Western News: September 21, 2023

Thursday September 21 2023 11
love fit for a bride
“The first gown was made for
more than $1000. The second
gown is more plain and simple,
but it is also handmade, with
little beads,” she said.
Elena will also be showcasing
wedding ornaments and decorations
from Lithuania, Romania
and Ukraine.
The exhibition will include a
60-year-old horseshoe, an oldfashioned
garter, dolls, top hats,
walking sticks, a glory box,
and linen and floral
arrangements.
“People who travel from
Europe have different wedding
traditions than that of New
Zealand; they often have made a
special towel – which is used for
bread,” said Elena.
“I am happy to show the
gowns, especially to my friends
and family who have also immigrated
to New Zealand, as they
are a part of my history, heritage
and culture.”
The exhibition also features a
designer gown.
Said Robyn: “We also have a
Laura Ashley dress, a dress from
1912 and another from the
1920s, and a black wedding
gown.”
All funds raised will go to the
medical centre to progress with
the planned extension of the
building.
• Wedding Gowns
through the Ages will
be held at St Andrews
Church Hall, 85 Marine
Drive on Friday, October
6 and Saturday, October
7 from 10am-4.30pm
and on Sunday, October
8 from noon-4pm. The
$10 admission includes
free tea, coffee and home
baking
FAMILY TREASURE:
This silk taffeta wedding
gown, owned by
exhibition co-organiser
Ruth Willis, was worn by
her great-grandmother.
Literary event kicks
off digital book club
LITERARY EXPERT Morrin
Rout will be chairing an evening
with best-selling author Charity
Norman, ahead of the launch of
Together We Read for 2023.
Rout has spent more than 25
years organising literary events
and festivals, and presenting
book programmes on radio.
She is the former director of the
Hagley Writers Institute and a
member of the WORD festival
trust board.
Together We Read is New
Zealand’s biggest annual online
book club, connecting readers
through public libraries with a
featured title for two weeks each
year.
As part of the programme,
booklovers can participate in
online discussions and get involved
in events with the author.
The digital book club is
now in its second year in New
Zealand, and the 2023 selection
is author Charity Norman’s
Remember Me.
“I’m thrilled to be invited to
visit Tūranga to spend an evening
with readers, to share stories
and chat with Morrin Rout,”
said Norman.
“Together We Read is a terrific
program – what an honour to be
a part of it.”
Norman’s best-selling novel
is a thriller, following the tale of
a close-knit community, ripped
apart by revelations that shine
the light on a young woman’s
disappearance 25 years earlier.
City council head of libraries
and information Carolyn Robertson
said it was fantastic to be
able to facilitate this part of the
digital book club.
“We’re very excited to be able
to host this presentation in our
space,” she said.
“Bring your friends and
join us for a lively evening of
conversation and storytelling.”
• Morrin Rout is in
conversation with Charity
Norman on Friday, 5.30-
7.30pm, at Tūranga.
Entry is free, registration
required
Friendly gym provides a sense of belonging
For those people considering joining
a gym but are not sure if it’s for them,
Wigram Culture Fitness offers an
experience unlike any other.
As owner Heather Peterson explains:
“We have created an environment at
our gym in Wigram that is supportive.
Our members come from a wide
range of ages, from fathers and sons
to mothers and daughters, through to
husbands and wives in their 80s.
“Our gym provides a sense of
belonging and an environment where
everyone feels welcome and part of the
Culture Fitness family.
“We have various workout zones and
gym facilities and, in conjunction with
these, our gym offers Express Fitness
Lanes combined with the Fitness App
Myzone.”
Finding the best gym can be compared
to forging a new relationship. With a bit
of personal reflection, pre-planning,
and some vetting, you will be on the
path to what could be a match made in
heaven (at least when it comes to this
key element of your fitness journey).
Remember, you are investing your
time, money, and energy into a gym,
and you need to be certain that you
have made the best choice for you
and your training goals. You may be
enticed to base your decision on online
reviews or friends’ recommendations,
and while that’s an excellent starting
point, there should be a few more
components to consider. Here at
Wigram Culture fitness we want you to
come in and have a look around, and
make sure we are the best fit for your
Fitness Journey.
“People are sometimes fearful of being
watched and judged at a gym,” Heather
says, “but Wigram Culture Fitness is
not like that. We’re full of locals of all
shapes and sizes, ages and ethnicities.
“Everyone is on a different journey,
so come and share yours with us and
discover a really friendly, supportive
environment.”
To find out more, visit Wigram Culture
Fitness at 187 Wigram Road for a
guided tour and a chat to the team
about what options will work for you.
Memberships start from $12.95, and
you can add a buddy for an extra $4
per week. All new memberships come
with three, free introduction sessions
with a personal trainer to help you get
started.
WIGRAM
187 Wigram Rd, Christchurch Ph: 03 366 7338
www.wigramculturefitness.co.nz