The Sun
16 Wednesday June 3, 2020
Your cleaning made easy
A milestone “we’re proud of” There’s no science behind cleaning windows; it comes down to having good technique and a willingness to go above and beyond for the client, something that Clearview Cleaning is well known for. It’s a business which has been servicing Marlborough for nearly three decades and has left a squeaky clean trail of happy clients over the years. Local couple, Christian and Linda Fletcher-Firks purchased Clearview Cleaning in 2010 and on June 1, were thrilled to celebrate their 10th year in business. For them it’s been “a good journey” with ups and downs like any other business, but they have stayed true to their core business and focused on providing a consistent service to their clients. “It’s be en a n enjoyable 10-years,” Linda says. “We purchased the business right in the middle of a recession and have weathered the challenges along the way, including this COVID pandemic. “But it has been great and we have no regrets. We have a great relationship with our clients and our plan going forward is to carry on doing what we do best.” From the beginning Clearview Cleaning focused solely on window cleaning but when Christian and Linda took it over
Congratulations on 10 years in Business
Phone Andrew 027-552-2919 office@anbelect.co.nz A Marlborough District Council Solar Power Service Provider.
Congratulations Clearview Cleaning on 10 years in Business!
Open 7 Days 7am to 10pm (03) 520 9030 4 Freswick Street, Blenheim
Congratulations Clearview Cleaning
Linda and Christian Fletcher-Firks have owned Clearview Cleaning for 10-years.
they expanded on the services and grew their team. “Initially we only had two staff and Christian when we bought the business,” Linda says. “In 2012 we had some of our commercial clients asking about office cleaning so we expanded into that area, then two years later we took on hot water pressure washing. “It was an existing business that came up for sale and we felt it would be a great addition to Clearview Cleaning. “We have had up to 21 staff
at one point but we decided to downsize slightly to make it more manageable so now we currently have nine staff as well as Christian, and myself in the office fulltime,” Linda says. With over 2000 clients on the books, including large scale commercial businesses such as supermarkets, hardware stores and wineries through to residential homes, Christian and Linda credit their team for maintaining a consistent level of service. “They often get called cleaning fairies and angels,” Christian
laughs. “Even I do too!” “We all work well together as a team and we often have clients report back to us after a job has been completed to tell us our staff were polite and went above and beyond for them,” Linda says. “Nothing is a problem and we appreciate that they trust us to do a good job and leave their property the way they left it. “We are very proud to be here 10 years on and providing the same great service that our clients enjoy.”
Fire-fighting to windows Christian and Linda’s journey around the world to Blenheim Prior to purchasing Clearview Cleaning, Christian and Linda Fletcher-Firks moved to New Zealand in 2006 after spending the first 10 years of their married life moving around with the Royal Air Force (RAF). In the RAF Christian was a
27 Main Street Blenheim, 7201 03 577-5622 | blenheim@tyreland.co.nz OPENING HOURS Mon-Fri: 7:30am - 5:00pm Sat: 9:00am - 12:00pm | Sun: Closed
fire-fighter and the couple lived in England, Scotland and Germany. Their love for travel stemmed from their time living in Germany as they travelled extensively around Europe. While working as a fire-fighter in shifts, Christian found himself
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Wednesday January 30, 2019
The Sun
World class
The Sun
Wednesday January 30, 2019
OMAKA
Omaka a world-wide attraction
Omaka Aerodrome is a hidden gem in Marlborough, but is well known on the world stage. With its grassy runways, wide open spaces, world class restoration projects on classic aircraft, and one-of-a-kind aeroplanes, it’s a buzzing community. For aviation enthusiasts, you can’t beat the ideal flying weather that the region offers. With facilities like this, it’s no surprise that a small town like Blenheim has individuals from all over the globe coming to check out its heritage. For Classic Aero Machinery Service’s Tony Wytenburg, the Omaka Aerodrome location is essential to his aircraft restoration work. The several grass runways provide ideal conditions for the many classic aircraft which are built and tested by Tony and
his team. “It hasn’t just got one runway, so classic aircraft can take off into the wind,” Tony says. Omaka has become a bit of a hub for aircraft restoration, Tony says. Paul and Pip Hally from PMH Aviation Limited collect aircraft that have a rich history with the region. They’ve brought back to Marlborough a De Havilland Foxmoth from 1947, one of only seven in the world. With two other parties, they are rebuilding a Waco aircraft, which is the only one of its type in the world, and was previously owned by Marlborough Aero Club in 1936. “Whether you like aviation or not these aircraft are very significant to the region,” Pip says.
Graham Orphan has been publishing the Classic Wings Magazine for 25 years out of Omaka. Having lived in three different countries and travelled many more, Graham chooses to live in Marlborough specifically for the airfield. “I can’t think of a place I’ve lived in or visited, or another community with the richness and ability to work together for the greater good than Omaka,” Graham says. From the world-class Omaka Airshow to the Aviation Heritage Museum and everything else in between, the buzz around Omaka still grows. “People from all over the world are drawn to the positive energy and great activities here. “The community is absolutely remarkable,” Graham says.
A popular place for aviation enthusiasts
soundsair.com
Live the Dream Pilot a Plane!
The Marlborough Aero Club at Omaka Aerodrome has a long and intertwined history with the Marlborough region and its community. Established in 1928, it is one of the first aero clubs established in New Zealand and the first to own its own plane. Last year the Marlborough Aero Club celebrated its 90 year anniversary in April with an open day, where the public were invited to have a look around the Omaka Aerodrome. The club has over 350 members from all over the country and around the world. The Aero Club teaches students of all ages and stages flying and other vital aircraft skills, whether for recreational or professional
reasons. a quick and easy pick In fact the Marlborough Aero to study at for many as a place unique flying experience, they also pilots from get to enjoy exploring what the Club is held in such high esteem around the world. Marlborough region has to offer. globally that many pilots and People from Hong Kong, GerMarlborough is lucky enough aviation enthusiasts travel to Marl- many, Australia and the United to be home to some of New borough just for the opportunity Kingdom book in to come to Zealand’s top aviation pilots due to fly at the Omaka Aerodrome. Omaka for the course, Due to their speciality training stay for several weeks and often to it being widely known that at a time. Marlborough has the best climate in ‘Bush flying’, the Aero Club is Not only do they get to enjoy the and terrain for flying.
Lodge Transfers | Heli Fishing Scenic flights | Chartered Flights
Fly a plane yourself with a 20 minute hands-on flying lesson! No experience required. Dual Controls and a qualified instructor on board. Gift Vouchers available.
Marlborough Aero Club
Omaka Aerodrome, Blenheim | Ph: (03) 578 5073 email: fly@marlboroughaeroclub.co.nz www.marlboroughaeroclub.co.nz Find us on facebook M.A.C. (Marlborough Aero Club)
OMAKA
Yak 3 races in America
Chief pilot of Fighter Flights, Graeme Frew, and Jay McIntyre of JEM Aviation, have taken a restored Yak 3 Russian World War II bomber across the world for the last two years. The Yak 3, which is typically used for scenic joy rides was taken apart, shipped to the Reno Championship Air Race in America, and pieced back together in an open-air pit there for the public to see. “It was known as a Yak in a Box,” pilot Graeme laughs. Jay, Graeme and their team were the first New Zealand team to enter the competition. “Americans were blown away with what we were doing. “We might have even taught them a few things,” Jay says. Last year, they went back for another go and had great success. They even got on the local news.
“It was great, we were really promoting Marlborough and our destination. It really raised the profile,” Graeme says. The Yak 3 was imported to Marlborough in 2004, was restored, and began its first flights in 2012 and has been flying ever since. “Every time I fly I always see around 30 people having a look,” Graeme says. The Yak 3 scenic flights offer a view of Marlborough you wouldn’t usually get to experience, especially at top speeds of 500 kilometres per hour. Omaka holds a soft spot for Graeme because it was the place he did his first flying lessons. For Jay, Omaka has been the home of JEM Aviation since 2006. “Omaka is a real communi- Pilot Graeme ty of people doing what they Limited beforeFrew and chief engineer Jay McIntyre from JEM Aviation they take the restored Russian WWII bomber Yak3 love,” Jay says. out for a spin. Photo provided
Omaka Aerodrome, 79 Aerodrome Rd 03 578 3063 | info@jemaviation.co.nz www.jemaviation.co.nz/
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H E A LT H Y
B A S TA R D S B U S H P I LOT C H A M P S
Marlborough Helicopters, asset to locals Omaka Aerodrome is a hidden gem of Marlborough, buzzing with world class engineers, pilots and classic aeroplane restoration. Photo provided.
Proud Proud Supporters Partner of of the Hop On Omaka Hop Off Aerodrome Marlborough
Marlborough Helicopters Ltd provides, Owen and the team has been working out of Omaka are able to help local farmers for almost 40 years and helping with weed control, help develop people in Marlborough and scrub into pastures, keep an eye Nelson from the skies. on invaisive shrubs and help with “We have a long history with spraying. the airfield,” Owen Dodson from They also contribute hugely Marlborough Helicopters says. to the vineyards and forestry “We utilise all the other skills companies locally which keeps out there.” all the work local. Over the years they have pro“We are also one of the first vided support in farming, forest- people to call in the event of a ry, firefighting and civil defences. fire or civil emergency. By being eyes in the sky and “We all work together,” Owen the accessibility a Helicopter says.
OPEN COCKPIT VINTAGE FLIGHTS!
Proudly supporting Omaka
Open 77 days, days, 10am-5pm 9am - 5pm Open
Providing Scenic Helicopter flights into our beautiful Marlborough Sounds
79 Aerodrome Aerodrome Rd, Rd, Blenheim Blenheim 79 www.omaka.org.nz www.omaka.org.nz
sales@precisionhelicopters.nz www.precisionhelicopters.nz
0800 435 448
-- One or two passengers at a time - Bookings at the Omaka AHC ph: 579 1305 or online at www.omaka.org.nz/stearman.html
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World class
Proudly crafting classic aircraft parts and engines and exporting worldwide from Omaka Airfield for 15yrs www.cams.net.nz
THE PREMIER STOL AND PRECISION LANDING COMPETITION IN NEW ZEALAND
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Wednesday
1030AM SATURDAY, FEB 2ND OMAKA AERODROME PUBLIC WELCOME! GOLD COIN DONATION
Visit us online at
blenheimsun.co.nz
PH:577 7868 Simon, Katrina, Gemma or Leanne
with week days off so he began cleaning windows to earn extra money to fund their travels. When moving to Blenheim in 2006 he was still a fire-fighter for the Royal New Zealand Airforce, and then went on to establish Allbrite Windows after finding
a need for a quality window cleaner. This then led Christian and Linda to purchase Clearview Cleaning and now 10 years later they are not only celebrating a decade in business, but also their 24th wedding anniversary.
BL CK SKIPS Let us take it Away for You
Rangitāne Investments congratulate Christian, Linda and the team on 10 years in business To discuss property development opportunities at 14 Horton Street, or for commercial office space at Rangitāne House, contact
(03) 578 6180
corey.hebberd@rangitane.org.nz
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