Bay Harbour: February 26, 2020

Wednesday February 26 2020
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
BAY HARBOUR
PAGE 11
Your Local Views
Godley Gifts presented
to Lyttelton community
MP Ruth
Dyson writes
about the
presentation
of a limited
edition book
set named
Godley
Gifts to the
Lyttelton
community
IT WAS A real privilege to be
involved in a very special event
in Lyttelton where a presentation
of an important part of the
history of Canterbury was made.
The John Robert Godley
Memorial Trust gifted number
50 of the limited edition of 100
Godley Gifts to the Lyttelton
community.
The 50th edition was chosen
in recognition of the 1850 arrival
in Lyttelton.
Godley Gifts is a trilogy.
Volume one is written by wellknown
local man, David
McPhail and introduces four
people, James Edward Fitzgerald,
John Robert Godley,
Charlotte Wynne (married to
Godley) and their four-year-old
son Arthur.
Volume two is an exact replica
copy of Seadrift, the children’s
story book that FItzgerald wrote
The Sea2Sky Challenge,
an event where there is
something for everyone
The Brad Richards Building Sea2Sky
Challenge offers an end of summer test for
the serious athlete as well as those that
are just wanting to give it a try. Amongst
all the entrants four competitive cousins
are counting down to the upcoming event,
starting at Scarborough Beach on Sunday,
29 March.
Tom Newsom (12), Felicity Newsom (10),
Willow Richards (7) and Max Richards (5)
have started training for the popular local
race, which promises “something for
everyone”. Regular competitors Tom and
Felicity will be competing in the Junior
Triathlon category. Willow and challenge
newcomer Max, are racing in the kids
aquathon.
The fifth edition of the challenge has
partnered with local company, Brad
Richards Building, as this year’s principal
race sponsor. Director Amanda Richards,
who is also Willow and Max’s mother,
co-trainer and support crew, said the
cousins are “very excited” to all be in the
same race together.
and illustrated in Lyttelton
with 32 full page drawings, for
Arthur.
And volume three is Fitzgerald’s
collection of 34 watercolours,
a “photo” album of the
time, recalling the ship’s voyage
from England to New Zealand,
and significant places on his
arrival.
Trustee, Haydn Rawstron,
gave a stunning outline of the
history of Godley and Fitzgerald
surrounded by reproductions
of all 66 watercolours, on public
display for the first time ever.
Architectural historian Jenny
May and Deputy Mayor Andrew
Turner expanded this story into
the Lyttelton and Canterbury
history. What an afternoon of
learning!
The Lyttelton Museum is in
the process of being restored
following the earthquakes and
the Godley Gifts will be stored at
the Lyttelton Library until the
Museum is rebuilt on the site
gifted by the city council, next to
the library.
There are plans for the works
to be available for viewing on
request at the library and I
certainly hope that lots of people
are able to take the opportunity
to see them and learn more
about this slice of our history.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be supporting
Sea2Sky. It’s an amazing local event and
one we can all enjoy and get the kids
involved in,” Richards said.
Traditionally a triathlon/duathlon challenge,
event director John Newsom has added a
scenic 17km run category for 2020 taking
in the Captain Thomas track, the Summit
Road and Godley Head track. “I’ve been
lucky enough to train and race all around
the world. This course, with the trails, hills
and stunning views is still my favourite run
anywhere,” Newsom said.
The full Sea2Sky Challenge offers individual
and team options for both triathlon and
duathlon (run/bike/run). For students, and
those not yet up for the full challenge, there
is the “Try a Tri/Du” and junior races. Finally,
the Kids Aquathon is a great introduction to
the sport for 5-9 year old children.
Making a bid for freedom
FOR THOSE of you who read
last week’s column about Vittoria’s
love of song and dance, I’ve got a
classic addendum to that.
We took a family outing on
Saturday to the multi-cultural festival
in Linwood which featured a
heap of music and dance performances.
Including a group which
included an audience participation
section in their repertoire.
Of course Vittoria wanted to
join in and by chance she was
holding her mother’s hand at the
time. So I got to ‘guard the pram’
and enjoy watching them dance
along to a slow number.
Vittoria aced it. She was in
time, followed the moves correctly
and had a giant smile the whole
time. She was everything I’m not
on a dance floor.
Another hobby she’s been
developing since she started
pre-school is running. Lately
this now includes starting little
races against her parents around
the house, complete with “riddy,
stiddy, doh”. The last part is usually
yelled back at us when she’s
halfway to the finish line.
I mention this as she used her
surprising turn of speed to –
literally – keep me on my toes
when we took her to Sparks later
Saturday night.
Mere minutes after setting up our
picnic blanket, young road runner
set off in the direction of the stage. I
PLOTTING: Cozy and warm,
Vittoria plans her next
freedom sprint.
managed to keep close behind
and she was quickly thwarted by a
busy thoroughfare of people a few
metres from our camp.
The sun was starting to set in
earnest and she let us get some
warm clothes on her. Using playing
with her beanie as a distraction,
she made her way to the edge
of our little camp. As soon as she
saw the coast was clear she took
off, away from the stage this time.
I managed to catch up to her at
a mob of what seemed like 14 to
16-year-olds she seemed keen to
be part of. Fortunately we both
triathlon duathlon trail run
Stunning and
demanding course
sunday
march 29th
VITTORIA
& Matt
www.sea2skychallenge.com
stuck out like sore thumbs in that
group, so it was reasonably easy
to repatriate her back to camp.
Soon after returning she made
another try for the stage again,
but ended up tripping over some
guy’s leg. Thank you lying down
man, you were my only hope.
Clearly, another distraction was
required before her next venture
and one quickly appeared in the
form of a handful of St John stickers.
After 15 minutes of sticking
and unsticking them, she had me
convinced she wouldn’t be taking
off again. But, just as the masterpiece
that is the theme tune to
Jurrasic Park started up, she made
her final bid for freedom.
Heading away from the stage
again, she took off at top speed,
luckily it was near 9pm and
Vittoria’s vim finally reached its
limit. She barely fought it when I
finally caught up to her and was
soon snuggled up in my arms as
the fireworks began.
•Former Bay Harbour News
journalist Matt Salmons has
become a stay-at-home
dad. We follow his journey
weekly.
Individuals, teams, kids
and beginner events
Visit www.sea2skychallenge.com for more
information and to enter