WHĀRANGI 4|NGĀ PŪKŌRERO OTEWIKI KI RAUKĀPUKA |TAITE, <strong>24</strong>HERE-TURI-KŌKĀ, <strong>2023</strong> 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 <strong>August</strong>. 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 <strong>August</strong>. Cost $20. For more information contact Karen on021 0835 7920 or email enquiry@kdesigns.co.nz. JAN FINLAYSON With aStJohn MedicalAlarm, we’re likepartofthe family. We allenjoyour independence and aStJohnMedicalAlarm givesNewZealandersand theirfamiliespeace ofmindaround the clock. Become apartofthe family nowand signupforafree* trial with the only medical alarm that connectsdirectly to St John. Call 0800 50 23 23 or visit stjohnmedicalalarms.org.nz *Free trialperiod is up to 30 days only. Please note: St John does not provide emergencyambulance servicesinthe Wellington
146 TH ASHBURTON A&P SHOW Please liftout 27 TH &28 TH OCTOBER<strong>2023</strong> <strong>2023</strong> SCHEDULE ShowTheme: “Let’s Create aBuzz–Bees,Bugsand Butterflies” Produced for the <strong>Ashburton</strong> Agricultural &Pastoral Association by
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