Selmes Garden Charitable Trust’s Ryan Hodson, Vanessa Wall and Caleb Redshaw with some of the young native trees and flaxes they’ve helped nurture.
Photo: Paula Hulburt.
Story page 3.
Marlborough Sounds - Picton - Koromiko - Tuamarina - Rarangi - Spring Creek - Rapaura - Grovetown - Woodbourne - Renwick - Havelock - Wairau Valley - Seddon
Giving the gift of joy
A huge thank you to all our wonderful readers who donated gifts for the Foster Hope Christmas gift appeal this year.
So many beautiful gifts were dropped off to go to foster children across Marlborough. From games and books to sports clothes and teddies, readers showed the spirit of Christmas, giving generously to help ensure no child goes without a gift.
Foster Hope Marlborough coordinator Leonie McLauchlan picked up the presents on Friday and said she was grateful to everyone who had helped.
• Skin tags
• Moles
• Pigmentation
• Cherry angiomas
• Solar Lentigo
spots, skin tags, moles and other lesions in
Abandoned boat moved to Havelock
The abandoned fishing boat Golden Lea is now in Havelock after a successful refloating operation.
Marlborough Harbourmaster Jake Oliver said the Golden Lea was refloated on Monday and towed to Havelock.
“The team has secured her and they will reattend and work on moving her further up the beach,” he said.
There were no environmental concerns, but the boat is being monitored with preparations to manage any oil spills.
The Scottish-built fishing boat ran aground in the Mahakipawa Arm in Pelorus Sound in October after
dragging anchor in strong winds.
The vessel has previously been subject to two abatement notices for staying in the same location for over 60 consecutive days, a breach of the Marlborough Environment Plan. Another abatement notice was issued in October by the Council’s Consents and Compliance Team in relation to the vessel’s unconsented occupation of the coastal marine zone.
When the owner did not relocate the vessel himself, the Harbourmaster exercised his right to do so. People are being asked to stay away from the vessel to allow the team to work safely during its disposal.
The Golden Lea refloated. Photo: Supplied
The
Planting the eco-sourced seeds of change
By Paula Hulburt
A much-loved Marlborough charity has unveiled inspiring plans for growth.
The team at Selmes Garden Charitable Trust have launched their vision for the future.
Plans, which would hopefully see the Trust become self-funded, come after the closure of the popular garden centre to the public in August.
Development Manager Nicki Stretch said the Battys Road site, currently used by the Trust’s commercial nursery, Trees for Marlborough, had a lot of potential.
An organic produce garden, a fruit tree grove, a mushroom cave, a pocket food forest, craft area and a safe and an inclusive family orientated outdoor space featuring a café are on the wish list.
The projects would help build a stronger, more inclusive community as well as boosting employment opportunities for people with physical and intellectual disabilities, Nicki explained.
“It will be a safe space for a wide range of people to be themselves and find purpose,” Nicki explained. “…we are looking at employment opportunities and within the next three to five years, I’d like to see us employing a great number of people.”
“We educate others to help grow a more inclusive society.”
About 50 people gathered at the
centre on International Day of Persons with Disabilities to hear about the Trust’s hopes for the future.
Helping tackle youth unemployment for those with disabilities in the region is also key, Nicki said. School leavers with both undiagnosed and diagnosed intellectual disabilities needed a steppingstone to help transition into the workforce.
“Over the last little while, I’ve been finding out what people want. The transition from school to what’s next, it’s a big hurdle,” she said. “There’s 15 per cent youth unemployment and people with intellectual disabilities find it six times harder.”
A proposal to help school leavers would see closer bonds across hospitality and horticulture, with students learning new skills in a safe environment.
Other plans include selling vegetables to the community in a similar way to food box subscription services.
Chair of Selmes Garden Charitable Trust Mike Sinclair said the possibilities ahead were promising, not only for the Trust, but for the wider community.
Nursery Manager Xander said it had been a time of change, but the team had navigated it together.
“Selmes has been on quite the journey…it’s been a bumpy ride, but we have ideas, bold ideas, about where we’re going.”
Weather record
Swift moves
Congratulations to the winners of our Taylor Swift tribute ticket giveaway. Katrina Lange and Emily Wilson both won a double pass each to see Taylor, A Tribute to the Eras of Taylor Swift at the ASB Theatre on Friday 19 December. Tickets are available but selling fast. Book now at asbtheatre.co.nz
Race winners It has been the warmest November ever recorded according to the latest figures released from the metrological data centre at Grovetown. The mean monthly temperature of 17.3°C was the warmest November that has been recorded. There were eight days with maximum day time temperatures above 25°C. The warmest day was on 8 November 2025 which reached 29.8°C. Other than a few cooler nights in early November the minimum temperatures have also been well above average. The coolest morning was on 16 November 2025, which recorded 6.1°C.
Pure Team 7 Rab crossed the finish line at Shelley Beach last Thursday, winning the the One NZ GODZONE Chapter 12 race in a finish time of 6 days, 2 hours and 15 minutes. Sophie Hart, Chris Forne, Simone Maier and Sam Clark were welcomed by a large crowd of friends, family and supporters. Team captain Chris Forne described the race as the toughest one to date. Rab was the only team to finish the entire 613km course, except for not climbing Mt Stokes on the stage 7 packraft and trek due to a weather call directive by race officials.
Vanessa Wall and Caleb Redshaw in the potting shed caring for young plants. Photo: Paula Hulburt
Nursery manager Xander outlines some of the plans for the Selmes Charitable Garden Trust. Photo: Paula Hulburt.
Sun The
Whangamoa Saddle
Resilience work on SH6 over the Whangamoas has wrapped up for the year, ensuring the busy route is more able to cope with heavy rain events. Since late September crews have worked on three separate sites on the critical transport link between Blenheim and Nelson. It followed similar work earlier in the year to bolster the highway between Hira and the Rai Valley.
Tree company branches out
Trees for Marlborough have unveiled a new initiative, Gift a Tree / Donate a Tree programme. The concept offers a simple and meaningful way for people and businesses to make a lasting difference. Every tree gifted or donated not only helps restore whenua but also supports inclusive employment at Selmes Garden Charitable Trust. Visit treesformarlborough.org to find out more.
Picton Pavillion
Port Marlborough Pavilion, is to transition back to Council governance. The move will ensure the facility continues to run efficiently and sustainably into the future as a well-established community facility Council’s Manager of Parks and Open Spaces Jane Tito said. “The transition reflects a planned administration change to ensure longterm sustainability and consistency with Council’s community facilities framework.” The Pavilion was built in the early 2000s, and the Endeavour Park Pavilion Society gifted the completed building to Council, which leased it back to the society.
A truck load of talent on right road for raffle success
By Paula Hulburt
The chance discovery of a hidden talent is helping a local business raise money for charity.
Builders Smith & Sons in Redwoodtown are raffling a handcrafted Humvee, created from Rimu rescued from a Blenheim kitchen renovation job.
Created by Neil Brownridge, father-in-law to Smith & Sons owner James Hill, the unique carving is up for grabs through a raffle raising money for community kitchen and café Crossroads.
James said Neil, a former court bailiff based in Ashburton, took up carving after he retired.
“He had not done it before yet has made some really nice pieces.
“Everything is handmade, he uses a wee scroll saw and cuts everything himself before he sands it by hand.
“This not a kitset with glue holding everything together.”
James said he came up with the idea of asking Neil to create a one-off design to help a local charity. The sculpture has already got a lot of interest.
“We wanted to make a difference as it’s important to give back where you can and Crossroads does a great job, especially at this time of year.
“Every dollar raised will be donated to Crossroads Marlborough, an amazing organisation that supports our community in
so many ways.”
Because of its small parts, the vehicle is not intended as a toy but as a special display piece.
The truck can be viewed at the
Smith & Sons office on Cleghorn Street. To buy tickets head to the Smith & Sons – Marlborough (Blenheim) Facebook page and comment “in”. Tickets will be al-
located once payment is received. There are 500 tickets available and the winner will be drawn on 31 December or before if tickets sell out earlier.
Smith and Son’s James Hill holds the handcrafted Humvee up for auction to raise money for Crossroads.
Photo: Paula Hulburt.
Orchestra win music to their ears
By Paula Hulburt
Two young musicians have seen off competition from hundreds of other hopefuls to gain places in a prestigious national orchestra.
Felix Huang, 12, and Michaela Arlidge, 15, have been named as the newest members of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra (NZSSSO)
The pair, tutored by Elizabeth Turnbull, impressed judges who said the standard of playing this year was outstandingly high.
Elizabeth, former Head of Strings at Trinity College of Music, London, said both students had worked hard for their success.
“It is quite an achievement; I am proud of them. They work hard, take it seriously and get all the benefits that a musical education gives.
“I’m just as tough on them as on my college students, they don’t get any different treatment as they have plenty of potential.”
Felix, who earlier this year was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Music Award for piano and violin said he started playing the violin at 7 years old.
The Bohally Intermediate pupil practiced for about an hour each day on the violin and on the piano and added he thought he was well prepared for the audition.
“I was a bit nervous waiting to find out though,” he said. When not practicing or performing, Felix enjoys chess, loves maths and plays
on the computer with friends.
Michaela, a student at Richmond View School, also enjoys maths, only began playing the viola two years ago after first playing the violin. She said the instrument’s low strings appealed to her.
The pair each prepared and uploaded a YouTube audition for the judging panel. The recording had to be unedited and recorded in one sitting. After auditioning they had to wait a month to hear if they were successful.
When the results were uploaded to the NZSSSO website early one morning at the end of November, there was plenty to celebrate.
“The majority of people who get in are from the big centres like Auckland, Wellington and
Christchurch,” Michaela explained. “I was shocked when I saw my name as I expected it to be near the bottom, but I was in the middle.”
The NZSSSO is widely recognised as a significant training ground for young players aspiring to membership of the New Zealand Youth Orchestra and ultimately to a career as a professional musician
Felix and Michaela face an intensive coaching and rehearsal regime next year at a six-day residential course in Christchurch. The course culminates in 2 public performances.
Both young musicians began their music lessons in Blenheim with Linda Lloyd. Felix has re-
cently gained his associate diploma from the ABRSM, the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music, and Michaela is about to sit her Grade 7 exam.
Both benefitted from their initial orchestral experience in Upbeat (the brainchild of Linda Lloyd) and have progressed on to play in the Marlborough Civic Orchestra and StringTalk, Elizabeth explained.
While it’s too early to say whether Felix or Michaela will go on to enjoy careers in music, both are open to the idea.
“I also quite like the idea of musical engineering,” Michaela said. “I like the visual arts, maths, statistics, music, drama and English so I have lots of choice and lots of time yet.”
The
Sporting prowess
Congratulations to Anru Erasmus who has been selected for the NZ U18 Boys Sevens Squad. The Marlborough Boys’ College student helped them reach the top eight for the first time in the college’s history and is also their first NZ U18 Sevens representative.
Community hero
The Marlborough Multicultural Centre’s Cultural & Sports Events Manager, Marcelo González, has been recognised with the 2025 Campbell Gill Bayley’s Community Heroes Award at the 2025 Marlborough Sports Awards. The Community Heroes category honours individuals whose volunteer work, leadership, and commitment to social wellbeing make a meaningful difference in the community. Huge congratulations Marcelo.
Power boat club day
Lake Argyle is closed this weekend as the eagerly anticipated power boat club day gets underway. The entire lake is closed to all swimmers and public vessels on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December 2025 between 8am and 5pm. A speed-limit uplifting is also in force, only for vessels involved in the event.
Violinist Felix Huang, tutor Elizabeth Turnbull and violist Michaela Arlidge. Photo: Paula Hulburt
All your community news now also on the Blenheim Sun Facebook page
Eye catching art a team effort
Young artists have brought a new mural to life, brightening up a once dull fence with an eye-catching work of art.
The new youth mural now gracing the fence alongside the Marlborough Art Society carpark was unveiled on Friday following 10 weeks of work.
Award winning Marlborough artist Caroline della Porta oversaw the creative process, working with Lily Holdaway, Annmaria John,
Ryan Annan, James Alviar, Ashley Farihi and Aroha Cherrie.
Celebrating the unveiling with the artists, family and friends, Caroline paid tribute to her fellow artists.
“It was a joy to work with each of you,” she said.
She thanked each artist for showing up in their free time, being receptive to new ideas and techniques, respecting and supporting each other in the spirit of ‘many in body, one in mind’.
Caroline also thanked Marlborough Youth Trust for the workspace and Marlborough Art Society for the opportunity.
It is hoped the mural, painted with the theme, A Sense of Community, will be the first of many to go up.
It was a collaborative effort, “seven really good artists with amazing creative brains,” said Caroline.
“We began by brainstorming, then free drawing what each person liked best. Our creative team
consisted of two landscape artists, one pattern designer, two portrait/ people artists and one bird artist.
“Naturally, their styles were unique, and the result is that we represented different artistic approaches and techniques. Each artist had a designated space on the mural, edging on one another’s work.
“All contributed to the creative journey and the resulting mural is an amazing combination of styles
Grandmother’s return to yes
Marion’s knees had started making decisions for her. And those decisions seemed to always be a ‘no’.
No to coffee with friends. No to the Saturday market. No to the walking group she’d loved for years. At 72, the grandmother found herself declining more invitations than she accepted.
“It wasn’t dramatic,” Marion explains. “My knees just wouldn’t cooperate. I’d wake up stiff as a board every morning. By the time I got going, half the day was gone. By afternoon, I was done.”
The invitations kept coming at first. But when you say no enough times, people stop asking.
“That’s when I realised my world had gotten smaller. I wasn’t seeing friends. I wasn’t going places. I was slipping out of my own life without really noticing.”
Nothing ages you faster than missing out. Marion could feel it happening, becoming someone who “used to” do things. Used to meet friends for coffee. Used to go into the mall. Used to take the grandchildren out.
“The ‘used to’ was the scary part,” she admits. “I was 72, not 92. But my knees were making me live like I was much older.”
She’d tried various approaches but nothing quite took the edge off when she needed it.
Then a friend mentioned Koru
FX over a cup of tea. She’d been using the natural New Zealandmade cream herself and suggested Marion ask about it at her local pharmacy.
“I was highly sceptical,” Marion recalls. “But I picked up a bottle that afternoon. More sick of the status quo than anything.”
“The cream absorbed quickly with a pleasant smell, nothing like the greasy products I’ve tried before. There was a gentle warmth, then a cooling sensation.”
“I applied it before bed that first night. Again in the morning. I could feel it working on my knees before getting up. It was subtle, but I noticed a difference.”
Within a few weeks, Marion’s mornings had shifted. She was
getting going faster. The afternoon came and went. Small changesbut they added up to something bigger.
Her world started expanding again.
First came coffee with a friend she hadn’t seen in months. A trip into the mall. Then rejoining her walking group for a stroll.
“The real change was saying yes again,” Marion explains. “When someone invited me somewhere, I stopped automatically thinking of reasons I couldn’t go.”
She keeps Koru FX on her bedside table. Using it morning and night. The fast-acting, long-lasting formula has become part of her routine.
But it’s a recent moment that
shows how far she’s come.
“Her son called about a beach walk. Six months ago, I would have made an excuse. The sand is tricky. But this time I said yes.”
Marion beams. “Your world can shrink so slowly you don’t notice. Then one day you realise you’re watching life through the window instead of living it. But it can grow back. Mine did.”
Her advice? “Don’t let your knees, or anything else, make your decisions for you. I spent too long accepting a smaller life. Now when someone asks me to do something, I start from a place of yes,” Marion pauses. “That’s not a small thing. That’s everything.”
and strengths of each artist, including abstract, landscape, portrait, nature, environment, and various design concepts.
“It’s a beautiful piece that will intrigue passersby and create conversations.”
The president of the Art Society, Carolyn Costley, thanked the artists and Caroline for the finished mural and said the Art Society was pleased and proud of their achievement.
Caroline della Porta oversaw the creative process, working with Lily Holdaway, Annmaria John, Ryan Annan, James Alviar, Ashley Farihi and Aroha Cherrie to paint the new mural. Photo: Supplied.
Gymnast’s prize a takeaway surprise
By Kat Pickford
On a packed Saturday night at the local takeaway, the last thing anyone expected was an awards ceremony.
Gymnast Clara Watt who was busy filling orders, looked up to see the out-of-town judge who scored her just hours earlier –holding a silk sash.
The talented 14-year-old had won first place in Ruby (recreational and regional competitive grades), despite fears she had placed last.
Clara said she left the Blenheim Gymnastics Club in a rush to clock on to her shift at the Renwick fish and chip shop before finding out her scores.
“I was expecting to come last,” she said.
“When Rachel came in it was pretty funny, but a little bit stressful – Saturday is our busiest night of the week, the phone was ringing and people were waiting for orders – but everyone was really understanding and said it was fine.”
Training at the Blenheim Gymnastics Club for seven years, starting in Grade 2 when she was just six, the Marlborough Girls’ College student was “shocked” and “excited.”
The prize was presented by Rachel Gordon from the Nelson Gymnastics Club, who stopped in on her way home after helping at the competition.
Clara’s coach of four years, Renée Ashby, said it was wonderful to see Clara’s hard work pay off.
“At 1.7 metres, she’s not a natural – her feet basically sweep the floor when she swings on the high bar. But she’s a smart gymnast; she’s always thinking about the ‘why’ behind the moves.”
As well as the physical strength and coordination gained through years of training, Clara has picked up valuable life skills along the way, she said.
Her natural leadership stood out at the club, and she was shoulder-tapped to help with coaching about three years ago – a role she plans to continue next year, between part-time work and school.
“It was a cool full-circle moment,” Clara said. “My coaches have been amazing, so it’s nice to give back and help others on their gym journeys.”
Blenheim Gymnastics Club president Kate Webb says former gymnasts made great coaches, as they have an innate understanding of the movements and a genuine passion for the sport.
About 230 gymnasts are currently enrolled at the club, with another 140 children aged five to eight on the waitlist. The club would love to offer more classes but is limited by space and a shortage of coaches, all of whom volunteer their time.
“There’s a fine balance between group numbers and making sure we can get through all participants
Next geNeratioN stars : Blenheim gymnastics coach renée ashby’s dedication to the sport is clearly rubbing off at home – two of her three children are following in her footsteps. g reta Foote, 11, won first in r uby (competitive grade), and brother Monty, 6, came first in gym Fun.
Photos: Supplied
in a timely manner,” Kate said. The club became sole tenants of the council-owned building in Opawa Street in the mid-1980s. More than 40 years later, it has outgrown the space and is in urgent need of a larger, fit-forpurpose facility. The club is in discussions with the Marlborough District Council to explore partnerships and find a viable solution.
ABOVE: g old i N the gyM , gold at the cou N ter: clara Watt celebrates her gymnastics win while working at renwick takeaway.
We leave a carrot out for the reindeer. Amelia, aged 7
No swimming at Spring Creek
With work underway on upgrading flood protection for Spring Creek, a popular section of the river near the Ferry Bridge is closed for swimming.
The river and the area immediately below the bridge will be hazardous for all swimming and recreation activities during construction of the new stop banks due to large machinery operating in and on both sides of the river.
“This is not a decision taken lightly,” Group Manager Infrastructure and Services Richard Coningham said.
“It is for the safety of the public and to allow us to progress this important flood control work for the protection of the Spring Creek community.
“Council apologises for any inconvenience as we know how popular this area is. “
The upgrade to two primary sections of stop bank along Peninsula Road near the township is needed to prevent the banks failing.
The stop banks were damaged in the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake and 2021 and 2022 floods. While repairs have been carried out, they remain vulnerable. The repair and resilience work in Spring
Divers asked to eye invasive species
Divers are regularly up close and personal with marine wildlife. This means the dive community is well-positioned to help combat one of the most serious threats to our coastlines.
There are more than 200 nonindigenous marine species in New Zealand, but only about 10 are considered harmful. It can be easy to mistake friendly natives for pests. Mediterranean fanworm, for example, can look very similar to some of our beneficial natives. Still, the native exists in balance
with the local ecosystem, while the pest species has the potential to change the places we love forever.
Council’s Senior Biosecurity Officer, Hayden Nott, encourages divers to make a report even if they aren’t 100 per cent sure it’s a pest. “We’d rather have a misidentification than have a pest left to spread. If you find something suspicious, take a photo and report the exact location at report.mpi.govt.nz or by calling 0800 80 99 66
Creek will be funded by Council and the Government’s Kānoa regional development fund. The project cost is $22.5M with $13.8M funded by Kānoa and the remainder by Council.
The contract for the project was awarded in early November to Taylors Contracting Co Ltd and is on track for completion in June 2027.
For information about the stop bank project go to: www.marlborough.govt. nz/services/river-management/currentprojects/spring-creek-stopbank-project
Kids get clued up on safety
Hundreds of year five and six Marlborough students have learned about safety in a wide range of scenarios at a Clued Up Kids event.
More than 650 students from 11 schools across the region participated in the event.
Council’s Nautical and Coastal team, as well as the Emergency Management team, joined a range of local organisations to share skills and safety
messages with the children, covering boat, water, road, rail, fire, cyber and dog safety, as well as emergency first aid, oral health, and mind wellbeing.
Clued Up Kids has been held at Brayshaw Park since 2006 and has provided thousands of students with vital safety skills for life. Students at this year’s event were very engaged in the various stations, with plenty of positive feedback received.
This popular swimming area near the Ferry Bridge is now closed due to the Spring Creek stop bank construction project
Native sea grass in the Marlborough Sounds
Students at the Nautical and Coastal station of Clued Up Kids, where they learnt about boat and water safety.
Finding the joy in connection one on one with the Sun
Twenty years ago, a church service specifically for people with disabilities stared in Blenheim. Two decades on and Joy Club is thriving. Paula Hulburt went along on the club’s special birthday to find out more.
The sound of laughter spirals above the stain-glass into the airy roof space above the altar. There are smiles of delight, of pride and of pure happiness. It is a Thursday afternoon, and Joy Club at St Andrew’s Church is in full swing.
People have gathered to mark not only the last meeting of the year but to celebrate a special birthday. The mood is one of celebration as Santa hats sparkle under the lights and Christmas finery is out in force. The sun streams through the stained glass, dropping slivers of colour on the happy congregation.
St Andrew’s lay preacher Marion Rowe stands with a smile, ready to begin the service. Taking place on the first Thursday of each month, Joy Club is led alternately by Marion and fellow lay preacher David Clode. It was David, alongside Minister Johanna Warren who first started Joy Club. Now living in Whangarei. Johanna travelled to Blenheim to be there for the milestone anniversary. She is remembered and stops to talk, to lay a gentle hand on a shoulder as she passes, promising to catch up after the service.
“I remember when we had 11 people and now, we’ve grown to between 28 and 30 people,” David explained as he addresses the congregation. “There’s a lot of people to thank, all the people who have done the work over the years.
“It’s great we can all come together to be here.”
Clapping in time to the hymns, proud voices sing out in gusto and it is easy to see how the club got its name. There is a tangible sense of belonging, shown in a myriad of ways.
Each person who stands to help share the story of the birth of Jesus is thanked with an enthusiastic round of applause. Heartfelt congratulations greet the speakers as they return to their seats. Here, there are genuine
friendships, love, and support.
“Who would have thought that would still be going strong all these years later,” Marion smiles. “Three of the original members who attended that meeting remain involved, one being my mum who is 92.
“It’s great we can all come together to be here.”
“Some years ago, the numbers dropped in attendance and a trial of afternoon services followed by afternoon tea was a great success, and we have enjoyed increased attendance since.”
Marion joined 11 years ago to help David as his cerebral palsy progressed. The pair share services, each taking a turn to lead. The benefits are clear to see, Marion enthuses, with
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many strong connections forged over the years.
“We are well supported by IDEA Services and connections have been made stronger since they decided to also hold their kapa haka practices in the church hall.” The kapa haka team are in church and proudly stand to perform. Their enthusiasm is infectious and the display is greeted with smiles as they show off their talents.
Marking the end of the service, people head towards the hall for a special Christmas afternoon tea, complete with a cake made to mark the Club’s 20th birthday.
Seats are scraped back and places chosen as everyone sits. Voices call out across the table as friends catch up. Outfits and jewellery are admired, and the excited chatter gets louder when the cake is spotted. Amy from IDEA Services stands and the talk abates.
Being there for such a special day is a pleasure, she says. “It’s truly wonderful to be celebrating 20 years
of Joy Club. Two decades of community in a safe and welcoming environment where you can enjoy the kai and get spiritual needs met.
“It has provided comfort and joy; friendships have been formed where everyone is valued. Joy Club brings people together in a meaningful way.”
David and Johanna cut the cake together to a respectful
silence. The importance of the moment is recognised and celebrated. Cheers ring out as the first slice is cut before talking begins again.
“I may not be here in another 20 years,” Marion says as she hurries towards the kitchen to help, “but hasn’t it been wonderful.”
Contact Joy Club via Marion Rowe on: 021 026 17890
Members of Joy Club celebrated 20 years since the very first service.
Photo: Paula Hulburt
Minister Johanna Warren cuts the Club’s 20th birthday cake with Lay Preacher David Clode. Photo: Paula Hulburt
Blenheim aviator combines passion for firefighting with military service
Firefighting is a passion for a Blenheim man serving in both the local volunteer fire brigade and as an Aviation Rescue Firefighter in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).
Aircraftman Jesse Blake, 20, has a passion for firefighting and growing up in Blenheim, Base Woodbourne was always close by.
“I always wanted to be in the military or a firefighter, so I was able to tick off both of those with the Air Force,” he said. A volunteer firefighter for three years, Jesse joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force as an Aviation Rescue Firefighter a year ago.
Reflecting on how he first got involved in firefighting, Jesse said he found volunteering fun.
“Not just going to calls, but the technical aspect behind it, and the techniques used with all the gear.”
Born in Blenheim, Jesse is grateful for all Marlborough has to offer.
“It’s not far away from anything you need. Christchurch is just there, a lot of people passing through from Picton. It also has any outdoor thing you want to do, like fishing, hunting and camping.”
Recently Jesse was part of Exercise Tūhono Rangi, a joint exercise between the RNZAF and the German Air Force.
More than 50 German Air Force personnel, five aircraft, and over 70 RNZAF personnel participated.
Aviation Rescue Firefighters on
Exercise Tūhongo Rangi covered the real-time fire risk while also conducting simulated scenarios and working closely with aviation fuel specialists.
The firefighting section also conducted simulated scenarios involving RNZAF security forces in response to simulated crashes away from the air field.
“It’s really cool because we’re working with rifles and webbing and figuring out how to transition to fighting fires as you need to wear different equipment,”
Jesse said.
Connecting with the German Air Force and finding common ground on Ex Tūhono Rangi, Jesse discovered one of the Germans was a volunteer firefighter in Germany.
“They were showing us pictures of their homeland and one of the guys came back with a firefighting patch on his uniform. He was interested in what we do and how we use our firefighting trucks.”
Looking towards the future, Jesse said he hopes to be part of a deployment to Antarctica.
“There’s quite a lot from my trade that gets to go down there so I want to be one of them.”
For those wanting to join the trade, Jesses said you had to put in the effort.
“You just have to get in there and run with it. When they say jump, jump as high as you can. Take every opportunity you can.”
Virtual After-hours
Primary Health Care 24/7
Marlborough Primary Health is partnering with Practice Plus to provide virtual afterhours health care in Marlborough 24/7.
To access primary health care after 5pm on weekdays, all day at weekends and public holidays, simply phone your General Practice and you will be connected with a health professional who will talk to you about your symptoms and help book an appropriate appointment.
Virtual appointments are safe and effective for many health concerns and have been successfully treating thousands of people every year all over Aotearoa New Zealand. Prescriptions can be emailed directly to your nearest pharmacy for collection.
From 01 April 2025 Marlborough General Practices will have virtual appointment options through Practice Plus for after-hours care.
Tūhonotia te Hapori: Connecting Communities to Wellbeing
Aircraftman Jesse Blake during Exercise Tūhono Rangi at RNZAF Base Woodbourne. Photo: Supplied
River rubble to be removed
Up to 3000 cubic metres of rubble will be removed Taylor River in a bid to reduce the risk of further flooding.
Dredging of a 150m stretch of the river between the Alfred Street bridge and the SH1/rail bridge begins on 5 January with tidy-up works to be completed by March.
Preparatory work will start this side of Christmas on a project to improve the flood carrying capacity of the Taylor River near Blenheim’s town centre.
Council will be prepping the work site from 19 December which includes removal of the Crinoline Bridge footbridge with full-scale dredging works planned to start after the festive break.
Rivers and Drainage Engineering
Manager Andy White said the dredging was required to remove a build-up of sediment in the river caused by several weather events. This would create more flood capacity as part of Blenheim’s flood control system, he said.
“Dredging of the Taylor River was approved in Council’s Long Term Plan with priority given to the section downstream of the road/rail bridge to ensure the flood carrying capacity of the river. This has been done in two phases with the first phase completed ahead of the June 2025 weather event.
“This work played a significant role in the safe conveyance of floodwaters through the town during
near the Quays.
that event. We are now poised to continue the project between the Alfred Street bridge and the road/ rail bridge.”
Following the dredging, Council’s Parks and Open Spaces will start redecking the boardwalk on both sides of the river from the south side of the road/road bridge to The Quays and from Alfred Street to the canoe ramp by the Boathouse Theatre.
Council’s weedcutting programme will also continue. Three
weedcuts are done every year in the Taylor River/Lower Ōpaoa mainly throughout the warmer period.
The November weedcut has just been completed and the next one scheduled is January which will focus downstream of the dredging area.
Council needs to do the dredging work in January due to the requirements of the Marlborough Environment Plan, suitable weather and low river levels.
A purpose-built amphibious
INSECT SCREENS FOR DOORS AND WINDOWS
excavator will be craned on to the site for the first time, and this will operate within the river channel, loading silt into small trucks on the northern side. Gill Construction is the contractor carrying out the works.
“These machines are used in river works around the world and are particularly suited to the Taylor and Ōpaoa river systems,” Andy said.
“We are expecting the excavator to remove around 2-3000 cubic metres of material. For safety
reasons, the entire work area will be fenced off and closed to public access during the project.”
The Taylor River Shared Users Path will be closed on both sides of the dredging area. The area to the north side as far as the Ōpaoa Loop Confluence by the Boathouse Theatre will also be closed for the stockpiling of silts and once dry these will be removed.
“For the public’s safety, we ask that they keep out of the areas identified and use alternative routes.”
The Taylor River will be dredged from early January with preparatory work beginning before Christmas including the removal of the pedestrian bridge
Christmas in the Park 2025
Blenheim’s Christmas in the Park is one of those magical events that captures the heart of the Marlborough community every year.
As December gets underway, anticipation builds for the free, family friendly concert and the countdown is almost over, with just three sleeps left until the fun begins.
Head to Pollard Park after the Blenheim Santa Parade and pick your spot to enjoy an evening of top-notch local talent all set to welcome in the festive season. For many, this calendar highlight has become an annual must, with people returning gain and again. From the moment you step into Pollard Park, you’re greeted with a kaleidoscope of laughter, and music. The park transforms into a hive of festive activity with plenty on offer to enthral and entertain. There is always something new on offer to keep everyone happy, no matter how many times you’ve been.
The main stage is the heart of the night,
showcasing an impressive lineup of local talent. The Mitre 10 Mega Children’s Choir, local singer Emlie Mackay, 12, and the Harvest Band are among those appearing this year for lots of Christmas festive fun. There will be food vendors and face painting on site and much more to enjoy. Each performance adds a unique flavour to the event, celebrating the diversity and creativity of the Marlborough region. There’s something so special about hearing familiar Christmas songs sung under the open sky, surrounded by neighbours and friends. The open space lends itself perfectly to dancing, so make the most of the opportunity and have fun!
Blenheim’s Christmas in the Park is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of connection. For many locals, it marks the beginning of the holiday season, a night to pause and appreciate the magic of togetherness that defines this special time of year.
POPULAR EVENT: A good crowd turned out to last year’s Christmas in the Park, and organisers say this year will be bigger still.
The Mitre 10 Mega Children’s Choir is always a crowd pleaser.
RIGHT ON CUE: Kevin Moseley leads the Marlborough District Brass Band at the 2024 event.
Picton
Photos: Anne Gaelle Photography
Picton Santa Parade
Thanks to all of our existing & new clients for your support in 2025
Merry Xmas to all and look forward to new inquiries in 2026
In 2025, Marlborough Boys’ College has continued to deliver strong vocational pathways support. This approach encourages students to explore employment and study opportunities in six major industries: Manufacturing and Technology, Construction, and Infrastructure, Creative, Primary and Services Industries, and Social and Community Services. For MBC students this has included a good representation across the Top of the South Trades Academy (TOTSTA) courses, as well as strong numbers on the Gateway Program. Both programmes involve Year 12 and 13 students, usually completing one day per week of ‘out of school learning’, gaining hands-on work experience in their chosen fields. This year’s Gateway programme has involved a whopping 88 students and over 100 different work placements. A special thanks needs to go to Darlene Purdie for the immense amount of work she has done in facilitating these placements. In summary, 33 students have received apprenticeships, while many others have gained employment opportunities a result of their placement. Apprenticeships have included those in; heavy diesel,
electrical, flooring, forestry, panel and paint, engineering, carpentry, drain laying, joinery, civil works, transport and logistics, farming.
Further to this there have been another 15 students completing TOTSTA trades courses in Automotive, Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering a Manaaki Tāpoi Cultural Tourism courses.
The results achieved through both these programmes have again been excellent. Not only have these students received practical opportunities, but they have also completed theory papers related to their chosen industry, meaning many have achieved upwards of 20 credits towards their NCEA Level 2 and 3 Qualifications. An example of this being through attending an industry standard two-day Health and Safety course with ‘The Learning Place’ or ‘Industry Training Solutions,’ to help get them more work ready.
As mentioned above, some students have achieved apprenticeships and offers of full-time employment, while others are going on to study tertiary courses at the likes of ARA and NMIT Polytechnics. Automotive students for example may choose to pursue a Level 3 pre-trade certificate with NMIT or alternatively go straight into the industry where they can begin a Level 4 apprenticeship, un-
der the guidance of their employer and Industry Training Organisations, such as MITO.
Another key cog in the success of these students is the ‘MBC Driver Education program.’ This includes 110 students in Years 12-13 who are doing a ‘Careers Development’ class. Each class completes a 20-hour driver education unit regardless of whether they have a drivers license or not, with the overall goal of helping the students become more ‘confident and knowledgeable’ drivers. Unlike a defensive driving course, the program allows the students to gain valuable credits towards NCEA Level 2 & 3. In addition to this 20hour course, the careers staff have assisted many more students across the school to gain their Learners Driver’s Licence.
While we wish to celebrate the success of all our learners, there were two major award winners in the vocational studies areas. The first of these went to Year 12 student Chase McWhirter, who was recipient of the ‘CATE Marlborough Vocational Excellence Award,’ This esteemed award comes with a prize of $500 and sits alongside the Dux Litterum, as one of our premier academic awards. Chase has excelled in his vocational classes at school, which has included completing more than
(L-R) Chase McWhirter, James Dwyer.
30 related credits related to his agricultural placement. Chase has also been part of the Gateway program and was placed with Meadowbank Farms. Chase’s feedback from the placement was all marked as ‘Excellent,’ with his employer commenting that; “He’s always keen to learn and work hard and it’s been great to see Chase grow with confidence over his time here”. Chase has now been accepted into the Future Farming program, and he will be working for Fernvale Genetics down at Tapanui.
Our other significant award is the ‘Gateway Student of The Year.’ This went to James Dywyer who has been on a Gateway placement at Laser Electrical. His employer comments stated “He was a very good worker, good at communicat-
ing and always on time. Showing a lot of initiative”. James has since secured an apprenticeship with Thompson Electrical, which will see him become a qualified electrician.
Finally, it is important to acknowledge the outstanding work of the careers staff at Marlborough Boys College as it would not be possible to achieve these great results and create so many practical working opportunities for the students without their dedication and support. The team of Tracy Quigley, Gareth Pugh, Adrienne Kircher, Nigel Timpson, Darlene Purdie, Aimee Pickles, Hemi Priestley and Jared Bell have all made valuable contributions to the pathway development of these young men.
Careers Department
James Dwyer, Gateway Student of the Year.
Rates cap puts future infrastructure projects at risk - Marlborough mayor
By Kira Carrington
LDR Reporter
The Government’s proposed rates cap could put future core infrastructure projects at risk, says Marlborough mayor Nadine Taylor.
The Government has proposed capping rates rises at a target range of 2% to 4% per year across all general and targeted rates, excluding water charges and non-rates revenue such as fees and charges.
Minister for Local Government Simon Watts said the proposal was “about stopping the runaway rate hikes” that had impacted families and those on fixed incomes.
Councils would have to start factoring the cap into their planning from 2027, with the full cap coming into effect in 2029.
Nadine said no-one, including
her, wanted to see rates rises like the ones of recent years, with Marlborough’s increase this year at 8.61%.
“Those rates rises we’ve had have been very much outside of council’s control,” she said
“Local government inflation isn’t measured against things like butter or mince, things that households buy. It’s measured against steel and bitumen and the cost of building a bridge.
“Those costs have essentially just gone crazy in the last few years.”
Nadine said that while she understood why water charges were exempted from the rates cap, with $413m of infrastructure investment needed in the next 10 years, she didn’t understand why roading was not also exempt.
“Many councils across the country are looking at a bell wave of renewals in roading,” she said.
“A lot of those renewals are around quite expensive items
like bridges ... that roading is key infrastructure should be treated the same as water.”
Nadine added without exemptions, councils would struggle to fund road renewals under the cap.
Under the proposed cap, councils would need to apply to a regulator to raise rates beyond the cap, which would only be granted under exceptional circumstances such as natural disasters.
Nadine said uncertainty around funding and exemptions meant councils could be reluctant to take on new projects.
“The one that springs to my mind immediately is the homeless, the issue that we’re seeing rising here in Marlborough.
“We will struggle to consider to take on any more obligations ... where the community is very, very keen for us to take a lead, we just won’t be able to.”
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Marlborough mayor
Nadine Taylor said that council may struggle to renew key infrastructure such as roading under the Government’s proposed rates cap.
Ani, anis, anise, end, inane, inn, inns, ins, INSANE, nan, nans , nine, nines, san, sane, sea, sen, senna, SIENNA, sin, sine.
DECODER
Anne Gaelle Photography
Photos:
Adah, Tania, Malachi, Ag, Neriah and Selah.
Melonie Wilson, Claire Welch and Helen Baker.
Daniel, Maddy, Lily, Ally and Reid.
Surf lifesavers Careon Rattray, Ruby Marshall, Hannah Gilhooly and Adam Rattray. Andy and Belle.
Angus and Aysel, 2, get ready for the parade.
Sienna, 7, and Grayson, 5. Richard, Raphaelle and Mollyanna.
Oslo, 4, and Campbell.
Vanilla Hayes with Chat Let s ' Chat Let s '
Leanne Hayes
Are you a dog or cat person?
Definitely a dog AND cat person. We have both and they are very much part of the family.
What’s your favourite snack?
I’m loving the summer fruit at the moment - especially apricots and strawberries.
What would you buy if money was no object?
Everything!! I’d build a full-size all-weather football pitch for my husband, buy a plane for one son, and a Lemur sanctuary for the other, and then a fully gluten free fish and chip shop for Blenheim.
Savoury or sweet?
Savoury, can’t go past anything potato-based or some good cheese.
The shop you can’t walk past is…? Any supermarket it seems - pretty much my second home trying to feed teenage boys right now.
If you could board a plane tomorrow where would you go?
To visit some good friends that live in Scotland and England.
What’s the best thing you can cook?
My homemade sausage rolls disappear pretty quickly.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I’m up with the sun but borderline narcoleptic in the evening.
What’s your favourite colour?
I’m fully behind the colourful dopamine dressing trend, but green is a firm favourite.
If you had to choose another job what would it be? A full time body combat instructor
What is your favourite place for coffee or lunch? Kaiaka never disappoints.
gardening this week
Gardening matters: By Wally Richards
As Christmas approaches it is a busy time in the garden for many, early planted crops are now being harvested or coming towards maturity.
The first ripe tomatoes are picked and salad crops should also be ready to use about now.
Yesterday I had a long chat over the phone with an 86-year-old male gardener who spends much of his day in the garden where he obtains peace and pleasure, weather permitting.
He told me how superior the taste of his vegetables are.
The reason being is that he grows his plants naturally with animal manures and homemade compost and compost tea.
The plants are not forced to grow faster with high applications of nitrogen as seen in commercial crops.
This means the vegetables create their own natural defense systems against disease and pests, and take in all the minerals provided such as Ocean Solids, Fish Fertiliser, BioPhos, Unlocking Your Soil, Calcium & Health, and Magic Botanic Liquid.
Vegetables grown commercially, grow on dead soil which means no
soil life, microbes and earthworms, because the heavy use of man-made fertilisers has killed the soil life.
When vegetables (and other plants) grow without heavy chemical protection, they rely more on their own built-in defenses.
These natural chemical defense systems are what give you excellent health protection when you eat the vegetables that are grown naturally.
Your body takes in these non-nutrient natural chemicals which are used by your immune system to likewise protect you.
We talked about days gone by like in the 50’s and 60’s where most of the vegetables were grown by market gardeners that were mostly Chinese.
What they used was real blood & bone from freezing works that they purchased in ton bags.
(This is different to the blood & bone that is generally commercially available today which is very little blood and likely no bone flour instead a lot of chalk) Real unadulterated blood and bone is very dark in color and has a distinct odor.
Many people will recall back then (50’s, 60’s) when you purchased a cabbage and cooked it, it would
stink the house out. That was the sulphur from the blood used to grow the cabbage that caused the smell.
Cook a purchased cabbage today and you would not even know it was cooking without looking.
People were far healthier back then and slimmer.
Our food chain has now had very little goodness and too many poisonous chemicals, which is a major factor in people’s health today.
Make food your medicine because that’s what our bodies need to function perfectly.
The cheapest and best way to obtain all the goodness that vegetables can contain is to grow your own.
To get the goodness out you need to put the goodness into the growing medium and that is done by adding a little of Wallys Ocean Solids, Unlocking Your Soil, BioPhos and Neem Tree Powder - just a pinch of each into the planting hole or spread across a growing bed. Spray plants once or twice a week with Wallys Magic Botanic Liquid with Mycorrcin added.
Then with ample sunlight and non-chlorinated water, you can grow some health, naturally.
Lisa Duncan Photography
Great service
Mag n turbo a huge thank you for all your help with my Demio on Sat 6th Dec, fantastic friendly service.
Bad news!
To my many family members and friends who think I’m going to kick the bucket soon, I have got some bad news. I’m not going anywhere. I have been told that there is no red wine up there. Dick Mortimer.
Beauty and the Beast
First time at the Boathouse, warmly welcomed, good seating, great seating, loved the show, beautiful singing and interaction with the audience.
Well done to the crew, actors, and organisers. I enjoyed the local talent and look forward to more wonderful shows.
Weeds by Raupo
The gardens at Seymour Sq look magnificent but the river weed by Raupo is sufficient for the ducks to walk on it. Our only visible natural asset for SH1 traffic to look at and, well, it looks like a stagnant pond!!! Where’s Weed-e?
Lovely gift for loyal customer
New World, you gave me a lovely and unexpected surprise when shopping on thursday by presenting me with a giftbox of x4 peanut butters for being a loyal customer.
I also was given a stick of butter, a calendar and a shopping pad.
I will be back!
Still smell the chlorine
Merry Christmas to you all at the Blenheim Sun and thank you for your text platform. I will stop talking about the chlorine added to the Blenheim water in October when I can no longer smell it in the water. I don’t smell it in Christchurch or Wellington water for example. Why here? Is the concentration OTT.
RE: New vape shop
OMG!! control your teenagers!! Unbelievable you say what you have it helps us adults stop smoking! Mind your own business plz.
Nice feature
The corrugated iron feature on the road to Havelock the horse and plough with the gent also. It was heart warming to see it. Maybe a few around would be nice.
Put the phones away, kids
I drive past a rural bus stop with about 6 or more high school students at 8am and all are glued to their phones, put down the phone’s and have a conversation with each other, as a rural kid I loved that time at the bus stop catching up with everyone and playing games. Our children are loosing their social skills.
Re: Bluebridge taking over our ferries
Sure, taxpayers would save money if we handed Bluebridge monopoly control of Cook Strait crossings. Those same taxpayers would then be gouged every time we needed to get over with vehicles and freight. Privatisation of publicly owned services ALWAYS results in all of us paying more and more and more. We need to retain and grow public ownership to keep costs down.
Re: Housing
How more entitled can you be? What about us who work hard and can only afford to buy a smaller house for our families, should government supplement us so we can buy a bigger one?? This logic is wild.
Re: Our water
Well done, telling, advocating people, even young people this column to drink booze? What is the matter with you.
Grass verges
Why do councils insist on having grass verges? They are ugly, and a waste of space that could be used for shared bike/walk paths. They create a lot of greenhouse gasses by having to mow them and are a waste of money.
Re: Baffling Spark TV Ad
My take on it is, a mother (the one driving) is travelling through life with her daughter (the car representing their lives) and when the daughter decides to go on her adventures (OE maybe, and this is where the car splits in two) her own phone (obviously with another provider) has unreliable service, so the mother lends her phone to her daughter so she can keep constantly in touch. When the daughter returns (this is where the car joins up again) she is so in awe of Sparks’ wonderful service, she switches providers!
Russian Oil
I see that Z was found to be buying oil through India that actually came from Russia. So much for NZ supporting Ukraine, just makes a mockery of our stand against Russia.
Blenheim water
The only reason texts regarding Blenheim’s water continue to get published is the left leaning media taking side with those not in favour and promoting it’s woke ideology on us.
Movie recommendation
Saw “Nuremberg“ movie at Events Cinema advance screening. Powerful and top acting. A top movie in amongst usual trash films. Timely movie to remind people.
Hats off to Them
I was invited to a bowls club with the view of joining, after we watched some bowls we went to the clubs bar for a cold drink, on entering I was asked to remove my hat, a club rule, we sat near this one table that were using what you would call colorful language, which surprisingly nobody questioned, although the people using this language had removed their hats .
Diversion gate
Can anyone tell me why is the Gate to the Diversion still closed. Rang Council to ask why 8 weeks ago. Said would ring back. Still waiting!
Fountain
Why isn’t the fountain in front of Raupo going for summer so far? Is it because of the weeds being overgrown or more council budget issues?
Talk of the week
Rosie McAllister
What a beautiful rendition of “My Redeemer Liveth” by Rosie McAllister on Friday night! Glorious! Very best wishes for your study next year and for what surely must be a great future!
Thank you and drive safe
Footpath extension from Summerset
We’ve had a family member involved in a crash this weekend gone on a rural country road and I’d like to take time to thank the public who were first on the scene and the emergency services that arrived soon after. From our family to yours thank you very much, and a note to everyone, keep safe on our Marlborough roads, bad things happen in the blink of an eye when it involves a motor vehicle It would be great if they extended the footpath from Summerset around to Westwood. Make it a lot friendlier for people in wheelchairs, walkers and prams!
We welcome your texts on 027 242 5266.
Limit to 70 words please. We reserve the right to publish at our discretion. Please note the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Sun management.
White rice
By George Elder
Have you heard of Beriberi? It was a common disease in Asia which caused weak muscles, paralysis, nerve damage, difficulty walking, swelling in the legs, and heart failure. Thankfully nowadays this is a rare disease except in some parts of South East Asia.
No one understood that it was caused by a shortage of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) and a major contributor was the dietary change from brown to white rice, produced when rice has the brown husk polished off it to make it white and fluffy. Other causes can be poor diet, chronic alcoholism, and diseases that reduce the absorption of thiamine in the diet. It wasn’t until 1912 that the disease was linked to the nutrient loss from polished rice.
The refining of rice has many benefits, as it removes the natural oils that cause it to spoil (go rancid) and so it extends the shelf life indefinitely. It is also favored by consumers as it simplifies cooking and produces a light fluffy rice. But there is a price to pay for this convenience.
Polishing rice removes 60% of the iron, 85% of the niacin (Vitamin B3) and 90% of the thiamine (Vitamin B1). The brown outer husk of natural rice contains these nutrients including the nutrient rich embryo and the bran which makes up most of the fiber. Today, to improve nutrition, some white rice is “enriched” with sprayed-on synthetic vitamins. However, this does little to restore the fiber
or to return all the nutrition removed by the processing, such as the antioxidants. The loss of the fibre and nutrients increases the glycemic index (GI) of the rice making it a higher risk food for Type-2 Diabetes. The brown outer husk slowed down the digestion of the rice and reduced the glucose spike caused by the arrival of an easily digested carbohydrate. Without this coating, white rice is digested quickly triggering an urgent response by the body to manage the resulting toxic glucose spike.
The rate that glucose arrives into the blood has a big impact on the level of insulin required. If the glucose arrives in a sudden spike such as a white rice meal or when you drink a sugar sweetened beverage like a cola, the level of insulin rises dramatically compared with a lower level required for a slow glucose release. This spike can increase tissue damage and the accumulated risk for Type-2 diabetes and may help explain why rates of Type-2 diabetes are rising so fast. This change is mirrored with refined white flour, which loses 80% of its fiber and 70% of its iron. Some enrichment returns a portion of these nutrients but it is not the same as its natural state. Using brown rice and true whole grain flour may help overcome these deficiencies. Get free nutrition guidance or my book at www.takebackyrhealth.com. Seek professional medical advice before dietary changes, particularly if on medication. George Elder, Author, Health Coach, Diploma in Nutrition. ‘The best thing you can do for your health is eat better’.
Rotoiti Power Boat Club Day
Lake Argyle
Between 8am and 6pm on 13 and 14 December 2025
Maritime New Zealand has reserved Lake Argyle for Testing and Tuning Club Days for Rotoiti Powerboat Club members and affiliates. For safety reasons the lake will be closed to all other water-borne users, including waterskiers. Spectators and shore-based anglers are asked to speak with a Marshall for safe locations.
For further information, call Wayne on 027 433 3663.
Holiday Closure
Our office will be closed from 4.00pm, Monday 22nd December and will re-open on Monday 12th January 2026 at 9.00am. Phone messages will be checked periodically during this time. We wish everyone a safe and happy festive season.
NOTICE OF ELECTION
Under the Marlborough Electric Power Trust Deed of Trust notice is given that on Monday 23rd March 2026, an election will be held for three (3) trustees of the Marlborough Electric Power Trust under the First Past the Post electoral system by postal and online voting.
The Marlborough Electric Power Trust was established by Deed of Trust dated 28 April 1993. The Trustees hold the share capital of Marlborough Lines Limited in trust for the company’s electricity consumers.
The Trust Deed provides for three of the six Trustees to retire on the 1st of April each second year.
Call for Nominations
Nominations are therefore invited from the public for three positions on the Trust. Candidates must have a principal residence in the area served by Marlborough Lines Limited and be eligible to hold office under the terms of the Trust Deed, copies of which are available on our website mept.co.nz, or at the offices of Blenheim Accounting Ltd, 36 Maxwell Road, Blenheim. Each candidate must be nominated on the nomination form available during normal business hours:
• by accessing www.mept.co.nz;
• by phoning 021 1200 737 to have one posted out;
• or from the offices of Blenheim Accounting, 66 Seymour St, Blenheim.
Completed nomination papers can be lodged to our email address enquiries@ mept.co.nz, completed online, or posted to Marlborough Electric Power Trust, PO Box 1025, Blenheim 7240, but must be received no later than 5pm Thursday 22nd January 2026.
A non-refundable fee of $120.00 is required to be forwarded with each nomination, along with a candidate profile statement and photograph for sending out with the voting papers for consumers.
Brenda Munro Returning Officer
URGENT services
Urgent Care Centre: Wairau Hospital Grounds. Entry off Hospital Rd, Blenheim, 8am-8pm daily. Phone (03) 520 6377. Ambulance: Urgent 111. Non urgent 578 0797.
After Hours Chemists: Springlands Pharmacy: Monday - Friday 8.30am6pm. Saturday 9m - 5pm. Sunday closed. Public Holidays - phone us to be advised Community Care Pharmacy: Within the Blenheim Warehouse, open 7 days 9am6pm. Closed on Public Holidays. Lifeline Marlborough: 0800 543354, 24hr helpline.
Women’s Refuge and Sexual Violence Support Centre Marlborough: Crisis line number phone 0800 refuge or 03 5779939.
Victim Support: 0800 VICTIM (0800 842 846)
Alcoholics Anonymous: 0800 AA WORKS - 0800 229 6757.
Wairau Hospital: Hospital Visiting Hours: Daily 2.30pm - 8pm, children under 12 may visit parents only.
Maternity Ward: 10am-noon, 4pm-7pm.
Children's Ward: Daily 10am-8pm. Visiting at all times is subject to the discretion of the nurse in charge of the ward. Emergency Dentist: Contact Wairau Hospital 5209999.
Picton:
Ambulance: Urgent 111. Non-urgent 579 4870.
Chemist: Picton Healthcare Pharmacy. Ph 573 6420 Mon -Fri 8.30-5.30pm, Sat 9-2pm. Medical Centre Pharmacy, Ph 928 4265, Mon-Fri 8am-5.30pm
Golf Results
Picton Golf Club
Sat 15 Nov-American S/F-Ian Aldridge 60, Jeff Pascoe 59, Wayne Pratt 55, Ali Baxter 54, Frank Burns 53.
Tues 18 Nov- Grandmothers
Tourn-Overall Winner Kaye Keys Nett 66, Div 1 Judith Batty 35, Maria McConway 34, Lin Stone 32, Div 2Julie Rosie 39, Ellie Gillies 36, Wendy Avery 35 on c/b Sue Lang 35, Div 3 Judy Jones 36, Bridge Byrne 33, Margaret Frisken 32 on c/b Maureen McKenzie 32.
Thurs 20 Nov S/F-Hiram Taylor 42, Don Latimer 41, Jock Mannington 40, Brian Carver 39,Ian Aldridge 39, Jerome January 38, Aaron Wilson 38, Alistair Holt 38. Fri 21 Nov 9H S/F-Liz Taylor 21, Don Latimer 20, Maria McConway 19, Mary Butler 19, Margaret Frisken 19.
Thurs 4 Dec S/F-Don Latimer 38, Ali Baxter 37, Robert Lopez 36, Mark Ivamy 36, Leigh McGlenn 36, Aaron Wilson 35, Gary Aldridge 35. Fri 5 Dec 9H Ambrose-Chris Duckworth, Pam Low, Judy Jones 23.2, Don Latmier, Pauline Murphy, Vicki Eastgate 26.5, Sue Lowe, Lynn Pawson, Margaret Frisken 29.8, Anita McCaffrey, Sue Latimer, Joyce McClelland 30. Sun 7th Dec Xmas/Meaters Ambrose-A Wilson, H Taylor, R Courtney 60, M Keenan, J January, I Molly 61.5, A & R Erasmus, P Norton 63.7.
Death notices
BURN, Taylor Grayson: 25.09.1995 - 03.12.2025 The Burn family’s hearts are broken to announce the sudden passing of Taylor. Precious and dearly loved by his parents, Rob, Carolyn, and brother Declan, Alice, his Aunts and Uncles, and extended Family and Friends. Messages to the Burn family c/- PO Box 9 Blenheim 7240 or www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz The celebration of Taylor’s life will be held at the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club in Picton TODAY, Wednesday 10th December 2025. All are welcome to join his family and friends by the sea at 2 pm. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed on the Cloudy Bay Funerals website. “Taylor, we love you forever… Sail free!”
Cloudy Bay Funerals
COLLINS, Douglas Banks
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Douglas Banks Collins on Saturday 22nd November. Much loved brother to Keith and Ian (dec) and Myriel Hobbs (nee Collins), uncle to Clinton, Janine, Brian, Douglas, Stephen, Raymond, Deanne, Craig, Owen and Ron. A true gentleman and gifted artist, Doug passed peacefully and suddenly at his home in the Marlborough Sounds. Doug was a valued and cherished member of the local Grove Arm community, contributing to school and community fundraising events through the gifting of his artwork. He will also be remembered for his lifetime devotion and contribution to his beloved scout movement and his iconic character letter boxes, spread throughout the Sounds and Marlborough district. A memorial service will be held when appropriate, with details being sent to those close to him.
HOLDAWAY, Tracy Lee (née Smart):
On 2nd December 2025 peacefully at Hospice Marlborough, aged 66 years. Dearly loved wife of John and a much-loved mother of Kathrine, Suzanna and Richard. Loving Grandmother of Jack, Emma, Tommy, Jonny & Bodhi. Messages to the Holdaway family, c/- PO Box 9, Blenheim or www. cloudybayfunerals.co.nz Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Hospice Marlborough. A private service and cremation have been held
DUNKINSON, Sandra Margaret:
Passed away suddenly in Palmerston North, on 01 December 2025, aged 53. Dearly loved daughter of Irene and the late John Dunkinson. Much loved sister of Wendy Edwards, Trish Fuller and Morris Dunkinson. Loved by all her nieces and nephew, great nieces and great nephew. Messages for the family may be sent to C/- of Dunkinson Family, PO Box 110, Blenheim. A private family service has been held.
P ENN yla NE Records always buying records. Excellent prices paid, 430 Colombo Street, Sydenham, 366 3278, open 7days
7”, 45’s, singles, eps records wanted, any amount top prices paid. Pennylane Records 430 Colombo Street, Sydenham ring Dave 021 222 6144, 7 days.
GaraGe Sale GaraGe Sale
7A Ward St, Springlands Sat 13th - 9am to 12noon
• King Mattress, excellent condition
• Household items
• Spa pool, 4 person, near new with cover
• New washing machine
• 1/2 Pack of 250x45 H3 Timber
• New electric flymower
• Small cabinets • Occasional chairs
• Artwork / gel nail kit
• Shelving
• Small dog kennel with run
• BBQ x2 • Pink Batts x2 bags
• Wall heater • Coloursteel flashing
••• And much, much more
021-0592664 pretty Asian sexy curvy body busty 40D, good services no rush.
asiaN sexy busty good services best deep tissue relaxing massage ph 021-2398399
FoR the older gentleman. Newly established here, ph 02102228031. Hours 10am-9.30pm only. No text.
Wh EE lbaRRoW, concrete mixer, 25 terracotta roof tiles, copper boiler complete, planer and saw bench. Phone 0274172154.
DoU blE Glazing - Beat the rush with Marlborough Glass. Stay warm, dry, and healthy with Retro-fit Double Glazing for your Timber and Aluminium Windows. DON’T DELAYTALK TO US TODAY FOR A FREE MEASURE AND QUOTE! Ph 578-5374.
MisTlEToE Lodge No. 6 Notice of intention to dissolve the Druids Mistletoe Lodge no. 6 Blenheim. Any debtors or accounts for payment please contact the secretary/treasurer, R J Cresswell ph. 035785831 before the 31st Dec 2025.
MaRlboRoUGh hUNTiNG & FishiNG Come down to Marlborough
and Fishing for all your
Ch R isTMas PRESENTS – Want something different, unique or wacky, thousands to choose from. Crystal, porcelain, gold/silver jewellery, 70’s 80’s records, N.Z. art, gardening tools, thousands of NZ Books (hunting, regional NZ & Maori etc), old toys, collectables and the unusual. Gift Vouchers available. JUST BROWSING, 26 Battys Rd. Open 10am to 4.30pm Mon to Sat. Always buying. (03) 5775402.
REECE, Graeme Leonard:
Passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family on Sunday 7th December 2025, in his 70th year. A loved husband and friend of Lesa for 23 years. Father of James, Sean, Beverley and Dan, Kylie and Andrew, and Matthew. A loved grandfather to all his grandchildren. A special uncle to Relley and Wayne and his nieces and nephews. Loved by all his friends and family who knew him. A big thanks to all the emergency services who attended to Graeme. Messages to the Reece family c/- PO Box 9 Blenheim 7240 or www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz In accordance with Graeme’s wishes, a private cremation has taken place.
DoWN sizi NG sale, most items $5 and under. Friday 12th and Saturday 13th December. 8.30am onwards. Taylor Pass Rd.
s aTURDay 13 and Sunday 14 December 9am - 4pm. 70 Hillcrest Ave, Witherlea. Camping, fishing, and hunting gear, household items.
EsTaTE bUsTER s A queen bed, single bed, queen headboard with 2 matching bedside cabinets and low dresser. 2 matching bedside tables, 3X 2seater couches, glass hall table with matching mirror. Cane outdoor table and chairs, glass topped coffee table, stereo unit, 43 inch Samsung TV. 7 piece outdoor setting, fridge/freezer, clothes drier. Set of RV tyres and rims, 205/702 R15 Le Mans. Lounge suite, cream and beige with 2x 3 seaters and 2x one seater. Kitchenware etc. Everything in excellent condition. Saturday 13th, Elmwood Ave. Signs out 8am.
Book your space now in our next (by 5pm Monday) Garage Sale Column!
Watch this space. The What’s On section is getting a makeover.
If you would like a community minded event published that is not currently on the page please email office@blenheimsun.co.nz.
Thursday
Tai Chi & Qigong, Redwoodtown Hall 10am Beginners,11am
Advanced. “Live Stronger for Longer” $5 with Nancy: 572 2884, text 027 572 2881 lasfronteras@ xtra.co.nz
Picton table Tennis for adults. 10-12pm. Port Marlborough Pavillion. $5. Morning tea included. Ph: Helen 021 1034050 Marlborough Museum
- Brayshaw Heritage, open Tues/Thurs/Sundays 11-3pm. Cost of entry $10, children free. Older Persons Seminar
– Held on the 4th Thursday of each month, 10am-1pm, St Christopher’s Anglican Church. A seminar for people ages 65+, with a guest speaker, entertainment and light-hearted fun. Morning tea and lunch provided for $6. Marlborough Camera Club - meetings on 2nd Thursday of the month at St Mary’s Community Centre, Maxwell Rd at 7pm. Workshops are held on the 4th Thursday of the month. Everybody with an interest in photography welcome. Cancer Society Marlborough:
Women partners of men living with cancer Support Group - Coffee and connecting. Peer support for women partners of men living with cancer. Every third Thursday of the Month 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm. Cancer Society Rooms, 76A Maxwell Road, Blenheim.
Picton Poets
– Held the 4th Thursday of the month, 10.3011.30am, Picton Library, all welcome. Phone Lyn 021 129 4342.
Keep U Moving - Gentle indoor walking exercise for seniors. 11.30am-12.30pm $3.00. St Christopher’s Church Hall, 92 Weld St. Ph 0273852333 or donna@ stchristophers.co.nz
Social Badminton Club
- 9am-11.30 Thursday mornings. Simcox Stadium, Battys Road. $6. All adults welcome. For more details phone Cathy 021 503 348.
Ulysses Retreads Group
-11am at Brayshaw Park every Thursday. Ride to various destinations for lunch. Bring your laughing gear, a thermal to wear and a story to share. Library Book Club
- 6.30pm-8pm Marlborough District Library. We meet on the last Thursday of the month. Simply bring a book to recommend to other members, and enjoy listening to other member’s (including librarians) book picks.
Picton Library Book Club
- 6.30pm-8pm - Picton Library and Service Centre. Join us in meeting new people and chatting about books. We meet on the first Thursday of each month. To register email pictonlibrary@ marlborough.govt.nz.
Knit and Natter
- Marlborough Library from 10am. Come along and join the friendly group of social knitters upstairs in the library each Thursday morning. Bring along your knitting project and/or get inspiration from other knitters. No need to register. Company Café
– Picton Library 10.30am Thursdays. Pop in and spend a while with us chatting, chilling and relaxing. Tea, coffee and snack provided. Everybody welcome.
Blenheim Nightriders
- Weekly, local, off-road bike rides 10-40kms for fitness, social and safety. Meet at the library, leaving 8pm for approx 2hrs. No fee, super casual. More info on Facebook, Blenheim Nightriders group or contact info@ridethewhale.co.nz
Friday
Blenheim Family History Group in Picton
- At Picton Library on the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month, 1.30pm-3.30pm. Need help with
your family history research? Meet members of the Blenheim Family History Group. Contact Helen 0210390106.
Marlborough Vintage and Farm Machinery Society - Brayshaw Heritage Park, open weekdays 10.00 am3.00 pm and Saturday mornings. For further details contact Gerard (Secretary) 022 039 2460.
Classic Coffee – Weekly at Connect Marlborough, 3 Beaver Road. 9am-12pm. A group of mainly retirees who enjoy connecting with others in the same stage of life but if you are younger or still in the work force, don’t let that stop you!
Link Board games and Puzzles
– 1pm-4pm Nativity Lounge, Church of the Nativity, 76 Alfred Street. A time of board games and afternoon tea. No strangers here, only friends we have not met. Gold coin donation is appreciated. Transport to and from Link can be arranged if needed, phone 5783909 Tunes 4 Tots
– every Friday during term time 9.30am-10.30am. Music, play and morning tea for 0-6 year olds. Donation of $3 per child/$5 per family. Nativity Church, 76A Alfred Street. For more information contact 5783909
Play and Learn
– Blenheim Library 9am-12pm during term time. No cost. Care-giver led play-based learning for children under 5. Books, toys, games, puzzles and activities available for use.
Pickleball
– Blenheim Indoor Sports Stadium, Battys Road. 6pm-8pm. $6 per person, equipment available. Great family exercise.
Saturday
Brooklyn Croquet Club Whitehead Park
- Doubles 1pm - 3pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays. All Welcome. Mallets available GIVE IT A GO.
Redwoodtown Market - 8am-12 noon, Cleghorn St. Supporting Marlborough Food Bank. Variety of stalls. Something for everyone.
Marlborough Quilters meeting
- every 2nd Saturday of the month at Marlborough Vintage and Farm Machinery, Brayshaw Park. 10am
- 4pm. Learn quilting or bring your own projects. Sewing Machines available. Newcomers welcome. Liz 0212067382.
Blenheim Chess Club
- Meets at Table Top Café, Scott Street, every Saturday 10am – 1pm. All welcome.
Ulysses Club
- Every Saturday, coffee at The Runway Café, Woodbourne, 10am. Depart The Runway at 10.30am.
The Blenheim Rotary Club Boot Sale Market
- 8am till midday. Blenheim Railway Station Car Park.
Marlborough Artesian Craft Market
- Cnr Market Street & High Street, 9:00am - 2:00pm
Stallholders include local artisans both casual and regular attendees as well as visitors from around the country. Entertainment area for kids.
Sunday
Marlborough Museum
- 11am-3pm every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Adults $10, children free. The Museum celebrates an inspiring collection of items which tell the story of Marlborough and its people.
Marlborough Farmers’ Market
- 9am-noon. Marlborough A&P Showgrounds. Fresh produce from your local farmers. Tasty line up of fresh and seasonal, gourmet and artisan produce and products that this region has to offer.
Picton Rail and Sail
- On the Foreshore - mini train rides and mini yacht hire to sail on our pond every Sunday 11am-3pm. Only 20 cents per ride/yacht hire!
Blenheim Bonsai Group
- Islington Gardens, Rowberry Road on the 2nd Sunday of the month 1pm-3.30pm.
Marlborough Tennis Club – Social Tennis. 3pm-5pm Parker Street. Non Members
$2. All welcome. Contact 027 578 6436 for information. Ulysses Social Ride - Sunday rides are now by WhatsApp under Marlborough Ulysses lets ride. All rides are weather dependent.
Lego Club
- Picton Library@ 1-4pm. Marlborough Library
@10am-4pm, Come along each Sunday afternoon to build a Lego kit in the Library. Each week there is an assortment of kits to choose from to build in a designated area. Everyone is welcome to have a go. This free activity is great fun for the whole family!
Marlborough Vintage Car Club Museum
- 1:30-3:30pm, Brayshaw Park, Arthur Baker Pl, Blenheim. Other times by arrangement. Ph Ross 0272122902. Donation appreciated. New members welcome
Monday
Renwick Museum and Watson Memorial Library
- High Street, Renwick. Open daily 10.00am – 4.00pm. Free admission. Volunteers present Monday 10.00am – 2.00pm to assist with any research or information. Contact David Ph: 022 106 3685. Picton Senior Citizens Club
– Meets every Monday, 1.30pm at Union Parish Church Picton. Housie, raffles and all sorts. Ph Sandy 5738324 Target Rifle Shooting Summer Shoots
– Athletic Park range, 7.30pm visitors welcome, all gear provided. Cost $10. Ph 02102464417 or 021667746
Care and Share craft session
- Run at Nativity in conjunction with Green Prescription. Every second Monday until December 9:30-11:30 am. For anyone who loves doing crafts, a place to create, chat with like-minded creatives, share ideas, learn new crafting skills and make friends. For more details contact Nativity office 578 3909 or Green
Prescription at the PHO. Free.
Table Tennis
- every Monday at the Tua Marina Hall, Tua Marina 6.00pm - 8.00pm $5 per person. Contact Janice 027 422 9095
Marlborough Stamp Collectors Club
- 34 Arthur Baker Pace. Phone 021 157 3496 for more information.
Rotary Clubs in Blenheim
- Monday & Tuesday evenings at 5.30pm. Rotary is a world-wide service club for men and women, doing great things in your community. For further details phone Kevin on 0211 738 784.
Blenheim Scottish Country Dance Club
- Every Monday at 7.00pm at St Andrews Church Hall, Corner Alfred and Henry Street, Blenheim. Come and try it! You don’t need a partner. For information ring Heather 02102587325.
Whitehead Park Bowling Club Redwoodtown
- Monday afternoons from 12.30pm to 3pm. All welcome. Contact Mike 572 4013 or John 577 5295. Beginners Line Dancing
- Senior Citizen Hall, 172 High Street, 2:00-3:00pm & 6.00-7.00pm. Come along and enjoy the music, make new friends, have fun and learn to dance. You don’t need a partner. All welcome men, women and children over 12. The first lesson is free for new beginner’s then $7 per class. For information phone Judith 5787554 or 0212341095. We will finish classes on December 8th and recommence for 2026 on January 26th.
Tuesday
Picton Table Tennis
- for adults.10-12pm. Little Theatre, Picton. $5 Morning tea included. Ph: Helen 021 1034050
Pilates @ Nativity Church
- 76 Alfred St, 9-9.45am. $10 per person.
Pilates @ Connect
- 8 Beaver Rd, class at 10.45 followed by a cuppa, $5 per family.
Brooklyn Croquet Club Whitehead Park
- Doubles 1pm - 3pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. All Welcome. Mallets available. Give it a go!
Marlborough Bereavement Group
- meets 2nd Tuesday of every month (except January) from 10.30am til noon in the Savvy Bar of the Scenic
CHRiSTMAS iN MARLBOROUGH
THiS WeeKeND
Blenheim Christmas Parade
– Saturday 13th December, 3pm-5pm.
Begins with a meet and greet with Santa and a pre parade concert from 3pm in the town centre. Parade begins at 3.30pm following the usual route, starting at Blenheim School.
Mitre 10 Mega Marlborough Christmas in the Park
– Saturday 13th December, 5pm-7pm, Churchill Glade, Pollard Park. Bring a picnic or buy from food vendors onsite.
Seddon Christmas Fair on the Green
– Sunday 14 th December, 9.30am4.30pm. Features an Artisan market, food trucks, local musicians, Kids Zone with face painting and Christmas craft, petting zoo, Santa’s Grotto and Santa photo!
Hotel in Alfred Street for a cuppa and a chat (buy your own beverage). Phone 0274389024 for more information.
Friendship Club Marlborough
- Semi Retired or Retired. Meet 4th Tuesday of the month 10am at St Mary’s Parish Centre, Maxwell Road. Speakers, outings all in Friendship, Fellowship & Fun. Les McKay 5778307 or 021463922.
Table Tennis
- Blenheim Indoor Sports Centre. Table Tennis session every Thursday, 6.30pm - 8.30pm, $6 per person to be paid at front desk.
Cancer Society Marlborough: Blue Brothers – Men’s exercise and comradery - FREE exercise and peer support - Every Tuesday -10 am Stadium 2000, Kinross Street, Blenheim.
Cancer Society Marlborough: Breast Cancer Support Group - Peer support and connection in a safe welcoming space. Every second Tuesday of the Month 7pm - 8pm at the Cancer Society Rooms, 76 A Maxwell Road, Blenheim.
Marlborough Museum - 11am-3pm. Adults $10, children free. The Museum celebrates an inspiring collection of items which tell the story of Marlborough and its people.
Marlborough Tennis Club
–Social Tennis Parker Street. Every Tuesday 8.30am to midday. Morning Tea at 10am. Non Members $5. All Welcome. Contact 0275786436.
Lions Club of Havelock
- Providing community service in the Pelorus area. Meeting every 3rd Tuesday, at Havelock Hotel. Inquiries to Ian Cameron phone 574 2558.
Knitters and Spinners
- Picton Library and Service Centre from 10.30am. Bring your morning tea along and current project to work on. Share your ideas, skills or simply enjoy time with fellow creators. There’s no need to book a spot, simply turn up on the day.
Cheeky Monkeys
- Marlborough Library. Join one of our sessions of fun and creativity for children under five years old. Session 1 at10am to 10.45am or Session 2 at 11am to 11.45am. Sessions include stories, songs and simple fun craft. No need to register, just come along.
Picton Line Dancing
– The group will take a well-deserved break but will restart on Tuesday 3rd February at 10 in the Anglican Church Hall, Picton.
Renwick Arms Country Club, Card Section - 1pm Redwood Tavern, Cleghorn Street. Meet and play EUCHRE. Beginners are welcome to learn and play. $7 Ph Christine 0272077631.
Pencil Pals - meets at Connect, corner of High Street and Beaver Road every Tuesday 1.00 to 3.00pm. Come and join Sydney and Issie to practice your drawing skills and enjoy the company of like-minded people. Sydney 0211568398; Issie 0204668008.
Wednesday
Tai Chi & Qigong, Wairau Valley Hall 10am with Nancy, 572 2884, text 027 572 2881, lasfronteras@xtra.co.nz Nia Dance
- Want to be fit without pain and with fun? NIA empowers people of all shapes, size and level of fitness. Every experience can be adapted to individual needs and abilities. Step into NIA and positively shape the way you feel, look, think and live. Every Wednesday 9-10am at 207 Oakwood Lane. Corinne 0273245757 Marlborough Community Singers – All welcome whether completely new or an old hand. No audition. Held at REAP, 6.30pm8.30pm. $9 casual. Ph Amanda 022 642 4805. Senior Citizens Club Blenheim
– Every 2nd an 4th Wednesday of the month. 2pm, Senior Citizens Clubrooms, 172 High Street, Blenheim. An entertaining afternoon including a guest speaker, Housie, and afternoon tea provided. All welcome. Ph Shirley 0210388616. Digital Drop-in – Every Wednesday 10am-12pm Marlborough Library. Bring your device and staff will be happy to help you with questions you may have about using your smartphone or other device. Pickleball
– Blenheim Indoor Sports Stadium, Battys Road. 1pm-3pm. $6 per player. Equipment can be provided. Great exercise for all. Blenheim Probus
– First Wednesday of the month, 10am Lansdowne Hub. For retired or semi retirees looking for fun, friendship and fellowship. Ph Anne 5787046, 0226353919.
Genealogy Drop–in
– with the Blenheim Family History Group. Marlborough Library, Wednesday afternoons 1pm-3pm. No appointments needed. Cancer Society Marlborough: Live Stronger - Women’s exercise, peer support and wellbeing for women living with cancer. Wednesdays 6pm - 6:45 pm. Well & Good, 1 Grove Road. Blenheim. Cost $5 members, $10 casual.
Lions’ Club of Blenheim - Like to know more about the Lion’s Club? Meet on the1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. For more details Contact Delphine Lee 029 942 5004.
Picton Mahjong - Marina Cove Club Room, 53 Waikawa Road, Picton at 1pm. Phone Adrianne 02102591639 or Kaye 0211312331 for more information. Whitehead Park Bowling Club, Redwoodtown - 9.30am to 12noon. Mixed roll – ups, all welcome, contact Bob 577 9436. Summer timetable starts October.
Blenheim Rock N Roll Club Nights - 7.30-9.30pm: Top of the South Rock n Roll Club, club nights at the Blenheim Bowling Club, bring comfy shoes and water. Great music, have fun and exercise at the same time. Phone Erin 0272341709.
Picton Scottish Country Dance Group - 7.30pm at Picton Little Theatre. Beginners welcome. First night free. No partner needed just a pair of soft soled shoes. Phone Lynda on 0212600860 for further information. Marlborough Vintage Car Club -1:30-3:30pm, Brayshaw Park, Arthur Baker Pl, Blenheim. Other times by arrangement. Ph Ross 0272122902. Donation appreciated. New Members welcome.
Providing quality care and education for children aged 3 months - 5 years, Omaka is a space for children to grow, explore and flourish as unique individuals, through a child-led, nature play
