Letters to the Editor 22 May
Panto Goes West
Our family went to opening night of Panto Goes West - what a hoot! Lots of booing and hissing, laughing and singing - then there’s the acting. The Oscar goes to Geoff Rennison - hilarious old coot - and Best Actress to Paul Sangster. But it’s not easy to choose as everyone involved deserves an accolade. Pantos are such fun and this one is not to be missed. Good on you all.
Billy Kerrisk
Child-initiated play
The Takaka Playcentre is pleased to announce a Winter Wallet Warmer, free sessions for children under two. There couldn’t be a better time to come and join the Takaka Playcentre. We are open five mornings a week and Wednesday afternoon, with spaces available on most sessions. We offer 16 areas of play to explore. This gives children the opportunity to choose an activity, take time to finish it, choose friends, and to share learning with others. Children of any age thrive and benefit from this “child-initiated play” that Playcentre offers. Playcentre is a great place for parents too. If you have any questions phone us on 525 8114, or drop in to see us between 9.30am-12.00pm, Monday through Friday. We look forward to meeting you.
Laura Manson, on behalf of Takaka Playcentre
Arts strategies and business tools workshop
Last month in the Sounds I attended a powerful art strategies and business tools workshop called FUSE by a woman from Christchurch. (www.artists.co.nz/fuse) I’ve come away empowered in many ways and simply want to share it with others in Golden Bay. If you’re an artist (visual, musical, dramatic, circus performer or the like), this six-day workshop would benefit your business. Please call me on 525 7488 by 6 June if you’d like to know more. The cost is $250 and it will be in late August.
Spring Ursula Thomas
Proposal for beach access at Tukurua
I noticed with wry amusement that TDC has taken an interest in a supposed wrong over here in the Bay. TDC has fined local farmers for cleaning out their drains. Whether or not we agree with this, it appears that their eyes are facing our direction.
So while they are pointing this way, correcting “wrongs”, how about correcting a mistake made more than 30 years ago by the then local council when bad planning and shortsighted decision-making resulted in a lack of public access to the beach at Tukurua?
The public had access to Tukurua beach by regular usage for nearly 35 years - not any more. The new landowner cites “security issues” as his rationale for this.
Now it seems the landowner wants TDC consent to build, and to breach standing rules regarding proximity to boundaries, and permission to waver coastal height restrictions.
Seems like the perfect opportunity to remedy past mistakes and ask for provision for public access as a quid pro quo doesn’t it?
My challenge to the rest of us? Don’t let this die quietly. Make some noise about the way business interests can simply turn our coastline into “Private Beach”.
Paul Winspear
Power cut
An event on the Transpower network caused loss of supply to the Golden Bay area this morning [Tuesday 19 May]. Power was cut to 3,328 customers between 7.38 and 8.29am.
At this time the reason for the loss of power is not known. Network Tasman has been advised that Transpower staff are still investigating the cause.
Wayne Mackey, chief executive Network Tasman Ltd
Art auction
On behalf of Collingwood Playcentre I would like to thank the 39 Golden Bay artists and providers who have donated art and produce for our upcoming fundraiser; an online auction on TradeMe®. We have been overwhelmed by the generosity and support we have received as we endeavour to raise funds for an extension to our facilities; made necessary by recent changes in Government regulations for early childhood centres.
The auction starts on Saturday 23 May and will run for one week. If you would like to bid on one or more of the items (or you know someone who does), please go to <www.trademe.co.nz> and search “All Listings”, “Collingwood Playcentre”.
Sarah Milligan, president, Collingwood Playcentre
