North Canterbury News: November 04, 2021
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
NEWS<br />
8 <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> <strong>News</strong>, <strong>November</strong> 4, <strong>2021</strong><br />
Hurunui Garden Festival ahit with visitors<br />
By SHELLEY TOPP<br />
The highlight of the Hurunui Garden<br />
Festival for GaryMitchellwas being<br />
able to proceed, after cancellation<br />
loomedthe day it was scheduled to<br />
open.<br />
As chairmanofthe festival<br />
organising committeeGary’s phone<br />
ran hot last Thursday morning after<br />
two Covid cases were reported in<br />
Christchurch.<br />
‘‘I was glued to the television<br />
waiting for the PrimeMinister’s 1pm<br />
Covid19 news conference,’’ he says.<br />
It was ahugerelief when the<br />
lockdownlevelwas unchanged,<br />
allowing the festival to go ahead.<br />
‘‘The really lovelyvisitorswho were<br />
so appreciative of the gardens, were<br />
also ahighlight,’’ he says. ‘‘Therewere<br />
so many happypeople whichwas great<br />
to see.<br />
‘‘Theywere all so grateful to us for<br />
opening up our gardens,’’ saysGary.<br />
His awardwinning Ribbonwood<br />
Country House,and garden on the<br />
outskirtsofCheviot, which he owns<br />
with his partner, RobertDay, was<br />
included in the festival.<br />
‘‘People love gardens, theysoothe<br />
the soul.’’<br />
A‘‘massive crowd’’ attended the<br />
festivallast Thursday, Friday,<br />
Saturday and Sunday with attendance<br />
up at all of the 21 gardens from<br />
Amberley, Cheviot, WaiparaGorge,<br />
Waikari and Hawarden,toCulverden,<br />
Rotherham,Hanmer Springs, Gore<br />
Bay and GretaValley.<br />
‘‘We are not just agarden festival<br />
focusing on one area. We are the only<br />
event thatpromotes all of Hurunui,’’<br />
Gary says. Most accommodation was<br />
bookedout in the districtwith cafes,<br />
shops and theHanmer Springs pools<br />
busy during the festival.<br />
Stark beauty ... Raymond Herber’s<br />
striking sculpture, Matagouri, on display at<br />
his Waipara Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture<br />
Park during the fourday Hurunui Garden<br />
Festival which began last Thursday.<br />
PHOTOS: SHELLEY TOPP<br />
Maskells Garden ... Juliet and David Hunter relaxing in their Amberley garden during the<br />
festival.<br />
Home sweet home ... The stunning entrance to the Karetu Downs Farmstay garden and<br />
homestead in Waipara Gorge, owned by Karen and Bruce Forrester.<br />
LET’S TALK...<br />
DISTRICTPLAN<br />
Farmers–<br />
let’stalkabout<br />
mahingakai &<br />
biodiversity<br />
Crayfish in your drain?Lizards in<br />
your kānuka?Mudfishinyourcreek?<br />
You’ll alreadyhaveareas you’re taking specialcare<br />
of –but there will be more.<br />
Join Environment<strong>Canterbury</strong> cultural land management and<br />
biodiversityadvisorsMakariniRupene andZipporahPloeg<br />
to findout aboutmahinga kaiand biodiversityonyourfarm.<br />
TheWaimakariri District Councilhas reviewed<br />
itsDistrictPlanand is nowseeking feedback on<br />
anew ProposedDistrict Plan.<br />
TheProposedDistrict Plan is open foryour feedback until5pm<br />
on Friday 26 <strong>November</strong>.<br />
We encourage you tolook upyour property and any changes<br />
that may affect you onthe Proposed District Plan.<br />
Where:<br />
When:<br />
RSVP:<br />
Starting attheCustCommunityCentre,<br />
9Mill Road, Cust, thenvisitingalocalfarm<br />
Friday 19th <strong>November</strong>, 11am (doors open at<br />
10.45amformorning tea courtesy of Farm Source)<br />
Email events@ecan.govt.nz<br />
or call 027549 7646.All welcome.<br />
Find out more and have your say<br />
waimakariri.govt.nz/letstalk
Change language