Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>Times</strong> Wednesday <strong>December</strong> 7 <strong>2022</strong><br />
42<br />
SPORT<br />
Christmas<br />
Advertising<br />
Feature<br />
in Leeston<br />
Leeston<br />
Community<br />
Inaugural polo event<br />
a day to remember<br />
Support<br />
Sheffield Country Polo has<br />
held its inaugural tournament<br />
with organisers already<br />
enthused about next year’s<br />
event. Dan Van Der Salm<br />
reports<br />
WITH MOTHER nature threatening<br />
to derail the first Sheffield Country Polo<br />
afternoon on November 26, about 700<br />
people were looking to the skies in the<br />
hope she would play ball. And did she<br />
ever – what a day.<br />
With a stellar line-up led by Matt<br />
O’Sullivan from Ashburton, the players<br />
put on a real show. Right from the first<br />
whistle, where the ponies raced in an<br />
impressive jousting style start, the game<br />
was on.<br />
MC John Dunne was in his element behind<br />
the microphone and had the crowd<br />
revved.<br />
Four high quality and even games<br />
were played. A bit of wind meant the ball<br />
floated around and occasionally flew into<br />
the crowd, but this just kept everyone on<br />
their toes and their eyes on the game.<br />
Half time entertainment was a real<br />
laugh, with the stomping of the divots,<br />
the Sheffield PTA auction (a highlight<br />
being a processed lamb selling for $700),<br />
and a fat beagle male and dalethorpe<br />
house female best dressed competition,<br />
won by Ethan and Sally.<br />
The final game was taken out by the<br />
Bayleys team, of Ben Turner, Tom Turner<br />
and Mark Hutchinson. Special mention<br />
must be made of Taylor Cleland, who<br />
took it all off to personally raise some<br />
funds with a well-timed and supported<br />
lap of the field.<br />
Next up was the human sulky race,<br />
with eight teams competing for the<br />
coveted bragging rights. A tough round<br />
robin was followed by a tight final, which<br />
saw the win go to Progressive Livestock,<br />
captained by Rich Harley.<br />
After the formalities were completed,<br />
local group The Pig Saddle Band took the<br />
proceedings well into the night.<br />
A massive thank you must go out to the<br />
following people, for without them the<br />
event would not have happened: MC John<br />
Dunn, Frews Transport, Fahey Fence Hire,<br />
Sheffield Primary School, Sheffield Rugby<br />
Club, Sheffield Volunteer Fire Brigade<br />
for their outstanding taxi services, St<br />
John, Malvern Lions Club, and the many<br />
people who helped on the day. Event organisers<br />
were blown away with the level of<br />
support from the wider community as well.<br />
Watch out for next year’s tournament,<br />
which promises to be bigger and better.<br />
For more info contact: sheffieldpolo@<br />
gmail.com<br />
Leeston retains that village sense of<br />
community and belonging, and people<br />
support each other. Long-time locals Jeff<br />
and Bronwyn from Hammer Hardware<br />
suggest that Leeston is a communityminded<br />
town that hasn’t lost its Kiwi<br />
values, including helping others when<br />
they need it. Whether it be volunteers,<br />
the town committee or local businesses<br />
sponsoring events, Leeston people are<br />
keen to provide support.<br />
Part of being a community is<br />
participating in organised activities and<br />
events. For example, in the lead-up to<br />
Christmas, people can be involved in the<br />
Day Club, The Ellesmere Christmas Golf<br />
Tournament or giving donations.<br />
Volunteers run the Day Club at the<br />
Leeston Library from 10am to 2.15pm<br />
every second and fourth Tuesday of the<br />
month. Activities for older people include<br />
morning tea, lunch, games, speakers,<br />
music, quizzes and outings.<br />
Volunteers also organise the upcoming<br />
Ellesmere Golf Christmas Tournament.<br />
This event attracts 120-150 entrants<br />
across different divisions, with raffles and<br />
an auction supported by several local<br />
businesses.<br />
The townspeople also help out those<br />
who may be struggling, especially at<br />
Christmas. The Ellesmere Community<br />
Care Organisation accepts Christmas gifts<br />
and non-perishable grocery items to be<br />
distributed locally at the Lakeland Art<br />
Gallery up to the 16th of <strong>December</strong>.<br />
Hello<br />
D O L L Y<br />
B O U T I Q U E<br />
Stunning pieces from the<br />
brands you love.<br />
Mention our ad when you purchase a gift<br />
voucher (over$200) in <strong>December</strong> you'll receive<br />
a free t-shirt! (selected styles)<br />
@HelloDollyBoutiqueNZ<br />
CLOSE FINISH: The human sulky race proved a hit, with eight teams<br />
competing.<br />
O p e n 7 D a y s !<br />
H E L L O D O L L Y B O U T I Q U E . C O . N Z<br />
8 6 H I G H S T R E E T , L E E S T O N
Change language