Thursday June 7, 2018
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Rowers’ tree planting for free hire deal a win-win By Jamie Adams
The relatively barren exterior of Kilbirnie’s new multi-club facility is set to look a lot more attractive thanks to the efforts of a local adult Scouting group. Me m b e r s of t h e Newtown-based Regal Rovers crew spent part of the long weekend planting dozens of native trees and shrubs outside the Kilbirnie Crescent entrance to Toitu Poneke “The Hub”. A deal was struck between management and Regal Rovers whereby the crew would do the planting in exchange for free use of its facility
whenever it was needed. “It was done through [Toitu Poneke chairman] Ross Jamieson with the help of the council,” general manager Jamie Collier says. “With the whole redevelopment we want it to look good. “The wall was all the way back before the new building was built and trees had to be cut down. The front was looking a bit tired.” Regal Rovers member Stephanie Briggs says the trees planted are natives that will withstand Wellington’s wind as well as vandals. “It’s a good service project for us; it will help us towards
our Service Awards.” She and fellow Rover Adam Fay, who organised the planting, are thrilled with the opportunity The Hub has presented to them. “This will be used to hold bigger events with other Rover crews. We can hold big meetings here and hold games nights [in the big astroturf room] to encourage Venturers to join,” Stephanie says. Jamie looks forward to not only hosting the Rovers on occasion but also the induction of an eighth sports organisation, with a fencing club to begin training sessions there on Monday.
Regal Rovers Stephanie Briggs and Adam Fay with some of the trees and shrubs they volunteered to plant outside Toitu Poneke during Queen’s Birthday Weekend. PHOTO: Jamie Adams
Cheers as Parrotdog brews take three golds, two trophies By Jamie Adams
A Lyall Bay craft beer brewery is riding high after taking out three gold medals and two Champion (supreme) trophies at the NZ Beer & Cider Awards Parrotdog won the gold medal and Champion trophy with its Forget-me-not in the hotly contested IPA category against more than 110 other brews, and retained its Champion title in the Pilsner category with its Pandemonium. It also won a gold medal for its Falcon Pale Ale. In total it received five medals out of 10 beers that it entered. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded based on the brews’ merits against a standard, meaning several brands could be awarded golds in the same category. Champion trophies are the overall awards given to the gold-winning brands that go head to head in each of their classes.
Head brewer and co-founder Matt Warner says his four-man team are “extremely proud” to win two trophies and three gold medals, considering there were only 14 gold medals awarded this year. “Last year’s entry came out of our old brewery on Vivian St and this year’s entry came out of our brand new brewery in Lyall Bay,” Matt says. “This is a testament to our talented production team for ensuring very high consistency, even when brewing the same recipe across two completely different production facilities with entirely different equipment.” Matt believes their wins were due to their brewing flavoursome, yet balanced, beers. “We try to make sure any highly hopped style beers are balanced with adequate malt bases, and vice versa.” The proceeds of a second round of fundraising late last year is focused on developing
Parrotdog head brewer Matt Warner says his four-person team is extremely proud to win their awards. PHOTO: Supplied
its distribution network, growing local and export sales and launching new products. More than 90 beer and cider makers from New Zealand and overseas entered 584 products into the competition. The entries were blind-judged by a panel of 16 independent expert judges using a collaborative method based on technical excellence, balance, mouthfeel, and most importantly, drinkability.
Wellington brews won five gold medals and champion’s trophies – the leading tally for all regions. Other Wellington winners included Te Arobased Fortune Favours for their “Oregonian All American Amber Ale” and Aro Valley’s Garage Project for their ‘White Mischief’ brew. All the winning brews will be on sale in New World stores throughout this month.