THIS MONTH

ASHBURTON ART GALLERY

ON NOW - until 26 March

LEGACIES

Five short films by five artists attempting to articulate their personal response to the term LEGACIES.

Open Daily 10am – 4pm; Wednesdays 10am – 7pm West Street, Ashburton. ADMISSION FREE.

FUNDRAISING QUIZ NIGHT - ARMADILLOS

Tuesday 7 March, 7pm

Get Ollie Bubb to Romania!

Representing NZ at the Powerlifting Champs. Register teams at: mcbubb101@gmail.com

ASHBURTON EMBROIDERERS GUILD

Saturday 4 & Thursday 23 March, 10.30am – 3.30pm

Thursday 9 March 1 – 3.30pm

Tuesday 21 March 7 – 9pm

Come along and share the pleasure of stitching! Meet at the Seniors Centre, 206 Cameron Street, Ashburton. Everyone welcome.

WOODBURY HARVEST GALA

SATURDAY MARCH 18, 9AM - 3PM

538 Woodbury Rd, Woodbury, Orari Bridge

Picnic and games day celebrating harvest with garden themed stalls, activities and competitions. A fundraising event to maintain the Woodbury Hall.

THE PLAINS VINTAGE RAILWAY & HISTORICAL MUSEUM

SUNDAY 19 MARCH, 11AM – 4PM

TINWALD DOMAIN

There’s something for all the family to enjoy – trains, fire engines, miniature trains, vintage cars and more. Bring a picnic and enjoy a fun, family day at The Plains!

HANNA – ARTS ON TOUR

SUNDAY 19 MARCH, 4PM

Being a young mum is supposed to be hard but for Hanna the only thing she has ever been brilliant at is raising her beloved daughter Ellie. However a DNA test reveals staggering news, Ellie is not Hanna’s Child and now her real parents want to meet. Adults $25 / Group 6+ $20 (fees apply).

RALLY POINT MOBILE FITNESS CLASSES

No excuses about too far to go to the gym –this gym comes to you!

TUTUS ON TOUR

Saturday 11 March, 7pm // Ashburton Trust Event Centre

To begin the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 70th birthday year, Tutus on Tour looks affectionately back at the RNZB’s early days with a collection of works encapsulating the history of ballet. Adult from $35 / Senior from $29.70 / Child from $20 (fees apply).

2023 LEESTON FETE

Saturday 18 March, 10am - 3pm

High Street, Leeston

Leeston Fete is a great day out for the whole family. Well over 100 stalls from all over NZ offering everything from crafts to knitted socks, from plants to wine and cheese and a huge variety of food and drink and entertainment. There’s a dedicated children's area in Anderson Square and the Secret Garden bursting with variety. FREE

LAGMHOR/WESTERFIELD WAR MEMORIAL HALL:

Monday, Wednesday & Friday 6am

LAKE HOOD: (next to rowing club)

Tuesday & Thursday 6am

HINDS DOMAIN:

Monday, Wednesday & Friday 12pm

DORIE COMMUNITY HALL: Monday & Thursday 6pm

Events around our regions may be subject to change at short notice. Check Facebook and websites to keep up to date.

FRONT COVER:

St Patrick’s Day, March 17, falls on a Friday this year and the criú at Kellys Café Bar are ready for a full weekend of shenanigans starting with an Irish Breakfast, Irish Coffees, pints of the black stuff, music and more.

Our thoughts are with those impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. I’ve just learned that Ashburton has adopted Masterton under the cyclone support scheme. Masterton District is farming-based, very similar to our own district,” said Mayor Neil Brown. “We’ve all been seeing the devastating scenes from up North and we want to help in a meaningful way.”

Galentine’s Day last month at The Fine Lion was total genius! We all enjoyed cocktails, bubbles, good food and the company of our favourite people! I honestly don’t remember when I last laughed that hard! It was so much fun, we’ve decided to do it on a regular basis. The group chat is already happening so more fun times to come! On a somewhat similar note, last month Brown Brothers sent me a package of Prosecco to taste and review. Some days, you just have to take the good with the good. Not necessarily a ‘bubbly’ person, I really enjoyed them. And I have a couple of simple recipes using Brown Brothers Prosecco to share, on page 10.

We’re excited to introduce the new National Party candidate for Rangitata, James Meager, and offer you the opportunity to ask him questions in the upcoming months. This issue, Gillian O’Connor asks about the National Party’s priorities and preparedness for natural disasters. See what he has to say on page 7.

There’s lots of great reading, shopping, things to do and places to go in this issue. Make the most of it!

PUBLISHER