Desley [027] 787-8558.

Carterton Senior Citizens: 12.303.30pm, play cards, Rummikub and Scrabble, at the old courthouse next to the library.

Cloth Collective Sewing Workshop: 10am-2pm, Kiwi Hall Supper Room. Call Sara Uruski [0274] 474-959.

Cobblestones Museum and Wairarapa Heritage Village. Greytown. Open 10am until 4pm seven days.

Dance Fit: At Carrington Park, Carterton, at 6-7pm. Text dance groove to [022] 321-2643. French Conversation: U3A-affiliated group meets at the Education Centre, Dixon St, Masterton, 11am-1pm. For people wanting to converse in French or improve speaking in French. Contact Brett [027] 363-4039 or Robyn [021] 169-9415.

Greytown Music and Movement: For pre-schoolers, 10am, at St Luke’s Hall, Main St. Contact email admin@ stlukesgreytown.co.nz Justice of the Peace: Carterton library noon-2pm; Masterton District Court 11am-1pm; Eketahuna Library 1.30-4.30pm.

Masterton Bowling Club: Funzie Friday, 12.30pm for 1pm start. Call 377-4664 after 4pm.

Masterton Croquet Club: Golf Croquet 9.15am behind the Hosking Garden in the park. Call Russell Ward

377-4401.

Masterton Masters Swimming Club: Club night 5.30-6.30pm, Trust House Recreation Centre back pool. Call Stu [027] 295-4189 or Lucy [021]

0204-4144.

Needlework & Craft Drop-in: 10am-noon, Featherston Community Centre. Call May [06] 308-6912 or Virginia [06] 308-8392.

Spontaneous Dance: Kiwi Hall, Featherston, 6.30-8pm. Call Pavla Miller [022] 075-3867. Sunset Cinema: Carterton Events Centre, Rangatahi Hub. Doors open 7pm, movie starts 7.30pm. Info at sunsetcinemacarterton.com

Wairarapa Kids Choir: For children aged seven years up, 3.50-4.50pm, during school terms, Courthouse, Holloway St, Carterton. Call Jill [027] 347-5891.

Wairarapa Stop Smoking Service: Quit Clinic at Whaiora 9am-noon. Support across Wairarapa. Call Whaiora 0800 494 246. Walk and Talk: Meet outside Dish Cafe, First St, Masterton, 9.30am.

SATURDAY APRIL 6

Carrington Bowling Club: 57 High St, Carterton, behind clock tower. Call Pauline [027] 406-6728.

Cobblestones Museum and Wairarapa Heritage Village. Greytown. Open 10am until 4pm seven days.

Crop Up Greytown: Fresh produce, seafood and kitchen creations from Greytown and South Wairarapa, from 9am, at Truckstop Greytown, 102 Main St. Check Facebook.

Featherston Heritage Museum: Behind the Featherston Library and Information Centre. Sat/Sun 10am2pm, other times by arrangement. Call Elsa [021] 263-9403.

Featherston Weekly Market: 8am2pm, 33 Fitzherbert St. Greytown Menz Shed: 9am-noon. Call Paul Dodge [021] 0262-6595.

Justice of the Peace: Service centre available at Masterton Library, 10am-noon.

Lions Book Sale: 9am-1pm, under the grandstand, Solway Showgrounds, Judds Rd, Masterton.

Martinborough Men’s Shed: Old Courthouse, 20 Cork St, 9am-noon. Call John [021] 314-2485.

Martinborough Museum: Open Sat/Sun at No 7 The Square, 10.30am2.30pm. Donation/koha appreciated.

Masterton Croquet Club: Association Croquet 9.15am and 12.45pm behind Hosking Garden in the park. Call Carl Redvers 378-7109.

Masterton Tennis Centre: Organised doubles from 12.30 pm at 147 Dixon St, Masterton. Sue McRae [027] 449-0601.

Parkrun: Weekly 5km run/walk. 8am start, at the Woodside end of the Greytown rail trail. Info: parkrun. co.nz/greytownwoodsidetrail

Tinui Craft Corner and Museum: Open Sat/Sun 10am-4pm. Call Lesley Hodgins [06] 372-6433.

Toy Library: Masterton: 10am12pm, 365 Queen St. Featherston: 14 Wakefield St, 10am-12pm.

Wairarapa Cancer Society Supportive Care Services: For support after a cancer diagnosis. Call (06) 378-8039.

Wairarapa Farmers’ Market: 9am1pm, Solway Showgrounds, Judds Rd, Masterton. Wairarapa Spinners and Weavers: 10.30am-2pm, Wool Shed, Dixon St, Masterton. Trish 378-8775 or Lynette 377-0236.

Women’s Self Defence: With Dion, 9am, band rotunda, Queen Elizabeth Park. Call [020] 4124-4098.

SUNDAY APRIL 7

Carterton Farmers’ Market: High St, Carterton, 9am-12.30pm.

Cobblestones Museum and Wairarapa Heritage Village. Greytown. Open 10am until 4pm seven days.

Featherston Menz Shed: 61 Fitzherbert St, open from 1pm.

Masterton Park Bowling Club: Queen Elizabeth Park, bowls roll up at 1pm, names in by 12.45pm. Call [027] 957-1012.

Masterton Petanque Club: Club day 2pm, in Queen Elizabeth Park. Call Myrna Lane 377-3064.

Masterton Tennis Centre: Social doubles from 9am at 147 Dixon St, Masterton. Blackboard draw.

Narcotics Anonymous: Featherston Community Centre, 7-9pm. Call 0800 628 632.

Pickleball: Makoura College Gym, Masterton 5pm-6.30pm. Gear provided. Contact Sue [027] 449 0601.

Rotary Sunday Market: 7-11.30am, Essex St car park. Contact thehodsons@xtra.co.nz

South Wairarapa Pipe Band: Practice at St John’s church hall, Featherston, 4-6pm. To confirm time please call [027] 628-5889 or [027]

453-0182.

Wairarapa Model Aero Club: 9amnoon, at the Masterton Aerodrome. Wairarapa Word: Mike Joy, Fighting for Freshwater, 2pm, Carterton Community Courthouse, 60 Holloway St.

MONDAY APRIL 8

Art for Everyone: Featherston Community Centre, 7-9pm. Call Sandie [021] 157-4909.

Carterton Alcoholics Anonymous: 8pm, Salvation Army Community Rooms, 210 High St. Call Bob [021] 042-2947 or Martin [06] 372-7764.

Carterton Community Toy Library: Events Centre, Holloway St, Mon-Sat during CDC Library hours.

Carterton Food Bank: 10-11am Mon-Fri at Haumanu House. Call 379-4092.

Carterton Scottish Dance Club: 7.30pm, at Carterton School Hall, Holloway St. Call Elaine 377-0322.

Carterton Scout Group: At Rangatahi Hub [behind Carterton Event Centre], Keas [5-8 years]

4.30-5.30pm; Cubs [8-11] 6-7.30pm. Contact Sylvia [027] 249-3395.

CCS Disability Action Wairarapa Office: 36 Bannister St, Masterton, 10am-1pm Mon-Fri. Call 378-2426 or 0800 227-2255.

Citizens Advice Bureau: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, 43 Perry St, Masterton. Call 377-0078 or 0800 367-222.

Cobblestones Museum and Wairarapa Heritage Village. Greytown. Open 10am until 4pm seven days.

Creative Hands Programme: At Hospice Wairarapa, 59 Renall St, Masterton, 10am-noon. Call Kirsten 399-1050.

East Indoor Bowling Club: 7pm. Call Julie 377-5497 or George 378-9266.

Featherston Music Club: 7-9pm. Call Shaun O’Brien [027] 672-6249.

Free Community Fit Club: Mon/ Tues/Fri, 6am and 11am, Carrington Park, Carterton. Call Di [027] 4987261.

GirlGuidingNZ: Masterton Rangers, 12½-18 years, 6.30-8pm. South Wairarapa Guides [Greytown], 9-12½ years, 6-8pm. Call Sharon [021] 033-0550.

Hospice Wairarapa Support

Services: For anyone dealing with a terminal illness. Call [06] 378-8888.

Housie: 7pm, Club Carterton, Broadway. Call 379-8069.

Justice of the Peace: Masterton CAB 9.30am-12.30pm.

Keep Fit!: 9.30am, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St, Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Line Dancing: 10.30am, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Literacy Aotearoa: Free computing and digital device classes for adults. Call 377-4214.

Mah-jong: 1-4pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Pat Hamilton [06] 308-9729.

Masterton District Brass Band: Rehearsals at 7pm, in the Band Room, Park Ave, Masterton. Call [022] 574-0742.

Masterton Food Bank: 9 Church St, Mon-Fri 10am-12.30pm. Call 370-8034.

Play Gym: St James Church Hall 116 High St, Masterton, 9.30-11am, for 0-3-year-olds.

Red Star Table Tennis Club: 6-8pm at Red Star Sports Association 10 Herbert St, Masterton. Call Peter [027] 566-4664 or Brian 377-4066.

Senior Citizens Club: Cards 1-4pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Val [06] 308-9293.

Steady As You Go: Falls Prevention and Balance Class, Featherston: 9.30am, A/G Church. Masterton: 1.30pm, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

The Dance Shed: 450A Belvedere Rd, Carterton. Beginners Linedance Class: 6-7pm. Linedance Intermediate Class: 7.30-8.30pm. Call Wendy [027] 319-9814.

Troubadour Music Group: 6-8pm, Wairarapa Community Centre, 41 Perry St, Masterton. Contact Stefan [027] 226-6019.

Wairarapa Futsal: 6pm Clareville Showgrounds. Call Robyn [027] 235-8673.

Wairarapa Services Club: Cards, 500, 1.30pm, at the club, Essex St, Masterton.

Wairarapa Stop Smoking Service: Call a Quit Coach based at Whaiora 0800 494 246.

TUESDAY

APRIL 9

Caregivers Programme: Caring for your loved one who is unwell, Hospice Wairarapa, 59 Renall St, Masterton. Call Kirsten 399-1050.

Carrington Bowling Club: 57 High St, Carterton, behind clock tower. Call Pauline [027] 406-6728.

Carterton District Historical Society: 142 High St North, Carterton, open 2-4pm or by appointment. Call Vivienne 379-5564. Central Indoor Bowls Club: 7.30pm, Hogg Crescent hall. Call Mathew or Graeme 378-7554.

Chair Exercise: Gentle chair exercises, 2-2.45pm, at St John’s Hall, Greytown.

Clareville Badminton Club: Main Stadium at Clareville, 7.30pm -9pm. Call Steve [027] 333-3975.

Cobblestones Museum and Wairarapa Heritage Village. Greytown. Open 10am until 4pm seven days.

Dance Fitness: 6.30-7.30pm, at Fareham House Hall Featherston. Call Justine [0204] 105-2830.

Digital Seniors Wairarapa: Call [0800] 373-646 to book or for advice.

Carterton: 9.30-11.30am, Carterton Library; Greytown: 1.30-3.30pm, Greytown Library.

Featherston Amateur Wrestling Club: During school terms. Classes are weight and skill dependent; Beginners, 5-9 years, 5.30-6.15pm; 10 years+ [including adults] 6.157.30pm.

Featherston Menz Shed: 61 Fitzherbert St, open from 10am.

Featherston Wahine Singers: 7-8.30pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Susan [021] 246-4884.

Free Literacy and Numeracy Classes: At Literacy Aotearoa, 340 Queen St, Masterton. Call Carol [022] 524-5994.

GirlGuiding: Masterton Pippins [5-7 years] 3.45-5pm. Call Chrissy Warnock 372-7646.

Justice of the Peace: Masterton CAB 11am-1pm.

Knit and Natter: 3pm, Wairarapa Community Centre, Perry St; 7pm, Te Awhina Cameron Community House, 2 Stuart Cres, Masterton.

Mah-jong: Carterton RSA, 1pm. Call Margaret 379-8681.

Masterton Alcoholics Anonymous: 7.30pm, St Matthew’s Church Hall, 35 Church St. Call Anne 378-2338 or David [021] 116-5505.

Masterton Croquet Club: Golf Croquet 9.15am behind the Hosking Garden in the park. Call Russell Ward 377-4401.

Masterton Judo Club: Tues/Thurs, youth class 5-6pm, adults 7-8.30pm, Nga Totara Dojo, 205 Ngaumutawa Rd, Masterton. Contact Simon [021] 248-6111.

Masterton Senior Citizens and Beneficiaries Association: Social indoor bowls, 500 cards, or a chat 1-3pm, Senior Citizens hall, Cole St. Call Ngaire 377-0342.

Masterton Toy Library: 10am-12pm, 365 Queen St, Masterton. [021] 0716634.

Red Star Table Tennis Club: 9amnoon at Red Star Sports Association 10 Herbert St, Masterton. Call Peter [027] 566-4664 or Brian 377-4066.

Scallyrag Border Morris Dancing: 7-8 pm at the Auditorium, Kuranui College, Greytown. Contact Alison [021] 111-1894.

Social Bridge: At South Wairarapa Workingmen’s Club, 1.30-3.30pm. Call Lesley [021] 299-6389.

South Wairarapa Badminton Club: Featherston Sports Stadium, Underhill Rd, 7pm-9pm. Rackets available.

South Wairarapa Workingmen’s Club: Games afternoon. Call Doff 304-9748.

Wairarapa Heart Help Group: 1.303pm, Wairarapa Community Centre, 41 Perry St, Masterton.

Wairarapa Modern Jive: Carterton School hall, 7.15-7.30pm Intermediate workshop; 8-8.45pm Beginners class. Contact Lance [021] 134-5661.

Wairarapa Services Club: Cards, Euchre, 1pm, at the club, Essex St, Masterton.

Woops A Daisies: Leisure Marching Team practice 4-5pm, Trust House Rec Centre Stadium. Cheryl [06] 3701922 or [027] 697-6974.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 10

AA Meeting: At 7.30pm, Epiphany church hall, High St, Solway, Masterton. Call [027] 557-7928.

Athletics Wairarapa: Club night, 5.45-7pm, Colin Pugh Sports Bowl, Masterton. Cards: “500”, 1.15-4.15pm, at the Carterton Club. Call Barbara 379-6582 or Val 379-8329.

Carterton Cycle Group: From Belvedere Rd [weather permitting]. Call Irene [027] 634-9167 or Lesley [021] 299-6389.

Cobblestones Museum and Wairarapa Heritage Village: Greytown. Open 10am until 4pm seven days.

Dance Fitness: 9.30-11am, preschoolers with parents or caregivers at Fareham House Hall Featherston. Call Justine [0204] 105-2830.

Digital Seniors Wairarapa: Call [0800] 373-646 to book or for advice.

Masterton: 10am-noon, Masterton Library.

Free Classes: Literacy, language, numeracy for adult learners. Call Literacy Aotearoa 377-4214.

GirlGuidingNZ: Masterton Brownies, 7-9½ years, 5.30-7pm. Call Sharon [021] 033-0550.

Greytown Menz Shed: 9am-noon. Call Paul Dodge [021] 0262-6595.

Healing Rooms: Confidential prayer for healing or any situation, 2-4pm, at St Matthews Church Hall, Church St, Masterton. Call [027] 245-2819.

Heart of Arts Wairarapa: A community gallery, 47 High St North, Carterton, Wed-Fri, 10am-4pm, weekends, 10am-2pm.

Juesday Art: 10am-12.30pm, AOG Church, Birdwood St, Featherston. Call Julia [06] 308-8109.

Justice of the Peace: Masterton CAB noon-2pm.

Kiddie Gym: For under-5s, 9.3011am, at St David’s Church, corner High and Victoria Sts, Carterton. Call Judy or Joan 379-8325.

Martinborough Men’s Shed: Old Courthouse, 20 Cork St, 9am-noon. Call Doug [027] 444-7331.

Masterton Art Club: 10am-2pm, also print on Fridays, at 12 Victoria St. Call Elissa [0274] 706-528.

Masterton Croquet Club: Association Croquet 9.15am and 12.45pm behind the Hosking Garden in the park. Call Carl Redvers 3787109.

Masterton Park Bowling Club: Queen Elizabeth Park, 1pm, names in by 12.45pm. Call [027] 957-1012.

Parkinson’s Singing Group: 10am, South Wairarapa Workingman’s Club, Main St, Greytown. Call Marguerite Chadwick 379-5376.

Pickleball: Masterton Rec Centre, 2 Dixon St, 9.30am-11am. Gear provided. Contact Sue [027] 449 0601.

Rangatahi to Rangatira Youth Group: Sports, food, and leadership, Carterton Events Centre. Text “R2R” to [027] 742-2264.

Recreational Walking Group: 9.30am, Essex St car park. Call Ann Jackson, 372-5758, or Ann Duckett, 378-8285. Scrabble Club: 1-4pm in Masterton. For venue details, call Sue McRae [027] 449-0601.

Silver Ukulele Club: 1-3pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Jan [06] 308-8556.

Soulway Cooking and Crafts: 10am-noon, High St, Masterton. Call Nikki Smith 370-1604].

South Wairarapa Caregivers Programme: Caring for your loved one who is unwell, at a café in South Wairarapa. Call Kirsten 399-1050.

Taoist Tai Chi: From 5.30pm at St Mark’s Church Hall, 185 High St, Carterton. Contact www.taoisttaichi.

org Te Runga Scouts: Cubs, 6-7.30pm, 45 Harley St, Masterton.

The Dance Shed: 450A Belvedere Rd, Carterton. Line Dance Class 6-7pm; Rock N Roll Dance Class: 7.308.30pm, Beginners/Couple Coaching, Social/Competitive. Call Wendy [027] 319-9814.

Wairarapa Rockers: Rock’n’roll. Couple inquiries to [027] 333-1793.

Wairarapa Services Club: Rummikub, 1pm, at the club, Essex St, Masterton.

Wairarapa Singers: Choral singing. Call Graeme Burnard [027] 270-5666.

Wairarapa Spinners & Weavers: 10am in The Wool Shed, Dixon St, Masterton. Call Trish 378-8775 or Josie 378-6531.

Whakaoriori Shufflers: Line dancing, Red Star clubrooms, Herbert St, Masterton, improvers 5-6.30pm. Call 377-5518 or 377-1135.

Wisdom and Well-being: Featherston Community Centre, 10.30am-12.30pm. Call Pauline [021] 102 8857.

* To have an event listed please email event@age.co.nz by noon Thursday prior

Events

Structured Literacy Learning Support

Do you enjoy working with tamariki? Are you passionate about supporting ākonga in their learning?

Lakeview School are looking to employ a Structured Literacy Learning Support to help deliver our Structured Literacy programme Fifteen hours, 40 mins a week during term time, until the end of the school year 2024 Learning Support would work with small groups of children outside the classroom from 9-1pm Monday to Thursday with one hour of planning and preparation time each week on top of this Full training and support will be given to successful applicants to implement th is reputable New Zealand-based programme effectively within our school. Position starting on 29th April 2024. Please express interest with a written letter by 3pm April 5th 2024 to admin@lakeviewschool.info

Promising signs for Douglas Villa side

CHRIS COGDALE chris.cogdale@age.co.nz

Getting the best out of his talented players is the aim of Tumu Douglas Villa coach Mark Taylor – as the team takes their first steps in Capital Football Division One tomorrow.

hill,” Taylor said. “But also, we’ve got some young players who have come in and have been training and playing for us during the preseason and have been doing really well.”

Waterside-Karori Reserves, and a 3–0 loss to Island Bay.

“We’re really happy with how the preseason’s gone, and it just leads into the season nicely,” Taylor said.

Douglas Villa won promotion after finishing runners-up in Division Two in 2023. The players will have their first taste of what lies ahead in the thirdtier competition, below only Central League and Capital Premier, when they take on North Wellington Reserves at Alex Moore Park, Johnsonville.

Aware of the challenges ahead, the experienced Taylor and assistant coach Riki Riddell have recruited wisely for their second year at the helm, and have assembled a squad of about 22 players – with the added aim of also building a solid reserves team that will play in the Wairarapa Local League Division One.

“We’ve been promoted, and we want to be successful, and the higher up we go, we’ve got to have some depth. The other bit is we need to have a decent reserve side, and that’s a bit of a focus for the club this year.

“It’s a good thing to have, and it means that players need to compete for places and be at their best, and that is what a football team is all about.”

Former national league player Alex Cox, who played a few games for Douglas Villa last year, joins his brother Chris Cox [the team captain] and is a quality signing.

Ed De LaraBell, who has been in and out of the first team; Sam Jonas – a talented right back from Rathkeale; Brodie Dick – exWairarapa College, who has been playing senior football at Island Bay; Max Mitchell from Greytown; Travis Booth from Masterton; Isaac Higgins from Petone [previously Greytown]; Zach Anstis [ex-Waicol]; and Waicol 1st XI players Jordie Fennell and Jayden English are the other newcomers.

“We know we’ve got some really good players in there, and it’s just getting the best out of them and just continuing the work we’ve done in the preseason.

“We’ve got lots of good young players, and what I really want to do is put these guys into situations where they’re having to play above themselves. We’ve already seen where their talent’s at.”

Taylor admits to knowing little about North Wellington, other than it is the club’s second team behind their Central League side.

“They’re a reserve team, and for us, we’re a club’s first team, and we’ve got to understand that, and there are some high standards we have to set for ourselves.

“We just want to go and compete and get used to the competition, and we’ll keep resetting our targets as the season goes on. But let’s get the first game out of the way – we want to win that.

Sport

“We’ve got about 10 new players to come in, and they include established players from other clubs, a couple from Wairarapa, and a few from over the

Goalkeeper Ben Burnley, Willie Syben, Liam Gale, Jamie McMaster and Cook Island international Tremaine RimeneAlbrett are missing from last year’s squad. Jayden Watt will take over the goalkeeping duties.

Douglas Villa had preseason games in the Hilton Petone Cup Division Two, with two wins [6–0 over Naenae and 6–1 over Tawa Reserves], two 1–1 draws with Te Kotahitanga [the combined Kapiti- Horowhenua club] and

“On the day, adapting to different players and situations and making sure we worry about ourselves and get our own game plan sorted out – that’s effective. We’ve got guys who want to attack and score goals, and that is what the emphasis is going to be.

“It’s just exciting to go in with the start that we’ve had so far,” Taylor concluded.

Greyfriars Motel Greytown will commence their Capital Two campaign on Saturday, April 6, the same day that the Wairarapa Local Leagues kick off.

Douglas Villa coach Mark Taylor.

TOP: Andrew Cox has signed on for the 2024 season with Douglas Villa.

RIGHT: Captain Chris Cox will lead a young but talented side. PHOTOS/FILE

Going