Page 6, <strong>Ashburton</strong>'s The <strong>Courier</strong>, Thursday <strong>March</strong> <strong>26</strong>, <strong>2020</strong> Spruceup for military plots By Toni Williams Air Training Corp (ATC) cadets of 24 Squadron got some historical learnings at the <strong>Ashburton</strong> Cemetery this week, cleaning the headstones of deceased military personnel. It was their final unit outing, with group activities put on hold until further notice because of Covid19. Training moves into an online class forum. Nine cadets, and their leaders, with scrubbing brushes and water buckets in hand, spent five hours at the cemetery on Sunday respectfully cleaning down and repainting faded inscriptions, some of which dated back to men who served during the Boer War in at the turn of the century. There are others scattered around the cemetery who took up with the defence forces including the Royal Air Force, Imperial Forces and New Zealand Military Forces, doing roles such as field artillery, machine gun squadron, rifle brigade, electrical and mechanical engineers, drivers or medical corps, to name afew. They came from around New Zealand, but also include internationals serving with the likes of Canada and Australian forces. ATC unit commander Luke Sutton said the cleanup was part of the ATC’s <strong>2020</strong> Heritage Project but was also being done in association with the New Zealand Remembrance Army. Cadets used BioShield product to remove stubborn lichen and moss, but mostly water and muscle power, before applying the paint. Typically veterans’ headstones were placed into three types, with three bodies who looked after them; the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (for those who died in the two World Wars), Veterans Affairs (for those who died during service or near to service) and those in the Returned Services Association Air Training Corp cadet in training Lochlainn Hall (standing) and cadet Andy Armour put elbow grease to good use cleaning RSA service plot headstones at the <strong>Ashburton</strong> Cemetery. plots. On average each headstone, with basic clean and paint, cost $2 to clean, but the newerstyled bronze headstones, needing added product to clean, were $10 each. Mr Sutton said nationwide the army, which are all volunteers, were looking for sponsorship to keep the cleaning options operating. He said any family members who knew of headstones, whether they were on farm land, or remote plots, which needed some attention could contact the RSA who would pass on the information. While <strong>Ashburton</strong>’s Army cadets have in the past focused on war memorials around the district, the ATC cadets will focus on RSA headstones at the <strong>Ashburton</strong> Cemetery before looking at Rakaia, and Methven cemeteries at alater date. Right: With aclean and some paint, just like new. Tourism operators in scary times International and domestic travel restrictions are likely to hurt operators for monthstocome. Experience Mid Canterbury manager BruceMoffat said local accommodation providers had reported anumber of cancellations of forward bookings in recent days. Those bookings amounted to between$400,000 and $500,000 and that lost income would only climb over the coming weeks. The loss of revenue impacted the localeconomy and was mirrored across the country. ‘‘These lossesare hugefor small business operators and it is scary times at the moment for tourism businesses.’’ Mr Moffat said official tourism spend statistics published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment would start to reflect and measure the downturn in tourism spend. For the year to <strong>March</strong> <strong>2020</strong>, he expected the local spend tofall between $3 million and $5 million to around$189m. Mr Moffat said the tourism market would bounce back, but when that would be, was the big unknown. Local news at www.starnews.co.nz Power supply no issue EA Networks is reassuring the Mid Canterburycommunitythat the currentCovid19situation poses no direct threat to their networks. The business willcontinue to provide the region with essential electricityand fibreservices throughout the pandemic situation. The companyhas no concerns about thepower andfibre networks’ resilience as more and more people beginworking from homeorother remotelocations. ‘‘Our networks are comparatively new androbust,we don’t foresee any issuesaspeople change how and when theyaccess these networks,’’said network manager Brendon Quinn. Of critical importance is the health andwellbeing of staff who respond to network emergencies andfaults. The company is taking precautionsto guard against transmission withinits workforce. ‘‘The greatestconcern forusis the potential impact on our staff numbers,’’ Mr Quinn said. ‘‘Weneedpeople to be readyto respond to typical network events andfaultsday and night. ‘‘This is whyweare taking a verycautiousapproach.’’ The company hasfollowed government recommendations such ashavingstaffworkfrom homeand selfisolating. In addition, asecond operatingsite has beensetuptoallow greater physical separationofpeople. Thiswill allowthe company to splitteams into two operating environments,whichishoped will reduce spreadofany infections. ‘‘We recognise the seriousness of thesituation and theimportant partweall playensuringthatrisk of transmission is reduced. ‘‘We want to assureour community that we areworking hardtoimplement new measures to protect the public andour staff so we cancontinue to provide essential power services.’’ Furtherupdates on howEA Networksismanaging its responsetothe Covid19 pandemic can be found on thecooperative’s website eanetworks. co.nz. Smokefree domain plea Purpose. Environment. Partnership.Innovation. Excellence. • DairyNZ accreditedEffluent Pond Design andConstruction • Pond Constructionand Irrigation Development • Hedgeand Stump Removal • Farm Conversions • DairyTracks– Lime or Gravel • PumpHire • Wellsand Galleries • Bulk Earthworks • Subdivisions • Site Works • Tree Shear • Transportation 2<strong>26</strong>2549 Smokefree Mid Canterbury wants the entire <strong>Ashburton</strong> Domain to be smoke and vape free. Health promotersCarly McDowell and Mandy Casey from the smokefree organisation are among more than 40 people to have already made submissions to the <strong>Ashburton</strong> DistrictCouncil on its longterm development plan for the domain. Feedback is open until April 5. Many of the submissions received so far supportretaining the <strong>Ashburton</strong> Bowling Club in its current location;council had proposed moving the 125yearold club to aless central part of the domain or offsite altogether. The bowlingclub would be replaced by acentral information hub, one of manynew or redesigned features on the longterm domain plan. Anew access of Walnut Avenue, near the walkway, is also proposed. Smokefree Mid Canterbury says many areas of the domain are already smokefree,including playgrounds and sports field. But the gardens are not and the organisation wantsthe whole domain area fully endorsed as smokefree and vape free. ‘‘With the new plan’s goal,of celebrating the waterways, where a play environment for children and families is encouraged, it is especially important we focus on providing asmokefree location for all to enjoy.’’ Smokefree environments provided positive smokefree rolemodelling, encouraged and supported others to quit.The organisation also wants new and more smokefree and vape free signs. Edith Smith,for <strong>Ashburton</strong> Forest and Bird,said native biodiversity should be apriorityin the development plan because original vegetation across the wider plans was disappearing. ‘‘This is an opportunity to connect <strong>Ashburton</strong>ians with the natural heritage of their district.’’ Native species could be used along the waterways. She said the aviary should also be disbanded because it was an unnatural environment, receiving negative comments. ‘‘Why not focus on nativevegetation trees and shrubs to attract native birdlife.’’
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