Ashburton Courier: August 24, 2023

WHĀRANGI 4|NGĀ PŪKŌRERO OTEWIKI KI RAUKĀPUKA |TAITE, 24HERE-TURI-KŌKĀ, 2023
IN THELOOP
COMMUNITY REPORT
Well, folks, are weall so happy to
be welcoming spring back into our
wintry-encased lives? I know Iam
receiving the daily pleasure ofhearing
the change inbird song and
welcoming the additional light at the
end of my day. Ihope you are too.
Last week we had our operational
and governance meetings. These
meetings involve ateam of hardworking
and some voluntary, people
who are dedicated to this project.
Note to self: must get aphoto of the
team next time we meet so Ican
introduce you to them.
The outcomes and actions that are
derived from these meetings keep this
project moving forward. It gives me
tremendous pleasure toadvise we
have some green light areas of
funding which will see the wheels put
in motion for the design stage of
signage for Loop 1and 2. Iamalso in
the throes of putting together other
applications for funding for ahard
landscaping element. Wehave a
sub-committee for this area, as
expertise and experience are
necessary toensure wehave the
best outcome.
Timaru District Council is working
on the boardwalk element which is
asignificant project initself. We
congratulate that team on their
progress to date -Iwill keep you
informed of the progress. As you may
be aware, there isalot of work behind
the scenes prior to seeing actual turf
being turned.
Maintenance teams are hard at
work on the trail, keeping leaves clear
and other detailed work as required to
keep it maintained to the highest
standard for you all to enjoy. Youmay
see teams working on the trails
surface; severe weather events can
cause so much damage.
Ileave you this week with agrateful
heart to the folks involved. Wishing
you awonderful month ahead.
All the best. ROSIE
Awinters morning at the Geraldine Community Gardens PHOTO: Supplied
Community gardens to expand thanks to council
The Geraldine Community Gardens has been
going for over 11 years. During that time, many
folks of all ages have worked there: locals,
visitors, woofers, schoolchildren, retirees, and
more.
Currently, the garden is tended by acore
group of 10 volunteers. We developed aset of
core values and guidelines that we endeavour
to follow without being overly rigid about
them. When it comes to decisions, weuse a
consensus approach.
Our primary focus continues to be the
raising, planting and harvesting of a wide
range of vegetables with an emphasis on fresh
greens, root crops, potatoesand brassicas. This
produce is harvestedonThursdays and placed
in the fridge at the gate. When the season is
in full swing, alot of vegetables travel from
garden to fridge to awide variety of people
who come to collect the free produce in cars,
on bikes, or on foot. The food produced has
andcontinues to help locals and visitorsalike.
Another activity involves growing refugee
native plants donated by local gardeners and
businesses. We use these plants after ayear or
two to strengthen, enhance,and start riparian
zones on local farmland. Over the last six
years, six plantings (100-200 plants) have
been undertaken. Such plantings are
facilitated by a growing and collegial
relationship we now have with several local
farmers.
Over the years, we have also run several
workshops on topics such as composting,
pruning,biocharmaking and home mushroom
growing. All have been well attended (gold
Karen Woodhall: craft has endless possibilities
Long-time maker and teacher of craft Karen
Woodhall established aworking and teaching
studio after moving to Geraldine two years
ago. She is now offering classes in various
crafts, starting with a polymer clay house
button session on 31 August.
Developing polymer clay techniques while
studying for her Advanced Diploma of Visual
Arts and Design in Canberra, she says, Ive
done jewellery, beads, mosaic wall hangings,
figurines, buttons, brooches. The clay is very
versatile. Its very colourful and easy to shape
and mould, and you bake it so its lasting.
coin donation).
Our current projects include streamlining
composting, growing more veggies under
cover, re-purposing an old greenhouse and
building anoticeboard.
We are thankful for the ongoing support
frommanysources, especially Timaru District
Council (TDC), CORDE, Rosies, Geraldine
Signs, the Mens Shed, ZGeraldine and many
kind individuals.
In the near future, some engineering works
willbeundertakenbycontractors to TDC. This
will affect some of our spring plantings.
However, after the works are completed, we
will have more space and some new raised
beds to grow more food. Heres to agreat
growing season. TIM RIMMER
Karen says she has always been acrafter.
She moved naturally into teaching the skills
she loves, first to her children and, later, the
wider world. Crafting isfun. Its relaxing.
There are endless possibilities. She says,
At home with the children, it wastime out for
me; Its about learning; Ilove learning new
things. ...
Karens workshop is 12pm-2pm Thursday,
31 August. Cost $20. For more information
contact Karen on021 0835 7920 or email
enquiry@kdesigns.co.nz. JAN FINLAYSON
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