Bringing you the News from Carew in the south to Alford Forest in … · 2020. 6. 17. · ISSUE...

ISSUE FORTY THREE The Nor’wester JUNE 2020

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Incorporating the Mayfield Message and Mt Somers News

The

NewsBringing you the News from Carew in the south to Alford Forest in the north and all places in between.

JUNE 2020Issue Forty Three

Foothills

0800 303 980

[email protected]

Peaches Rd, Mt Somers, RD 1, Ashburton 7771

Talk to us today about your requirements Contact us on:

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On 14th March was held just in time, before the lock down. Approximately 90 people, a great turn out, came to an afternoon of remembrance and happiness as they recounted old and good times alike. The Staveley Hall has been the gathering point for decades, memories of Country Dances, local Bands and joviality were recounted along with the movies that were shown Friday

The Get Together at Staveley Hall

Staveley, then and now, seemsjust the cars have changed.

A few of the people who made the effort.

nights. Daktari seemed to be a favourite!The Burgess Family that I belong to left the area mid 1971 and it was good to see the Pawsey, Smith, Syme, Stewart, Lamb, McRae, Mehrtens, Whitman, Lill, Totty, Gray, Lister, Hewit, Greenslade, Hydes, Burgess Families, Webb, Moodie, Bruce and Barker family representatives.Thank you to all those attended.

Barry Burgess


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Tom Lowe Dipping Taking care of all your fly and lice problems

Give Tom a call today on 027 350 5196

[email protected]

Thinking seed? Call today!

John Fulton 027 489 4504 | 03 303 0856 | [email protected]

• Pastoral seed sales, access to all varieties

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• Forward contracting of all grains• Ag chemical supply services• Domestic & international sales

- multiplication contracts for peas & Asian brassicas

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Mt Somers AreaClubs/OrganisationsMt Somers Squash ClubLocated in the Mt Somers SpringburnSchool groundsPlaying Mondays & Tuesday nights Contact: Simon Chapman 027 6112611Mt Somers Rugby ClubSenior B team, Mt Somers Rugby groundsPractise Thursday nights, game SaturdayContact: Dale Stanley 021 508294Mt Somers Rippa under 6 and rugbyunder 8Contact: Hayden Reveley 021 2094210Mt Somers Netball ClubSocial team- Wednesday night Competitive- Thursday night Contact: Kylie Chapman 027 6660566Mt Somers Fire BrigadePattons RoadPractice 3rd Monday of month 6.45pmat Fire stationNew members welcome, men & womenContact: Richard Joseph 0274 367 988Leslie Huggins 021 320445Rifle Club & Target ShootingMt Somers DomainMonday nights 7pm, March – September10 years & over, families welcomeContact: David Millichamp 027 4345882Bowls ClubMt Somers DomainTuesday night 7.30-9.30pmNew members welcomeContact: Wayne Tubb 027 2876881Music and Movement0-5yrs Multipurpose roomMt Somers Springburn School2nd and 4th Monday of the month, 9am during school termsContact: Andrea 027 6699884Mt Somers and Staveley PlaycenterTuesdays 9.15-11.45am during school terms50 Pattons Road, Mt SomersMt Somers LibraryOpen 2-4pm Thursdays and SundaysContact: Pam Annand 3039150 orRobbie Martin 3039767Foothills Young FarmersMeetings, 1st Wednesday of every month,see their FaceBook page for details.Chairperson, Jimmy SinclairSecretary, Natalie Allen.

If there are other groups/clubs in the Nor’Wester circulation area that are currently in action please contact me and I will add their name to the list, I’ll also put it on the foothills fb page also.It’s good for new comers and those of us who have been here for a while to know what’s around.

Madeline Brown [email protected]


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Hospice Mid CanterburyTony’s RideHospice Mid Canterbury can thank the UK’s Captain Tom for inspiring local Hospice ambassador Tony Todd to go on his own fundraising marathon. With Covid -19 making fundraising challenging, Tony decided to bike 73 kilometres around Ashburton on his 73rd birthday.

With just 10 days to organise, Facebook posts were set up and the media ran stories about his endeavour. Suddenly the calls and emails of support started flooding in and the fundraising venture was underway. Tony is well known and respected in the local community and many wanted to join him in his ride. With Covid restrictions, Tony had to organise riders in groups of 10 for different laps, although a few hardy souls braved the foggy 8 degree start and were still there at the end. Some Lions members also came on board and contributed their support, both

on the bikes and financially. Donations came in from as far afield as the UK and Canada.

At the time of writing this article, Tony had raised more than $10,000 for Hospice Mid Canterbury. Although a number of Hospice services are provided by volunteers, specialised services such as counselling and complementary therapies are delivered by independent professionals who are contracted to the organisation. Fundraising efforts like Tony’s mean these services are offered free of charge to anyone in the Ashburton district dealing with a life-limiting illness. If you or someone you care about has a life limiting illness and would like our support, contact Christine on 307 8387, or 027 227 8387 or email [email protected]. See also our website www.hospicemc.nz and our facebook page www.facebook.com/hospicemidcanterbury/.


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Sales | Baling | Cultivation & DrillingForage & Beet Harvesting | Effluent

Contact Peter for all your contracting needs:

quigleycontracting.co.nz

027 436 [email protected]

Mid Canterbury Baling LtdYour Local Foothills Baling Contractor

Fergus Wakelin027 460 3921Neville Nelson021 293 1515

c Feed Trading c Wanted: Standing Lucerne

31 Anama Cavendish Rd Mt Somers

c Mowing c Raking c Teddingc Round and Square Baling

c Truck and Trailer Cartage c Wrapping

The Importanceof Biosecurity 138 years ago New Zealand’s first shipment of frozen sheepmeat arrived in London.In modern times it doesn’t seem like much of an undertaking. To export a product that has become so ubiquitous with New Zealand, half way around the world, but back then it was quite a feat.It didn’t all go to plan. Part way through the arduous journey the refrigeration unit stopped working, putting at risk the valuable cargo and the nascent industry. It was only through the actions of the Captain fixing the unit, but almost freezing to death in the process.Fast forward to today, and it’s that very distance that many might have once cursed that now helps protect us.One must only look at our most recent history. Along with the tremendous work of our health system and all New Zealanders, our relative isolation also helped reduce the impact of COVID-19.Our location, our own form of geographical physical distancing, gives us a natural advantage.But that advantage is only as good as our enforcement of it. Prior to COVID-19 dozens and dozens of flights would arrive into New Zealand every day, carrying valuable cargo, friends, family, tourists, and risk.Any one of those planes, from Latin America, the Pacific, China, Australia or the Middle East, could be carrying invasive pests and threats to our economic and environmental wellbeing.Just a matter of weeks after I became a local MP back in 2017 meetings started to be held up and down the country about a new disease: Mycoplasma bovis. As a representative for the Mid and South Canterbury – the hardest hit by bovis – for many months it came to dominate my days.The experience is one I won’t ever forget. Sitting in kitchens, in living rooms, in sheds and in smoko rooms, with the biggest and burliest farmers often in tears. For many it felt like it an end to farming, the loss of their animals, of carefully bred stock, a lifetime of work.The process, which even the Government would accept, didn’t always go as planned. Early on I made the decision to avoid the politics, and instead to work where I could with the Minister, while still pushing his Ministry to up their game.Getting agreement to pay out interim compensation, a suggestion I made, was important. To this day there’s some farmers still haggling over the final figure, and it made no sense to unnecessarily delay payments where everyone agreed they were valid.All through the process I remember thinking: thank heavens this is not foot and mouth disease. In many parts of the world Mycoplasma bovis is managed, by contrast, foot and mouth has the potential to ruin our beef and dairy industries, along with sheep, pigs, and a range of other cloven-hoofed animals.Recently the change in National Party leadership meant a reshuffle of our line-up as we head into the election. I put my hand up for the biosecurity portfolio, which I’ve now picked up alongside roles in agriculture and transport.As a team of five million we’ve beaten back COVID-19. With just a small amount of the same energy we can continue to safeguard our place in the world.

Andrew Falloon


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The Old Post Office Library

We are a small, unique community preschool and we currently have limited spaces available on our Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday sessions. Sessions are 8.30 - 3pm school terms.We offer 20 hours free for 3 years and over otherwise $5 an hour for our 2 year olds.

Please contact Chantelle at Peel Forest Preschool on 03 6963 740 or come out and visit us and meet the team and see what our centre can offer your whānau.

We are back in business!!!! The Library is back to normal apart from increased hygiene measures, so please come in and view the new look shelves where a few books have found new homes on another shelf, and others have had a shuffle around. It’s always good to change things around a little and give some books otherwise overlooked, a bit more attention. They love it!!Please remember to keeping washing your hands and we are still practising distancing, just to be sure, to keep any bugs at bay. With winter approaching this means colds and flu bugs as well as COVID 19. If you are feeling unwell please stay home so as not to inflict your bugs on other people .And sign our register. So.... SANITISE, SIGN IN, SOCIAL DISTANCE.!! Although the Library was officially closed over lockdown we still managed to lend 25 books to people who self issued. The outside shelves proved so popular for many people who had run out of reading material. A big thank you for keeping the shelves well stocked, quite often anonymously, with good citizens passing books on. Those outside free shelves are proving to have enormous value for many readers wanting a ‘fill-in’.We have some new wallpaper!!! Looks very smart with big thanks to Daralyn and Gary and our paper hanger Gerald Marbon from the village. It makes such a difference to the couch area.

NEW BOOKS:We are very pleased to have 3 brand new releases on our shelves. If you like the sound of any of them, you can reserve the copy rather than wait till it becomes available. The newest of the new are always in hot demand.

Gulliver’s Wife.... by Lauren Chater. For those who enjoyed The Lace Weaver, this new book by the same author should not disappoint. It is set in the early 1700s in London, where a midwife and herbalist, Mary Burton Gulliver, believes her husband has been lost at sea. But 3 years later he reappears and her ordered life is turned upside down. There follows a time of poverty and suspicion and it is left up to Mary to provide safety for both her daughter and the vulnerable women in her care.‘ an exquisitely told tale of love, loss and the magic of life’....... birth, death, wonder.

The Dickens Boy.... Tom KeneallyAnother popular author who has written many books namely ‘Schindler’s Ark’ on which the film Schindler’s List was based This novel is based on the life of Charles Dickens 10th son Edward,( known as Plorn) who was sent to Australia in the late 1800s with another brother Alfred, ‘to apply himself ’. He was only 16 and carried a terrible secret..... he had never read any of his father’s works.He is sent out to a remote station in NSW, to learn to become a gentleman stockman. But of course encounters much more in this new land at the bottom of the world, Australia.Intensively well researched and well written this handsome book promises much.

Shuggie Bain... by Douglas Stuart. This book intrigued me.... a wonderful black and white photograph on the cover with gold lettering title. It caught my eye!! And even more so when I read the blurb on the back cover and subsequently checked the book reviews...... all very complimentary.It is set in 1981 around Glasgow, where poverty is on the rise. The Bain family are struggling as Mr Bain has ‘up and left’ and Agnes Bain and her 3 children find themselves trapped in a mining town decimated by Thatcher-era politics. Alcohol is a helpful soother for Agnes and the children do their best for her but one by one they abandon her to save themselves. Shuggie stays the longest but he has the reputation of being ‘no right’.


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For more Call 027 358 5190Information Visit: www.foothillscatering.co.nzor to Order: Email: [email protected]

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Home Cooked Style Meals Delivered to your door!Jo (a trained dietitian) and Maddy (a restaurateur), have everything it takes to create tasty and nutritious meals for you and your family. Trust us to bring you top notch, healthy, fresh food ready to heat and eat. Two Meal Choices Prepared fresh and offered each Tuesday. Options change each week so you’ll never get bored. Ideal for:

- Elderly living independently- Farmers during busy seasons- Families with full schedules - Professionals on the go

Medium $12

Large $15

Family $46

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‘An intimate and acute exploration of mother-son relationships‘ , says one of the comments, along with, ‘Shuggie will knock you sideways’I have not read this book but look forward to it immensely. It held my interest right from noticing it on the bookshelves in Scorpio bookshop in Christchurch. It comes highly recommended.Of course these are only 3 of the 2500 books on display in our Library. Just come in and browse, there is bound to be something that appeals. It is a warm friendly place to be with winter fast approaching.

We practise good hygiene and plenty of hand washing!!More information from Pam 3039150, Robbie 3039767,Annie 3039734.

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great makes you feel that you, too, can become great.”

Mark Twain


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High Country Cuisine and Chalets

Open Wed-Sat from 6pm, Sunday lunch from 12

Phone 03 303 9814Bookings essential

Like all organisations our members are looking forward to when we can again meet as a club.This week our Club is taking its turn in helping with Meals on Wheels in Ashburton. There is still dry firewood for sale. Please contact Alistair Morrison on 027 602 4927. About Lions New Zealand: We are ordinary men and women from all walks of life and united in our desire to make a difference contributing our personal time and talents to help other people.We bridge political, economic, religious and social boundaries. Our motto is “ We Serve.”In New Zealand there are 9500 members belonging to 350 clubs. We have Mixed Clubs, Mens Clubs, and Women’s Clubs ( including Lioness ).We are community volunteers who roll up our sleeves to help young people, the elderly, the ailing, the needy and our environment. In terms of our time on projects and money raised, it is estimated Lions Clubs contribute $100 million each year for charitable organisations here and in the Pacific Islands.We are proud that every dollar raised from the public goes to the cause. We do not keep a percentage of the money for our own purposes. This makes us distinctly different from the other charities and fund raisers.People who live in the community know their communities

Mayfield and Districts Lions Report


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needs and because Lions Clubs are autonomous, decisions about community projects are made at a grass roots level. Lions projects tend to be very hands on and we actively work along side the organisations that we support. Lions Club members are service minded people who volunteer to support their community every day. When a group of people join together roll their sleeves up and take action on projects to make their community better , its an incredible feeling for everyone involved. That’s Lions.Our Club has a Board meeting once a month where almost all our business, projects and activities are sorted .The whole Club meets once a month at a tea meeting. This is a social night where we get to mix over dinner and enjoy some very interesting and entertaining speakers. There are two Ladies Nights each year, an opportunity for members and their wives or partners to enjoy a meal together and socialise. Members have opportunities to participate to the level that work, family and other commitments allow.` There is also the opportunity to develop leadership and organizational abilties and grow personally and professionally.If they are asked and choose, they can take on offices that lead through to club presidency and beyond. Above all there is the enjoyment of working with other members on various projects and knowing that they are helping their community at the same time.If you think you would make a good Lion and have not yet been asked, contact our Membership Director James Murdoch on 027 229 7149

“Whoever loves much, performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.”

Vincent Van Gogh


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Work WantedPart or full time work on a farm in the Mayfield -

Mt Somers area for semi-retired farm worker.Experience with stock work, sheep and

beef mostly, but has reared calvesand worked with pigs and deer.

Experienced with fencing, water supplyand general farm maintenance.

Ideal for farm-minding while you take a break.Contact John on 0210 246 1321 or 03 3036 144

ASHBURTON COUNCIL FACILITIES UNDER ALERT LEVEL TWO

Mid Canterbury residents will be able to start visiting the EA Networks Centre, Ashburton Public Library, Ashburton Museum, Council office and Ashburton Resource Recovery Park Reuse Shop from tomorrow (14 May), as the facilities reopen under Alert Level Two.Several Council services and facilities will resume operation under the revised alert level, with safety measures in place to ensure residents and staff are practicing physical distancing, personal hygiene and contact tracing.From tomorrow, dog owners will be allowed to run their pets off leash in designated dog exercise areas again, but must ensure they are under their owner’s control at all times. Animal Control Officers will be out patrolling more frequently to ensure the publics’ safety.Parking wardens will also resume patrols of the Ashburton CBD from Monday 18 May to ensure traffic is kept moving so that residents are better able to patronise local businesses as they begin reopening.Council Chief Executive Hamish Riach says the Council is pleased to begin safely welcoming residents back to their local facilities after almost two months in lockdown.“The shift down to Alert Level Two is excellent progress and shows how hard everyone has worked to slow the spread of COVID-19. We are excited that the move allows for some of our services and programmes to resume, however others will unfortunately be unable to restart just yet.“We ask that all visitors please comply with our safety measures. It will mean things are a little bit different than usual, but we will be doing our absolute best to make these services available without compromising your wellbeing.”The EA Networks Centre gym as well as the main, hydro, learners and leisure swimming pools in the aquatic centre will be open at 5.45am on 14 May. The stadium will remain closed until contact tracing plans are finalised, and the spa and steam room in the aquatic area will remain closed for the time being.Gym members will be required to bring a towel to workout. Gym equipment will be more separated, there will be reduced numbers allowed in classes and the drinking fountains will not be available.Aquacise classes will resume with a new booking system, however the Learn to Swim programme will not resume as yet, but the Council is working to have this available soon. Physical distancing rules will be in place in the swimming pools.The wheelie bin and crate collection service will continue as usual, with residents needing to correctly sort their rubbish, recycling and glass into the corresponding bins.The Ashburton Resource Recovery Park will continue to operate through gate two to allow all visitors to register for contact tracing and limit too much movement around the facility. Recycling, rubbish and green waste will be accepted across the weighbridge, and only eftpos payments will be accepted.The Reuse shop will reopen under Alert Level Two.The Council is continuing to work through plans for reopening community halls and camping grounds. Details about these facilities will be provided when more is known.For full details about Council services under Alert Level Two, visit ashburtondc.govt.nz/covid19.

DAIRY LANE MAINTENANCE

Steve 027 640 3414Locally Owned & Operated

Office Phone 03 693 7457E-mail: [email protected]

• Now is the time to maintain your Lanes for healthy feet and productive cows

RUT FILLER • Help eliminate wet muddy patches in paddocks• Help prevent bogging• Maintain Irrigator Efficiency• Reduce Irrigator Downtime• Improve access and safety across paddocks

For our other services visitwww.oliverbros.co.nz

Servicing our Communityfor 20 years


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Mt SomersRifle Club

Target Shooting Season starts 1st Monday In March and Runs till the end of August. The Club Is Located in The Mt Somers Domain next to the Rugby Club.All gear is provided, for a small fee a 101 shot match can be shot.This is a sport for all the family to enjoy where Mums and Dads can shoot alongside the Kids. Families are always welcome. The club is affiliated to Target Shooting New Zealand and also the Ashburton Association. Range officers are always present and Coaching is also available.This is a sport for all ages as long as you can hold a rifle, we have a 25 yard range and we shoot .22 calibre target rifles.Its a great sport encouraging strong steady levels of concentration and as with all sport teaches, perseverance, patience,and optimism (hard work over time will be rewarded).

Come along and give it a try. We meet Monday nights starting 7pm .Contacts Dave Millichamp 3039743 Kevin Fews 0211856503Stephen Millichamp 027 4194 477

The Mt Somers Rifle club, is following Target Shooting New Zealand guidelines in regards to operating our Indoor Rifle range. Our members will receive an update after the 25th May with regards to the remaining season.

Dave MillichampSecretary Mt Somers Rifle Club

PLUMBING & DRAINLAYINGCRAFTSMAN PLUMBER / REGISTERED DRAINLAYER

Phone: 03 693-8512 • Mobile: 0274 373 15833 South Terrace, Geraldine

• NEW HOUSING• REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE• ROOF REPAIRS• RENOVATIONS

• DRAIN CLEANING• LOGFIRE INSTALLATIONS• CONCRETE CORING• BACKFLOW TESTING

For afirst Rate job

call usMasterPlumbersGasfittersDrainlayers

Servicing Mayfield, Mt Somers, Hinds and South

Canterbury.

Independent and locally owned. Large and small animals.

Delivery service for all farm supplies.

Cnr Woodbury / Main North Rds, GERALDINE Phone 03 6939060, email www.gatewayvets.co.nz

24 HOUR ON-CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES Phone: (03) 693 9060

ASHBURTON FORKSENGINEERING & RTI 2013 LTD

Contact Scott & DaisyO3 3030 802 or 027 756 61391823 Ashburton Staveley Road

Flexible Nanny RequiredMt Somers

If you love children and are looking for some flexible work,

please get in touch. Good hourly rate for the right

[email protected]

or Nicole Lang0221019225


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• • • • Underpasses• • Irrigation Mainline Installation• • Project Management• • • • Driveways

COMPUTERSFIXEDFAST

FIRST TIME

144 Moore Street, Ashburtonwww.mypc.nz03 308 3400

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I am sorry but I have to let you know that our Annual Exhibition will not go ahead as planned in July due to the impact of Covid 19 and social distancing. We are trying to arrange a date for the Exhibition in October/November but we are still waiting to hear back from some of our major sponsors to see if this is feasible.I apologise for the ongoing uncertainty and I will let you know the outcome as soon as we know. Thank you for your patience

Susie Millichamp

Ashburton Society of Arts

Annual Exhibition


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ON DEMAND HIGH PRESSURE HOT WATER WHEN EVER YOU NEED IT.FREE QUOTATIONS CALL

DAVE WORKMANPLUMBING HEATING GASFITTING

03 302 9555

THE ART OF FOOD by Jen Dearborn

If, like me, you have purchased one too many tins of tuna in the last couple months this recipe is a delicious way to use them up. You could also use up some of that UHT milk sitting in your cupboard. This is a no fuss recipe and most of the ingredients are easily changed for whatever you have at home. I never peel my potatoes for mashed spud. When I found out that most of the vitamins are in the skin that was enough excuse for me to give up the job of peeling them. I would usually use frozen peas in this pie but I had a lot of kale in the garden so I used that instead but people often add corn or mixed veg too. I like to make this in a cast iron pot so that I can fry the onions and make the cheese sauce in the same pot that I bake it in but if you don’t have one, just use a large pan then transfer to a baking dish. If you get any lumps when making the cheese sauce just squash them against the edge of the pot with the back of your spoon or give it a whisk. I threw a fair bit of cheese into this pie but you could leave it out altogether if you want to. Feeds 4 to 6 people

CHEESY FISH PIEPreheat the oven to 200 degreesIf you don’t have any leftover mashed potato the first thing you will need to do is put 4 medium potatoes – washed and quartered, into a pot and cover with water. Bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer and cook until soft. Mash them with a knob of butter, ½ tsp salt and freshly ground pepper


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In a cast iron pot heat 2 tbsp olive oil then add:1 medium onion dicedCook on medium heat, stirring constantly, until the onion is beginning to brown then add 1 tbsp butter and as soon as it has melted sprinkle over:3 tablespoons flourStir vigorously for 2 minutes then pour over 1 cup of milkKeep stirring until the milk thickens then add another cup of milk and1 tsp mustard powder½ tsp salt1 tsp white or black pepperCook for another 3 or 4 minutes until it thickens. Add more milk or water if it gets too thick then remove from the heat and stir in:425 gram tin of plain or smoked tuna or 2 smaller cans – one of each1 cup peas or cooked chopped up kale or silverbeet1 cup grated tasty cheese (if you don’t use this then add more salt)Top with the mashed potato and sprinkle with half a cup of cheeseBake at 200 degrees for 20 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbling at the edges. Turn on the grill to brown the top if its bubbling but not golden yet. Serve while piping hot – it’s a complete meal in a bowl.

“Every truth passes through three stages before it is

recognized. In the first, it is ridiculed. In the second, it

is opposed. In the third, it is regarded as self evident.”

Arthur Schopenhauer


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Jeremy wanted lockdown stories in his last issue and I couldn’t believe that no one had time to write something!! Maybe, like me, you were all enjoying the immense peace and quiet that happened in the first few days. Then once everyone got their heads around the enormity of what was happening in our world, out came the chainsaws, lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, band saws, metal grinders and anything that could make a noise!! The first few days of level 4 lockdown was wet and I took the opportunity to launch into a particularly messy overstuffed cupboard and fill my recycling bin. I was so inspired that my plans to do every cupboard and wardrobe was definitely going to happen. Hadn’t planned on our Autumn to turn on such beautiful weather. So the inside jobs were quickly shelved for all the outside projects in the garden. The weeds are still growing merrily but the millions of leaves got a composted short sharp shift!One of my family members had a rather large important birthday during this time and as we were booked to be in a much more exotic location for it, decided I’d better do something to celebrate. So a neighbours bubble was built around a table groaning with a beautiful shared lunch and drinks and with our two metres apart we had a party!! Being part of Mt Somers village we were lucky having company over the back fence and lots of people to yak to on our walks and bike rides. My farming friends were quite envious of this as they felt quite isolated.All in all with our daily Jacinda and Ashley fixes on TV I really enjoyed being able to take things a bit more slowly and more enjoyably. Lazy late breakfasts, no going anywhere in the car (although the e-bike got a work out going to Staveley for eggs - thanks Annie) and of course lots of book reading. I don’t like computers much and even made myself learn to do a couple of things on them. Rosemary Morrow had shown our book group many months ago how to open a word game app. Big mistake I’ve decided as I’m hooked and hell bent on beating this virtual opponent on the extremely hard level!!I feel very sad for all those people out there who have lost their incomes and are struggling but hopefully living in a farming community we can weather it. That’s my story. Hope others have tapped out their views.PS: Thankyou so much to all the Mt Somers residents who made lovely Anzac poppies and memories outside their homes. Also the teddies and friends were spread far and wide and thanks Jeremy for giving them front page in our last issue.Still take care out there. Pam Annand Mt Somers

Well, this is myLock Down Story

Thank you Pam for your inputinto the Nor’Wester.

The Lock Down continues at different levels for some time yet, so I would still love to hear

from anyone who has a story to share with our readers.

Editor

The Nor’Wester Newsletter is now available in colour

online at:http://www.ashburtondc.govt.nz/our-district/

about-ashburton-district/our-towns-and-villages/Pages/mt-somers.aspx


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Contracting

ContractingPh Donald 027 279 8704 or Robert 027 304 8837www.donaldlovewindrowing.co.nz

Ph Robert Love027 304 8837

STRAW & BALEAGE SUPPLY - Contact us for CUSTOMISED DEALS for straw delivered at harvest time so you can get the best quality straw at very competitive prices.

n 4x3 & 3x3 Square bales

n Round bales n Mow, mow-condition

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n Reversable ploughing, sumo trio rip disc roll,

n 6m Allen Drill, direct & conventional, seed & fert

n Complete Forage harvesting service - mow, rake chop, cart, stack, weighbridge

Use your Ruralco card for a discount

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Cultivation & Forage Harvesting Services

Windrowing & Baling Services


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Cross Contracting Ltd

Experienced operators with over 45 years local knowledge

For all your digging requirements

Phone Ron021 347 958 or 303 6067

• Stockwaterracecleaning• Irrigationracecleaning• Disposablepits• SoakPit•Trenches• Gorsefence&shelterbeltremoval• Irrigationmainlinetrenching• Shinglescreeningbucket

• Tiptruckhire• Treestumpremoval&rootraking• Operatingthreediggers• Onfarmshingling–laneways,stockyards,watertroughs

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Proudly supporting the Mayfield Show

2003

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Grader and 20 ton digger available on request

New Builds Lifestyle sheds

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Farm Buildings General Maintenance

Phone Thamis for all your building needs

022 354 6524

[email protected]

A COMMENT:The “Lock-down,” it appears to me to be a very long time since we first entered this state of lock down. In fact by the time you receive this issue it would have been nine weeks in the various forms of “Lock-down,” with five of those weeks having been at level four. For all of us it has been a new experience. In some aspects it was an easy time for essential workers as they continued with their lives in an almost normal pattern. But for the majority it was stay at home in your bubble and entertain yourself as best you could. From my simple observations I noted the streets where devoid of cars and generally motorized traffic, I noted more foot traffic and good dog owners’ excising their beloved pets. As time progressed the number of cyclers increased considerably. There are also a lot of scooters about some of which are motorized.

But just what have you been doing in lock-down, what have I been doing? A good question, what have I been doing; I started with a plan but that went a little haywire, there is my regular house work and food preparation, if you could call it that, there was no going to the café or restaurant, so that meant all meals at home, a friendly neighbour delivered the occasional meal to me otherwise it was all meals of my own making. There is also the garden which was due for a lot of attention, but things just happened, the phone got extra use and there was much talking at a safe distance over the back fence and as I walked or biked with the dog. I had a friendly conversation with man from a security company as he urged me to have my dog on a lead while in a public areas, I guess he was employed by the council to bring folk like me to attention it was all due to covid 19 he informed me, I learnt later that I was far from being the only person drawn to attention on this issue, I have since read that cats are more prone to spread this virus than dogs, I guess there are all manner of living things that could spread this thing, but surely humans would be the worst.

Yes what did I do? I took to walking the dog much further, which the dog is walking while I biked; I took to baking my own bread, something I hadn’t

“Some men see things as they are and say why – I dream things that never were and say why not.”

George Bernard Shaw


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done for several years. Using my old flour and yeast was not successful, now with all new ingredients I have at last achieved success; reading is a good time filler as is talking, listening to the radio, watching TV and ‘Netflix” although more latterly I may have become a little restless. Being in lock-down has not been a problem to me. I feel that young children accustomed to preschool and the like have struggled more, understanding the reason being the real problem.

Then just what should I read in Lock-down! The Diary of Anne Frank came to my mind. I remembered my sister returning from college reading this book, although I seem to remember this book being in our family home, I had not read it. This I felt was the time; I got the book on Amazon Kindle the cost 0.85 cents US! The lowest priced book I have ever bought. To me it was a wonderful read, the Diary of a fourteen / fifteen year old but written under very difficult circumstances. If you asked what I thought my reply would be this is recommended reading, I guess it is available in lending libraries and it may be in book shops, it is certainly available on Amazon Kindle. This is totally nonfiction the diary of a teenage girl, her feelings, and her experiences of belonging to a Jewish family in the time of war. Locked away in a warehouse with her sister and parents and others, 8 people in total, a tragic story, a struggle for survival. In 1944 they were found and sent to concentration camps. Anne died before her 16th birthday, Otto Frank her father was the sole survivor, after the war he returned to Amsterdam and located the papers and had Anne’s diary published.Otto Frank later moved to Basal Switzerland where he devoted himself to sharing the message of his daughter’s diary with people all over the world. Otto died in 1980.

The author’s inscription at the opening: When I write, I feel relief, my pain disappears, the courage returns. But I wonder: will I ever write anything of importance? Will I become a journalist or a writer? I hope so, I hope with all my heart! By writing I can clarify everything, my thoughts, my ideals, my fantasies. (Signed Anne Frank)

Denis


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MAYFIELD MT SOMERS ANGLICAN PARISH

Life has sped up again and I have had my hair cut, which was certainly a load off my mind. We haven’t been out and about much, we haven’t needed to be. But the thing I have noticed is, that just about everybody that we have spoken to, has said the same thing. To them, the slowed down pace of life has been great. They think it has been a good thing for everyone. It has made people realise how important friends and family are. They have had to rely on those closest to them for everything, rather than constantly seeking entertainment outside their own homes. They hope that it will last after this time is really in the past. But will it? Or will most people go back to their old way of life----dare I say rather selfish way of life, where we and our needs are more important than family and community? Time will tell. Meanwhile we are now less than a month to the shortest day. It is very bleak today, we seem to have had quite a few similar days in these last few weeks. But I am reminded of May 1988, when we looked over for the first time our farm at Valetta and there was quite a covering of snow on the ground. Certainly we have had a few wee frosts lately, but we haven’t even been close to having snow as low and as early as that year. But I guess those without irrigation, would be agreeing that we could do with a decent rain. We noticed yesterday that our dairy farmer neighbour had his irrigation on again. We are looking forward to our younger son, daughter-in-law and grand-daughters coming down for a meal. We will make it a special

meal, not just because it has been so long since we have been together, but also as an early wedding anniversary celebration, theirs thirty years on June 4th, ours fifty-nine years on June 3rd. I hope you have not only survived this time of shut-down and continuing restrictions, but maybe have had time to feed your souls in the quietness of shut-down. Blessings,

Annette Eggleston

ANGLICAN SERVICES Parish Priest: Rev Annette Eggleston

June 7 10 a.m. St Aidan’s, Mt Somers Holy Communion June 21 10 a.m. St Aidan’s, Mt Somers Holy Communion

Followed by Parish A.G.M. July 5 10 a.m. St Aidan’s Mt Somers Holy Communion

St Aidan’s, Mt Somers – On Duty for June Daphne Syme

CHRISTCHURCH CITY MISSION - MEAT & FOOD DONATIONS (especially meat)

Please contact Harvey & Annette Eggleston on 3024 006 if you have donations

PARISH CONTACTS Parish Priest - Rev Annette Eggleston Email: [email protected] 3024 006 Church Warden – Pauline Hewson 3036 397 Church Warden, Secretary / Treasurer - Marion Jacobson 3036 122 Email: [email protected]

MAYFIELD MT SOMERS ANGLICAN PARISH A.G.M. After the 10 a.m. St Aidan’s Service Sunday 21st June 2020

NEWS FROM PLAINS PRESBYTERIAN PARISH

Nothing changes in a hurry, but I guess one day things will change. Our Parish, like others continues to operate but in a remote type of fashion. We continue to operate under the rules of lockdown level 2. This only allows gatherings of 10 or less, we expect this to change before long. For now there are available 30 minute services on Video, podcast and Zoom. These services are very good and are strongly recommended. These services are available to all, as the code changes each week this is emailed to all con-tacts on the Plains Presbyterian data base. Should you not be receiving the advice emailed out Sunday morning then please contact Rev Arii by phone or text message. I hope you have been able to live well making the most of each day as it comes; it is good to make good use of the quiet times you have particularly if alone, it is good to meditate, it is good to research and follow up on matters of interest to you, aim to spend your time well and to the advancement of your knowledge.

Wishes for The Rest of The Year. Enjoy the rest of the year, that lies ahead

Whatever it may hold, and open wide your arms to life, Be curious and bold. Be brave and courageous too, and take the path which climbs,

And leave behind the shadowed vale, to seek for brighter times. Reach out towards each lovely thing- The world has much to give,

And find throughout the moving year, New strength to love and live. And should some darker days appear, may there be guiding hands,

A voice to comfort and to cheer, A friend who understands. May all the special gifts of life, Be yours through every day,

And tranquil moments touch your heart, as love lights up your way. -Iris Hesselden

Minister: Rev Arii Taimataora Phone 03 3028835 or 027 284 2173 Parish Contacts: Kevin Taylor ph 303 6392 Kay King ph 303 6033 Website plainspresbytrian.co.nz Facebook.com/PlainsPresbyterianParish


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Mayfield Swimming Pool A BIG thank you to the many people who have returned their pool keys, now that Level 2 makes it easier. This is very much appreciated. For people who haven’t got round to returning their keys yet..... Please return your keys ASAP to one of the places below. Mayfield Udder Dairy

Mayfield School Office during the secretary’s hours

Panthers Rock Tavern Visit our Facebook page. Gerald Jacobson, President. 3036122 0220862991

Connected

Interesting times. The pandemic, a deeply shaken economy, a volatile election on the way. It’s what it is to be alive on this planet – nothing’s certain, everything changes and sometimes dramatically.On a personal level I’ve enjoyed the extra focus on community. While in lockdown I really appreciated getting my groceries delivered from Methven Supervalue. A call in to Mt Somers Store became ‘something to do’. A walk in the village encountered others doing the same and some good ‘social distance’ chats were had. A meal delivered from Foothills Catering continues to be a highlight of the week. And facetime drinkies were fun! More than ever I appreciate our people and our local businesses. We’re a good and decent community and whatever happens with our world, I’m happy to be living here.

A thought though, we saw this post earthquakes and we’re seeing it post the pandemic crisis point - our connections with neighbours and community drop off. It seems natural for this to happen, but it’s not. We’re a bit rusty on it compared to earlier humans but we’re at our best when we’re connected. A text, a wave, a yarn by the side of the road. The chemical oxytocin is released, making us feel good – physically and emotionally. Gotta be good for you!


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ISSUE ONE The Nor’wester JULY 2016 1

Ph: (03) 303 6102 Mayfield - Ph: (03) 693 8352 OrariEmail: [email protected]

74 MAYFIELD KLONDYKE ROAD, MAYFIELD, ASHBURTON 7778

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Under New Ownership

Book of the Month – Mt Somers libraryTitle: ‘Life as a Casketeer’Author: Francis & Kaiora TipenePublication date: 2020a review by Elles Smallegoor

Some of you may be familiar with the award-winning Reality TV show ‘The Casketeers’ in which a camera crew follows the daily business lives of Auckland funeral director couple Francis and Kaiora Tipene. The couple have now published a book that provides a bit more context and depth to this series and reads as half autobiography, half educational book about the funeral directing business. At the same time, it offers the reader insight into Māori (and a bit of Pacific Island) culture and language. It’s an incredibly enjoyable and mostly enlightening read.The main voice in the book is that of Frances, but Kaiora is ever-present in his stories and she has her own separate pages in which she tells something about her youth or responds to certain subjects. The first few chapters relate their similar traditional Māori upbringings in Northland, with whānau at the centre of things. Neither of their families had much to spend nor a lot of home luxuries to speak of (such as electricity or running water) but both were raised in a supportive and loving community. It took a bit for Kaiora’s family to warm to the idea of Francis as an in-law (some family history there!), but once they got married and he willingly adopted the Mormon faith, this turned around quickly. They now have five boys of their own. These chapters reveal how the skills, values and knowledge they obtained then have become immensely useful to them now.The autobiographical chapters slowly morph into educational ones as soon as Francis starts telling about his career as a funeral director and he opens up about the both the practical and the emotional side of the job. He is amazingly passionate, respectful and honest about it all: the duty and gratitude he feels when being able to help families pay their last respects, the challenges of picking up the bodies of the deceased (they take many forms), then washing, dressing and putting make-up on them, the technicalities of embalming (apparently modern medication makes this job even harder), the stress involved in making sure funerals and cremations go smoothly (there is one anecdote about a casket starting to float in a grave because of coastal tides!), the pride in running a successful business with his hard-working team, and the joy and devotion he has for his culture and language. The book

is interspersed with a lot of Māori words, the meaning of which the reader can look up in a glossary in the back of the book; every chapter starts with a Māori proverb which is translated into English for the reader to ponder. I especially liked ‘He tina ki runga, he tāmore ki raro’: ‘Contentment above, firmly rooted below’ (p. 19).The book then returns to the autobiographical form, with Francis assessing their participation in the reality show ‘The Casketeers’ and the mixed feelings he has about the whole project, personally and professionally. One thing is for sure, he says, “It was amazing how quickly being a celebrity got boring.” (p. 190). Finally, Francis offers some reflections on death. ‘Life as a Casketeer’ shows us in a gentle but direct way that death is inevitably part of life and that there is nothing morbid about thinking or talking about it (and the processes that follow), even though it may be confronting at times. Rather, doing so gives life and living deeper meaning.


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Winter is coming, and it is time to start looking up into the stars as Matariki, Māori New Year rises. Matariki is the Māori name for a cluster of stars which is visible in our night sky at a specific time of the year. In 2019, from 25 to 28 June, Matariki re-appeared in the dawn sky – signaling the start of the Māori New Year. This year 2020, Matariki rises in May and will re-appear in the dawn sky from 13 to 20 July. Because Māori follow the Māori lunar calendar, the dates for Matariki change every year this also means that Iwi across New Zealand celebrate Matariki at different times during this period. Matariki is a time to celebrate new life, to remember those who’ve passed and to plan for the future. It’s a time to spend with whānau and friends – to enjoy kai (food), waiata (song), tākaro (games) and haka.The tūpuna (ancestors) would look to Matariki for help with their harvesting. When Matariki disappeared in April/May, it was time to preserve crops for the winter season. When it re-appeared in June/July, tūpuna would read the stars to predict the upcoming season – clear and bright stars promised a warm and abundant winter while hazy stars warned of a bleak winter.As Matariki approaches this year it is a good time to reflect on both the positive and negative changes we have all experienced this year,

especially with the impact Page ContentCOVID-19 has had on us all. Firstly, on ourselves, on our whanau, on our communities and to acknowledge that some of the changes have been challenging both personally and culturally. To recognise the importance of understanding, compassion and empathy that needs to be demonstrated and displayed not only when working with and for our communities, but also with each other. To take the opportunity to embrace Matariki this year to celebrate with whanau, friends and your communities. To reflect on the year that’s has been, to plan for the year ahead, to set some challenges, (here’s a challenge: why not consider becoming a member of the Mayfield St John Ambulance Team), to have some fun and to take some time to participate in events whether it is at home or in your community. To remember you need to be well in order to be there for your whanau, other whanau and your community.

Michelle Brett Operations Member Mayfield St John References

· Te Ara (the Encyclopaedia of NZ)

https://teara.govt.nz/en/matariki-maori-new-year· Te Papa

https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/discover-collections/read-watch-play/maori/matariki-maori-new-year/whare-tapere/matariki

· Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

https://www.twoa.ac.nz/Pages/Te-Iwa-o-Matariki· Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matariki

Matariki


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The views and opinions expressed in this Newsletter do not necessarily reflect

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DEADLINE DATEISSUE DEADLINE DELIVERYJuly 2020 26 June 1 July

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