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Dunsandel Celebrates 150 Years

After anxiously watching the Met App for days, 26th November dawned sufficiently bright for a celebration. The weather held off until just before the final phase of the grand parade. The Ellesmere Big Band perched up on the Ellesmere Transport truck started up around midmorning and were a great hit, even managing a rendition of ‘By the Dog Dosing Strip at Dunsandel’. Approximately 100 vintage, classic and pretty much any unusual vehicle and machinery display, was a huge hit of the day. A big thanks goes to the Ellesmere Vintage Club for supporting it so well. The tractor-spud races were very entertaining. The locals also dusted off their treasured vehicles and came out to display them. Chairman of the Dunsandel Community Committee, Nigel Barnett, welcomed everyone to the event. Councillor Shane Epiha and long-time and wellknown resident, Mavis Barnett officially unveiled the plaque, which is to be attached to a rock in Sherrard’s Green. The Dunsandel Historic Society displayed the largest number of photographs of Dunsandel School and Town that have ever been assembled and they were well studied by attendees. Many people took the time to fill in the names of pupils on the class photos. A video of Dunsandel in the 1950s by Gladys Johnston and another of the 1979 School Centennial were played throughout the day. The food areas were well supported, as was the car boot sale. Children were enthusiastic participants and were able to burn off plenty of energy jumping on the bouncy castle, or riding the novelty bikes at the Pedalmania stand. The services of Virginie of Lolytwist were also in high demand, with queues of children lining up to have their faces painted and get an animal magically twisted out of balloons. The Top Teams event was the culmination of years of friendly competition amongst the locals, competing for prizes donated by June and Bob Davidson. Eight teams from the School, Tennis Club, Rugby Club, Cricket Club, Fire Brigade and one team made up of keen beans called 'The Others', competed. With Phil Wolff on commentary, the teams were put through their paces by Primary Sports Canterbury, in a series of team challenges that were mental, physical and skills based. The Unveiling the plaque, which will be attached to a rock at Sherrard’s Green. Long-time and well-known resident, Mavis Barnett and Councillor Shane Epiha. Photo credit: Emily McIntyre.

Cricket team started strong with the throwing of the hoops on the hook, whilst the Tennis team showed their perfect balance in the egg and spoon. The Fire Brigade tested their mental memory on the task when they had to remember a maze route, and the Rugby team brought their brute strength to the fore with their jump sack race. The School teams excelled in puzzles and cheering, and 'The Others' conquered the gumboot throw. Third place went to the Fire Brigade, second place was conquered by one of the School teams, but the grand supreme champions and winner of the bragging rights for a few years, was the Rugby Club. The event finished with a grand parade of old vehicles and a shower of rain. A large range of people and firms contributed to the success of the day and we are extremely grateful for everyone’s support. Mike Noonan and the 150th Team.

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