Ashburton Courier: May 28, 2020

Page 2, Ashburton's The Courier, Thursday May 28, 2020
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Cyclingenjoys new wave
By Mick Jensen
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It’s been awhirlwind few
months for Ashburton bike
shop owners Paul and Monique
Brake, who are currently riding
awave of cycling resurgence.
The couple, who run Stoked
Cycles on Burnett Street, began
operating in mid­February, but
five weeks later were forced to
shut up shop because of the
Covid­19 lockdown.
The business reopened for
contactless click and collect
bike maintenance under level 3
and since level 2has been flat
out with bike servicing and
sales.
Extra staff have been
employed to meet servicing
demand and some long days
have been put in by the Brakes.
Paul Brake said alot of
people had rediscovered alove
of biking during lockdown, or
had enjoyed the time off to get
on their bikes.
Families and people of all
ages had jumped into the
saddle to get exercise and to
keep their sanity.
‘‘We’re flat out right now,
but Idoexpect things to calm
Stoked Cycles owners Paul and Monique Brake.
down abit soon.
‘‘From abusiness point of
view, it’s been great for us, but
it’s gone from having no work
to having more than we can
handle at times.’’
He said up to 40 bikes had
been lined up for servicing and
repair work in recent days.
He and his team were
catching up with the backlog.
Monique Brake said new
bike sales had also been brisk.
Electric bikes and children’s
bikes had been big sellers
lately.
Mrs Brake said her husband
had been packing in regular
13­hour days and working
weekends to meet demand.
The couple’s three children
had been cared for by willing
grandparents on anumber of
occasions over the past few
diesel, dust, men &machine
by Kevin Freeman
212 East Street,Ashburton. Phone 308 8309
weeks. ‘‘We’re grateful for the
support of family and friends
and we’re also grateful to the
customers who have been
understanding at this very busy
time.’’
The Brakes are looking
forward to getting out on their
bikes as afamily when things
calm down abit, but for now,
they’re happy with the decision
to buy their own business.
Ashburton show goes on, for now
Ashburton A&P secretary
Lucille Brown
By Toni Williams
Organisers of the Ashburton
A&P Show will plough ahead,
planning for an annual show but
keeping the budget in mind.
There is plenty of support for
the two­day event to go ahead as
usual on October 30 and 31, but
that will centre on government
restrictions around Covid­19.
Members confirmed their
backing at the association’s
annual general meeting this
week and duly elected Peter
Stewart to the president’s role,
with Victor Schikker as senior
vice­president.
Ray Colville continues as
show patron.
Association secretary Lucille
Brown said those present were
keen for organisers to proceed
but keep costs low so if it was
cancelled there would be little,
or no financial loss.
Aworst case scenario will see
the show cancelled, but sections
could be held as stand­alone
events.
“Every section of the A&P
association has their own
committee and their own
meetings,” she said, and that
could make events easier to
manage.
“They were all very keen.”
The annual show attracts
several thousand visitors.
It’s avery enthusiastic
committee with new members
coming through, she said.
“It was lovely to see.”
There were also presentations
to association stalwarts Lynette
Lovett, Marion Brown and
David Butterick.
Mrs Lovett was awarded an
honorary life membership,
following numerous roles on the
committee including as
president and with the home
industries pavilion.
Mrs Brown has retired after
many decades involvement with
the home industries pavilion.
And Mr Butterick was
presented with an engraved
silver salver for his role as
immediate past president.
Kevin Freeman’s Diesel,Dust,Men &Machine is awell
researched and well written ode to the men and the
machines “thatbuilt the earth dams,canals,lakes
and structures forwhich we areindebted as we go
about our daily lives.” Thebook covers the vehicles
and contractors who made the Hydrodams and
canals of the South Island in the 60s,70s and 80s.
Filled with pictures and information, Freeman captures
an importantpartofour NZ’shistory.
NOWBACKINSTOCK!
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