The Star: September 15, 2016

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20 Thursday September 15 2016 follow us on facebook.com/riseupchristchurch The Star News Let the games begin Designer Fashion 3000 items arriving daily! See Our HUGE Selection! • Designer Brands • Family Clothing • Menswear • Footwear • Bric-a-brac • Workman Outdoor Clothing • Household Goods • Books • See the Retro Section AND Formal Wear Open Daily 7 Days Sydenham: 39 Battersea St Papanui: 472 Cranford St Hornby: 94 Shands Rd New Brighton: 52 New Brighton Mall (Old Farmers Building) HOURS Mon–Sat 9am–5pm Sun/Public Holidays 10am–4pm New Zealand’s Largest Recycled Clothing Retailer The Hororata Highland Games was the brainchild of a group of residents wanting to raise money to rebuild morale and their community facilities following the September 2010 earthquake. Six years later, more than 10,000 people are expected to head to the games in November. Bridget Rutherford reports • By Bridget Rutherford SIXTY KILOMETRES west of Christchurch is a little rural township sitting at the edge of the Canterbury Plains. You would be forgiven if you thought it was sleepy. It was badly hit in the September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes. As a result, its stone Anglican church was damaged and boarded up, its hotel was too costly for the publican to repair and was sold, its hall is still being used but needs repairs, and the district’s homesteads bore the brunt of the quakes. But for the past year, 200 volunteers having been busy organising the Hororata Highland Games. Come November 5, more than 9000 people will head to the domain to watch, take part and enjoy the games – the largest in New Zealand. They say all good ideas are hatched over a nice glass of wine, and the highland games was no exception. Dee Innes, a Windwhistle farmer who has been involved in the community for 30 years, was on the founding committee that set up the Hororata Community Trust, which runs the games. It was formed following the September 2010 earthquake. MUSCLE: Last year’s Oceania Heavyweight Championship was won by Ruben De Jong (above right), who also competes in the Hororata stones competition. Among other delicacies, Hororata whisky can be bought at the games. PHOTOS: MURRAY IRWIN However, the group of 10 people were used to working together before that. In February 2010, the group was raising money for both St John’s Anglican Church and Christ Church Cathedral. “It was because Peter Beck [former Christ Church Cathedral dean] had told us the Cathedral was costing $30,000 a day or week to run, so it was thought we could help with that and, at the same time, help St John’s,” Mrs Innes said. Ironically, both churches were in better shape then than they are now – the Cathedral’s future is still unclear, and St John’s is still boarded up after its bell tower collapsed through the roof. On September 4 that year, the 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit, and the following day the group members decided they better get back together, Mrs Innes said. The Hororata Community Trust was born and, in turn, the highland games, which has steadily grown from about 3000 people at its inaugural event in 2011 to 9000 last year. “We were a group that were used to working together. I think that was why we were so lucky to organise a large event afterwards,” Mrs Innes said. “It would be fair to say the trust was founded with the rebuild of St John’s in mind.” The money raised by the trust goes back into the community, but the idea to start the highland games was not just for residents, she said. “I think people were looking for something different and something to get their mind off the earthquakes and looking to get out of Christchurch.”

The Star follow us on facebook.com/riseupchristchurch Thursday September 15 2016 21 ADVERTORIAL in Hororata RURAL: There will be sheep shearing demonstrations during the highland games. Mrs Innes organises the stalls at the games, which sell clothes, craft, wood craft, jewellery, leather and food. There were usually about 100 stalls there and perhaps one of the most popular sells the Hororata tartan and whisky. “They are very popular indeed.” The tartan fabric was gifted to the community in 2012 by the Scottish Tartans’ Authority and the whisky – Hororata blend and Hororata single malt – come from Adelphi Distillery in Scotland. The trust members enjoy a brew or two together, Mrs Innes said. “It’s been known to happen.” Event manager Cindy Driscoll is coming into her third year of organising the event. However, she was around when it all began. The idea was hatched alongside a “good glass of wine”, she said. “The group thought we need to do something to raise some money for our community and bring everyone together,” she said. FuLL mEChANICAL SErvICE & rEPAIr AvAILAbLE “They had no idea how successful it was going to be.” Competitors come from all over New Zealand and Australia to compete in the Gough CAT Oceania Heavyweight Championship, which includes traditional Scottish events such as the caber toss, and Hororata stones competition. Other popular events include the Hororata pie eating competition, the kilted mile, Southfuels tug o’ war, as well as the piping, drumming and highland dancing competitions. Mrs Driscoll said organisers try and come up with fresh ideas for the games each year. She said one of the new events this year would be the Gough CAT vehicle pull, which is open to teams of five. Contestants have to pull a vehicle with a digger and trailer along a track, and the fastest teams wins a $500 cash prize. Bike polo is another new addition and a special guest will join on the day to judge the piping competitions. Kyle Warren – who is a member of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and, more recently, recorded pipes on the Disney Pixar Oscarwinning movie Brave – will judge. Mrs Driscoll said the event wasn’t just about raising money, it was about raising the profile of the community. “It takes 200 volunteers to make this event happen, but you can feel the passion that goes into it because it’s led by the community,” she said. “If we get 10,000 people this year, we’ll be happy.” •Tickets for the Hororata Highland Games can be bought online at www. eventfinda. co.nz/2016/hororatahighland-games/ hororata. The event’s official print media sponsor, Star Media, will have a stall with an interactive display for readers. Coverage of the games will air on CTV’s Rural New Zealand on November 9. $22 WOF SIZZLING SAT WOF SPECIAL Cnr Fitzgerald Ave & Hereford St. Phone: 365-5220 www.a1auto4service.co.nz Inspirational High Country Luxury Terrace Downs Resort is one of Canterbury’s most inspirational venues, offering luxurious facilities, breathtaking vistas, premier accommodation, superb cuisine, a championship golf course and a menu of adventure activities. Located in the heart of a high country community within an hour’s drive of Christchurch International Airport, Terrace Downs is internationally regarded as an ideal destination for weddings and conferences as well as weekend retreats, private events and Christmas functions. With the festive season not far away “Christmas is the perfect time to leave the real world behind and experience the special and amazing place that is Terrace Downs Resort” says the General Manager Koji Kawamata. A special buffet menu with a Christmas theme will be served in the unique rustic Clubhouse which overlooks panoramic views of the golf course and beyond to the Southern Alps. The elegant Hunter’s Restaurant features grand décor that reflects the distinctive and spectacular scenery of Canterbury and offers different space options for groups up to 100 guests. Plan your The food and beverage team at Terrace Downs Resort are renowned for flair and meticulous attention to detail, complemented by superb service that will ensure guests’ complete comfort and enjoyment. For an evening Christmas function, Terrace Downs Resort is easily accessible and just a 30 minute drive from Methven. But for those who would like to extend their Christmas festivities, Terrace Downs offers a choice of two deluxe options accommodating a total of 100 guests. The resort’s chalets comprise beautifully appointed four and seven bedroom houses, while the villa suites are spacious and self contained, range from one to three bedrooms and are luxuriously furnished complete with a raised spa bath. For the ultimate in guest entertainment, activities include golf, archery, clay bird shooting, horse riding, heli-tours and jet boating, or simply being pampered at the resort’s on-site day spa. n Celebrate your Christmas in style and secure your booking at Terrace Downs Resort by visiting www.terracedowns.co.nz or emailing events@terracedowns.co.nz Christmas Function At Terrace Downs Resort! • Dinner Functions • Conferences • Activities • Accommodation • Golf Tournaments • Team Building Events Terrace Downs has so much to offer and there’s something for everyone! Our events team will organise a special Christmas event for you! Only a one hour drive from Christchurch. Phone 03 318 6943 Terrace Downs Resort, Coleridge Road, Windwhistle, Canterbury Email: events@terracedowns.co.nz www.terracedowns.co.nz

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The Star: September 15, 2016

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