North Canterbury News: September 28, 2023

RAVENSWOOD &WOODEND
North Canterbury News, September 28, 2023
17
Your local exotic bird
and reptile experts
Spring beauty ... Mervyn Willis and Velda Hopkins of Kaiapoi look over the cut blooms at
last year’s 89th show.
PHOTOS: FILE
Aspecial celebration
for Woodend show
By ROBYN BRISTOW
A90th anniversary with a1930s theme,
will provide the platform for ablooming
good Woodend Spring Flower Show on
Saturday, September 30.
There are themed decorative sections
such as a1930s Bridal Bouquet, Spring
of 1930’s and High Tea.
Children are invited to decorate their
bikes or scooter in a1930s theme to bring
to the show by 12.30pm for judging by
Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon.
In the handcraft section there are
hessian oven cloths, and lavender bags
sections, and Victoria sponges, rum balls
and shortbread are challenges in the
baking section.
But flowers will take centre stage with
an extensive range of daffodils, many
shown by well­known New Zealand
growers.
There will be daffodil bulbs for sale.
This year members of the American
Daffodil Society are visiting the show.
There is aspecial blokes section, as
well as photography, and acolouring
competition.
Those wanting to enter need to do so
by today —Thursday, September 28 —
with entries closing for the show on
Saturday.
It opens its doors from 1pm to 4pm at
the Woodend Community Centre, School
Road, Woodend.
It’s free to enter, and you can get
schedules and details at
woodendspringflowershow.weebly.com,
or by go to the show’s Facebook page.
Send entries to gheverts1950@gmail.
com.
From above ... Atotal of 1119 exhibits
were on show at last year’s 89th annual
Woodend Spring Flower Show in the
Woodend Community Centre.
Spring blooms ... Phyllis Sheppard,
accompanied by her nephew Brendan
Harris as they look over the top blooms at
last year’s show.
Wilderness Woodend has settledonalarge rural property in Woodend to
establish their new private breeding facility for exotic birds and reptiles.
With23years experience in the animalindustry,Wilderness Woodend continues
to offer its customers awide selection of specialty bird and reptilesupplies to
helpmaintaintheircollections at the higheststandards of careand presentation.
It is stockists of quality products such as Topflite birdseeds, Vetafarm bird
pellets and supplements,Kaytee hand-rearing food,Burgess smallanimalfood
for rabbits, Guinea pigs and Chinchillas.
As New Zealand distributors for Arcadia andHabistat reptile products from
the United Kingdom, Wilderness Woodend aims aim to ensure pet owners have
access to the best products available.
With animal welfare in mind, it is building large natural homes at its Woodend
property for residents.
Although animals arenot on display at present,there is aselectionofreptiles
in terrariums in the showroom to illustrate how to set up and care for them
correctly.
Owner Lance Dartnall says Wilderness Woodendhas many great ideas about
ways in whichowners can keep their pets in large naturalenvironments.
He says customers will in thefuture, be able to take astrollthrough their
plantedproperty and see aviaries, ponds,and many reptile environments.
‘‘Wewant tocontinuetoimprove animal welfare, and the way we keep creatures
in our care to ensure they are getting the bestcare possible and quality of life.
We see this as the ‘‘Wilderness Experience.’’
Wilderness Woodend is also an approvedpet shipper with AirNew Zealand,
from ChristchurchAirport, to anywhere in New Zealand.
‘‘Wespecialiseinsending exotic pets —from parrots to reptiles.
We can also ship loved familypets like cats
and dogs,’’ says Lance.
Operating seven days aweek,
they specialise in helping
customers with all aspects of their
pet’s or animal’s travel needs.
Wilderness Woodend is strictly
open by appointment for pick up or to
visit their showroom.
2615360
Specialty Reptile And Bird Supplies
Open By Appointment
Ph:027 3819197
Jelfs Road - Woodend
www.wildernesswoodend.co.nz