North Canterbury News: October 21, 2021

21/10/21 - 25/10/21
Stepping up ... The Ashley­Rakahuri Rivercare group are
increasing efforts to keep 4WD out of the Ashley River bed while
endangered birds are nesting.
PHOTO:SUPPLIED
Appeal for care
By ROBYN BRISTOW
The Ashley­Rakahuri
Rivercaregroupis
appealingtopeople to stop
driving in the Ashley River
bed to protect endangered
braidedriverbirds.
It is stepping up itsefforts
to stopvehicles entering the
riverbed during the nesting
session, andisasking
everyone to spreadthe word
about how vulnerable the
birds arewhenpeoplefind a
way intothe riverbedin
their four­wheel drive
vehicles.
Public entranceways are
blocked, and will remain
blockeduntil February to
protecteggs,chicks and
adult birds, and moresigns
are beingput spellingout
The Original
the dangerand the penalty
for killing endangeredbirds
under theWild LifeAct.
The group is anxious
following anarrowescape
for pairofwrybill nesting in
the river whosenest was
almost destroyedthankstoa
4WD in theriver bed.
The Ashley­Rakahuri
Rivercare Group is running
acompetition forschool
childrentonamethe nesting
pair, because of their history
on theriver where they have
lostanesttofloods,and an
egg and achick to a4WD.
The pairofwinningnames
in the competitionwillbe
invited to visit thenestwith
outgoingchair Nick
Ledgard. Sendyour entry to
info@ncnews.co.nz, with
yourcontact details.
NEWS
The North Canterbury News, October 21, 2021
New MenzShed workshop
CheviotMenzShed members have
their ownclubroomsand
workshop threeyears after the
organisation was established.
The new facility at 5SeddonSt,
where theCheviot TownHall once
stood, was officially opened last
Wednesday by HurunuiMayor
Marie Black.
MrsBlacksaid thenew shed was
avaluable asset forthe
community.
NZ MenzShedpresidentTrevor
Scott congratulated the Cheviot
MenzShed team for their efforts
andspoke aboutthe contribution
MenzShedmembers madetotheir
communities.‘‘Men’s health and
well­being is theprimefocus of
MenzShed’sand to have aplace
forthemtocome to forsocial
interaction is most important,’’ he
said.
‘‘Participatingincommunity
projects andactivities allowsmen
to sharetheir skills and
experience.’’
Cheviot MenzShed chairman
Bruce Nicol saidsmall, isolated
ruralcommunities,such as
Cheviot,oftenlacked activities
that men couldtake part in.
With thisinmind‘‘a groupof
like­minded blokes’’ had got
together to establish aMenzShed
in the town.
They started with 10 members
whowere initially offeredthe use
of theCheviotAreaSchool
woodwork room.
‘‘We wereveryquickly
undertakingprojects for local
community groups,’’ Bruce said.
‘‘However,the limitationsof
having to operate outsideschool
hours led thegrouptoconsider
getting it’s ownpremises.’’
Themembershiphas grown to
17 and that is expected to increase
nowthat the new building has
7
been opened.
‘‘We havebeenoverwhelmedby
people’sgenerosity in the
community,’’Bruce said. ‘‘We
have hadcashdonations, widows
have donatedtools and equipment
that their latehusbandswould be
pleased to see still in use and
peoplehaveeven stored alot of
thedonated items untilwehave
thestorage capability on site.’’
Businesseshavealso been
generous with discountsor
donations,contractors havebeen
generous with discounted
materialsand acouple have
donatedtheir labourtoward the
building andsite development.
‘‘Ourmembershave wide
ranging backgrounds,skills and
experience andwewill be ableto
give so much back to our
community which has supported
us andcontinue to support us as
we grow.’’
Food forest planned in Hanmer park
AHanmer Springs parkwill soon
be home to aFoodForest.
Agroup of residentshavebeen
given the thumbs up to establisha
FoodForest in part of Tarndale
Park, aHurunui District Council
reserve.
Cr Mary Holloway toldacouncil
meetingrecently there was an
enthusiasticgroup of residents
keentoestablishthe FoodForest.
‘‘They are quite excited about
the project. If it is runwell andled
wellitcan addsomuch to a
community,’’ shesaid.
Cr Holloway saiditwouldgive
Tarndale Park apurpose because
it was‘‘tail­endCharlie’’ in the
reserve stocks in thevillage.
‘‘Itwill giveitvibrancy andIam
delighted,’’ shesaid.
Cr RobbieBruerton saiditwas a
great idea. His onlyconcernwas
pests.
‘‘Itwill be aparadise for
possums,’’ he said.
Cr Ross Barnessaidhetotally
endorsed the idea.
The initiative is supported by
the HanmerSprings Community
Board,and follows apresentation
fromKaiapoi FoodForest (KFF)
personnel recently.
KFF willprovide advice,
ongoingsupport andeducation to
the group. Aplan hasbeen
prepared,Heritage apple trees
havebeenorderedand plants are
being prepared.
The FoodForest will
accentuate theexisting trees
which willform aprotective
canopyfor berriesand vines to be
plantedunderneath.
It is hopedoncethe
developmentstarts others will
takeaninterest and contribute to
the FoodForest.
The councilwebsiteand social
media have contacts forthose
interested in becoming involved.
LABOUR WEEKEND SALE
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some exclusions apply
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Rangiora
03 423 3561