Friendly family rivalry the icing on the A&P show cake
Angela Wratt managed an impressive 32 entries at Saturday’s Motueka A&P Show and walked away with a hefty stack of placings for her efforts. Her piano cake – one of 17 baking entries – won first place and was “surprisingly easy” to create, Angela says. The sheer number of entries was no small feat and meant taking a day off work to pull everything together in time for show day. Next year, she’s considering making it two days. “Partly I do it just because I’m competitive, and partly I do it to keep the show going, because you’ve got to have people competing,” she says. Now living in Stoke, Angela grew up in Upper Moutere and reckons her grandfather was always involved in the Motueka show. She was pleased with this year’s haul, but the real competition is between Angela and her sister Cynthia, who managed 44 entries after adding some photography. Angela says they jostle for the honour of the most first-place ribbons and reckons this year they came out about even. Although – “she beat me in the gumboot throw by miles,” she grumbled good-naturedly.
Toilet vandalism leaves $5k repair bill
Vandalism of a public toilet at Tāhunanui has left ratepayers with a roughly $5000 clean-up bill. The toilet near the skate rink in Tāhunanui was vandalised on Saturday, 29 November. The toilet had been completely ripped out of the building and was left lying outside. Nelson City Council manager operations delivery, Eddie Powick, says the “extensive” damage is disappointing. He says police reports have been filed and encourages anyone with information to contact the police. He estimates around $5000 worth of damage was done. “Facilities should be accessible and safe for everyone to use. When vandalism like this occurs, it impacts the entire community – it’s not just the cost to repair, it means a public toilet on a popular walking route is out of action until it can be fixed,” he says. “It’s frustrating that a small number of individuals can cause such significant damage to facilities. Council works hard to maintain these public spaces for our community, and it is disheartening to see them treated with disrespect.”
Work continues on Rocks Rd
Since November this year, the NZTA has been clearing a considerable amount of vegetation on the southern cliff section of State Highway 6, Rocks Rd, near Tāhunanui Beach. They’re now on to installing the ground anchors for the new mesh netting. The old mesh fence system has been removed as it had reached the end of its working life. The work will make the highway more resistant to slips and rockfalls, resulting in a safer stretch of road for the 22,000 people who use it daily. A NZTA spokesperson says work will continue until around March 2026, but it should have minimal impact on the state highway over summer as work will pause over the Christmas/New Year break.
Airport walkway to reopen
After months of partial closure due to the apron reconstruction project, Nelson Airport is fully reopening its new and improved perimeter walkway. The walkway is a well-utilised exercise route for Nelsonians, and the reopening will be celebrated with a fun day out on 20 December from 11am-2pm. There will be roaming entertainers handing out spot prizes, and halfway around the 5K loop, there will be a fun zone with the airport fire truck spraying its water cannons, an inflatable obstacle course, and coffee and ice cream available to purchase. Entry is on McLaren Drive with free parking alongside.
A pub that’s turning into a zoo
First it was a seal pup; then came Jimmy the bearded dragon, making Sprig & Fern The Meadows seem like it was on the path to becoming a mini zoo. Co-owner Bella Evans says Jimmy at least came with its owner last week, while the seal pup earlier in the week was a rescue mission to return to the wild. The seal has become a good pub story - so much so that international news agencies have been contacting the tavern to learn more about its marine mammal guest.
New gym for Richmond
A fitness gym and a sustainability company are taking up residence in the former Raeward Fresh store near the Champion Rd roundabout. Gill Ireland from Bayleys Real Estate confirmed Anytime Fitness is leasing a large part of the ground floor of the building where it will be open 24 hours a day. Sustainability company, SLR Consulting, is moving in upstairs, leaving two smaller spaces to lease.
Christmas in the Park
Carols and Christmas songs to get the community into the festive spirit will take centre stage at Washbourn Gardens this Saturday. A performance by the Brazilian Social Club, kids’ activities and food carts will be the 6pm curtain-raiser. The celebration will continue after the carols with a youth After Glow party from 9pm to 10pm. Bring a koha (donation) for a candle (first in first served) - all proceeds will go towards Motueka Pool.
