The Sun
Friday October 12, 2012
Colin and Lois McMaster represent Ashwood Park Retirement Village at the dance.
Wati Raisua takes Heather Gray from Ashwood Park Retirement Village out on the dance floor.
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Bethsaida Rest Home residents Eleanor Smith (left) and Jean McMullan enjoy the afternoon of dancing. Beach volleyballer Micah Lindsay-Brown and husband Greg Lindsay-Brown will be holding beach volleyball coaching sessions and workshops to help grow the sport in the region.
Jean Watson, (left) Olive Cameron, and Betty Hope from Bethsaida Rest Home taking some rest from the dance floor.
Together for a good time Story and photos by Annabelle Latz Trips down memory lane were plentiful at the combined rest home dance last Friday afternoon. Held at the nurses’ hall next to Wairau Hospital, the annual event has just reached its tenth birthday. About 100 participants from Bethsaida Rest Home and Hospital, Ashwood Park Retirement Village, Springlands Lifestyle Village, Redwood Lifestyle Care and Village, and Waterlea Resthome all joined for a midday session of dancing and socialising. It coincided with the Interna-
tional Celebration of the Older Person. Caregivers and residents enjoyed Fox Trot tunes like ‘Send me the pillow’ and ‘Your cheating heart’, and The Gypsy Tap tunes of ‘Marching through Georgia’ and “Isle of Capris.’ They were performed by Pam and Terry Price, who were playing the piano and piano accordion. “It’s the first time I’ve been, it’s really good,” said Harold Heffer from Waterlea Rest Home. Heather Gray from Ashwood Park was enjoying the day out. “Well, just the music, and seeing everyone joining in is great, it’s
that sort of thing that everyone can enjoy.” Eleanor Smith used to perform as a dancer at rest homes as a youth living in the United States. “There’s life in this old girl yet!” she said. Betty Hope from Bethsaida Rest Home and Hospital said being at the dance reminded her how healthy she is. “It made me realise how lucky I am.” “It’s good to all get together,” said Lois McMaster, who was there with Colin McMaster, they were there from the Ashwood villas.
Blenheim among party hopefuls
Charles, Prince of Wales
By Chris Tobin Blenheim and Marlborough people are among those who want to join Prince Charles for his birthday party in the ballroom at Government House next month. Government House spokesman Antony Paltridge said people from Tasma n a nd Marlborough were among the more than 1000 who had applied for 64 invitations to attend the party at Government House, Wellington, on November 14. “They’ve come from all over New Zealand,” he said. Those attending were not required to bring gifts but they would have to pay their
own travel and accomodation costs if they were coming from outside Wellington Mr Paltridge said the oldest who had applied was over 100 years of age. The age requirement was 18 years and above. The Prince of Wales and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, are visiting the country between November 10 and 16 as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae’s birthday is also on November 14. The successful party attendees will be decided by a ballot which will be held later this month. Applications closed at 5pm on Wednesday.
Grant set to boost beach volleyball By Robbie Parkes Beach Volleyball in the region is set to grow after Marlborough Volleyball applied for and have been granted a funding partnership with KiwiSport. The grant is part of a national incentive to inject funding into the regions, aimed at getting more school-aged children participating in organised sport. Marlborough players and international beach volleyball representatives Greg and Micah Lindsay-Brown have been heavily involved in the sport in the region. Funding will go towards coaching and workshops hosted by Greg, a coach at a national level, with Micah assisting where she can. Micah said there is a specific amount of money being granted, but it depends on how many hours they estimate they will train people for, and how much they will actually need. “The purpose of it is so we can get younger people involved in schools. The aim is to provide younger generations with a solid base for them to start playing, but also players and parents looking to get involved in the coaching side. “If we’re the only two people who know how to train others, it’s not going to grow.” Micah said interest is growing in Marlborough.
“There’s a big big pool of players now, we can sort of pick and choose who we play with.” In November 2010, two volleyball courts at Lansdowne Park were established to meet a growing need for new facilities. “They’re phenomenally good. “We’re really lucky for a small region to have such a good facility.” Micah said the courts, having very deep sand, can be challenging. But if you can play in that sand, you can play anywhere, she said. The proposed development of Lansdowne Park to include more facilities to support growing sports such as softball, will only add to beach volleyball, said Micah. She said Marlborough Volleyball have been crucial to the growth of Beach Volleyball in the region. “They’re excellent, they’re probably the most proactive club I’ve been associated with.” “I think Nelson is considered the beach volleyball capital in the South Island, but we’d like Marlborough to be the best.” A schedule of the practices and coaching sessions being taken by Greg and Micah are available. There is a player muster on Monday, October 15 at 4pm, upstairs at Stadium 2000.