Waimea Weekly - 13 March 2024

Waimea Weekly

Consents for new builds plummet

ANNE HARDIE

Consent applications to build new homes nearly halved in Tasman last year, to just 297 - the largest drop in the country and the lowest in the region for six years.

According to Statistics NZ, the

number of new dwelling consents for houses to the end of January in Tasman was 47.7 per cent down on the previous 12 months when there were 568 consents issued. The number of consents for multi-unit homes also dropped, from 91 the previous year to 60. Tasman District Council’s team

Fresh Choice checks out

GORDON PREECE

It was an eerie feeling walking down the Fresh Choice Richmond aisles for its final trading day on Sunday after 66 years.

Many shelves were bereft in the final hour, a flashback to shopping amid the Covid-19 pandemic, but this time a sign that the sales in the final week were well received.

The supermarket announced its closure in January after owners Gary and Lisa Watson were unable to get a new lease that suited the needs of the business.

Sarah van Kleef had commuted from Motueka once every few weeks to collect groceries at the supermarket for around 21 years and was “amazed” she was its final customer. She says she knew the store was set to close but was unaware her Fresh Choice Richmond fix shortly before 4pm on Sunday would be her last.

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leader building support, Courtenay Lynn, says consents have steadily decreased since 2022. This has been attributed to product shortages and increasing costs in the building industry including supplies, wages and section prices, plus the cost of living, interest rates and tighter lending

restrictions.

During the peak, she says the majority of new dwellings were within new subdivisions. The subdivisions which contributed to the boom still have sections available, however she says group home companies have reported sales have significantly decreased

in 2023. The decrease in new dwelling consents is attributed to consumer demand and higher interest rates.

“We are expecting consenting numbers and new dwellings to slowly increase in 2024. It will be

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Sarah van Kleef, left, wheels the last groceries from Fresh Choice Richmond with owner Gary Watson. Photo: Gordon Preece.

Sara

Anne

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Fresh Choice checks out

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“It’s very sad for the Tasman district… but this is the times at the moment, for businesses it’s a struggle, and I’m sure [the owners] are doing the right thing for themselves,” she says.

“Hopefully it’s a happy moment for them in the end… and for the staff, I’m sure they’ll find something because there’s still work out there.

“I really enjoyed the natural product side [at Fresh Choice Richmond], and when they did the thing with the fizzy drinks, stopping the young ones from buying it before school, I really agreed with that.”

Sarah was equally amazed the staff allowed her Italian sparking water, juices, potato chips, flowers, and a cookbook, to be free of charge, along with a gifted bottle of champagne.

A small crowd had gathered to give an emotional round of applause to Fresh Choice staff for their community service as Sarah wheeled her trolley towards the exit.

Gary Watson told the Waimea Weekly in the final shopping hour, that the closure began to “hit home” after a “trying” and “emotional” build-up. The business had been in his family since its inception, and he had operated it with his wife Lisa for the past decade.

“We’ve all enjoyed being here and we’re sad that it has come to an end, and as the days have gone on, and

now the hour, it’s certainly started to hit home,” he says.

“The sales have been great, and even the stuff that’s not on special, our loyal customers have been coming in and helping clear stock.”

He says the remaining stock will be collected by its supplier and distributed to Fresh Choice Nelson and Woolworths supermarkets.

Gary said, on closing day the store was down to about 50 staff, and many of them had new jobs lined up.

“We got a really great response when I put out the first [message] that we need jobs for our team, and I got about 40 emails that night from different places in Richmond and Nelson, so we banged them all out to the staff,” he says.

“A lot of the staff that got jobs were allowed to stay till the end to help me out and then they go off to their new jobs next week.”

Gary, along with current and former staff, some of whom were teary-eyed, had a quiet farewell drink when the doors shut.

He says the store’s clean-up must be done in the next three weeks.

“After that [Lisa and I will] take a bit of time off and see what the world brings,” he says.

“Thank you to the community, all our staff, and all our customers, it’s been a magic place to be in, we’re certainly going to miss everybody, it’s sad that it’s come to an end.”

“My late grandmother, Joyce, because she was the most fascinating person I knew.”

“My dad, Sunji, I would love to share what I’ve experienced since he passed away two years ago.”

NZ’s largest drop in new build consents

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a few years until we get back to numbers like we saw in 2021 and 2022.” The latest figures are similar to the number of consents issued for the year ended January 2018 which was 298 houses, before the number of new build consents soared to its peak through 2022. At that time, Tasman had one of the highest number of

new dwelling consents in the country (including all builds) for its population at 11.1 per 1,000 residents, coming in just behind Canterbury and then Auckland. This past year to the end of January, Tasman was down to six dwelling consents per 1,000 residents which was about the middle of the road when comparing regions. Canterbury continued to plough ahead at

10.2 new dwelling consents per 1,000 residents.

In January this year, 11 consents were issued in Tasman to build new houses compared with 25 the previous January. Three of those consents this year were for Richmond builds and four were in the Moutere-Waimea area.

For the previous January, 10 consents were for Richmond and nine for Moutere and Waimea.

Minsoo Kim Richmond

Sarah Potter Richmond

Darryl Mead Richmond

Victoria Weingartner Māpua

Builder Jay Chapman is working on a new home in The Meadows, Richmond. Photo: Anne Hardie.

State-of-the-art biomass plant opens

A state-of-the-art biomass plant, which will help reduce on-farm emissions by 98 per cent, was officially opened on Friday at Nelson growing operation, JS Ewers.

The new boiler, which runs on a wood residue sourced from local forests, will generate all the heating required for 12 hectares of glasshouse which grow tomatoes, capsicums, and eggplant, eliminating the need for burning coal. The project was supported with industrial co-funding from EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) and has been in the pipeline since 2017.

A staged approach included an earlier project to establish a large ring-main system, which is a network of large pipes carrying hot water throughout the site, along with a buffer tank used to store two million litres of water. There was also the physical construction of the large boiler shed, the fuel storage and handling system, as well as the connection to the existing plant.

“Our decarbonisation strategy saw us adopt a number of initiatives over the past seven years, with the completion of

the biomass boiler the largest and most complex part of the plan,” says general manager JS Ewers, Pierre Gargiulo.

“Feedback from EECA acknowledged the significant steps and investment made by our company. The long-term sustainability strategy was a key factor in securing a portion of co-funding for remaining projects.”

Pierre says, like all businesses looking to transition to greener energy, investment needs to be balanced as there are always competing priorities.

“The EECA partnership has spanned the introduction of

thermal screens in 2018, an Energy Transition Accelerator programme in 2020 that helped map a decarbonisation plan and provided the best pathway, the conversion of the smaller boilers to wood pellet and the eventual installation of the large biomass boiler.”

JS Ewers is a wholly owned subsidiary of Market Gardeners Limited, trading as the MG Group. Chief executive Peter Hendry believes this is a “significant step” towards the co-operative’s sustainability ambitions, and is also a positive step forward for the industry as a whole.

General manager of JS Ewers, Pierre Gargiulo (second from the right), gives a walking tour of the plant on Friday. Photo: Supplied.

Tasman the second sunniest Tasman was a second sunniest spot in New Zealand this summer with 605 hours of sunshine, coming in just behind neighbouring Nelson, which had 618 hours. Marlborough came in third with 604 hours of sunshine, then Taranaki at 595 hours. NIWA’s summer climate summary revealed last week that it has been the ninth warmest summer on record, with a nationwide average temperature of 17.6C. Summer temperatures were between 0.51C and 1.2C above average for most of the country.

Silvermoon Jewellers closing Richmond Mall jeweller, Silvermoon, is set to close following the brand, which has nine other stores nationwide, announced last week it had gone into voluntary liquidation. A closure date for the Richmond store is yet to be confirmed but the store will continue trading until all stock is sold.

Relay for Life

Members of the public are welcome to attend this weekend’s Cancer Society Nelson Tasman Relay for Life at Richmond A&P Showgrounds to support the more than 40 teams and more than 270 individuals participating in the fundraiser. The gates will be open between 4pm and 11pm on Saturday and before the event’s end at 8am on Sunday. More than $99,400 had been raised as at Monday, about $500 short of the event’s $100,000 goal.

Care centre delayed at Waimea Plains

ANNE HARDIE

Plans for an aged-care facility at Arvida Waimea Plains in Richmond have been delayed due to changing market conditions, including construction costs.

The proposed care centre at the retirement village was going to get underway this year, but Arvida regional manager Jason Edkins says there will now be plan changes and a “clearer indication on timelines in the coming months”.

Originally, the care centre plan included 59 rooms split over three levels and he says there will now likely be less rooms. While beds for residents living with dementia are still in the plans, he says timing remains uncertain.

“We certainly still have the intention of building care and the likely outcome will be a single level care centre with a lower number of rooms at this stage.

Arvida Waimea Plains did not state when the care facility would be built, but it had been “intimated” those facilities would be built and would be available for them.

would become available.”

mains uncertain.

“I felt Arvida glossed around that a wee bit. But we were five years younger and it didn’t seem as important. But now that Ann’s health is not so smart, it is of more interest to us.”

Waimea Inlet health

Good progress continues to be made on the Waimea Inlet Action Plan which aims to improve the environmental health of the estuary. The margin of native vegetation around the inlet has increased by almost 5km since 2021, with the project on track to plant 100,000 native trees by mid-2025. Another 1200 sand-binding plants were also established on Rabbit Island last winter while 3.5 hectares of marsh bird habitat has been enhanced since 2022. Fish habitat and passage work has also been undertaken at Neimann and Pearl Creeks.

“We understand the frustration felt by residents and we’re naturally disappointed in having to delay,” he says. “We’re disappointed that, like many in the sector, we’ve experienced delays due to the changing market conditions and that has included construction costs.”

Residents Trevor and Ann Tuffnell moved into the new village four years ago with the belief an aged-care facility would be built in time for them when they needed it. The couple have lived their married life in Richmond and both are turning 85 this year. With Ann’s health slipping, they no longer know where they will go if Trevor can no longer look after her and she needs to go into a care facility. He admits the document they signed when they moved into

At a recent meeting, Trevor says residents were told that the care facility design was going back to the drawing board and they were “being led to the assumption” that it would be five years before it might be built.

“Now there is a question hanging over you – what the hell is going to happen tomorrow? If something happened to me, we’d have to pack Ann up and find somewhere in Christchurch in a care centre where we have family near.

Up the road at Arvida Oakwoods’ retirement village, residents committee secretary Alec Waugh says the Oakwoods’ care centre is in need of refurbishment and residents also rely on the proposed facility at Waimea Plains to provide enough beds in the future. He says residents were told in 2021 that the Oakwoods care centre, which provides rest home and hospital-level care, was in such a state that it would not be continued. Then, in 2023, they were told it would be refurbished rather than demolished. But he says residents do not know when that will happen. Last year, Oakwoods’ proposed dementia unit was put on hold indefinitely. His worry now is that the Waimea Plains care facilities will have less beds than originally planned and will have higher costs for those who need them.

Retirement Villages Association of New Zealand’s executive director, John Collins, says the aged-care scene is changing in New Zealand because it is so expensive to build standard rooms for people who get insufficient Government funding. He says it can cost about a quarter-of-a-million dollars to build a standard care room and, in future, care rooms will generally tend to have a premium charge or an occupation right agreement. In short, care rooms will be for those who can afford it, he says.

Around the country, he says the number of standard rooms in aged-care facilities is not increasing, whereas the number of rooms under occupation-right agreements or a premium charge are increasing.

“We hadn’t planned it to be this way. We had envisaged that those further services

Jason acknowledged the timing of the refurbishment of the Oakwoods care centre also re-

John says the emphasis is moving to home-based support to take the pressure off aged-care facilities. “But still, there is going to be a need for genuine residential care for people with high needs.”

Ann and Trevor Tuffnell now live with uncertainty about where they will go for aged-care if they need it. Photo: Anne Hardie.

Nelson Tasman in gridlock, yet again

MAX FRETHEY Local Democracy Reporter

Nelson’s poor transport resilience has been demonstrated once again after roadworks brought the city into gridlock during peak hours for a week.

A stretch of Main Rd Stoke was closed to southbound traffic for resealing works from Wednesday last week, except on the weekend, and was completed a day early on Monday.

Southbound traffic was then diverted via Saxton Rd West onto State Highway 6/Whakatū Drive – the only other road linking Richmond with Nelson.

The works not only brought traffic to a standstill but also sparked intense criticism from many residents.

Nelson Mayor Nick Smith says the council was “stuck between a rock and a hard place” in having to do essential road maintenance on an arterial route, even if it disrupted traffic.

“The real problem is the lack of resilience in our transport network,” he says.

“There’s just no room in the network for any sort of disruption without causing gridlock.”

While the road through the Saxton Field complex was used by commuters to avoid congestion, the council urged people not to because the road was not built to handle high volumes of traffic.

Nick proposed including a plan to build a “vital” third road between Richmond and Nelson (linking Suffolk Rd and Hill St North) in Nelson City Council’s draft Long Term Plan 2024-34.

However, councillors ultimately voted down the proposal, citing several concerns about the road, including its estimated $37 million cost as well as the lack of data

supporting the project.

“Some have said there isn’t the evidence of the need for the Suffolk Rd-Hill St link. All the evidence was provided by the gridlock [last] week,” Nick says.

Nick adds that while the road isn’t included in the draft Long Term Plan, residents will still have the opportunity to submit on the plan when it goes out for consultation later this month.

“My preference would be to get [the new link road] back into the plan.”

The council uses two different methods to reseal Nelson’s roads:

It’s the perfect time to style your home, your way.

‘chip seal’, and ‘mill and fill’. Chip sealing, the method used on Main Rd Stoke, must be done during the day to allow enough curing time before the sun sets and the temperature drops. In contrast, the mill and fill method can be completed at night because the asphalt is delivered to the site hot, but costs 7.5 times more than chip sealing which makes chip sealing the “most efficient option” for a large stretch of road.

Work was not carried out during the weekend to minimise disruption to weekend sport. The af-

fected section of Main Rd Stoke, which runs alongside and provides an entry into Saxton Field, is often busier on the weekend than during the week.

Rain early last week delayed the Main Road Stoke renewal for two days and had resulted in a slight overlap between those daytime works and night resealing works on Saxton Road West – the detour route for the Main Road Stoke works – which started on Sunday and will run for a week.

March is a popular time to do roadworks because it’s not peak tourism season but still warm and dry enough to chip seal.

Roadworks are often scheduled tightly to take advantage of the good conditions.

“Any change to the schedule can impact roadworks elsewhere, so it’s not always possible to continually push dates back,” says Alec Louverdis, the council’s group manager infrastructure.

However, Alec adds that the traffic management plans for both projects had their start and end times altered to avoid clashes.

Cars drove through the Saxton Field complex to try and escape congestion despite council pleas for people not to. Photo: Max Frethey.

Bakers compete with timeless recipes

ANNE HARDIE

A table laden with baking, using family recipes that have been around for generations, brought back memories for New Zealand’s original MasterChef Brett McGregor who helped judge Summerset Richmond Ranges’ Great British Bake Off. Village residents used their favourite recipes to tempt the taste buds of Brett and Summerset’s sales manager Linda Farrelly to find a winner among the cakes, muffins, brownie and even a traditional pumpkin pie using molasses.

Dianne Nicholson won the ac-

colade for best baking with a simple biscuit that gave Brett “goosebumps” because it took him back to his own family and showed true baking skills with a simple recipe. “With simple recipes you have nowhere to hide”. Like much of the baking, Dianne’s had a story. Her biscuits hark back to 1955 when biscuit forcers were the fashionable kitchen gadget and her mother bought a ‘Tala’ forcer. She found a recipe in the Straight Furrow farming newspaper called Favourites and they became such a winner that Dianne and her two sisters baked them for birthdays and

Christmas. The biscuits have since become firm favourites for her grandchildren who have changed the name to Nana’s Flowery Bickies.

Her biscuits were perfect on the day, but Dianne admits she was woken by a nightmare before the competition where the biscuits had burnt in the oven and were black underneath.

Other baking included cakes of every flavour. The story behind the chocolate cake with a large slice removed was: “my husband ate it”.

Brett described the bake off as the “best table of baking I’ve tried in a long time”.

Slinging to the finish line of TRYathlon

GORDON PREECE

An unforeseen broken collarbone was no barrier to one of the 1600 kids who crossed the annual Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon finish line at Tāhunanui Beach Reserve on Sunday. The event served up a great start to the day just like the breakfast cereal it’s named after, with six to 15-year-olds taking the plunge,

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before saddling up for a 4km to 8km cycle, and topping the course off with a 1.5km run.

Appleby School pupil Isla Kay had been preparing for her third TRYathlon by swimming twice a week at Richmond Aquatic Centre and spent hours on a bike and running track, all fuelled by Weet-Bix paired with cornflakes or rice bubbles.

Three days before the big day,

disaster struck. The 10-year-old crashed on the school’s pump track, breaking her collar bone.

Unphased by the painful turn of events, Isla soldiered on despite her injury preventing her from swimming or cycling, and laced up for the run section.

Her mother Fleur says it was great to see her “brave” daughter compete.

“She’s been very brave… she’s

doing her best and joining in, it’s about competing at your own pace in a fun environment with all her friends from school as well, so it’s great to see,” she says. Sanitarium national marketing manager Pete Davis says Nelson not only turned on the sunshine but served up “the finest people we’ve seen in the nation.”

“The Kids TRYathlon is all about kids having a go, and we have just

seen so many kids look so excited as they’ve crossed the finish line, they look like they have achieved something really significant, and we’re super happy for them,” he says.

“We’re just so appreciative of the parents who bring their kids here, and the 200 to 300 volunteers who come here from the local community to help make it possible.”

Appleby School student Isla Kay competed in the event’s 1.5km running course with a freshly broken clavicle. Photo: Gordon Preece.

New Zealand’s original MasterChef Brett McGregor applauded the baking skills of winner Dianne Nicholson. Photo: Anne Hardie.

Local schools meeting literacy guidelines

ELOISE MARTYN

New government regulation around literacy have had little impact on local schools, who are all sitting well within guidelines already.

The new regulations, which came into effect for the start of the 2024 school year, mean schools and kura with students in Years 0-8 need to teach an average of one hour a day of reading, writing, and maths,

The change sets a clear expectation that all Year 0-8 students should receive regular, focused instruction in these core areas.

Teachers are encouraged to deliberately and purposefully dedicate time to teaching the core skills using techniques like investigations, collaborative learning, and games to engage students with their learning.

“For us, we have always prioritised reading, writing, and maths,” Wakefield School principal Freya Hogarth explains.

“After going through the information from the ministry, Wakefield School is well and truly meeting these targets.”

“It’s about being age-appropriate, and this will look different in each class according to the age and stage of the students.

“Throughout the day, through a range of teaching methods, activities, investigations and games, our students’ reading, writing, and maths have an accumulative effective,” Freya says.

Education Minister Erica Stanford says these changes in the 100-day plan are the first steps in the coalition Government’s plan to lift student achievement.

“We have an aspirational target to get 80 per cent of our kids to curriculum by the time they finish intermediate, to set them up for success so they can live the life they want,” Erica says. “We’re seeing that many schools are already doing this well, but this change is about having time dedicated to teaching reading, writing, and maths in a purposeful and deliberate way consistently across New Zealand.”

Richmond School’s deputy principal Ryan Higgins says the new changes have created very little change at Richmond School.

“This change has had little impact on us, but it has made us reflect on what we are doing in these three areas and how they link into the government requirements. We have good structures here that ensure our teachers and students are striving to meet these requirements,” he says.

“Our structure and timetabling allow us to adapt concepts of best practice into our reading, writing, and maths. We have great staff who are able to keep these subjects at the forefront of what we teach.”

Wakefield School teacher Heather Stanton, left, with Year 2-3 students, Isaac Cambridge, Marley McKenzie, Riley Welleans, and Harlan Bayliss are getting in their one hour of reading, writing and maths every day, in line with new government regulations.

Photo: Eloise Martyn.

Volunteer for CAB

Are you annoyed when organisations put you on hold for ages, then interrupt the music to say how important your call is? Or when you can’t speak to the local firm, but get put through to head office? Are you confused by the all the extension numbers offered? Or when the automated voice doesn’t understand what you said? Even being told to ‘download the form from our website’ can be frustrating – especially if you only have a cellphone.

Although over 3 million people used our website last year, Citizens Advice Bureau understand most of us prefer talking to real people when we need help understanding complex laws and documents, printing forms or discussing ways to resolve issues.

Our volunteers bring life experience and a variety of skills to their roles, and mostly live in the community they serve, using their personal knowledge and contacts to help clients.

Last year CAB Nelson Tasman opened satellite offices in Motueka (Mondays) and Richmond (Thursdays) to provide more face-to-face client services.

Of course increasing our service means we need more people! Each year new volunteers receive comprehensive group training covering topics like their community, communica-

tion skills, how to use CAB’s systems, and become familiar with common laws (eg employment, consumer, housing etc), while also completing several self-directed modules. They then share a shift with their mentor until they feel confident on their own. To keep up-to-date with law changes and topical issues, all volunteers attend a morning training once a month as well. Our volunteers admit it’s a bit scary not knowing what they’ll be asked next! However, colleagues help each other to provide the best service possible and regularly say they enjoy learning something new every shift!

Because the 80 CABs nationwide anonymously record a client’s issue and what was done in response, we use the insights gained to speak out, make submissions and suggest changes if it’s found government policies and laws have a negative impact. Only CAB collects evidential data like this, and it provides solid evidence for our social policy work of making NZ better for all.

CAB Nelson Tasman - TDC Richmond. Ph: 5482117 / 0800 367 222, email: nelsontasman@cab.co.nz visit www. cab. org.nz

Soroptimist grant helps trainee teacher

ANNE HARDIE

A $3,000 Soroptimist education grant was just what Sara Shalders needed to help finance her teaching studies as she will have to spend weeks on teaching placements when she will not be earning any money.

Sara was awarded the Soroptimist International of Waimea grant to help her through her studies with the University of Canterbury which runs a course at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology campus. This is her second year of a three-year course.

Though she had studied when she was younger in a diverse range of subjects from anthropology to engineering papers, it was teaching that beckoned, but she was unsure what she would be like as a teacher.

“My family manages alternative education, so I grew up really involved with that and it made me see the good that early intervention can provide.

“Then a former primary school teacher invited me to spend some days in her classroom and it made me realise how happy I was in the classroom. That sealed the deal.”

She says she is fortunate that she has an employer who allows flexibility in her work and time off for teacher placements.

This year she has four weeks of

placements when she will not be working and says the cost of living makes it harder to cover that expense.

“The hardest thing with teaching is the placements because you’re off work for that period.”

She just missed out on paid placements as first-year teaching students this year are now earning while they are learning on placements. Her $3,000 grant was used to pay course fees and she says that means she will lose less from her

weekly pay to cover them which is welcome relief.

“Last year I volunteered one day a week in a classroom and this grant means I will be able to continue to do that.”

Sara says she knew little about soroptimists before her grant, but after feeling welcomed by the selection panel and finding out more, she is now a member. “The financial assistance is fantastic, but I also feel I’m joining this network of women who want to support me.”

Gardening tips for March

Gardening Column by Bay Landscapes & Garden Centre’s Philippa Foes-Lamb

Autumn is here and we are all breathing a quiet sigh of relief, while rain dancing. Summer was incredibly hot and dry, a very stressful time for gardeners. NIWA have predicted that the dry conditions are set to continue for a while yet.

On a bright note, we have a fabulous selection of Spring bulbs in-store now. Daffodils are a firm favourite and there are some truly lovely ones to choose from, including semi-double and double varieties.

Miniature daffodils are very sought after, especially ‘Golden Bells’, also known as ‘bulbicodium’ or ‘hooped petticoat’. These beauties are perfect as garden edging, in rockeries or containers. ‘Minnow’ is another delight, with white petals and a chartreuse green centre. Iris reticulata are truly gorgeous. They have flowers similar to Dutch iris but in miniature. Growing to just 10-15cm they are perfect in containers. Dutch Iris are a firm favourite too, especially as cut flowers. They grow well in full sun in the garden or containers and are easy care.

We also have a lovely range of Anemones, Hyacinths, Muscari (Grape Hyacinths), Ranunculus plus true English bluebells. When planting bulbs in the garden, it is a great idea to incorporate some Bone Flour into the soil before planting. Bone flour contains large amounts of calcium and phosphorous which

ensures strong, healthy growth and maintains bulb vigour. It also helps with the intensity of flower colour.

Our premium potting mix is the perfect medium for bulbs in containers. Add approximately 2 tablespoons of bone flour (or less, depending on the size of your container) to the mix before planting your bulbs.

As existing clumps start to emerge from the ground you can also side dress with bone flour to give them a much-needed boost.

Water restrictions are still very much in force.

If you are using grey water from your washing machine, dishwasher or shower, it is important to only use it on non-edible crops. Place a bucket in your shower while it is warming up and use this on your edible crops, once it has cooled.

Mulching is even more important now. We have pea, barley and red clover straw plus sheep manure pellets, Kinpak sheep manure and sheep wool available. Applying a thick layer of fish compost first will also help retain moisture.

Come on in and check out our fabulous range of landscape supplies. We are your one-stopshop for every garden project and we love seeing you.

Sara Shalders with the letter telling her she received a Soroptimist education grant to help finance her studies. Photo: Anne Hardie.

Local History

The onion seed case

ROBYN PARKES

A most interesting court case determining who was to be held responsible for the results of a crop began in July 1898 at the Magistrates Court in Brightwater before Mr Wilson Heaps, S.M. Messrs Millard and Satherley purchased 8lb of brown Spanish onion seed, paying £2, from N. Dodgshun’s Beehive Importing Company at Brightwater.

They then sowed the seed which ultimately grew a crop that was deemed to be worthless, unsaleable, and useless onions. This prompted them to take the seller, Dodgshun, to court claiming £70 for damages, (ten tons of anticipated onions at £7 per ton). C. Harley represented the plaintiffs and Mr Pitt the defendant.

The plaintiff’s claim was based on the seed appearing to be the reliable brown Spanish onion seed, and that to comply with the con-

tract the seed should have been such and should have produced, under good treatment and conditions, sellable brown Spanish onions. Satherley stated that he was a grower of 20 years’ experience and never had a failure and that he had done everything properly through the sowing, growing and cultivation stages.

The defendant contended that although he sold brown Spanish onion seed to the plaintiffs, there was no warranty, either implied or expressed given, and that it was improbable that for the sake of making a sale of £2, he would knowingly or possibly lay himself open to such a claim as the £70 made against him.

After arguments, Mr Heaps found for the plaintiffs believing the vendee made known to the vendor the purpose for which the seed was required. There was an implied condition that the seed should be fit for the purpose. The

weight of evidence was against the defendant that the defective cultivation together with unfavourable climatic effect was the cause of the crop failure. Damages were awarded to the plaintiffs of £70. An appeal was lodged including the excessiveness of the damages. Those in the district who dealt in seeds watched the case closely with trepidation in regard to guarantees either expressed or implied. Dealers were startled at the possibility of being held responsible for 10 or 20 times the value of the commodity they had sold in good faith and were of the view that the seed trade would be paralysed.

In September the appeal went before Judge Robinson of the District Court with requests from Dodgshun’s lawyer to call additional witnesses, who had also purchased the seed and grown successful crops. This was denied and the appeal was adjourned

again, finally being heard in October. Summing up, Mr Harley stated that there had been ample evidence for the Magistrate’s original decision, and it was not the practice for superior courts to overrule findings of lower courts. After further remarks from Mr Pitt, His Honor delivered judgment. He stated “the Magistrate at Brightwater had relied to a great extent on “The Sale of Goods Act 1896,” for his interpretation of the contract, but in his (the

judge’s opinion) the contract was that the plaintiffs were entitled to receive Brown Spanish onion seed of merchantable quality that would germinate, and that was about all. If sale of seed implied a guarantee of a profitable crop, no person would undertake the risk of dealing in seeds.” The appeal was sustained, and the judgment of the lower Court set aside. The plaintiffs responded with an unsuccessful appeal to the Supreme Court.

Brightwater Trading Company in Ellis Street. Photo: Supplied.

Weet-Bix

Holly

Richmond Creative Fibre group celebrating their 50th birthday

Colleen

Janet

Janie

Joan

Take the guess work out of making better choices with a wonderful range of exhibitors showcasing fresh, practical ideas to improve your homes, outdoors & lifestyle

Landscaping, kitchens, solar solutions, heating, flooring, sheds, plants, builders & renovators

Health, beauty, well-being, artisan foods and more

Free informative 'Ask an Expert' sessions

Delicious food and coffee

15-17 MARCH

FRI, SAT 10-5, SUN 10-4

TRAFALGAR CENTRE, NELSON

www.betterhomeandlivingshow.co.nz

Enter your details and be in to WIN a rug of your choice to the value of $1,000 thanks to Choices Flooring!

ASK AN EXPERT!

Prizes to be won, giveaways and Show exclusive specials

Get creative with Resene Paint-a-Birdhouse from 11 - 2 Sat & Sun

“I’ll see you there!”

Resident Builder

Peter Wolfkamp

Bring along your plans, questions & ideas & enjoy free daily sessions!

10.30 am

You don't need a home improvement project on the go to enjoy the Nelson Better Home & Living Show! Take a break from the shopping and enjoy a bite to eat, there is a wonderful variety of artisan goods, health, well-being and more!

Better Homes | Better Living | Better Outdoors

Adults $5, Gold Card Friday $2.50 Under 16 Free

Fri, Sat, Sun

11.15 am

Fri, Sat, Sun

12 pm Fri, Sat, Sun

12.45 pm

Fri, Sun only

12.45 pm Sat only

1.30 pm

Fri, Sat, Sun

1.30 pm

Fri, Sat, Sun

Get Painting like a Pro Resene Colour Specialist

Kitchen Studio - Inspire, Design, Install Avesh Vather, Kitchen Studio Nelson

The latest Technology in Off Grid & On Grid Solar Power Systems

Lance Double, ESOLAR

Maintaining a Healthy Home

Vicki White & Manfred Plagmann, BRANZ

What Does Good Look Like

Peter Woflkamp, Resident Builder

Medicinal Cannabis in New Zealand

Shannon Norton, Head of Nursing, Cannabis Clinic

Extraordinary Design for people with Ordinary Budgets

David Maurice, LTD Architectural Design

There is a fantastic range of trades all under one roof at the Nelson Better Home & Living Show! Check out builders, renovators, kitchens, solar solutions, flooring, spas, roofing, sheds, cabins, landscaping & more!

Bring along your plans, questions and ideas to the free Ask an Expert sessions! We are pleased to welcome Resident Builder Peter Wolfkamp to the Show on Saturday and look forward to hearing his tips and tricks on 'What Does Good Look Like'.

Opinion

Shrinking media ‘worrying’

The rapidly shrinking local and national news media is worrying. Very few people under forty watch TV news let alone know the difference between uninterested, (which they are) and disinterested {which the News Reporters should be.) Media companies are losing vital revenues as it is getting harder, with dwindling audiences, to persuade vendors to buy advertising time during TV news or current affairs programmes. Newspapers have already suffered a similar loss of revenue. With young people no longer buying or even reading newspapers, and since the likes of TradeMe vacuumed up all the ‘small ads,’ many ‘daily’ newspapers have been forced to cut their production to four days a week or less and close local offices just to break-even.

For more than thirty years I minuted Council meetings. On the rare occasions when the local reporter was absent, politicians would often make the most inappropriate comments and suggestions that they wouldn’t have uttered if a reporter had been present.

Without the independent ‘checks and balances’ journalists provide, even Prime Ministers bent on ‘saving’ public-money, would not be held to account and asked why they paid themselves $1100 a week from the public-purse to live in a house they own.

Andrew Rose

Richmond Library roof

sagging,

leaking

Well, build a new council building and library in one building. Be better than having two new buildings.

Simon Scowen

Motueka has just got a new library, this does sound a bit like an excuse to keep up with the Jones’

Rose Boisen

Banditch found after eight years

That’s so lovely she has been found.

Dale Milne

Lovely story, glad she is home safe.

Gay Hamilton

It gives me hope. My cat has disappeared for nearly two months.

Joyce Bruning

Very cool story- can only imagine the reunion!

Kirsty Griffith

What an amazing story, so glad she has finally been reunited with her family.

Danielle Collings

This is why microchipping is so important! Brenna Coleman

Kelly Kivimaa-Schouten

Family together at last in Richmond

It must be incredibly hard to be away from your family and away from seeing your child grow. I’m so happy for them.

Angie Lala

How wonderful!

Lucy Mitchell

So cool. Congratulations.

Marion Maxwell

Welcome to Nelson and congratulations.

Naysoeaung Sanda

Lovely family. Welcome to Nelson.

Neave Osborne

Have your say: sara@topsouthmedia.co.nz facebook.com/waimeaweekly

Road works cause gridlock

Nelson needs roads and infrastructure but too.many wise guys stopping it!

Miguel Rodrigues

Kudos to the people who picked her up!

And yet the council voted down an alternative road connecting Suffolk to Hill to provide another link… urgh.

James Burke

What’s On

Nelson Better Home & Living Show

Friday, 15 – Sunday, 17 March, 10am – 5pm (4pm Sunday) Trafalgar Centre, Nelson Better Home and Living Show will inform and inspire anyone wanting to improve their home and lifestyle in a sustainable way.

PTS Superstock Stampede Night

One Friday

Friday, 15 March, 6pm

123 Lansdowne Road, Richmond

Get ready for the PTS Superstock Stampede, Stockcar Summer Slam, and Ministock Mania – a two-day event that promises heart-pounding action and thrills. It’s one of the biggest meetings of the season, and it’s packed with the fiercest competition you can imagine.

Pretty Crafty Easter Market

Sunday, 17 March, 10am – 2pm Richmond Town Hall

With Gifts galore including Easter gift ideas for those who may fancy a change from chocolate including heaps of beautiful creations from children’s toys and clothing, delicious honey, and handmade jewellery.

What is even more crazy is that these road works and closure don’t appear to even show up on the NZTA site ‘Journey Planner”. Does the right hand not know what the left hand is doing?

Robyn Cliff

Why did they put the southbound traffic across the roundabout and path of the northbound traffic without either the police or stop/go to give a measured traffic flow rather than every driver for themselves to get through. Then to expect that flow to merge into the deviation. It hasn’t worked before, when will they, (the council) learn.

David Lewis

Feature

FRIENDLY

QUALIFIED TRADESPEOPLE INTERIOR

Covering the wider region, the Richmond-based business has grown from strength to strength since its inception 15 years ago. "I think we have grown the way we have because of the crew. I try to look for people who are enthusiastic about the trade and enjoy their work, as well as being friendly and understanding of the potential disruption our work can impose upon a client's home." Brumwell Painting offers a wide range of services specialising in painting roofs from simple and easy-to-access homes, to steeply pitched, multi-level homes which require a lot of planning and

Retirement living situated on the scenic edge of Richmond

At Summerset, our retirement villages are designed to make sure you get the best out of your retirement. Summerset Richmond Ranges is no exception, with a range of brand-new two and three-bedroom villas available now.* Our villas are warm, modern, and designed with everything you need for the perfect retirement lifestyle. They feature open-plan living, a modern contemporary kitchen, large bathroom and laundry, spacious outdoor living area, single garage with internal access and much more.

To see plans and pricing, get in touch with us today or join us at our upcoming Morning Tea and Tours. We welcome appointments seven days a week.

Love the life you choose

Morning Tea and Tours

Every Wednesday in March

10am - 2pm

Summerset Richmond Ranges

1 Hill Street North, Richmond 03 744 3432 | summerset.co.nz/richmond *All

www.nmdhb.govt.nz

Thinking about your drinking

Have you ever thought about changing your drinking habits? Is alcohol starting to cause problems in your life?

Alcohol is the most commonly used drug in New Zealand. Unfortunately, it can cause problems for your physical health, mental health, relationships, finances, and spiritual wellbeing.

Some people find that they may be drinking more than they would like to but are not sure how to reduce or stop. Some have tried to cut back but have slowly returned to higher amounts. Whatever you or your loved one’s concerns are, the good news is that there is free support available.

Where to get help:

Visit: www.alcoholdrughelp.org.nz to find local support. You’ll find free, non-judgmental information,

education and services.

Call the Alcohol & Drug Helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0800 787 797 to speak to a trained counsellor. The Māori Line is 0800 787 798, the Pasifika Line is 0800 787 799, and the Youth Line is 0800 787 984.

You can also look at the Living Sober website at: www.livingsober.org.nz for support.

Ideas to cut down your drinking might include:

• Plan how many drinks you will have before you start and stick to it

• Eat before you drink and while you are drinking

• Drink a glass of water in between alcoholic drinks

• Try having non-alcohol days each week

• Drink slowly, sip your drink

• Drink lower strength alcohol drinks such as beer instead of wine or spirits

• Let your friends and family know you are trying to cut back and ask for their support

• Spend time with people who do not drink alcohol

• Try an alternative drink such as ginger beer or soda water with lemon

• Contact a local alcohol service for ideas and support

Wondering whether you or someone you know has a problem?

The Alcohol and Drug Helpline have put together a free quiz to assess whether your drinking might be putting you at risk of alcohol-related harm. Head to: www.alcoholdrughelp.org.nz/problem to take the quiz.

Judge hits alarm button over looming end to alcohol and drug screening service

TRACY NEAL Open Justice Reporter

The axe is about to fall on a health-funded drug and alcohol screening service in the Nelson and Blenheim courts, which the provider says will put them in line with courts around the country.

Judge Jo Rielly told lawyers in the Nelson District Court on Thursday that funding for alcohol and drug screening reports was about to end, and invited lawyers to express any concerns to relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Justice, for the service funded by Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora. Nelson Marlborough group director of hospital specialist services, Lexie O’Shea, told Open Justice that it recently formally advised the Nelson and Blenheim courts that from March 28, Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora would no longer be accepting requests for alcohol and drug reports.

O’Shea said the change would put the Nelson-Marlborough region in line with the rest of the country as most publicly (health

board) funded addiction services had not provided these reports to the courts for many years.

A Health New Zealand spokesperson said the contractors provided the service in other courts, but not through the health board structure.

Ministry of Justice group manager, courts and tribunals, Jacquelyn Shannon, said in other courts alcohol and drug reports were funded by the Ministry of Justice when a judge ordered a report, or a legal aid lawyer commissioned a report for their client and requested reimbursement from Legal Aid Services.

“Where a report is sought by an offender who is represented by a private lawyer, the lawyer may engage with a private provider, and the lawyer incurred the cost of obtaining the report,” Shannon said.

O’Shea said that like most areas of health, demand for mental health and addiction services was increasing and client needs were more complex.

“Our addictions workforce is under pressure and we, as a service, need to focus on our core

out on having someone advocate for them on this.

Nelson MP Rachel Boyack told NZME she was concerned to hear of the cuts with no clear alternative proposed by either Te Whatu Ora or the Ministry of Justice.

“The sudden end of this frontline service at the end of the month could mean that Nelsonians going through the Justice system miss out on something available in other parts of the country – I don’t think many people would find that fair, and I’ll be following up with Te Whatu Ora.”

Lawyer Steven Zindel, who was in court and heard Judge Rielly’s comments, said the situation was alarming.

He said the reports were cost-effective and invaluable in providing useful information in the sentencing process.

business of providing care to our alcohol and drug clients,” O’Shea said.

Judge Rielly said most people who appeared in court had alcohol and drug addiction issues and they were at risk of missing

“If addictions can be managed or cured then that is one of the best crime prevention techniques that is available.”

A Ministry of Justice report said that abuse of alcohol and other drugs remained a major driver of crime requiring social investment.

Around 60 per cent of community-based offenders had an identified AOD need and 87 per cent of prisoners had experienced an AOD problem over their lifetime, the report said.

O’Shea said Nelson-Marlborough Health had been in communication with the courts regarding this change for some time now, having first informed them well over six months ago.

“We have offered the courts support in putting a plan in place for other report writers to continue this work.

“We have also offered to develop a pathway that would allow new report writers to refer defendants to our addictions service,” she said.

O’Shea said they were also working with the Ministry of Justice to minimise disruption during the transition.

Judge Jo Rielly, who sits in the Nelson and Blenheim District Courts. Photo: Supplied.

BETTER HOME & LIVING SHOW

BETTER HOME & LIVING SHOW

15 - 17 March 2024

25 - 27 Sept Fri, Sat 10-5 Sun 10-4

Trafalgar Centre

Saxton Stadium, Stoke Fri, Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4

Explore inspiration for Better Home & Living at exciting weekend expo

Explore inspiration for Better Home & Living at exciting weekend expo

Take the guesswork out of making better choices with a visit to the Nelson Better Home & Living Show opening this Friday at Trafalgar Centre! This exciting three-day event has plenty in store for Show visitors with a wonderful variety of exhibitors showcasing fresh, practical ideas to enhance your living spaces, your lifestyle and your well-being. There will be Show-exclusive specials, expert advice and giveaways, and one lucky visitor will win the Better Home & Living Show which includes a rug of your choice from Choices Flooring valued up to $1,000, as well as a $250 Resene voucher!

Take the guesswork out of making better choices with a visit to the Nelson Better Home & Living Show opening this Friday at Trafalgar Centre! This exciting three-day event has plenty in store for Show visitors with a wonderful variety of exhibitors showcasing fresh, practical ideas to enhance your living spaces, your lifestyle and your well-being. There will be Show-exclusive specials, expert advice and giveaways, and one lucky visitor will win the Better Home & Living Show which includes a rug of your choice from Choices Flooring valued up to $1,000, as well as a $250 Resene voucher!

Launching the event for the first time in the region last year, the Better Home & Living Show is about connecting exhibiting businesses with Show visitors looking for innovation, information and ideas all in one easy location. Marketing manager

Emily Shanley says, “The Show is the perfect platform where you can chat to a range of experts and check out what is on offer for your home, garden and lifestyle!

Launching the event for the first time in the region last year, the Better Home & Living Show is about connecting exhibiting businesses with Show visitors looking for innovation, information and ideas all in one easy location. Marketing manager Emily Shanley says, “The Show is the perfect platform where you can chat to a range of experts and check out what is on offer for your home, garden and lifestyle!

“Whether you have a big project on the go or just looking to make small changes at home.

“Whether you have a big project on the go or just looking to make small changes at home.

“Talk to builders, double glazers and spa experts, peruse the plants, talk heating, flooring, or

“Talk to builders, double glazers and spa experts, peruse the plants, talk heating, flooring, or

health and well-being, or browse the homewares, and indulge in delicious food and coffee!”

health and well-being, or browse the homewares, and indulge in delicious food and coffee!”

“If you have a project on the go there is a real range of trades exhibiting this year. Basham Building are one of the local building businesses who will be at the show, passionate about creating energy-efficient buildings that have small ecological footprint and minimal impact on the environment. Chat to the team about how you can build a warm, comfy and low energy consuming home.”

“If you have a project on the go there is a real range of trades exhibiting this year. Basham Building are one of the local building businesses who will be at the show, passionate about creating energy-efficient buildings that have small ecological footprint and minimal impact on the environment. Chat to the team about how you can build a warm, comfy and low energy consuming home.”

Chat to Viridian Glass Nelson at the Show for all things glass! Whether you are looking to do retrofit double glazing, balus-

Chat to Viridian Glass Nelson at the Show for all things glass!

Whether you are looking to do retrofit double glazing, balus-

Chat to trade specialists at the Show for your next project at home. trades, showers, splash backs, pool fences, canopies or whatever your next glass project might be this is your one stop shop.

Chat to trade specialists at the Show for your next project at home. trades, showers, splash backs, pool fences, canopies or whatever your next glass project might be this is your one stop shop.

modern decor gives it a spacious welcoming vibe.”

modern decor gives it a spacious welcoming vibe.”

There is a range of sheds and cabins including Just Cabins Nelson. At Just Cabins they like the idea of doing one thing and doing it well, so their cabins are built with quality and comfort in mind. Insulation, carpet and curtains keep you warm and dry, and the

There is a range of sheds and cabins including Just Cabins Nelson. At Just Cabins they like the idea of doing one thing and doing it well, so their cabins are built with quality and comfort in mind. Insulation, carpet and curtains keep you warm and dry, and the

Placemakers Nelson will also be in attendance, providing an opportunity for people to chat with the team about all thing's kitchen, bathroom and laundry.

Placemakers Nelson will also be in attendance, providing an opportunity for people to chat with the team about all thing's kitchen, bathroom and laundry.

“You don't need a project on the go to enjoy a day out at the Nelson Better Home & Living Show. There will be a wonderful selection of artisan goods whether you are

“You don't need a project on the go to enjoy a day out at the Nelson Better Home & Living Show. There will be a wonderful selection of artisan goods whether you are

BETTER HOME & LIVING SHOW

BETTER HOME & LIVING SHOW

looking for unique decor pieces, gourmet treats, premium beverages or even treats for your furry friends, there will be something for you. Enjoy tastings at the Show, along with a range of delicious food and hot coffee to enjoy in the food court.”

looking for unique decor pieces, gourmet treats, premium beverages or even treats for your furry friends, there will be something for you. Enjoy tastings at the Show, along with a range of delicious food and hot coffee to enjoy in the food court.”

Hybrid Bikes will be showcasing their wonderful e-Bikes. High modulus carbon fibre makes for a super-light frame to which they have added a high-performance motor and high-spec components to create an electric bike for commuting, touring or more adventurous trail riding.Show visitors can enjoy free informative daily Ask an expert sessions at the Nelson Better Home & Living Show!

Hybrid Bikes will be showcasing their wonderful e-Bikes. High modulus carbon fibre makes for a super-light frame to which they have added a high-performance motor and high-spec components to create an electric bike for commuting, touring or more adventurous trail riding.Show visitors can enjoy free informative daily Ask an expert sessions at the Nelson Better Home & Living Show!

“Visitors are encouraged to bring along their plans, questions and ideas to these interactive sessions, or if they don’t have any burning questions, simply just listen in and enjoy!”

“Visitors are encouraged to bring along their plans, questions and ideas to these interactive sessions, or if they don’t have any burning questions, simply just listen in and enjoy!”

Lined up for the event are the following sessions:

Lined up for the event are the following sessions:

12.00pm The latest Technology for On Grid and Off Grid Power Systems. Lance Double, ESOLAR

12.00pm The latest Technology for On Grid and Off Grid Power Systems. Lance Double, ESOLAR

12.45pm (Sat only)

12.45pm (Sat only)

What Does Good Look Like.

What Does Good Look Like.

Peter Wolfkamp, Resident Builder

Peter Wolfkamp, Resident Builder

12.45pm (Fri & Sun only)

12.45pm (Fri & Sun only)

Maintaining a Healthy Home.

Maintaining a Healthy Home.

Vicki White & Manfred Plagmann, BRANZ

Vicki White & Manfred Plagmann, BRANZ

1.30pm Medicinal Cannabis in New Zealand. Shannon Norton, Head of Nursing, Cannabis Clinic

1.30pm Medicinal Cannabis in New Zealand. Shannon

Norton, Head of Nursing, Cannabis Clinic

25 - 27 Sept Fri, Sat 10-5 Sun 10-4

Saxton Stadium, Stoke Fri, Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4

15 - 17 March 2024 Trafalgar

Trafalgar Centre

Centre

2.15pm Extraordinary Design for people with Ordinary Budgets. David Maurice, LTD

Architectural Design Studio

2.15pm Extraordinary Design for people with Ordinary Budgets. David Maurice, LTD Architectural Design Studio

All this and much more to enjoy at the Show, there truly is something for everyone. Take a break from the shopping and enjoy a bite to eat in the outdoor food court or get creative and WIN prizes with Resene Paint a Birdhouse from 11am till 2pm Saturday and Sunday.

All this and much more to enjoy at the Show, there truly is something for everyone. Take a break from the shopping and enjoy a bite to eat in the outdoor food court or get creative and WIN prizes with Resene Paint a Birdhouse from 11am till 2pm Saturday and Sunday.

"For full details on the Nelson Better Home & Living Show visit our website or 'Like' us on Facebook. See you there!”

"For full details on the Nelson Better Home & Living Show visit our website or 'Like' us on Facebook. See you there!”

10.30am Get Painting Like a Pro. Colour Specialist, Resene 11.15am Kitchen Studio –Inspire, Design, Install. Avesh Vather, Kitchen Studio

10.30am Get Painting Like a Pro. Colour Specialist, Resene

11.15am Kitchen Studio –Inspire, Design, Install. Avesh Vather, Kitchen Studio

There is something for everyone at the Nelson Better Home & Living Show.

Join Resident Builder Peter Wolfkamp's 'What Does Good Look Like' Ask an expert session at the Show on Saturday.

Treat your taste buds at the Show with a variety of artisan products.

There is something for everyone at the Nelson Better Home & Living Show.

Join Resident Builder Peter Wolfkamp's 'What Does Good Look Like' Ask an expert session at the Show on Saturday.

Treat your taste buds at the Show with a variety of artisan products.

Introducing Parenting on Purpose, your partner in the journey of intentional and effective parenting! At Parenting on Purpose, Bridget Dapples understands the challenges and joys of raising children in today’s world having been in the educational realm for over 10 years, and a parent of two.

“Our tailored business offers a range of services to support parents in nurturing their child’s development and fostering strong family relationships. Discover how to set clear boundaries, instil values, and cultivate a supportive environment where your child can thrive.

From effective techniques to getting your needs met, to fostering independence and resilience, Parenting on Purpose’s courses, 1:1 support and coaching packages, equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to raise happy, healthy, and well-adjusted children.”

Join the community of like-minded parents committed to making a difference in their children’s lives.

“Don’t just parent – parent with purpose. Enrol in one of our offerings today and embark on a transformative journey towards becom-

ing the parent you aspire to be!”

Specialising in care for infants, BabySpace is Richmond’s early childhood centre that caters for young children all the way from birth to getting them ready for their first day of school. The family owned and operated business of Lynda Richards and Chris Barnett has been providing a safe space for the community's infants and toddlers to flourish since 2008.

Acknowledging that choosing the right place for your children is

PH:

one of the most important decisions people will ever make, Lynda, who has over 40 years experience in early childhood education, and her team welcome anyone looking into childcare options to come down and see why so many families speak so highly of BabySpace.

Open from 7:45am to 5:15pm.

Learn to swim through New Zealand’s largest swim school at Richmond Aquatic Centre. SwimMagic is a revolutionary swim school programme designed to give chil-

dren the best chance of progression in the shortest possible time. Magic Moments aims to teach the valuable life skill of swimming, through a simplistic, positive, and fun approach. SwimMagic has developed its programme with the intention of nurturing through participation, in a range of safe and enjoyable activities. The classes are a fun way to spend some quality time participating in a range of fun and stimulating activities designed to gain confidence in the water and teach water safety

and emergent swimming skills. All activities are based around each child’s current development and are also designed to help enhance their development in the three key areas: physical, cognitive, and emotional. Contact Richmond Aquatic Centre on 03 543 9755 to find out more.

Yikes children's programmes for primary aged kids: Coming up in the April holidays, we have a special tutor coming in, Award-winning film director Patsy Burke. She will be tutoring the Stop-Motion Animation workshop. There are lots of other fun things happening, too. Check out the schedule here:

www.yikesnelson.com/holidays

Is your child starting school next term? Have you organised before and after school care? We are here for you if you are in Richmond. Reach out so we can assist. yikesnelson@gmail.com

Our Before School Breakfast Club starts at 6.45am. We are located on the A & P Showgrounds, Lower Queen Street, and so offer a semirural location with mini horses, bike trail and spaces for scootering, sports and games.

@PARENTING_ON_PURPOSE_NZ

@PARENTINGONPURPOSE

Under a solo performance

ANNE HARDIE

Solo live theatre performer

Chris Green is returning to Wakefield to perform a show written specifically for him, called Under.

Last year he collaborated with Country Players for his performance of Coaltown Blues and committee member Peter Verstappen says it has turned into “quite a fruitful partnership”.

The group organises the shows and can then offer the community another level of professional quality, he says.

“This is using the resources we have to bring a professional actor into our community to perform just for us.”

The show at the Wakefield Village Hall on March 22 to 24 is split into two parts.

In the first half of the show, Chris performs Under which is written by Kiwi playwright Cassandra Tse.

It is the story of a man seeking to recover a lost love but learning that memory is a game for two players.

In the second half, he is the same character in Under an Old Hat, but it is based at a later time when he updates his

story through humour, anecdotes and songs.

Peter says the show will have two evening performances that follow the Country Players’ picnic theatre format, plus an afternoon matinee.

Chris’ Coaltown Blues’ performance last year was one of three shows put on by Country Players through the year which included sold-out shows of The Addams Family and then Our Man in Havana.

“That shows the loyalty of our community and the quality of the shows. Interestingly, 30 to 40 per cent of the audience was from Nelson.”

Peter says planned shows this year include She Kills Monsters, which is based on video-game themes and has younger characters, then Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility toward the end of the year.

For tickets email bookcountryplayers@gmail.com

Chris Green is returning to Wakefield to perform in Under. Photo: Supplied.

National Champion Heads to Stampede

The PTS Stampede welcomes threetime New Zealand Superstock Champion Asher Rees to the double-header weekend in Nelson.

After winning the NZ Stockcar title at his last major visit in 2015, Asher has gone on to win the NZ Superstock title an unprecedented three times in a row and joins Nelson’s Craig Boote as the only other person to have won

three NZ championships. Asher will return next year to defend his 1NZ title when Nelson hosts in 2025 and the Stampede will give him valuable track time amongst a top line-up in preparation for next year. The list of drivers that have entered the Stampede includes 2NZ Blair Uhlenberg; seasoned racers Jack Miers and Dale Robertson; teams

racing legend Kerry Remnant; and up and comers Braydon Lennon, Jacob Buckrell and Tom Cooper. There are some legendary drivers attending as well including Ross Ashby, Bryce Vazey and Peter Field who have decades of racing behind them.

For some local nostalgia, spectators will be excited to see the return of Brett Nicholls and the ex1NZ 18n Harwood car that will be driven by Jay Holtham. Two of the biggest stirrers in Superstocks, Jayden Ward and Harley Robb, are attending and

their performance alone will be worth the entry fee. Add in the hometown heroes - defending Stampede Champion Shane Harwood, along with Alex Hill, and newbie Callum Russ alongside regular visitors Mitch and Jake Berry, Adam Groom and Hepi Paul who are all making the trip back to Nelson. There have been some epic final races over the past few years and this year’s line-up promises to provide an even bigger finale to the weekends racing.

The Stockcars join the fun with their Summer-Slam, racing as

pairs for points over the heat races. The top five teams then compete in a three-lap, teamsracing style run-off to advance to the final race, and to find the overall winners. The lead up was an epic battle in the allnew format with upsets and excitement right down to the very last lap. The teams needed to be fast thinking, adaptable and reliable to survive throughout the weekend. Some drivers who are usually mates might have to battle each other, and there will be no love lost in trying to win the trophy this year.

Riley Eathorne won with partner Dylan Clarke against some top teams last year. With Clarke out injured this weekend, Eathorne has the NZ GP champion, Wade Sweeting, as his partner and they will be a formidable duo. Roydon Winstanley paired with Jack Rarity, will also have one eye on the trophy. New club champion, Max Baker, will pair with brother Zak, and the fierce competition on the track means you could expect an upset or two along the way. Ministock Mania is the other big competition for the weekend. With the club already bursting at the seams, it will be a maximum field of cars that will battle for Mania Glory. Four North Island cars will attend and try to grab the top honours again after they had a clean sweep last year.

The Mania trophy backs up from the Christchurch challenge the week earlier. It’s a busy last part of the season with many of the major Ministock events happening, so the drivers should be at peak performance, and there’s plenty of competition to see who will come out on top.

The classic stock cars make their annual return for the weekend with a couple of new cars making the local line-up, while a fleet of North Island cars are coming down to rekindle old yarns from last year. They are running a North/South Pairs combo over the weekend. Competitors are normally handicapped by speed as a large number of the cars span many generations of racing, It's a great insight to seeing cars of yesteryear racing alongside their modern counterparts.

After having each other’s backs at the NZ titles and State of Origin, it will be every person for themselves this weekend when the Streetstocks hold their Open Club Champs.

As with all the major events, there’s always a chance that the action will only get better as drivers race for club pride and a few numbers get dusted off on their dashboards.

Racing starts at 6pm Friday and 5pm Saturday. Tickets can be purchased online via the Nelson Speedway Website and are also available at the kiosk in Richmond Mall.

Providing specialist services to the region for over three decades, Richmond Exhaust and Radiator Specialists are about to embark on a new chapter at a swanky new site on Main Road, Hope. "We have outgrown the current shop,” says owner Bradley Evans.

“We need more space and better access to keep doing what we do.” Bradley proudly carries forward the legacy initiated by his parents, Barry and Linda, who laid the foundation stones of this automotive business back in 1993. With his wife Malita and his sister Sharlane working alongside, Bradley says this is part of what continues to fuel his passion for the industry.

The new Main Rd Hope site offers a host of opportunities. With a significantly larger premises, the business can now expand its services and accommodate more substantial commercial projects, and continue to offer a comprehensive array of services, catering

to all automotive needs.

“We also offer full support for classic car engine upgrades and conversions, mig and tig welding, and work on all exhausts and radiators - whether custom, factory, vintage and more - along with all LVV Certification work.”

Richmond Exhaust and Radiator Specialists is not just ‘the best place to take a leak’, as their tag-

line suggests, it's a testament to the dedication of its team.

The passion runs deep throughout the family as Bradley himself has an extensive history with all thing's ‘motorsport’, his parents met at the stockcars in the 70’s, Malita has a Valiant and an early V8 Falcon, and Sharlane even has two vintage Chryslers of her own.

"It is always a highlight to keep a

small family-owned and operated business going and to provide our services to the industry, along with getting to work on some of the most incredible cars ever built - and being trusted with the cars to do so!

“Many incredible customers have become friends over the years, and being able to share and teach my children hands-on what I do

adds an extra layer of fulfilment. We are true fanatics with years of experience with classic cars, offroad racing, speedway, and circuit racing.

“We love all cars and have rebuilt and rescued many over the years! We are car enthusiasts – this isn't just a job for us!”

Acknowledging all of their wonderful supporters, Bradley says that he and the team are forever grateful for the ongoing backing from the community.

“To everyone, from our garages and everyday customers, and all the commercial contractors and logging crews for their support year after year.

“To my incredible wife Malita holding down the fort while I've spent countless hours getting the new shop ready, my amazing work team, my fantastic mates and colleagues that have all given their spare time and expertise to help in any way they can, my biggest thank you to you all!”

Junior tennis stars sidelined amid coach contract dispute

JACK MALCOLM

Three high-performance junior tennis players have been locked out of training on the region’s only hard-court surface because of a contractual dispute between coaches and a local club.

Despite upcoming competitions scheduled in Australia, contractual stipulations mean Connor Edmonds (15), Ivy Scutt (15), and Charlotte McCashin (14) have been unable to train at the Richmond Tennis Club.

The club’s courts are the only public courts in the region with hard-court facilities instead of astroturf or concrete, which makes a significant difference at the high-performance level.

The Richmond club has an exclusive coaching contract with Z Tennis and its owner Kolie van Zyl. The contract stipulates that no other coach can operate on the courts, the only exception is if the player is ranked in the top five nationally.

The three young players are coached by John Gardiner, who has tried to negotiate a deal to coach them on the courts including offering $3200. However, the Richmond club have said in a statement to Waimea Weekly it is simply impossible to allow that to happen.

“I understand the desire to have certain players coached by a certain coach at the Richmond Tennis Club, but unless they meet the criteria of the contract, this is not possible.”

Waimea Weekly understands other tennis coaches have similar exclusive coaching contracts at other clubs but are willing to allow

personal coaches on the courts for the benefit of young players and the sport.

Charlotte says while it’s not as severe as transitioning from clay or grass, there are still significant and noticeable differences going from astroturf to a hard-court.

“It’s all really slow on the turf courts, they’re really old courts too.

“These [Richmond] courts are reasonably new, the ball travels faster, and I think it’s much more important to train [on].”

Connor says the balls bounce differently on the turf courts and

the way you’re able to slide to the ball.

His father, Clint Edmonds, says it’s sad to see kids with potential miss out on opportunities because of something outside of their control.

Charlotte’s mother, Kate McCashin, says not being able to train on hard-courts is holding the players back.

“These are the top juniors, and, yes, they can book a court and have a hit, but they can’t be coached.

“We go to tournaments, and it takes a match or two to get used

to the difference [in court surface].”

Ivy’s mother Georgie Hoby Scutt says these are a critical three years in terms of development for young tennis players’ games and it’s “illogical” they couldn’t make a solution happen.

“The kids are getting caught in a tug of war,” says Clint. “We’re almost getting to the point we’re almost past it.

“We’re constantly playing catchup and it’s getting harder and harder.

“Time is ticking.”

Kate says Z Tennis was offered

$3200 a year for the three children to have access onto the Richmond courts with the coach of their choice, but so far that’s been turned down.

Kolie van Zyl was approached for comment and directed questions to the Richmond Tennis Club. John Gardiner was also approached for comment.

Nelson Bays Tennis Association was approached for comment but could not provide a representative until they had a board meeting on Monday, March 11, after the publication of this edition, where this issue will be discussed.

Charlotte McCashin and Connor Edmonds both say they just want to play tennis and the contractual dispute that excludes them from playing on Richmond Tennis Club’s courts has negatively impacted their development. Photo: Sara Hollyman.

World Record in all but name for young sprinter

JACK MALCOLM

Rhian Douglas can now call himself one of the fastest 14-year-olds in world history.

The young sprinter eclipsed the previous world best time over 300 metres for a 14-year-old, which had stood for almost 40 years, by 0.19 seconds on Saxton’s track last Wednesday (6 March) when he ran a 34.41. And the only reason it’s not a World Record? Because of the requirement for timing apparatuses such as machines which can record if a runner’s reaction time is inside the human limit and they haven’t just luckily jumped the gun. But having beaten the previous record by such a significant margin, Rhian says

“it wouldn’t really matter” because he’d still have time to spare.

Having already held the New Zealand age grade records for 14-year-olds in the 100m (10.9 seconds), 200m (22.39s), and 400m (49.19s), Rhian says the 300-metre distance is normally just done for training.

But his coach Tony Aikenhead noticed that the times were close to breaking the previous record and they decided to give it a crack.

And in his third attempt at breaking the previous world’s best, Rhian came home with a time that surprised even him.

While Tony had been at the 200-metre mark with a stopwatch shouting his time so he knew if he was on pace, Rhian says that last gasp was

as hard as any race he’s done before.

“We do 300 (metres) for 400 (metres) training because doing the 400 just kills you.

“But it was still tough. At the end of it I was just as bad as I am after a 400. I’m pretty stiff now (two days later).”

Rhain also got assistance on the run from his training partner Nat Kirk, who was a paceman for his attempts through the first 200 metres. Nat ran in the outside lanes, which, given the stagger in sprinting, meant that Rhian always had a target he was trying to chase down.

He says he wouldn’t have been able to break the record without Nat. This week, Rhian will race the 100m, 200m and 400m at Nationals in Wellington before travelling to Timaru in April.

Rhian Douglas has been on a tear with his recent sprinting results, with a new world best time over 300 metres ever recorded by a 14-year-old, 34.41 seconds.

Photo: Nat Kirk.

Bowls group grows

Over the past seven years, various small bowling clubs around Brightwater, Wakefield, and Richmond have folded due to dwindling numbers.

However, what’s morphed from that is a team of around 46 bowls players who meet at the Hope Hall each week for a social game and a chin wag.

“Those who come to the Tuesday sessions enjoy connecting and having a good time, we are a very social club,” says Hope Social Bowls president Robin Ashley.

The group has been coming together for almost five years now.

Many of the people who attend say their main motivation for going is the great social connection and exercise.

Newcomer Barbara Grayson says she enjoys the casualness and friendliness of the group.

“You move around more here which gives you a chance to get to meet more people, there are also good little social get-togethers,” Barbara says.

Setting up their specialised bowl-

ing mats, and bowls, in the Hope Hall means that Tuesday bowls can go ahead rain or shine.

Long-time member Sandra Ashley says it also prevents members from being exposed to the harsh sun on hot days.

A lot of the players have been bowling for over ten years, and with sunlight streaming in the windows and some members with deteriorating eyesight the group recently self-funded sets of brightly coloured bowls.

“Traditionally bowls are played with black and brown bowls, however, in certain light and with failing eyesight or if your colour challenged, the black and brown are very hard to tell apart and you need two sets of different coloured bowls to play,” says Robin.

“By having these bright yellow and orange bowls it’s a lot easier.”

Bowling balls aren’t cheap at around $100 dollars a bowl and each set has eight bowls. However, Robin says the investment has been well worth it and has encouraged more people to get involved and join the Hope Bowls Social group.

ROUND 4

Louise Sangster 12

Flynn Drummond 12

Michelle Westrupp 12

Dave Fuller 9

George Crosbie

PTS CRUSADERS V HURRICANES

REBELS V REDS

FORCE V MOANA

HIGHLANDERS V BRUMBIES

CHIEFS V DRUA

WARATAHS V BLUES

Grant Chaney 11

Shelley Illingworth 12

Logan Stewart

Brad Evans

Peter Wilson 11

ELOISE MARTYN

Some of the 46 Hope Social Bowls club members say they enjoy coming together for a casual, social, friendly bowls session each Tuesday. Photo: Eloise Martyn.

Brothers Tate and Callum Burns prepare for their race on Saturday at Lake Rotoiti as part of the Rotoiti Powerboat Club Regatta. Competing in the club class for juniors it was Tate who beat his brother in the first of their races. Callum did say with a grin on his face that his brother had “no more skill, just a faster boat”. The brothers live in Richmond. Photo: Steve Page.

Halbergs: from community to competition

Joseph Tebbutt first attended the Halberg Games in 2017 and says the experience was invaluable as they seek funding for the largest team in the region’s history which is set to attend later this year. Photo: Supplied.

Sport JACK MALCOLM

The Nelson-Tasman Halberg Games team need your support to make their dreams a reality.

With the largest local team in history and costs estimated to be $1000 per person to attend the games in Auckland, the team is looking for funding to get themselves to the starting line.

With 15 participants and 15 support people signed up from the region, $10,000 has already been secured, but there’s still a long way to go.

The Halberg games enable young people with disabilities to participate in an arena with other kids from all over the country, giving them an insight into an elite sporting environment.

This event has been described as “profound” by families participating in the games, making connections and uncovering potential that may never be realised through mainstream programmes.

Joseph Tebbutt attended the games for the first time in

2017 and is excited to be going for another time.

“It was a really good experience for me to get involved in sport and connect with other people my age with disabilities,” he says. His mother, Erica Tebbutt, who is a support person for the Halberg Games, says the experience is invaluable.

“There are so many amazing opportunities and connections made at the Games and we are so thankful for our community’s support in helping the kids represent our regions.”

The Halberg Games, which will take place in mid-April, are open to anyone with a physical or visual impairment. Around 200 young people aged eight to 21 are expected to attend.

The three-day event is held every year, with 20 different disability sports, recreation and play opportunities available to the attendees and Paralympics staff on hand to interact and help create a memorable experience.

It’s also common for some of the biggest sporting stars

in the country to attend the games, reminding the kids that everyone started somewhere and they can achieve and conquer limiting beliefs or goals.

Despite the support the attendees have already received, with DJ Blair Kiddey and The Breeze radio station deserving mention for their support and Nelson Airport sponsoring a digital advertising campaign to help appeal to local businesses and raise awareness, they haven’t reached the finish line yet.

Every little bit counts as the team cracks into preparations for the games.

A Givealittle page and a bank account through the Nelson Host Lions Club, who has been at the forefront of the fundraising effort, have been set up.

If you would like to get behind the team, donations can be made through the account number 03-13540596205-03, with Halberg in the reference, or also at givealittle.co.nz/cause/helpget-our-nelsontasman-kidsto-the-halberg.

Showhome

Community Notices

MONDAY

DOCUMENTARY: EASTER IN ART at Richmond Library. Monday 25 Mar. 6:30pm. Bookings Essential. Ph 03 543 8500 to register.

PHILOSOPHY GROUP meets in Trafalgar Hall, 67 Trafalgar St., Nelson, on the 2nd and 4th Monday each month at 10am. All welcome. Text Zoe: 027-974-1758

NELSON 500 CARDS GROUP meets Mondays 1.30pm at the Hearing House 354 Trafalgar square. ph Barbara 0275606777

OSTEOACTIVE, fitness for those with osteoarthritis, seated/ standing exercises, strength and balance, dual tasking, exercising can help reduce pain, Mondays 10.00am at the Holy Trinity Hall, 27 Dorset Street, Richmond. Nicola 021 0788609

WAIMEA SOROPTIMIST Meet on 2nd & last Monday of the month in Richmond. Join us in working together to transform the lives of woman & girls. For more info. email siwaimea@siswp.org

LIGHTHOUSE SPIRITUAL AWARENESS. Mondays 7.30pm (Except Public Hols). Talks, clairvoyance, healing. Trafalgar St Hall, opp Trailways. Ph Carolyn 0272474644

TUESDAY

WELLBY TALKING CAFÉ: 10am – 11.30am, Tuesday 19th March, McCashin’s, Stoke. Wellby Talking Cafés are about social connection & finding out about groups, activities & services. www.wellby.org.nz 03 5467681.

ANNABEL SCHULER AUTHOR TALK. Richmond Library. Tuesday 19 March 1.00pm – 2.00pm. Biography of ground-breaking journalist, writer and mountaineer Constance Barnicoat.

LUNCH ON THE HILL. Come join us for hot drinks at 11am and lunch at noon on Tuesday the 19th of March. Koha welcome. 27 Dorset St, Richmond. Ph (03) 5448844

NELSON 50+ WALKING GROUP Tuesday March 19th. Baton Swingbridge. If car pooling meet at 8.30am at Ben Cooper Park, West Ave, Richmond. AlterNATIVELY MEET AT TAPAWERA/ Baton Road at 9.45. BYO lunch. Contact Haydn 027 248 8064

NZ CHRISTIAN WRITERS Nelson Group. Tues 19 Mar. Richmond Baptist Church Lounge. 1-4pm. Open to writers at all stages - wanna-be writers to published authors of all ages & whatever genre you use. Contact Kay 0275476777 or kaypeterson4@xtra.co.nz

HOPE INDOOR BOWLING CLUB. Playing Tuesday nights Hope Hall 7pm. All ages welcome.Wear soft soled shoes. First 2 nights free. Phone Bill 5449273.

RICHMOND TENNIS CLUB social tennis 6pm onwards. Open to club players, visitors & members of other clubs. FREE Contact 0274 872 480

BETTER BREATHERS: 60-minute series of guided exercises done seated or standing, specifically designed to help those with breathing difficulties. Club Waimea – 10am Tuesdays & Fridays. Contact Jess 027 546 7675.

LINEDANCING DIANE Mon Tues Stoke Warnes Hall 9am All levels. We are a caring Community. 0274 491 569 Dianeneil6@ gmail.com

DEMENTIA FRIENDLY LIBRARY GROUP at Richmond Library. If you are living with Dementia, this group is for you. Come along to this supportive, friendly group at your familiar local library. Every Tuesday 10:30am – 11.30am Free.

STOKE TAHUNANUI MEN’S CLUB welcomes new members. Meeti 10am 3rd Tues monthly with guest speaker. 15 Burrough Pl, Enner Glynn. Regular outings & activities. Ph Ian 0211482580

WEDNESDAY

‘MUSICAL NOTES’ A music appreciation group at Richmond Library. Wednesday 20 March 10.30am - 11.30am. This session will focus on Tchaikovsky’s popular ‘The Nutcracker Suite’ Op 71a.

CENTRAL GARDEN CLUB, meets every second Wednesday of each month at the Methodist Church Hall , Neale Avenue Stoke. 1,30 pm, New Members most welcome. Guest speakers , followed by afternoon tea. Enquiries phone Lynn or Bob 0275418448.

C AKE DECORATORS meeting is on Wedn 20 March. Come and learn how to make a 2D Easter Bunny out of sugar paste. Your 2D Easter Bunny can sit on the side of your cake or lie flat on top of your

cake. Contact Desiree 0276302359

DEADLINE: MIDDAY FRIDAY - 30 WORDS OR LESS BY EMAIL ONLYPLEASE SEND TO: events@waimeaweekly.co.nz

SING YOUR LUNGS OUT: A fun filled singing class for those with respiratory conditions. No singing experience is necessary. Wednesdays 10.30am, Reformed Church Nelson. Contact Jess 027 546 7675.

THURSDAY

RICHMOND CREATIVE FIBRE Meets at Birchwood Hall, Richmond Showgrounds. 9.30am second,rd & 4th Thursdays of the month. Come & meet others who enjoy working with fibre.Ph 5445023 (Janie).

‘BEST ME’ WORKSHOPS with Wendy Strawbridge from Health Action Trust. Richmond Library. Thursdays in March, 1.00pm2.00pm. 7 March: Habits – Help or Harm? Free.

JUDO 20A Gladstone Rd (upstairs Waimea Old Boys Rugby) Juniors Thursday 5-6pm. Seniors/Competitive Tuesday/Thursday 6pm. Pee wees Thursday 4.30 pm. Contact Michelle 0275422254

NELSON CITY PROBUS CLUB welcome both men & women. Meet 2nd Thurs each month (Feb-November) at 10 am, The Nelson Golf Club, 38 Bolt Rd, Tahunanui. Contact the Secretary nelsoncitygroupgmail.com

WAIMEA COMBINED FRIENDSHIP GROUP meet monthly at 9.45am 3rd Thurs of month in Hope Church, Ranzau Rd for Friendship, Fellowship & Learning. Contact Denise on 027 765 000 or Rosalie on 027 249 1080.

RICHMOND WELCOME GROUP: Do you want to make new friends join a friendly group for coffee and a chat.10am on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at Paragon Cafe Langdale Drive Richmond . Ansley/Phillip 5410 350 or 0272212943

FRIDAY

FRENCH CONVERSATION group at Honest Lawyer Stoke OR Victoria Rose Trafalgar St. between 4 and 6pm every Friday. Look for French flag

BETTER BREATHERS: a series of guided exercises - seated or standing - to help those with breathing difficulties. Run by Nelson

Asthma Society at Club Waimea – 10am Tuesdays and Fridays. Contact Jess 027 546 7675.

SONGBIRDS LADIES CHOIR, Fri mornings - we practice in Stoke. New female singers welcome. If you enjoy singing & can hold a tune, give me a call. Ph: Mary 035448232 or 0211334805.

WAIMEA LADIES FRIENDSHIP CLUB welcomes new members Interesting speakers, morning tea, dining out, outings. 3rd Fri each month 9.45am. Richmond Church of Christ, corner Croucher and D’arcy Sts. Ph: Bev 5441469

SATURDAY

CAR BOOT MARKET Richmond Baptist Church, 123 Salisbury Road Saturday 16th March 8am-Noon, open for stall holders from 6.30am. Heaps of bargains, yummy food and free coffee. Facebook –“RBC Bootmarket” Contact: Mark 0224695367

QUALITY CRAFTS NELSON Richmond Baptist Church 123 Salibury Rd, Saturday 16 March 8am – noon. Walk through the Boot Market to the Church Lounge to find us. We have a wide selection of quality local handmade crafts with something suitable for everyone! Contact Kay 0275476777 for further details.

RICHMOND TENNIS CLUB social tennis 1.30 - 3pm. Open to club players, visitors & members of other clubs. FREE. Contact 0274 872 480

FREE GUIDED MEDITATION Meet Saturdays 3pm under the white pergola of Washbourne Gardens. Relax, unwind and enjoy inner peace & stillness. meditaterichmond@gmail.com for questions. Absolutely Free

SUNDAY

WAIMEA MUSIC CLUB meets at Methodist Church Hall, Neale Ave, Stoke on Sunday, 17th March at 1.15pm. All welcome. Enquiries ph. Jim 5449446 or Clive 0211431138

CALLING ALL FORMER WEST COASTERS You are invited to attend a special 10 am Sunday service for you on May 19th at the Nelson Tasman Methodist Parish church at 94 Neale Ave Stoke. Ian Davidson ex Hokitika will be the guest speaker. Contact Shona McLean at shona.mclean138@gmail.com or PaulTregurtha on

546 4358 for more details

ELYSIUM WIDOW AND WIDOWERS GROUP to meet for lunch Sunday 24th March, midday at Ben & Maxxi, Queen Street. Ring Margaret 027 2600748

LEARNING FROM THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS and trying to follow/live as Christians. All Welcome. Waimea Intermediate School Hall Sunday’s 4:30 - 5:30 pm Tuesday’s 7:30 - 8:30 pm

HIGGINS HERITAGE PARK, 222 Pigeon Valley Rd Wakefield open day Sunday 17th March 10am-3pm. Jigger & Honey Barrell rides, model trains & museum sheds open. A great place for a picnic. www.higginsheritagepark.co.nz

SUNDAY MEDITATION - Chandrakirti Meditation Centre welcomes everyone 289 Sunrise Valley Rd, Upper Moutere 10am to 11.30 am every Sunday followed by free lunch.

GENERAL GROUPS

PENNY STURROCK EXHIBITION at Richmond Library Pop in & see Penny’s bright bold artworks. Free. Opening hours during March U3A – Interest groups and social activities for the over-55s. From quiz mornings to walking groups, digital photography to wine appreciation. Meet like-minded inquisitive people who share your interests. www.u3anelson.org.nz

FREE TRAINING: NEW CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU VOLUNTEERS! Qualifications Needed: Common Sense, Some Life Expeence, Enquiring mind! Information Pack Available from Citizens Advice Bureau Nelson Tasman, phone 03 5482117, nelsontasman@cab.org.nz Applications close on 31. March 2024.

WAIMEA MENZSHED - catering for the interests, health and well-being of men since 2010. The shed is open Monday - Friday at Richmond Park, 384 Lower Queen St. Inquiries: mens.shed. waimea@gmail.com 027 2820185.

RICHMOND TENNIS CLUB PICKLEBALL Gladstone Rd, Demo racquets & balls available. Call 0274872480. Monday 6 - 8pm, Tuesday 9.30am - 11.30am Wednesday 6 - 8pm, Friday 9.30 - 11.30am. Tuesday morning: 9.30 - noon. Social tennis at Richmond Tennis Club.

Community Notices are free to community groups, schools, churches, gold coin donation events and fundraising. Due to the popularity of this column,while every effort will be made, inclusion cannot be guaranteed for free ads. If you want to place a business advert or want to advertise a course you are running, please call classified ads and public notices on 544 9037.

GARAGE SALE

Sat 16th March 7am

27 Marlborough Cres Richmond

Deco couch, single beds, wetsuit, near new bike, clothing, books, bric brac

TO RENT

Semi retired couple, No pets, No smoking. A new build starting possibly May required us to rent for 5 to 6 months.

Anything considered.

Please Phone Margaret or Dave on 03 5448462 or 0221533451.

653 935 or 548 5235.

TO LET

Your to let ad here.

Phone 544 9037

FOR SALE

Your For Sale ad here.

Phone 544 9037

WANTED

Your wanted ad here.

Phone 544 9037

ANNOUNCEMENT

WANTED

Your wanted ad here.

Phone 544 9037

FOR SALE

Your For Sale ad here.

Phone 544 9037

TO LET

Your to let ad here.

Phone 544 9037

FOR RENT

Your for rent ad here.

Phone 544 9037.

ANTIQUES

FURNITURE, COLLECTABLES, ART Huge selection of Furniture, Rugs, Toys, Books, Paintings, Clocks, China, Glass, etc+ The Unusual! Specials for “real people” who come in person! “New stock just arrived” - including a Toy Collection, Tools, NZ Books, Rare Clocks, NZ & English Painting. Sell-Buy-Value (Over 30 years experience)

@ Souchebys Antiques,92,Bateup Rd ( Adjoining McMillans/Alchemy Arts Pottery),Richmond

Please note the easy access & parking here at our new location

Open Mon - Sat. ph 035440723 or 021417413 www.antiquesnewzealand.co.nz

FOR RENT

Your for rent ad here. Phone 544 9037

FOR SALE

Your For Sale ad here. Phone 544 9037.

The right