Selwyn_Times: September 27, 2023

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Wednesday September 27 2023 Selwyn Times
NEWS 13
Rain fails to put brakes on swap meet
THERE IS no bad day at a
swap meet. That was the motto
of volunteers organising the
Hororata Mechanical Swap Meet
on Saturday.
Despite the forecast of possible
snow, the event ploughed ahead,
and it turned out to be the right
decision.
Said Hororata
Community
Trust’s Cindy
Driscoll: “We
know coming to
the swap meet
is a pilgrimage
Cindy
Driscoll
for people, some
setting off twothree
days before
from as far away
as Wellington and Te Anau,
so with the rural Kiwi attitude
we forged ahead and sent out
as many positive vibes to the
weather gods as possible.
“Site holders and keen buyers
started showing up on Friday
just as the heavens opened.
Everyone turned up with a smile,
trailers laden with mechanical
treasures. At this point, we knew
no matter the weather, we had to
make this event happen.
“We are lucky at the Hororata
Domain as we could utilise the
indoor barn and covered stalls
for those who set up on Friday.”
Hororata saw 50mm of rain
from 11am Friday through to
HELPING OUT: Volunteers Nicolle Hughes, Logan Pasco and Ryan de Lange lend a hand, Hudson Atkins test drives for
size (above right) while purchases are compared (below right).
3am on Saturday.
“When I left the Hororata
Domain at 8pm Friday night,
there was surface water
everywhere; however, we know
after 12 years of running events
here, the water drains quickly.
With the rain stopping at 3am,
the domain was clear of surface
water by the time we arrived the
next morning at 6am.
“We opened the gates and
welcomed 1000 buyers who got
to browse 75 sellers’ sites. A
little smaller than last year, but
considering the weather forecast,
we are stoked with the numbers.”
The swap meet was started in
2010 by John Foster and Dave
Pomare. They handed over
the reins of the event to the
community trust in 2020.
“John and Dave remain at the
heart of the event, but now they
can enjoy it without any admin,”
said Driscoll.
The event benefits the Glentunnel
Residents Committee,
the Hororata Historical Society,
Glentunnel Primary School,
Hororata Primary School, Rural
Women Darfield Division and
the Hororata Community Trust.
“As always, it takes passionate
volunteers to make these great
Hororata events happen; we
are grateful for their time and
energy,” said Driscoll.
• The 2024 event will be
held on September 21.
Visit www.hororata.org.
nzfor details.
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