Ashburton Courier: January 14, 2021

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NEWS 4 Ashburton Courier, January 14, 2021 Peter farewelled Ashburton’s Peter Bain,amanwhose mountain climbing passion tookhim around theworld, hasdied, aged 88. His funeral is today. Mr Bain, also akeen cricketer, grew up on the family farmatColdstream, with dreams of being an explorer.He went to AshburtonHigh School and learnedtoclimb in theSouthern Alps; he laterclimbed in Pakistanand the Himalayas and was aradio operator in the Antarctic. He methis wife Marie, atrainee nurseat Ashburton Hospitaland theymarriedin1959. They raised two sons Alasdairand Robert. Mr Bain began teachingatAshburtonCollege in 1969, retiring in 1990. Blithe Spirit ReviewedbyRowenaHart In 1941 when Britain was atthe mercy of the Blitz, the staging of Noël Coward’s classic play Blithe Spirit,acomedy about death, wasconsidered arisk. But it turned out to be abig hit, with arecord run in the West End and Broadway beforebeing turned into afilm four years laterstarring RexHarrison. Now the director of a new version of the film and one of its lead actors, Dame Judi Dench, feel that the “dark space” we are currently in provides another fittingly gloomybackdrop forthe release of aproduction thatthey hope will liftpeople’s spirits. Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens, is cast as bestselling crime novelist Charles who suffers from terrible writer’s block in struggling with his first screenplay. His stunning new wife Ruth dreams of leaving London for Hollywood. Seeking inspiration, he invites Madame Arcati to perform aséance in his home, only to realise that she has inadvertently summoned the spirit of his deceased first wife – the fiery Elvira, who tries to win back his affections, leading to an increasingly complexlovetriangle. It is very funnyand will no doubt be enjoyedbyNoel Coward fans and others wanting to have some time out. bookings ph 307 1230 www.regentcinema.co.nz 2345942 www.ashburtoncourier.co.nz Scouts enjoying aspot of rafting on Lake Camp during the adventure camp from left Andrew Williams (Christchurch), Liam Sherwin (West Melton), Lulu Webster (Christchurch) and Charlise Franklin (Ashburton). PHOTO TONI WILLIAMS Scouts out for adventure TONI.WILLIAMS @ashburtoncourier.co.nz Lake Camp, in the Ashburton Lakes area, had scores of recreational users vying for space over the holiday period, especially as Lake Clearwater was closed due to atoxic algae. Amongthe swimmers, motorised boats, water skiers and jet skierson Lake Camplastweekwere scouts and their leaders doing day activities as part of their StaveleyAdventure Camp. It was achance to try new experiences and learn newskills. Up to 30 scouts each day, run over three days last week, tookpart in sailing, kayaking,rafting, rowing and paddleboarding. The camp, based at Staveley happenseverythree years, andhad more than 350scouts andventurers, from Canterburywide. They came from as far away as Wellington, Greymouth and Waimate, aged between 11 and 17 years old, doing a mix of 40 activities aroundthe districtand beyond. Activities includedcanon caving, fishing,mountain biking, rafting, bush camping,shooting, craft and flying. www.auricelectrical.co.nz • Domestic electrical services • New house wiring • House rewiring &maintenance SUPPLIERS AND INSTALLERS OF LEADING BRANDS Clearwater warning stays Ahealth warning remains on Lake Clearwater after apotentially toxic bluegreen algae (planktonic cyanobacteria) was found in the lake. The lake is apopular holiday destination for hutholders and campers but also recreational users such as day trampers, mountainbikers and fishers. Water testing has shown high concentrations of Synechocystis, which could cause skin rashes, nausea, stomach cramps, tingling and numbness around the mouth and fingertips. Despite the warning windsurfers and kayakers were still seen on the water early last week. However Canterbury District Health Board has not received any reports of health issues associated with Lake Clearwater as of late last week. An Environment Canterbury spokesperson said there had been speculation about the cause but it was not always easy to establish. ‘‘There are likely several sources of • TV &Datawiring • Solar installation • HeatPumps Call todayfor an obligation free quote 0800287 423 2331178 nutrients to the lake as well as other contributing factors. What we do know is that Lake Clearwater is enriched in nutrients; the Trophic Level Index (TLI) has been either mesotrophic (above three) or eurotrophic (above four) every year since 2006. ‘‘Higher than usual levels of algal biomass were measured last summer, which have again been exceeded this summer.’’ The regional council was testing the water weekly for cyanobacteria in addition to their standard summer programme testing for Ecoli. The warning will remain in place until two consecutive weekly tests were recorded at safe levels for contact recreation. ‘‘Heavy rain can remove cyanobacteria from lakes, but can also contribute new nutrients for future cyanobacteria growth, so the recent heavy rain may or may not help resolve the problem.’’ The issue is also arecurring one at nearby Lake Emma which degraded and became turbid and supertrophic in around 2000. Despite reservation of the lake edge land after 2000, it has still not reverted back to a healthy clear water state. ‘‘Lake Emma appears to be trying to ‘flip’ between aturbid, green, phytoplanktonrich state and aclearer, aquatic plantdominated state. Once degraded, lakes can take alot of time to respond to decreased nutrient loading and other pressures.’’ The algae had potential to be transferred between lakes by recreational users but needed favourable environmental conditions to grow to nuisance levels. It liked nutrientrich, warm, calm waters. ECan has received numerous complaints about excessive growth of aquatic plants in Lake Clearwater, which had impacted on recreational uses like angling and boating and had become ahealth and safety issue.
www.ashburtoncourier.co.nz NEWS Ashburton Courier, January 14, 2021 Offroad affair helps walkway IN BRIEF LINDA.CLARKE @ashburtoncourier.co.nz A4WD safari into the Mid Canterbury high country on Valentine’s Day will generate some lovefor the Mt Somers Walkway Society. The fundraisingsafari on February 14 will support the work of the walkway society, which is currently working on anew tracktoSharplin Falls. The old track has been closed sinceFebruary 2015 because of rockfall danger. The safarinext month will run from Lake Heronto the south branchofthe Ashburton River and back, offering views of the spectacular countryside. Vehicles meetatMtSomers first. It is being coordinatedby the Ashburton 4WD Club and opento lowratiovehicles with high clearanceonly, because of the nature of the terrain to be crossed. Entry is $80per vehicle. Along convoy of vehicles is expected, with stoppingpoints scheduled alongthe route for photos. Society chairman Charles Ross saidthe Sharplin Falls track workinggroup hasbeen progressing plans for the new track over the past month, including complex Cam Bissett, of D&E Track and Trail, undertakes aprescriptive track assessment on the proposed new route to Sharplin Falls. PHOTO SUPPLIED environmental requirements necessaryfor the assessment of environmental effectsand the budgetary aspects of the project. The working groupwas currently working on the design of the two bridges neededtotraverse Bowyers Streamtoget to the falls. Working group member Sam Polson of EDCEngineers, Christchurch,has been asked to review the initialbridge design. It is likely the bridges will be 38.8 metres long and made of galvanised angle iron. Mr Ross said it was necessary to finalise this aspect of thetrackfor the assessmentofenvironmental effectstobecompleted. The reportwill then be used to gain iwisupport, resource consent andthen Department of Conservation approval. The environmental assessmentisbeing funded by agrant from the Ian Glassey Fund, held by the Advance AshburtonCommunity Foundation, andisbeing undertaken by environmental scientist Fred Overmars. The working group includes walkway society members Alan Totty, Robert Schikker, Barry Austin andCharles Ross and wellknown local Jack Allan, who is undertaking the fundraisingrole. Providing excellent and active support to the working groupare the preferred contractors for theproject includingShane Reynolds, contracting manager,Fulton Hogan, Ashburton (bridge installation); Cam Bissettof D&E Track &Trail (track building); and Colin Hunt of ERL Engineering, Ashburton (bridgemanufacturer). Mr Ross said the preferred contractors were all most experienced in their respective fields andthe working groupremained enthusiastic about returning a trackto the falls. Vehicleswanting to go on the February 14 safari will meet at Mt Somers Domain between 8am and 9am to registerfirst, with the convoy moving off to LakeHeron after 9am. Peopleare advisedtobring lunch, drinks andsunscreen. Cultural Bite to be held in domain Ashburton’s ethnic celebration Multi Cultural Bite on February 6has a change of venue this year, with the Ashburton domain set to host the popular event. It will be held at the corner of Walnut Avenue and West Street, close to the domain paddling pool and playground, from 10am until 2pm. It will be followed by Waitangi Day at the Pa, at Hakatere Marae, from 3pm. Multi Cultural Bite is an awardwinning festival that provides an opportunity for different ethnic groups within the community to showcase their culture. This year will be the 12th running of the popular event. Performing arts, interactive children’s activities and ethnic food stalls, selling bitesized portions of their typical national dishes, will operate throughout the day. Organisers are encouraging the community to continue celebrating the day at Hakatere Marae, where there will be food, waiata (songs), games, bouncy castles and other familyoriented activities. Multi Cultural Bite trustee Selwyn Price said food stalls would be organised in regional groups with acentralised stage that encouraged the notion of a virtual tour of the world through food. There would be astreet market feel to things and stallholders were encouraged to take to the stage. Other local cultural groups were also lined up to perform. Mr Price said the domain was an ideal venue that offered more space to spread out than the usual site on East Street. He and his fellow trustees were looking forward to Bite and the event at the marae, which would help commemorate and celebrate New Zealand’s national day and its bicultural foundations. The public is encouraged to bring picnic blankets and chairs and to enjoy the food and performances on offer on the day. 5 RIVERTRAIL The whole LakeHood River Trail has reopened for bikers and walkers.Asection of the track from Boundary RoadtoGrove Farm Road wasclosedlastyearwhile the Ashburton District Council undertook a$7.7 million wastewater project.The trail starts at the northern end of LakeHood andruns to the Ashburton bridgeonState HighwayOne. ART WORKSHOP Award-winning artist Vashti Johnstone will run atwo-day acrylic painting workshopinAshburton in early March. The workshopwill allowparticipants to explorethe median under the guidanceofthe former Methven-basedartist. Numbers on the course are capped at 10 and it will be held at the Ashburton Society of Arts’ Short Street studio on March 5and 6. It costs $110 for ASAmembersand $120for others.Toregistercontact RozLedingham on 021 718633 or email ashsocart@gmail.com. COUNCIL BUILDER Naylor Love has beenconfirmedas the preferredcontractorfor construction of the Ashburton DistrictCouncil’s new library and civiccentre. Detailed contract negotiationsare under way with the outcomeof thesetobeannouncedassoon as possible. The announcementofNaylor Loveasthe preferred contractor follows an open tender process and assessment of thesetenders by a panel includingcouncillors, senior council staff, andindependentthird party experts. The building on BaringSquare Eastwill costaround $51.6 million. METHVEN POOLFUN The Methven CommunityPoolwill hostabacktoschool party and corporatechallenge eventon January 30. Funracesstart from 3pm andwill be followed by the annualcorporate challenge at 4pm. There is an early bird specialof$20 for thecorporate challenge andif you signupwith another businessat the same time, justone entry fee is payable.There is alsofreerace entry for sports clubsand schools with the early bird special, which runsuntil January 23.Email teams to methvenpool@gmail.com with a team contactphonenumber. SUMMER SALE HALF PRICE Sleepyhead Swisstek PHONE 03 550 7000 ADDRESS 28-32 MOORE STREET, ASHBURTON WEBSITE WWW.BEDSRUS.CO.NZ 2346026
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Ashburton Courier: January 14, 2021

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