Ashburton Courier: March 12, 2020

Local news at www.starnews.co.nz Ashburton's The Courier, Thursday March 12, 2020, Page 27
Expo keeps seniors connected
Services, activities and agencies available for
ageing people in the district were on show at
the Positive Ageing Expo at the Hotel
Ashburton last week.
The event, organised by Age Concern
Ashburton, saw nearly 80 stalls take part
offering anything from gardening and bridge
clubs, to welfare organisations, religious
groups, gyms, musical societies, travel companies,
health services and aged care
facilities. There were also live kitchen fire
displays from Fire and Emergency New
Zealand and the AshVegas Alive hip­hop
dance crew performed.
Age Concern Ashburton president Trish
Small was delighted with the turnout of
people and the number of stallholders keen
to show people ways to lead full and active
lives.
“There’s been aconstant flow of people,”
she said, during the event.
Among the stallholders were Karen
Young and Almond Royds, of the Tinwald
Gardening Club. The club has around 45
members who meet regularly to appreciate
gardens and the art of floral decoration. The
women had some impressive bouquets and
floral arrangements on their stall which
shimmered in the light.
The secret to the shimmer was hairspray,
which when sprayed on afinished arrangement
gives asilvery shine to the petals and
leaves.
Ashburton Bridge Club members Mary
Buckland, Johnny Wright, Trish Downward
and Rona Brownlie played agame of bridge
to showcase their club. The quartet was
seated around asquare table playing agame
or two of bridge and answering questions
from curious passers­by.
The bridge club has astrong membership
Manning the Age Concern Ashburton's
stall are Margaret Cullimore (left) and
Jan McClelland.
of around 140 people and had just started its
beginner training classes for people wanting
to get into the game.
But they were also keen to hear from
people who may have been away from the
game and were keen for some refresher
training.
Also on site were Fire and Emergency
New Zealand fire risk management officers
Bevan Findlay and Craig Chambers who
highlighted some of the most common
causes of fire around the home, such as
overloaded multi­boards, overheating computers,
clogged chimneys and clothes being
dried too close to heat sources.
The biennial expo was a way to keep
people connected and make sure they stay
healthy and active in their golden years.
Ashburton Bridge Club members Mary
Buckland (facing camera) and Johnny
Wright play bridge at the expo.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand fire
risk management officers Bevan
Findlay (front) and Craig Chambers
explain the risks of unattended cooking.
Club news
U3A Ashburton
U3A’s February speaker was Emeritus Professor
Dave Craw from Otago University. Dave is well
known for his research into gold and environmental
issues surrounding gold mining and he is the
author of many papers onthis subject.
Recipient of the University’s Distinguished
Research Medal, Dave’s fascinating and lively
presentation –particularly addressing Biogeochemical
Pathways, i.e. the role that bacteria play in
gold crystallization and nugget growth ­left many
members wanting to hear more onthe subject.
He aptly explained why Otago and Southland
provinces have prolific gold measures in comparison
to Mid Canterbury, however he did lay to rest
any doubt about the conjecture that gold can be
found in the Rakaia River. Indeed it can!
Altrusa International of Ashburton
This month we had avisit at our regularbusiness
meeting from the Altrusa District Fifteen (New
Zealand) Governor Maria MacKay and the
District Fifteen Foundation chairman Jeanette
Halcrow. We were informed we are the largest club
in New Zealand, with 44 members currently, and
one Emeritus member. These numbers are also
growing.
Preparations for our MagicMums day at the end
of this month are progressing well, with anumber
of donations from local businesses wanting be
involved greatly appreciated.
The Stillborn Memorial in the Ashburton
Cemetery has been given awelcome facelift, with
help from members, husbands and expert assistance
from Dell Philips. This is afine focalpoint for
parents wishing to remember their loved and lost
babies.
In conjunction with our Ashburton Library,
Altrusadelivers books to people who are no longer
able to visit the library. Books are chosen by the
librarians, and are picked up and delivered by an
Altrusan on a fortnightly basis. The number of
books varies,depending on the recipient's needs. If
you are interested in this freeservice, do phonethe
Ashburton Library (308 7192) to be added to the
list.