Ashburton Courier: June 18, 2020

Page 24, Ashburton's The Courier, Thursday June 18, 2020
Ashburton MSA Petanque Club
Our social days have started up again on
Tuesdays ­last week we had with agood
turn out of 24 ­and this week our
Tuesday social competition started up
again with 22 players taking part and the
rest playing socially.
Over the weekend, we played three
club competitions that had been
deferred because of the lockdown.
Club drawn doubles was won by Ellen
Pithie and Mavis Thompson. Runnersup
were Peter Marriott and Richard
Browne. Third were Francie Osborne
and Johnny Wright. Fourteen other
players took part.
Club men’s drawn doubles was won by
Richard Browne and Trevor Nish.
Runners­up were Peter Marriott and
Gary Hogg. Club women’s drawn
doubles was won by Ellen Pithie and
Karen Bensdorp. Runners­up were Jan
Araopens up -virtually
With the uncertainty and limitations
that Covid-19 alert levels have
brought to community events, Ara
InstituteofCanterburyhas decided to
switch its normal mid-year open day
to aVirtual Open Week.
Instead of a physical, on-campus
event onasingle day, Ara will host a
week of live Zoom presentations and
sessions that anyone can join from
anywhere.
Participants will be able to attend
information presentations on awide
range of subjects including health,
engineering, ICT, outdoor education,
art and design, early childhood
education and business. They’ll
also be able to learn about student
Guilford and Shelagh Field. Third were
Betty King and Johnny Wright.
Our next club games are on July 11
and 12. The next tournament is at the
beginning of August.
Our AGM is Thursday June 25 and we
look forward to agood turnout.
Club drawn doubles from June 13 ­
Winners: Ellen Pithie and Mavis
Thompson. Runners up: Peter Marriott
and Richard Browne. Third: Francie
Osborne and Johnny Wright.
Club women’s drawn doubles June 14
­Winners: Ellen Pithie and Karen
Bensdorp. Runners up: Jan Guilford
and Shelagh Field. Third: Betty King
and Johnny Wright.
Club men’s drawn doubles ­Winners:
Richard Browne and Trevor Nish.
Runners up: Gary Hogg and Peter
Marriott.
serviceslikepastoralsupport,financial
supportand accommodation.
Participants can also join in on
question and answer sessions with
tutors and students and learn about
the studentexperienceatAra.
Those wanting to visit campus to
explore the facilities and classrooms
can book to joinasmall group tour in
the coming weeks.
Virtual Open Week takes place from
Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July,
with most Zoom presentations and
sessions taking place between 5pm
and 8pm. Afull schedule is available
on Ara’swebsite.
Find out more about Ara’s Virtual
Open Week at ara.ac.nz or call
0800 24 24 76.
My patch: Mt Alford
Mt Alford track is afavourite
walk for Rangitata MP Andrew
Falloon.
Car park and access to the
track is from the end of Alford
Forest Settlement Road, just off
Scenic Highway 72, just 30
minutes from Ashburton.
The track is 4.6km in each
direction, which for the return
journey takes him alittle over five
hours with afew stops along the
way.
‘‘The first hour is surrounded
by luscious bush, crossing in and
out of private land and
Department of Conservation
estate. Then comes open
expanse, asteady climb through
grassy areas with terrific views
back over the plains and of
surrounding mountains. The final
hour to the summit is at times a
bit rough and rocky, but you’re
rewarded at the end with a
stunning ridgeline walk to the
peak.’’
Andrew said amoderate level
of fitness was required.
‘‘Parts weren’t easy, and
younger kids might struggle a
little with the final climb to the
summit.’’
Dogs are not permitted.
Access easements are closed
from September 20 to October 20
for lambing and calving.
His favourite part of the track?
‘‘The wander through the bush
is anice way to start, and about
half way up the track there is a
MP Andrew Falloon on his favourite walk.
picnic table with aterrific view if
you are looking for an easier and
shorter walk.’’
He says the trickiest part of the
track is at the end, rocky terrain
without alot of scrub or grass.
‘‘But take your time and you’ll
get there.’’
Andrew says there’s a
fascinating history behind the
track. ‘‘In 1882 afellow from
Christchurch claimed he’d found
diamonds at Mt Alford.
Unsurprisingly it started abit of a
rush, with prospectors applying
for 20,000 acres of land, and even
Local news at www.starnews.co.nz
asettlement called Diamond
Town of 161 quarter acre sections
planned. It all fell apart when the
testing came back to confirm
what was found was merely
crystal.’’
He says the Staveley Store, a
short drive from the track car
park, is agood place to stop for a
treat on the way out. ‘‘Reload on
calories with one of their
excellent lamb sausage rolls.’’
We’d love to hear about your
favourite track or ride. Please get in
touch with Linda.
Clarke@ashburtoncourier.co.nz
Discover how to get the skills
you need for the job you want!
At Ara’s Virtual Open Week you can join Zoom meets with all our
departments, participate inQ&A sessions with tutors and students,
and book asmall group campus tour.
5pm-8pm, 29 June –3July
Join inat
ara.ac.nz/open-week