North Canterbury News: July 22, 2021

NEWS
10 The North Canterbury News, July 22, 2021
IN BRIEF
Bloom appeal
Bloom Hearing in Rangiora is collecting
blankets and clothingfor those affected by
the recent flooding on the West Coast.
Bloom, whichhas aclinic in Westport, is
asking people to drop off clean, dry goods at
Unit 10, 6­9 Cones Street, Rangiora
between 8.30amand 5pm.
It hopes to send the blankets and clothing
over this week to help peopleinWestport.
Steaming along ... The A428 steam engine passing Frog Rock.
Allan finally gets his prized ride
While clearingout hisgaragebefore
moving house, Allan Grant foundsome
old paperwork.
It wasaletter of congratulations.He
had won araffle prize of asteam
locomotive drivers experience for use
at the WekaPassRailway,dated
November 18, 1997.
There was no expirydate.
Allan contacted thesocietyearlylast
yeartosee if he could redeemthe
prize, andwhile the driver's
experiencecouldnot be undertaken
for safetyreasons, he wasinvited to
jointhe volunteer engine crewfor a
footplateride­not usuallyavailable
for members of thepublic.
Planstoredeem theprize in 2020
were cancelledinlightofthe
lockdown.
On July 18, 23 years and7months
later, Allan finallygot his ride.
Sincesharing the story on social
media, the formersecretary of the
charitable society PhilipRowan
contacted society members to tellthem
the raffle, heldatthe 1997 ‘Waipara
Vintage Festival', wasafundraising
exercise to leaseorbuy asecond steam
engine to use on the North Canterbury
heritage railway.
‘‘TheWeka Pass Railway didnot
PHOTO: ANDREW FEAR
proceed with theintended leaseof(the
locomotive)becausethe owners, from
Te Anau Ithink, would notagree to a
long term lease.’’
TheWeka Pass Railway hasbeen
operating forover 30 years,taking
touriststhrough vineyards, olive
groves, andlimestoneformations.
The13km railway andhistoric
vehicles are preserved,maintained
andoperated by afamily of committed
volunteers.
Scenic train ridescan be booked at
wekapassrailway.co.nz
Privatetrain charters are also
available.
Lions appreciation
The PegasusTown Lions Club has
presented acertificate of appreciationto
Wayne Curragh for his donation to Lions
KanTabs and Kidney Kids NZ.Wayne, the
owner of Pineacres Holiday Park,donated
cans collected at the park to the Lions
KanTab initiative and gave apersonal
donation, to the Kidney Kids New Zealand
charity. The PegasusTown Lions Club
donated atotal of $1000,includingWaynes
contribution,toKanTabs and Kidney Kids
NZ. The club’s sharecame from various
fundraising efforts.
By­election
Karen Armstronghas been voted on to
the Hurunui District Council, representing
thewest ward. Ms Armstronghad aclear
majority of 397 voteswhen voteswere
countedlast Friday in the by­election. The
voter turnout was 39.86 percent. The byelectionfollowed
the resignation of Lynda
Murchison at the end of April.She was
electedtothe west ward in October,2019.
Karen Armstrong has lived in Waikari for
17 years, where she is involved in many
community groups, including the Hurunui
Community Committee which she has
chairedsince 2017.Results were:Karen
Armstrong766, Ross Carer369, Richard
Roe 117, Jeff Walker 85. Informalvotes 2.
Lake coleridge
It’s right here in Selwyn!
LakeColeridgeisaworld away from the city and filled with
adventureorquiet to escape for aweekend. ExploreNew
Zealand’sfirst hydroelectric power station, or takeahorse trek
throughthe scenic passes. Farmtours, golfingorarcheryare
available nearbyorhead to the mountainstoski Mt Olympus –
don’t forget to bring your togs for the famous Mt Ohot tub.
Stay anight or weekend at one of the canopycamping placesor
high countrystations.
Share your Lake Coleridge photos
and tag us selwyn.nz
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