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www.ashburtoncourier.co.nz New generation at the wheel There is anew generationin charge of running<strong>Ashburton</strong> business success story Ashford Handicrafts. James Ashford and his partner David Lester have taken over ownership of the spinning, weaving andtextile craft businessfrom James’ parents Richardand Elizabeth Ashford. Ashford Handicraftswas founded by Richard’s father Walterin1934and started producing spinning wheels six years later. Thecompany has sold over 850,000 spinning wheels and looms over the years and uses New Zealand silver beech sourced from sustainable managed forests. Ashfords also has a1200m2 woollenmill in Milton, which employs three staffand producesaround 30 tonnes of merinoand corriedale wool each year. Richard Ashford said it was the endofanera for himand his wife, but both would continueasdirectors. Homecraftand knitting had seen astrong resurgence in recent months and thefuture looked bright. Mr Ashford said he had learnt thebusiness from his father andhad been passingon that knowledgetothe new ownersfor anumber of In front of Mill House are Richard and Elizabeth Ashford and new owners James Ashford and David Lester. months. His son, asoftware engineer and his partner, an accountant, had workedinNew York, but both were enjoying the business and change of lifestyle in <strong>Ashburton</strong>. Ashfordswas abouthigh quality, affordable products and excellent service and support, he said. TheAshford factory off West Street is 3000m2 and the business employs 40 people. Thefamily also owns the adjacent Mill House andcraft village. Mill House,whichincludes a large craft shop and new cafe called Mill House Kitchen, is set to reopen soon after extensive restrengthening work. Internal and external wall bracing has been installed, new foundations laid and the space refitted. Aheritage grant from the <strong>Ashburton</strong>District Council ($7000)and Heritage EQUIP funding ($30,000) has helped partfund workonthe historic property that dates back to 1912. NEWS <strong>Ashburton</strong> <strong>Courier</strong>, <strong>August</strong> <strong>13</strong>, <strong>2020</strong> Big Grin opening 17 Big GrinOrthodontists will openits own premisesin Harrison Streetnext week offering specialist orthodontic caretoclients. There are also plans to extendinto school dentaltherapy and offeroral hygiene services for people of all ages. Orthodontist Dr Joseph Petelo hasbeen offering followup care to clients regularly and travelling,with ateam,from Christchurch to arental space inBurnett Street. The new premises, conveniently closeto <strong>Ashburton</strong> College,will see the team continueto offer orthodontic checkupsbut with along term plan to extendinto school dental therapy. ‘‘This is to offer the under18(year olds) freedental treatment for Year 9 –18years (this is ourpassion project) there is anumber of childrenNZwide thatare not optimizingthe free dental checkups.’’ They want to catchunder18’s not being seen by other dentists in<strong>Ashburton</strong>, orthe community dentalvan, which did not visit high schools. The enrolment rate was63 per centbut there was ‘‘no reason why <strong>Ashburton</strong> should not have 100per cent of the childrenbeingseenunder the free school dental scheme’’. Managerexits with councilpraise LINDA.CLARKE @ashburtoncourier.co.nz The mayorthat hired EA Networks Centre boss Steve Prescottbid him farewell last weekand thanked him for ajob well done. Angus McKaywas mayor whenthe pool and stadium complex openedfive yearsago, with Mr Prescott at the helm. He is leavingthismonth andMr McKay, now adistrict councillor,said Mr Prescott had tamed ‘‘a beast’’ by implementing goodsystems and keepingthe facilityunder financial control. Cr McKay said the facility was one of council's’s most successfulprojects and Mr Prescott’s guidance,effort and drivehadbeenvital. Thesearch for his replacement is under way and applications closed yesterday. Projectsofthe future include asoftware replacement to improve theway the centre operated,communicated and interacted withits customers, and the development of adisc golf course on land near the centre. Thestadium had been back to full operationpost lockdown and learntoswim classes had beenback to full capacity with 793 enrolments this term. Gym andfitnessgroup numbers are about95per cent of prelockdown numbers. The gym is preparing to roll out a virtualcycling programmefrom Les Mills called ‘‘the trip’’; <strong>Ashburton</strong> will be the first location inthe South Island. Mr Prescottsaid anumber of Manager Steve Prescott leaves the EA Networks Centre this month. newstaff from an older demographic werecomingon boardinthe aquatics area after an earlier struggle to find workers. ‘‘You will seeamuch more stable workforce going forward,’’ he told councillors in his final report. He said the centre was one of the bestfacilitieshehad been involvedwith over his working life.The addition of disc or frisbee golf wouldbeagooduse for its outdoorspace. THE <strong>2020</strong> GENERAL ELECTION AND REFERENDUMS Enrol by 16 <strong>August</strong> to make voting quick and easy. Do it onlinewith your NZ driverlicenceor passportatvote.nz 0800 36 76 56