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Thethills
March 2021
Issue Fifty One
Foo
N ews
Incorporating the Mayfield Message and Mt Somers News
Bringing you the News from Carew in the south to Alford Forest in the north and all places in between.
The Mayfield Show - Something for Everyone!
On Saturday 13th March, the Mayfield A&P Show is the place to be! This Once again we have our Produce Shed showcasing the best homemade goods
year we are Celebrating our 96th show, and it promises to be just as good from near and far. The shed is definitely worth browsing and admiring on
as ever. show day. Remember that cut fowers and vegetables can be entered on show
day, before 9am.
We’re set for another true country show with all the best attractions on offer.
Our world famous racing pigs are back, and with special guest commentators Plus, there’s also all the other wonderful attractions ons that a great A&P
for each race they are not to be missed this year. Not far from the racing pigs show can offer for EVERYONE in the whole family! We’d love to see you
we have another huge Pet Tent with animals of all kinds on display for there!
everyone to come and see. This year we are very fortunate to have Sheryl Harrison leading our dedicated
The kids are in for a real treat again this year! We have the Carnival Side committee as President.
Shows and Rides, our Kid’s Scavenger Hunt with awesome spot prizes, We are always on the lookout for new members, or offers of support in the
the Pop Up Playground and, Noddy Train, Bouncy Castles and the Kids week leading up to the show. Please contact our Secretary via Facebook or
Challenge! Plus we’ve got our Storytellers returning, the Vertical cal Bungee email mayfeldshow15@gmail.com if you’re keen to join our committee or
and live music. Something for every age! would like to just to help out in the lead up to the show.
The adults don’t miss out either with our live entertainment throughout the Have you liked us on Facebook yet? This is where you’ll be kept up to date
day on the Village Green. With delicious food, drinks and co+ee you won’t with everything that is happening. This year we will also have a button
go hungry either as you browse our great range of craft and trade sites. on the Ashburton App. This is where you can and the showgrounds map,
The Tractor Pull returns for it’s 4th year running and is not to be missed. schedule for the day and much more. So download the app. and keep an
The noise, smoke and smell of burning fuel are all just part of this impressive eye out for us!
attractions. If you’ve ever considered entering, now is your chance. Visit The Mayfield A&P Show is a great day out for the whole family. So, save the
www.tractorpull.co.nz for more informaton and registration on details. You date and come on down to the show grounds on Saturday 13th March. You
could win yourself bragging rights across the district! won’t be disappointed.
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
1
Hospice Mid Canterbury -
Call for Volunteers
Volunteers are an integral part of Hospice Mid Canterbury. It’s their commitment
and enthusiasm which allows Hospice to support clients and their families. We are
currently looking for new volunteers. There are a wide variety of roles available,
some working with clients and others working in the Hospice shop or providing
other support.
Currently we are looking for volunteers for the following:
Working at the Hospice shop, Tancred Street (3 hour shift)
Your Local Farm Digger Biography writing (computer ability required)
Contractor Light housekeeping at the Hospice Home
Light gardening at the Hospice Home
9 Competitive, Fast Catering and baking for Hospice events, such as Armchair Travel
and Reliable
9 General Excavation Whether you want to give something back to the community by donating your
9 Trenching talent, getting hands-on experience or just meeting new people, volunteering makes
9 Waterway Cleaning
a world of difference to Hospice clients and their families. Life is busy, so whatever
time and personal contribution you can offer will be greatly appreciated, whether
Call Reon Blake it be weekly, fortnightly or once a month. Full training and on-going support is
021 170 3715 provided to all volunteers.
If you would like to be part of the Hospice team, contact Belinda on 033078387
or 0272278387 or email belinda@hospicemc.nz. To find out more about the
organisation, check out the Hospice Mid Canterbury website www.hospicemc.nz.
U3A Ashburton – for LifeLong Learning
Tuesday February 23rd February 2021 10.15am (doors open at 9.30am) at the Ashburton
Trust Event Centre on Wills Street.
Professor Paul Scofield PhD, MSc(Hons), BSc is senior curator of Natural History at
Canterbury Museum. He will speak about new and significant palaeontological finds in NZ.
We are thrilled to welcome Paul to U3A Ashburton to share his knowledge of Palaeontology
with us. Carol Gunn
MAYFIELD COLLIE
Thinking seed?
Call today! CLUB
The Mayfield Collie Club will be
holding their Annual Trials on March
Your seed & 26th and 27th on the property of
Mr. and Mrs. Whyte, Hakatere. The
agronomy specialist... centennial trials last year were cancelled
• Pastoral seed sales, access to because of Covid 19, so this year will be
all varieties the centennial plus one. The extra prize
• Spot market purchases of feed & money and specials from last year have
milling grain been carried forward.
• Forward contracting of all grains The Club is most grateful to Mr. and
• Ag chemical supply services Mrs. Whyte for the use of their land
• Domestic & international sales and sheep.
- multiplication contracts for peas
& Asian brassicas We have top courses and top sheep and
we will attract top competitors and top
dogs.
John Fulton 027 489 4504 | 03 303 0856 | john@heartlandseeds.co.nz All Welcome
Harvey Eggleston
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
2
Over 30 years experience servicing
and supporting the local community
Earthworks Laneways
• Any type of Earthmoving • Lime capping
Ploughing Directional Drilling
• Cable + Waterpipe Installation • Trenchless Technology
Utility Detection Services Workshop
• Find it first • Full workshop facilities available
Call us today for an obligation free quote.
Office 308 8479 Mob 027 433 8003
Free Phone 0800 432 583 (GDC LTD)
Web www.gdc.net.nz Email office@gdcgroup.nz
2 Fords Road, Ashburton • 106 Hilton Highway, Timaru
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
3
Mayfield Show Saturday 13th March
MORNING AFTERNOON
12.00pm: FEI Show Jumping (approx)
7.45am: District Horse Champion of Champions Ram
District Pony In Hand Horse
8.00am: Dog Trials start In Hand Pony
Tractor Pull Starts (approx) In Hand Welsh
Show Hacks 12:00pm Searles Winslow Pig Race 3
Park Hacks 12.10pm: Presentation at the Sheep Pens
Saddle Hunters followed by Terminal Ram Hogget
Working Hunters Dysart Trophy Presentation (Best
Riding Horse Wool Breed Ram lamb)
Group A Ponies followed by 1.30pm: GRAND PARADE lead by the
Group B Ponies Ashburton Pipe Band +
Group C Ponies $100 spot prize from Dayboo Stud
Cobs followed by Standardbreds Lolly scramble finale
8.30am: First Year Ridden followed by 2:00pm: Searles Winslow Pig Race 4
Lead Rein Ponies 3.00pm: Searles Winslow Pig Race 5
Unity Cups (Harewood & Wakelin) Including a raffle for a Giant Easter
Clydesdales Egg
9.00am: Judging of Sheep Scavenger Hunt Prize Giving at the
Judging of Classes in the Produce Pig Racing
Shed 3.45pm: Lushington’s Terrier Race
9.30am: Miniature Horses 4.00pm: Shearing Prize Giving
10.00am: SHOW OPENS with address by 5:00pm: Farmers Lift and tyre toss
the President (next to tractor pull track)
Machine Shearing starts 6.00pm: Tractor Pull Prizegiving
Judging of Goats
10:15am Searles Winslow Pig Race 1
11.00am: Hunters R.T.R Throughout the Day
Pony Hunter R.T.R Pony Rides
Searles Winslow Pig Race 2 Pop Up Playground
Bouncy Castles
Eartag in the Haystack
Kids Challenge
Live music from Magic and I Alone
Scavenger Hunt
Noddy Train
Pet tent “Suzies Animals galore”
Pedalmania
Kids Jeeps and Go Karts
Additional Parking
Dog Trials
T
Modified
Vintage Tractor
tractor T Tractor Pull
Car Park Exhibits
parking
Tractor Parking
Public Bar
Trade Exhibits
Entrance Vintage
Trade Exhibits Machinery
Mayfield Village Green
Hall Entertainment Goats
Pet Tent T
Sheep
Craft Stalls
Committee Trade Exhibits Shearing
Entrance Pig Food
Racing Food Produce Shed
Tennis
Courts /
Side Shows and Children’s Office
Pool
T Entertainment Scout Den T
T
Horse Float
Committe and Truck
T Parking
Panthers Horse Arena
Rock Bar
and Cafe
Entrance
for
exhibitors
only
Lismore Mayfield Road Ashburton
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
4
How much
milk replacer
will you need?
Dear farmers,
Last year, we experienced unprecedented demand for Sprayfo
Milk Replacers and, regrettably, some rearers missed out.
This year, due to the current situation around the world and the
resulting logistical challenges, we’ve already had to order product.
Our main priority is to ensure we have ordered enough milk replacer to meet
your needs. So, please get in touch and tell us how much milk replacer you think you’ll need to
successfully rear your animals. In return, we’ll ensure you get what you ask for.
Pre-order Sprayfo TODAY!
Call - 0800 65 44 76
Email - sales@agrivantage.co.nz
Online - www.agrivantage.co.nz
0800 64 55 76
www.agrivantage.co.nz
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
5
The Old Post Office Library ‘In a world of perennial fire and
growing extinctions, Anna’s
aged mother is dying.... if her
three children would only allow
it!! Condemned by their pity to
living, she increasingly escapes
through her hospital window into
visions of horror and delight’.
This book looks to be slightly
‘left field’ so could be a challenge.
Even so, the author is highly
respected and one of Australia’s
leading novelists. I’m looking
forward to it.
‘Between the pages of a book is a lovely place to be’.... seen on a billboard And something completely different ‘The Lost Lights of St Kilda’ by
outside a bookshop in Nelson. How true, when we bounce around in Elisabeth Gifford, a Scottish tale set on a beautiful isolated island off the
COVID levels with little warning. With a book, we can travel to so many coast of Scotland. It is described as ‘a moving and deeply vivid portrait of
places and other worlds, and remain perfectly safe. You don’t even have to two lovers, a desolate island and the extraordinary power of hope in the face
check in! of darkness. ‘
We are investigating getting the COVID contact tracing poster for the
Library so we can be doubly sure of our safety in uncertain times. We also I have just finished ‘Shuggie Bain’ by Douglas Stuart, set in Glasgow. This
have hand sanitiser as an added caution. book won the last Booker prize and I can see why. It is a very moving, at
times quite desperate, story of an alcoholic woman and her children and how
It has been a very short month indeed!! It seems only days ago that I was they cope with their addicted, stroppy, opinionated and at times just plain
writing the February library news. spiteful and hateful mother. But she has a heart of gold and her youngest son
This month is the deadline for applications for the Library Grants from Shuggie loves her to bits. It is about Shuggie as much as his mother Agnes,
the Ashburton District Council. I decided to count how many books have and his coming to terms with the fact that he is ‘different’ , or ‘no right’ as
been borrowed from our Library during this last year, to provide evidence his peers describe him. It is a big read in more ways than one, but well worth
of how many people use this facility. And was pleasantly surprised that even it. Highly recommended.
although the Library was closed during lockdown we still issued over 900 Another very enjoyable read in a light and entertaining way is ‘Away with
books! This number is slightly down on the previous year but given the the Penguins’ by Hazel Prior. It is a gentle read about a wealthy 86 year old
circumstances I think this fact proves how vital to our community the library woman who is looking for someone to inherit her millions. She develops a
has become. And this wasn’t counting the constant use of the outside shelves passion for penguins and decides she will leave her fortune to a struggling
which we were continually filling. For some readers, those shelves were a research project in Antarctica on one condition..... she will travel down there
lifesaver during lockdown and meant that although shops and libraries were to inspect the project to make sure it is an appropriate recipient. Of course
closed they could still find a book to read. it is the last thing that busy committed scientists want to deal with, an aging
So thank you to everyone who donates books to a different bookshelf, in Mt inexperienced old woman in such a hostile environment. But they do need
Somers it is definitely appreciated. the money to continue......
We want to thank Peter too, for being our honorary plumber!! He has fixed I learnt so much about penguins in this book in a very entertaining way. It
our water problems and is always willing to help out in any way with the is a quick read and leaves the reader in a happy mood!!! It is lent out for this
maintenance of the library.
month but take note of it if you are interested, so we can reserve it for you.
A big thank you.....and also to our other
handy men who have helped out when We now have a copy of ‘The Tall Tussock’ by David McLeod. This is an
necessary. old book written in 1959 containing ten tales about shepherds, musterers,
dogs, station cooks and ‘packies’. David McLead owned Grasmere Station
We are still adding new books , some of
in North Canterbury, and was one of the first people to write about the
you may remember the author Richard
high country. This book is precious, and hard to obtain. It is a first edition.
Flanagan. He wrote a very popular book
So please, if you borrow it, take great care and return it to the Library once
‘The Sound of One Hand Clapping’ years
read.
ago set in Tasmania, and also the very
popular’’The Narrow Road to the Deep Finally, please return overdue books!! When I was counting how many books
North’ which won the Booker Prize. His have been borrowed, I noticed some books have been out of circulation for
new book, still in hardback, has joined up to a year!!! If this is you, please return as soon as possible. Check your
the library, ‘The Living Sea of Waking shelves!!
Dreams’, an intriguing title. Happy reading, more information from Pam 3039 150. Robbie 3039 767.
Annie 3039 734. Kath 021 0584 112.
We are a small, unique community
preschool and we currently have
limited spaces available on our
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday sessions. Sessions are
8.30 - 3pm school terms.
We offer 20 hours free for 3 years and over otherwise $5 an
hour for our 2 year olds.
Please contact Chantelle at Peel Forest Preschool on 03 6963
740 or come out and visit us and meet the team and see what
our centre can offer your whānau.
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
6
Here to help
Jo Luxton
MP for Rangitata Do you have lots of ideas but
Please get in contact if are not sure where to start?
you need any support. Joseph Builders can Contast us today
75 Harrison Street, Ashburton help you turn your big Let us show you
03 339 1030 or small ideas into how straight
rangitatamp@parliament.govt.nz reality with our design forward it can be.
and build service.
/JoLuxtonLabour
@joluxx
/joluxton_mp
Authorised by Jo Luxton,
Parliament Buildings, Wellington
Painter Available
Friendly, professional service, good
rates, excellent local references. josephbuilder s@xtra.co.nz
0800 500 564 (03) 3039 830
Ph 0279 624 841
w w w. j o s e p h b u i l d e r s . c o . n z
or 03 693 9803
Need more Acreage?
Talk to our Rural Team
Ray White Ashburton
96 Tancred Street, Ashburton
Bruce McPherson Justin Waddell Mark Totty Mike Grant
rwashburton.co.nz 027 438 4250 027 437 1111 021 664 113 021 272 0202
03 307 8317
Real Estate Mid Canterbury Property Limited Licensed (REAA 2008)
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
7
D /Z > ^ ͗ “THE MID
CANTERBURY
“THE MID CANTERBURY CONNECTOR” COMMUNITY
CONNECTOR”
dZE^WKZd^ Zs/ dK^,hZdKEdKtE^,/W/^EKt
COMMUNITY
hWEZhEE/E'
TRANSPORT SERVICE
TO ASHBURTON
,KWKEKZ͊ TOWNSHIP IS NOW
UP AND RUNNING
HOP ON BOARD!
dhe “Mid Canterbury Connector” service ďƌŝŶŐƐƉĞŽƉůĞůŝǀŝŶŐŝŶƚŚĞŵŽƌĞƌƵƌĂůͬƌĞŵŽƚĞĂƌĞĂƐŽĨƚŚĞ
The “Mid Canterbury Connector” service brings people living in the more
ŝƐƚƌŝĐƚŝŶƚŽƐŚďƵƌƚŽŶdŽǁŶƐŚŝƉ͕ĨŽƌŵĞĚŝĐĂůĂƉƉŽŝŶƚŵĞŶƚƐ͕ĚŽŝŶŐďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐǁŝƚŚŽƵŶĐŝů͕ƐĞĞŝŶŐ
rural/remote areas of the District into Ashburton Township, for medical
ĨĂŵŝůLJĂŶĚĨƌŝĞŶĚƐ͕ĂĐĐĞƐƐŝŶŐŐŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚĂŶĚƐŽĐŝĂůƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ͕ƐŚŽƉƉŝŶŐ͕ĞƚĐ͘
appointments, doing business with Council, seeing family and friends,
accessing government and social services, shopping, etc.
The new service is being co-ordinated by Safer Mid Canterbury and will
dŚĞŶĞǁƐĞƌǀŝĐĞŝƐďĞŝŶŐĐŽͲŽƌĚŝŶĂƚĞĚďLJ^ĂĨĞƌDŝĚĂŶƚĞƌďƵƌLJĂŶĚǁŝůůďĞƚƌŝĂůůĞĚĨŽƌƐŝdžŵŽŶƚŚƐƚŽ
Ashburton Forks Storage Units be trialled for six months to see if there is demand for it to continue. The
ƐĞĞŝĨƚŚĞƌĞŝƐĚĞŵĂŶĚĨŽƌŝƚƚŽĐŽŶƚŝŶƵĞ͘dŚĞƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƵƐĞƐǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌĚƌŝǀĞƌƐĂŶĚĨĂƌĞƐĂƌĞƌĞĂƐŽŶĂďůĞ͘
service uses volunteer drivers and fares are reasonable.
COMING SOON On Tuesdays each week the Connector will pick people up from Mt Somers,
KŶdƵĞƐĚĂLJƐĞĂĐŚǁĞĞŬƚŚĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌǁŝůůƉŝĐŬƉĞŽƉůĞƵƉĨƌŽŵDƚ^ŽŵĞƌƐ͕^ƚĂǀĞůĞLJ͕DĞƚŚǀĞŶ͕
Staveley, Methven, Winchmore and Wakanui, and drop them off in town
9 metres x 6 metres deep with Extra Height
tŝŶĐŚŵŽƌĞĂŶĚtĂŬĂŶƵŝ͕ĂŶĚĚƌŽƉƚŚĞŵŽĨĨŝŶƚŽǁŶĨŽƌϮͲϯŚŽƵƌƐ͕ďĞĨŽƌĞƚĂŬŝŶŐƚŚĞŵŚŽŵĞ͘
for 2-3 hours, before taking them home.
to accommodate Boats, Motorhomes, Caravans etc. On Wednesdays the Connector will travel from Rakaia to Chertsey, Fairton/
24/7KŶtĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJƐƚŚĞŽŶŶĞĐƚŽƌǁŝůůƚƌĂǀĞůĨƌŽŵZĂŬĂŝĂƚŽŚĞƌƚƐĞLJ͕&ĂŝƌƚŽŶͬ,ĂŬĂƚĞƌĞDĂƌĂĞĂŶĚ
monitored security. Hakatere Marae and down to Hinds, dropping people off in town for 2-3
Power ĚŽǁŶƚŽ,ŝŶĚƐ͕ĚƌŽƉƉŝŶŐƉĞŽƉůĞŽĨĨŝŶƚŽǁŶĨŽƌϮͲϯŚŽƵƌƐ͕ƚŚĞŶƚĂŬŝŶŐƚŚĞŵŚŽŵĞ͘
and lights in each unit. hours, then taking them home.
Deputy Mayor Liz McMillan, who is the Chair of the Working Group which
You are welcome to call in and have a look at has developed this new service, says “Our District has no public transport
ĞƉƵƚLJDĂLJŽƌ>ŝnjDĐDŝůůĂŶ͕ǁŚŽŝƐƚŚĞŚĂŝƌŽĨƚŚĞtŽƌŬŝŶŐ'ƌŽƵƉǁŚŝĐŚŚĂƐĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚƚŚŝƐŶĞǁ
1807 Ashburton Staveley
ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ͕says Road. system, and feedback from people living in the more rural/remote areas who
“KƵƌŝƐƚƌŝĐƚŚĂƐŶŽƉƵďůŝĐƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚƐLJƐƚĞŵ͕ĂŶĚĨĞĞĚďĂĐŬĨƌŽŵƉĞŽƉůĞůŝǀŝŶŐŝŶƚŚĞ
do not drive or no longer drive, has told us that there is a need for a service
(AshForksEngineering)
ŵŽƌĞƌƵƌĂůͬƌĞŵŽƚĞĂƌĞĂƐǁŚŽĚŽŶŽƚĚƌŝǀĞŽƌŶŽůŽŶŐĞƌĚƌŝǀĞ͕ŚĂƐƚŽůĚƵƐƚŚĂƚƚŚĞƌĞŝƐĂŶĞĞĚĨŽƌĂ
allowing people to travel to Ashburton Township. We hope the service will
Available from February.
be well supportedn and help people to feel less isolated, do what they need
ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞĂůůŽǁŝŶŐƉĞŽƉůĞƚŽƚƌĂǀĞůƚŽƐŚďƵƌƚŽŶdŽǁŶƐŚŝƉ͘tĞŚŽƉĞƚŚĞƐĞƌǀŝĐĞǁŝůůďĞǁĞůůƐƵƉƉŽƌƚĞĚ
to do in town and feel more connected to the Ashburton community”.
Contact Daisy on 021 212 3181
ĂŶĚŚĞůƉƉĞŽƉůĞƚŽĨĞĞůůĞƐƐŝƐŽůĂƚĞĚ͕ĚŽǁŚĂƚƚŚĞLJŶĞĞĚƚŽĚŽŝŶƚŽǁŶĂŶĚĨĞĞůŵŽƌĞĐŽŶŶĞĐƚĞĚƚŽƚŚĞ
For more information on routes, fares and pick up places and times and
Ashburton community”. to make a booking, please call 03 308 1395 ext 225.
S a t u r d a y 13 March
&ŽƌŵŽƌĞŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƚŝŽŶŽŶƌŽƵƚĞƐ͕ĨĂƌĞƐĂŶĚƉŝĐŬƵƉƉůĂĐĞƐĂŶĚƚŝŵĞƐĂŶĚƚŽŵĂŬĞĂŬŝŶŐ͕ƉůĞĂƐĞ
ĐĂůůϬϯϯϬϴϭϯϵϱĞdžƚϮϮϱ͘ th
Tractor Pull • Pig Racing • Scavenger Hunt • Pet Tent • Kids Entertainment and much more
MAYFIELD A & P Show
Adults $15 • School Age Children FREE
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
8
C O M M U N I T Y T R A N S P O R T S E R V I C E
Need a
Mid
Canterbury
ride
return
Ashburton?
into
Connector
Twice a week for a 6 month
trial period commencing
If you live in one of the smaller
12 January 2021.
towns or rural areas around
Ashburton District, and you want
a return trip into Ashburton
township, then hop on TUESDAY RUN: Picks passengers
T
up from Mt Somers, Staveley,
the Mid Canterbury Methven, Winchmore and drops
Connector! you off in town for 2-3 hours.
WEDNESDAY RUN: Picks
W
passengers up from Rakaia,
Chertsey, Fairton / Hakatere Marae,
Wakanui, down to Hinds and drops
you off in town for 2-3 hours.
Drop-off Points in Town:
Ashburton Hospital, Ashburton
District Council Offices/Ashburton
Library, EA Networks Centre and
WINZ/Community House.
Please see overleaf for fares, pick-up
times and places, and route maps.
Find us on facebook
Mid Canterbury Connector
How do
I book? Safer Mid Canterbury
Together we’re safer
Mid
Safer
Canterbury
Keeping
Safe
Communities
Ashburton District
ourselves, our families and
Safe
Communities
Ashburton District
Keeping ourselves, our families and Safe Communities
our communi es safe our communi es safe Ashburton District
Together we’re safer
To book the TUESDAY RUN,
PHONE please let us know by 2.00pm the Monday before.
03 308 1395 ext 225 To book the WEDNESDAY RUN,
please let us know by 2.00pm the Tuesday before.
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
9
Book of the Month –
Mt Somers Library
Title: ‘This Farming Life: Five Generations on a New
Zealand Farm’
Author: Tim Saunders
Publication year: 2020
a review by Elles Smallegoor
North Island sheep and beef farmer Tim Saunders usually writes
poetry and short stories, but last year he published a longer piece
of writing called ‘This Farming Life’, a memoir that tells of his life
and work on the family farm near the Ōroua River. Structured
around the four seasons and interspersed with childhood
memories, the book is a pleasant, easy read and written for a
wide audience. It not only captures daily life on farm – and thus
appeals to those who work on the land – but also explains and
brings it home to those unfamiliar with it. The title of the book
is fairly general and suggests it can easily reflect the lives of other
well-established sheep and beef farmers all over the country. And
in a way, it can. However, there is a unique flavour to Saunders’s
book that makes it personal and timely.
First of all, Saunders’s style of writing is out of the ordinary.
You can tell he is both a no-nonsense, hands-on farmer and a
poet with a philosophical bent. Paragraphs that are full of talk
about wool prices, crops, sheep shit, compliance costs, harvesting
and ‘bloody’ bank managers who keep asking for a budget are
• dƌĂĐŬƐΘ>ĂŶĞƐ • ĂŝƌLJ^ŚĞĚ&ŽƵŶĚĂƚŝŽŶƐ
• ĂŝƌLJ>ĂŶĞĂƉƉŝŶŐ • Underpasses
• dƌĞĞZĞŵŽǀĂů • Irrigation Mainline Installation
• >ŽŐŐŝŶŐͬ&ŽƌĞƐƚƌLJtŽƌŬ • Project Management
• &ĂƌŵŽŶǀĞƌƐŝŽŶƐ • ŽŵŵĞƌĐŝĂůͬŽŵĞƐƚŝĐƵŝůĚŝŶŐ&ŽƵŶĚĂƚŝŽŶƐ
• tĂƚĞƌ^ƚŽƌĂŐĞ • Drivewaysenriched with descriptions of the weather or nature that ooze
poetry: “the waxing moon’s smirk smudged the sky, glinted off
a wire possum cage under the apple tree”, or “A sheet of frost
blanketed the paddocks, I could just make out the huddled
lumps of sheep in the darkness, their broad backs the colour
Mt Somers
of moons and bones” (p. 134). Throughout the book, there are
many references to smells, sights and sounds. Mostly, this lyrical
Rugby Club
language helps create a sense of place and encourages us readers
to appreciate its beauty.
Training is now underway with good turnouts at each one.
Secondly, Saunders is willing to lay bare his vulnerability. A few The team have 3 pre-season games organised against
pages into the memoir he admits he “didn’t set out to be a farmer.
It just happened. ” (p. 13). Unlike his brother Mark, with whom MacKenzie at Fairlie Saturday 13th March,
he runs the farm (alongside his 80-year-old father who is quite Waimate at Mt Somers Saturday 20th March
the character and still very present with his experience, knowledge Darfield at Darfield Saturday 27th March.
and gallows humour), he only turned to farming later in life. And Competition begins Saturday April 3rd.
he is willing to say out loud he is conflicted by his choice. Some
days he absolutely loves his work, other days he feels burdened: The Club still has some Peastraw available for purchase contact
“With being the fifth generation to farm this piece of time-worn Hayden Reveley 021 2094210
ground comes a responsibility to the land, to the animals, to the
planet, to family history” (p. 13). By opening up about how he
The Gallagher Family of Rangitira have kindly offered to
feels about his identity as a farmer, he manages to go beyond that,
sell one of their Beltex- Perendale Two Tooth Rams at their
basically saying to the reader: ‘hey, I’m only human’.
upcoming Beltex Ram Sale on their Rangitira Farm. The
Thirdly, the book has a very 21st-century feel to it: conversations proceeds of this sale of this one ram will be donated to the
at home or at work are not only centered around the animals Rugby Club. This offer is very much appreciated and we wish
farmed and the ghosts of the past, but also around sustainability, the Gallagher family a successful sale.
climate change and social media. Although not without opinions,
Saunders is never political or too ideological and therefore “You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean;
unlikely to offend. “This Farming Life” is meant to welcome you
if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become
into its home, give you a snug stay and send you off a little wiser.
dirty.” Mahatma Gandhi
High Country Cuisine and Chalets
Open Wed-Sat from 6pm, Sunday lunch from 12
Phone 03 303 9814
Bookings essential
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
11THE ART OF FOOD by Jen Dearborn
I really had no intention
of making custard squares
last week but I had bought
too much milk so I made
homemade egg custard to use
it up. I then had too much
custard and so the next day
I made custard squares with
lemon icing and took them
to a dinner party where they
were a hit. They are pretty
messy as the custard doesn’t
boiling point stirring constantly with a wooden spoon
set hard but the flavour is so
Cool slightly and then stir in 2 tsp vanilla essence. Cover with
good.
plastic wrap and chill in fridge until cold and set. This will not
The custard needs to
set as hard as custard made from powder
completely cool before you assemble the squares so making
them over two days is a good idea. The custard does take a lot of
stirring and whisking but is totally worth it – you could make
custard with powder though if it seems too much fuss. For a
deluxe version of this recipe add a layer of banana mashed with
lemon juice under the custard and top with chocolate icing.
CUSTARD SQUARES
Custard
In a large saucepan whisk together until smooth:
!/3 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
½ tsp salt
2 cups milk
Heat over a medium heat stirring constantly with a wooden
spoon. Bring to the boil and boil for one minute. Remove from
the heat and pour half of the milk mix into another bowl with:
2 eggs – beaten
Blend well and pour the egg mix back onto the saucepan
and whisk until smooth. Return to the heat and bring just to
- STOCK - BULK
- GENERAL FREIGHT
- SHINGLE SUPPLIES
- FERTILISER SPREADING
- PUBLIC WEIGHBRIDGE Ph: (03) 303 6102 Mayfield - Ph: (03) 693 8352 Orari
Email: office@mtrans.nz
- RAVENSDOWN STORE MAYFIELD
Post: PO BOX 151, GERALDINE 7956
- RAVENSDOWN CONSIGNMENT STORE ORARI 74 MAYFIELD KLONDYKE ROAD, MAYFIELD, ASHBURTON 7778
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
12Pastry
Heat oven to 200 degrees DAIRY LANE MAINTENANCE
Lay two sheets of store bought flaky pastry on an oven tray.
Make a few holes in them with a fork and brush with egg wash
• Now is the time to maintain
if desired. Bake for 10 mins or until puffed and golden brown. your Lanes for healthy feet
If it puffs up too much poke it with a fork while its baking. and productive cows
Cool to room temperature.
Servicing our
Icing Community
1 cup icing sugar for 20 years
Juice of half a lemon
Blend together with a fork and spread it immediately before RUT FILLER
it sets
Sprinkle with shredded coconut if desired • Help eliminate wet muddy
patches in paddocks
• Help prevent bogging
To assemble just lay the bottom pastry sheet on a board and • Maintain Irrigator Efficiency
spread the custard over it evenly. Place the other pastry sheet • Reduce Irrigator Downtime
on top and then make the icing and spread in a thin layer on • Improve access and safety
top. Use a serrated knife to cut into squares and serve with ice across paddocks
cream. For our other services visit
www.oliverbros.co.nz
Steve
027 640 3414 027 640 3414
www.oliverbros.co.nz
Office Phone 03 693 7457 E-mail: oliverbros@farmside.co.nz
Based in Mt Somers and covering local areas.
• 25 Years experience in all
electrical areas, quality workmanship.
• Genuine, Honest and Reliable
• Industrial, Domestic, Commercial
and Agricultural. Anything Electrical.
• Repairs, Fault finding, quality installs
• Mains power installs, New Switchboards,
LED lighting upgrades, electric motor servicing etc.
• Registered Electrical Inspector
EWOFS, periodic electrical inspections,
house inspections.
If you have any electrical servicing requirements,
Support Local Business and Call
Pete at Rural Electrical Ltd
021 22 555 91
peter@ruralelectrical.co.nz
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
13Mayfield St John
Mayfield St John will be at the Mayfield Show with our new
First Response Unit. Please call in and check the vehicle
out, have a go at CPR, get your blood pressure and blood
sugars checked and have a chat.
We’re always looking for new volunteers to join the Mayfield
crew and help us to help support our community so if you
are interested in finding out what is involved, please catch
up with the team at the show or call me. Alternatively come
to the recruitment day at the Ashburton Domain – Walnut
Avenue on the 7 March from 1pm-4pm to find out what it’s
like to be a St John Operational Volunteer. Displays include
St John ambulances, St John Youth, MIST team & major
incident members.
The Mt Somers Challenge was held last weekend and we
had a crew in attendance at this event.
I have recently enjoyed walking the Abel Tasman Track. A
fantastic track enjoyed in wonderful weather with awesome
walking partners. On the way home we were delayed by
an accident between Murchison and Maruia Falls. The
policeman on scene couldn’t believe his luck! He already
had ambulance and fire in attendance but amongst the
waiting travelers were
medics, doctors and more
ambulance officers!
Fortunately it appeared the
accident wasn’t too serious.
GORSE
Cushla Murdoch
0274312282
SPRAYING
Mayfield and Districts
ANZAC Parade and Service
25 April 2021
9.30am Assemble at Mayfield – Panther Rock
Cafe car park
9.50am Parade leaves
10.00am Service commences in Mayfield
Memorial Hall
ROSS BROWN CONTRACTING LTD
Registered
Registered Chemical Applicator
Chemical Applicator Service taken by Mary Jo Holdaway
with 30
with 26 years
years experience
Speaker Reon Blake
experience Ashburton Silver Band in attendance
0274819190 Collection for a charity
www.gorsespraying.co.nz
Morning tea to follow, a plate
email:gorseman@hotmail.com appreciated
12.00 noon Golf match at Mayfield Golf Club.
12.30pm start
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
14Contracting
Windrowing
& Baling Services
n 4x3 & 3x3 Square bales
n Round bales n Mow, mow-condition Use your Ruralco card
n Tedder, rake, bale, tube & individually wrap & cart for a discount
STRAW & BALEAGE SUPPLY - Contact us for CUSTOMISED DEALS for straw delivered at harvest time
so you can get the best quality straw at very competitive prices.
Ph Donald 027 279 8704 or Robert 027 304 8837
Contracting www.donaldlovewindrowing.co.nz
Cultivation &
Forage Harvesting Services
n Reversable ploughing, sumo trio rip disc roll,
n 6m Allen Drill, direct & conventional, seed & fert
n Complete Forage harvesting service - mow, rake chop, cart, stack, weighbridge
Use your Ruralco card Ph Robert Love
for a discount 027 304 8837
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
15Southern Circuit
Stewart Island
Trampers: Judith (Springburn), Len (Ashburton)
& Marian (Mt Somers - author)
Continued from last November Issue
Day Five:
Rakeahua Hut to Doughboy Bay Hut (8 bunks), 8 hrs,
16kms.
Our original plan was to spend two nights at Rakeahua
Hut, allowing for a day to hike to the summit of Mt
Rakeahua (681m), but the weather did not make it pos-
sible, so instead we pushed on to Doughboy Bay. The
GAS HOT WATER mount offers one of the best views of the whole island,
so it was with regret we were forced to miss summiting
CONVERSIONS Mt Rakeahua off our itinerary.
ON DEMAND HIGH PRESSURE HOT WATER History: Mt Rakeahua was first climbed in 1881 by bot-
WHEN EVER YOU NEED IT. anists P. Goyen and
FREE QUOTATIONS CALL W. S. Hamilton. Vegetation on the summit includes vege-
table sheep (Raoulia goyeni) and the Spaniard Aciphylla
DAVE WORKMAN traillii.
PLUMBING HEATING GASFITTING This section of
03 302 9555 the southern cir-
cuit was prob-
ably one of our
most arduous
in that it was
the longest and
included every
form of tramp-
ing challenge
the southern
circuit had to of-
fer. We began by
tackling anoth-
er lengthy stretch of mud and manuka, then into the
bush, which had large areas of mature rimu and totara,
with the forest floor covered in crown ferns and bright
green moss. It is in this area that Judith spotted a flee-
ing White Tail Deer which had been resting amongst
the crown ferns.
For a job
te
first Rlaus
PLUMBING & DRAINLAYING
Master
cal
Plumbers
Gasfitters
Drainlayers
CRAFTSMAN PLUMBER / REGISTERED DRAINLAYER
Phone: 03 693-8512 • Mobile: 0274 373 158
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• REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE • LOGFIRE INSTALL ATIONS
33 South Terrace, Geraldine
• ROOF REPAIRS • CONCRETE CORING
• RENOVATIONS • BACKFLOW TESTING
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
16History: White Tail Deer were introduced to Stewart Is- Many unbridged creeks had to be crossed, which meant
land from the United States in 1905. Red deer can also be climbing down into the stream and then clambering up
found on the island. the slippery bank on the other side. It was interesting
We passed the turn off for the Tin Range; where in to note that we did occasionally have the luxury of a
2007, our party had come off the Tin Range. I noted relatively new footbridge.
the weather worn sign written in 2004 had been re- We began commenting on the many partially eaten rats
placed with a bright new one, also stating: “This track we encountered on the track, some with only the hind
is no longer maintained and is being left to revert back legs and tails left or they had been completely fleshed
to its natural state”. An old miners track traverses the out, leaving only the hide. Live rats were sometimes
Tin Range and requires map reading and route-find- seen scurrying into their holes or undergrowth. There
ing skills, with the possibility of loss of visibility from was speculation on what was eating them; moreporks
low cloud along the open tops. Despite the challenges, or cats? Upon our return to Oban I asked the local
I noticed from hut book entries that people continued storekeeper if they had a rat plague this winter. He told
to tramp from Diprose Bay, over the Tin Range, to join me that the rats were always there, but you see them
the southern circuit. more in winter when food was scarce, during which
History: time they predate on themselves! We were informed
Tin Mining. At the time of discovery of tin on the Tin by our hut companion at Mason Bay that many of the
Range (previously known as the Remarkable Mountains) birds fly to the mainland for the winter months.
We finally worked our way up, out of the valley, on to open bog-
it was New Zealand’s only tin field. By the end of Jan- gy ground, with views of the Tin Range on our left. There were
uary 1889, 71 mining claims and been issued. A store stretches of open ground with the gnarly grey trunks and branch-
was opened and on 23rd February, a post office was also es of dead manuka lying in
open. By the end of July 1889, a hotel had been built. By the mud; it resembled an
June 1890, the tin rush was beginning to run down, with elephant graveyard. I had
brought my GPS in the
only 20 miners left on the field. event we became fogged in
Kakapo. On January 1977 wildlife personnel were on the open tops. Through
dropped off in the old tin mining area at Port Pegasus. more bush to Doughboy
They immediately discovered old kakapo bowls, tracks, Hill (411m) where the ter-
rain fell away to reveal the
fresh feathers and droppings. The booming and screech- distant view of Doughboy
ing of kakapo could be heard at night. Feral cats were Bay far below.
found to be decimating the kakapo population. Codfish
Island, offshore from Stewart Island, is now the
kakapo breeding sanctuary.
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
17History: Doughboy Bay was thought to be named after the huge
dumpling-like rocks at the northern headland to this harbour.
Dumpling being an American term.
A lengthy descent brought us to the welcome sight of
the sand dunes. Upon reaching the beach we turned
right in search of the hut. Part way down the beach we
were surprised to see our first human. This gentleman
was just as surprised to see our party of three coming
towards him. He had been staying in the hut the past
week; keeping his hunting buddy company. They were
due to fly out in two days’ time. They were well set up
for their weeklong stay, with hunting, fishing & diving
gear and many luxury items. We wondered where we
jumping in all directions, fearful of it running up my
would fit in. They told us of their late-night battle with
leg! Did I mention that I was screeching uncontrolla-
two rats, one of which was still in the hut, having taken
bly at the same time? I wanted to open the door to get
up refuge behind the corrugated heat shield on the wall
inside the hut, but I was worried the rat would bolt in
behind the fireplace, while the other rat kept trying to
there before me. The rat finally made good its escape
make good its return. Well I did meet the one attempt-
through the little wooden gate behind me. The words
ing reoccupation, when I unwittingly baled it up in the
painted on the outside of the gate were “Keep Shut –
porch. The rat was running in all directions, so I was
Sealion Gate”. I provided amusement for those inside
at any rate. Just before daybreak I
narrowly missed being kicked in the
head by Judith. She was occupied
with bashing a food bag hanging on
the wall next to her head. Apparent-
ly, a rat had managed to negotiate its
way up the wall to the plastic bag.
It seemed; flailing her legs around
went in unison with flailing her
ashburtoncranes2015@gmail.com arms around! Time to get up.
The island community had been at
Doughboy Bay two weeks previous-
ly to do a beach clean-up; most of
which comes off fishing boats. The
bay is like a catcher’s mitt, collecting
all passing ocean borne
debris. Even huge nylon
ropes manage to end up
on the sand dunes; they
look so heavy, I marvelled
at how they managed to
float. Despite the island-
ers’ efforts, litter was still
Contact Peter for all your contracting needs: scattered throughout the
bay. I have undertaken
027 436 9134 several coastal walks in
peter@quigleycontracting.co.nz the last twelve months
and the sight of shoreline
quigleycontracting.co.nz litter has sickened me on
every hike.
Sales | Baling | Cultivation & Drilling
Forage & Beet Harvesting | Effluent
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
18I copied the poem below from the Onwards we travel, onward we go
Doughboy Bay Hut book in 2007. To Doughboy Biv Hut
I thought it very appropriate. Through the forest of mudflow.
Stewart Island Tramping Through the soft liquid up to our hips
Tounging the water,
Mud, mud, a world full of mud That constantly dripped.
And all we could do,
Was keep walking through Now we have rested to heal our cuts
This muucho muucho mud. Tomorrow we press on to Rakeahua Hut.
Will you be my bud Over the hills, wade through the floods
If I push you in the mud?? And surely awaiting us
And we slip and slide There will be mud,
In swamp to the thigh Muucho, muucho mud.
Stuck in this lake of mud
Poem by Tara ………………………….
A river of chocolate (surname illegible)
It was our fate
To land in it face first
Yet it didn’t quench our thirst.
From swampy summit
Downwards we traversed
Through a sticky situation to be continued next month
We hadn’t rehearsed.
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
19Mayfield Playcentre
24 HOUR ON-CALL We have very happily settled into term 1 at Mayfield Playcenter.
EMERGENCY SERVICES Our Tamariki have been loving the warmer days with lots of
Phone: (03) 693 9060 excuses to explore and play in our outside spaces.
We have been exploring our senses and Fiona has had lots
Servicing Mayfield, Mt Somers, Hinds and South of fun with challenging us with lots of different textures in
Canterbury. different ways than we are used to! With varying results of
bravery, laughter and avoidance!
Independent and locally owned.
Large and small animals.
Delivery service for all farm supplies.
Cnr Woodbury / Main North Rds, GERALDINE
Phone 03 6939060, email
www.gatewayvets.co.nz
COMPUTERS
FIXED
C
FAST
FIRST TIME
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY We are also starting our A&P show prep and learning lots
K
03 308 3400 about the stars in our skies and loving making our own on
the way!
www.mypc.nz As a center we have been very lucky to welcome Kate Williams
144 Moore Street, Ashburton to our Whanau on Mondays taking over from Yumi Blakes
role that we have enjoyed over the past years! We wish Yumi all
the best for her exciting future ahead!!
We are always very excited to see new faces and have space for
anyone keen for a whole lot of fun learning through play!
Sessions run Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9-12
Mid Canterbury Baling Ltd
Your Local Foothills Baling Contractor
c Mowing c Raking c Tedding
c Round and Square Baling
c Truck and Trailer Cartage c Wrapping
c Feed Trading c Wanted: Standing Lucerne
Fergus Wakelin
027 460 3921
Neville Nelson
021 293 1515
31 Anama Cavendish Rd Mt Somers
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
20Mayfield Walking Group taking the
Ashburton River Track to Lake Hood.
Wednesday January 27 th
Work Wanted
Part or full time work on a farm in the Mayfield -
Mt Somers area for semi-retired farm worker.
Experience with stock work, sheep and
beef mostly, but has reared calves
and worked with pigs and deer.
Experienced with fencing, water supply
and general farm maintenance.
Ideal for farm-minding while you take a break.
Contact John on 0210 246 1321 or 03 3036 144
JACOB HOLDAWAY
CONTRACTING
Cultivation & Direct Drilling
Horsch Avatar Drill Kverneland U Drill Kuhn 8 furrow plough
Seed & Fertiliser Capable
For more information call Jacob to discuss your requirements
Jacob Holdaway Contracting Ltd
0274 225 464
www.jholdawaycontracting.com
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
21MAYFIELD MT SOMERS ANGLICAN PARISH
Geographically we are a large parish, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on
numerically we are not! So it is sometimes a Easter Sunday.
struggle to meet our financial obligations We Our skies at the moment are hazy with
are therefore extremely grateful to a person, a smoke as farmers burn their stubble paddocks,
business or a group, when we receive financial so I guess there has been a lot of harvesting
help. You have heard about our wonderful new completed already.
ramp at St Aidan’s. You may not be aware that Blessings, Annette Eggleston
we received a handsome donation from the
Mayfield & Districts Lions, which helped us ANGLICAN SERVICES
considerably to complete this project. This has Priest: Rev Annette Eggleston
made access to the church a possibility for the All are Holy Communion
disabled, and a breeze for baby buggies and Mar 7 10 a.m. St Aidan’s, Mt Somers
some of us who are getting older and a little Mar 21 10 a.m. St Aidan’s, Mt Somers
less steady on our feet! We are very grateful to Mar 28 Palm Sunday
the members of the Mayfield & Districts Lions 7 p.m. St Aidan’s Mt Somers
Club. Apr 1 Maundy Thursday
Recently the gates at the Ruapuna Doman 7 p.m. St Aidan’s Mt Somers
were sand-blasted and powder coated, by Max Apr 2 GOOD FRIDAY
Cawte of Ashburton Powder Coating. At the 10 a.m. St Aidan’s, Mt Somers
same time he also sand-blasted and powder Apr 4 EASTER DAY
coated the gates into Al Saints Church for free. 10 a.m. St Aidan’s, Mt Somers
And do they look great, finished to match the CHRISTCHURCH CITY MISSION - MEAT &
domain’s gates in shiny black. How blessed we FOOD DONATIONS (especially meat)
are. Please contact Harvey & Annette Eggleston on
Last Wednesday was Ash Wednesday. As 3024 006 if you have donations
we had slipped back for that short time into
Level 2, we were restricted in what we were PARISH CONTACTS
allowed to do. No wine for the parishioners, no Parish Priest - Rev Annette Eggleston
Ashing, so nobody left the service with Ash Email: harann000@gmail.com 3024 006
crosses on their forehead, but if that is as bad Church Warden – Pauline Hewson 3036 397
as it gets, so be it. And of course Ash Church Warden, Secretary / Treasurer
Wednesday is the first day of the Season of - Marion Jacobson 3036 122
Lent, which will culminate in six weeks when Email: marion.i.jacobson@gmail.com
NEWS FROM PLAINS PRESBYTERIAN PARISH
“Answer me when I call you, my righteous God. Give me relief from Minister:
my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.” Psalm 4:1
Rev Arii Taimataora
I approach God with mixture of emotions ranging from expectations to Phone 03 3028835
concern. Indeed all pray turns on God’s will, An omniscient God seeing
the end from the beginning. Looking back I wonder what if I’d taken a Parish Contacts:
different decision? Events might have turned out differently. I can Kevin Taylor ph 303 6392
never change yesterday, only influence today and tomorrow.
Kay King ph 303 6033
In approaching God I come with an intention to acquire greater
understanding and to deepen my God encounter. It’s not that I can Website
insist that my will be done, for, as the Lord’s prayer reminds me, it is plainspresbyterian.co.nz
God’s will that I seek. A will that may appear to leave me the loser. Yet,
my ways are not God’s ways and every servant must accept their Facebook.com/
Master’s decision. PlainsPresbyterianParish
Quite simply prayer is the opportunity to carry individuals and WORSHIP SERVICES March 21
situations before God. We hold them there in affection and love. A March 7th St Johns Methven 10.30 am
channel of God’s grace is opened along which hope and healing flows; March 14th St Johns Methven 10.30 am
where healing is the mystery of satisfying reconciliation with God in March 17th Wed Carew 7.00 pm
every circumstance. It’s a reminder of just how limited my imagination March 28th Staveley 10.00 am
is, whilst God remains unbounded love.
Yes, I’m invited to approach God, yet there is no possibility that my
Limited humanity comes even close to the divine nature. Through prayer I acquire a clearer appreciation of who I am
and the extent of God’s love, which is never transactional. It is an accepting that beneath me the everlasting arms
continue to carry me whatever I encounter in life. A tough yet reassuring truth.
Dr Micha Jazz author of Bible reading notes ‘Every Day With Jesus’
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
22Mt Arrowsmith Station
4x4 Safari
The Mt Somers Walkways society had an extremely successful four
wheel drive trip into the Ashburton Glacier on Sunday 14 February. All
profits from the event are going towards the costs of the new track that is
to be built into Sharplin Falls, so the public can once again safely tramp
in to this popular destination.
A wonderful response of vehicles turned out to venture into country that
is not available to the general public. Our apologies to any who were
turned away, as we were restricted by the number of vehicles permitted.
After the 4WD Club conducted vehicle checks at Mt Somers, the safari
headed to Lake Heron, and then through Mt Arrowsmith Station, and
to the South Ashburton River.
Fantastic views included the
mountain ranges of Wild Mans
Brothers Range, Big Hill Range,
the Cameron Glacier, and the
now- shingle Ashburton Glacier.
The Mt Somers Walkway Society
wishes to thank the Ashburton
4WD Club, for their expertise in
co-ordinating the event.
We are indebted to Mr Philip
Wareing for allowing us to travel
over tracks on Mt. Arrowsmith
Station, and to the Department
of Conservation for allowing us to
travel up to Top Hut.
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
23Mt Somers Staveley Playcentre
Our first month back for 2021 has been a fun one with painting and baking
inside on rainy days and plenty of outside fun while the sun is shining.
We travelled down to Caroline Bay, the children loved the playground,
paddling pool and meeting the birds in the aviary. We also had more pool
fun at the Mt Somers Community Pool. It was great to see the children’s
confidence in the water soar with their friends and family.
Playcentre have a fundraiser running for March - we are selling earrings
from ‘Over The Ditch’. With 20 designs to choose from and just $12 a
Nor’Wester 87x92
pair they would make fantastic Mother’s Day gifts - or perhaps just treat
yourself! Check out our Facebook page or get in touch with Bec 0274 694
894 if you’re interested.
As always, we welcome new families to come visit us and see what Playcentre
is all about. We’re a friendly, relaxed bunch and Playcentre is a great place
for children to meet other kids in the community and form wonderful
friendships. Pop in Tuesdays or Thursdays between 9am and 12pm, 50
Pattons Road, Mt Somers.
Community Grant
Creative Communities Scheme funding
and Sport NZ Rural Travel funding
Applications are now being sought from groups Open
and organisations for Creative Communities
Scheme funding and Sport NZ Rural Travel
1 March until
funding. 31 March
Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 31 March, 2021 for the
funding to be allocated in July 2021. Application forms and
full criteria for each scheme are available online from
ashburtondc.govt.nz
For more information, contact
Council on 307 9646 or email
grants@adc.govt.nz
ashbur tondc.govt.nz
New Builds Lifestyle sheds
Alterations Renovations
Farm Buildings General Maintenance
Phone Thamis for all your building needs
022 354 6524
heybrookbuilding@gmail.com
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
24Introducing Sloane Excavation
Now working in conjunction with Cross Contracting
in the Mayfield and surrounding areas. Offering 5.5 tonne excavator and attachments including 300, 450, 600mm augers.
Brendon Sloane (owner/operator) has been working for Ron for the last 2.5 years.
He has local knowledge, a wide experience on earthwork projects, various earthmoving & transport machinery,
as well as a background in diesel mechanicing. Now with his own digger we can offer more services
to our loyal cliental, calf shed cleaning, foundation dig outs, augering, & landscaping.
Brendon will continue contract work for Ron when he’s not busy on his own machine.
Check us out on Facebook Sloane excavation.
For competitive local AP20 shingle supplies Cross contracting has AP20 avalible in the district.
Stockpiles at Ruapuna, Mayfield, & Morrisions supply at Mt Somers.
Give Ron (021347958) or Brendon(0272908729)
a call to discuss your requirements and ideas.
Cross
Contracting Ltd
Experienced operators with over
45 years local knowledge
For all your digging requirements
• Stock water race cleaning • Tip truck hire
• Irrigation race cleaning • Tree stump removal & root raking
• Disposable pits • Operating three diggers
• Soak Pit • Trenches • On farm shingling – laneways,
• Gorse fence & shelter belt removal stockyards, water troughs
• Irrigation mainline trenching • Pipe line installation & repairs
• Shingle screening bucket • Cow lane cleaning
Grader and 20
Proudly ton digger
supporting available
the MayfieldonShow
request
Phone Ron
2003069
021 347 958 or 303 6067
ISSUE FORTY SIX
FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester SEPTEMBER
MARCH 2020
2021
10
25A chance to learn about your water CHEQUE PAYMENTS ENDING
Improving knowledge of water health is just one of the many ways MHV Water Ltd is AT COUNCIL IN JUNE
looking after the environment for now and in the future.
From 15 June this year, Ashburton District
MHV Water is a co-operative with over 200 farmer shareholders across the Hekeao Hinds
Plains to which it delivers water for irrigation and manages environmental compliance. Council customers who rely on cheques to
make payments will need to use an alternate
MHV commenced routine groundwater monitoring of NO3-N (Nitrate) levels within the
MHV scheme area in September 2016 with an initial survey of 29 bores, the programme payment option, as the Council’s bank moves
has now expanded to regular testing of up to 114 bores and 30 surface water sites. to end their use.
Westpac bank will no longer be accepting
MHV Water Chief Executive Mel Brooks said the results of the 2020 ground and surface
water monitoring are encouraging, on average there were consistent reductions in cheques and Council Chief Executive
(Nitrate) in both surface and groundwaters across the Hekeao Hinds Plains and this is Hamish Riach says any affected residents
even more promising given the increase in sample size. should investigate Council’s other options in
preparation of the end date.
“Cheques have gradually been falling out of
favour with many of our customers over recent
years, but the bank’s decision to phase them
out completely has really hastened the need
for those remaining residents and businesses
to shift to a different solution.
“We provide a variety of payment options to
suit residents’ preferences. If you are unsure
which solution would work for you, please
speak to your bank or come in and chat to our
friendly customer service team,” he said.
The Council has several payment options
available:
In person using cash, eftpos, credit or debit
card.
Online on the Council website ashburtondc.
govt.nz/do-it-online using a credit or debit
card, or through Account2Account, a secure
online service that doesn’t require credit
or debit card details (this service is only
supported by ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank,
TSB and Westpac banks).
Internet bank transfer through your bank.
Area surveyed during December 2020. Payments are to be made to: Ashburton
Brooks said “our farmers are working hard on farm to reduce their environmental footprint District Council, bank account number 03-
and whilst we know there is more mahi to do, it is promising to see the downward trend. 1592-0521970-000.
Groundwater quality improvements are unlikely to be linear, and there is so much that Rates Easypay direct debit payments made
we still don’t know, so by increasing our knowledge we can make informed decisions to weekly, fortnightly, bimonthly or monthly to
continue to drive long-term environmental improvements.” suit individual budgets.
Brooks is also positive about the whole community approach “In the Hekeao Hinds Plains The last day Council will accept cheques is
we have a number of community and catchment groups who are working together for a Tuesday 15 June, allowing for payments to be
common goal. We are a founding partner of the Hekeao Hinds Water Enhancement Trust processed ahead of Thursday 25 June when
(HHWET) which is undertaking the largest Westpac officially stops accepting them.
groundwater rehabilitation project in New
Zealand, and we are now partnering with
HHWET and Barhill Chertsey Irrigation to
deliver a monitoring programme for the
whole of the Hekeao Hinds Plains.” MHV Water will be
If you want to know more about the doing free Nitrate
Hekeao Hinds Water Monitoring
Programme, or want to get involved, see Concentration
the MHV Website.
Tests at the May-
Brooks said all people need to do to get
their water tested was bring a clean 50ml field Show, Saturday
container filled with water to the MHV
tent. got water? March 13 2021.
“We want to help raise awareness and we can test it
demonstrate the processes we undertake. Bring a 50mL
Our Senior Hydrogeologist Justin Legg
is an expert in this area and will be on water sample (in a
hand to answer anyone’s questions. As
a scheme, our responsibility is much clean jar) and MHV
more than just delivering water and we Water will test the
are proud of the role we play within the
community and are happy to share results nitrate
and actions more broadly.” concentration for
you.
ISSUE FIFTY ONE The Nor’wester MARCH 2021
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