SNOWFLAKES in February in North Canterbury
Whats wrong with our men in north Canterbury? Are they all snowflakes? Afraid to get their hands dirty? A young lady in Amberley Countdown carpark on Saturday had a flat tyre and whilst she was trying herself to get the nuts off they had been put on by machine and no amount of jumping up and down on the tyre tool could get them undone. She had asked a couple of young guys for help.. to no avail.. they were in a rush they said.... as they sauntered off into the shops! She was just about in tears when along came a knight in shining armour who helped her out getting tools from his car to get the nuts undone and then helping her get the tyre off and the new one on.. This man could hardly walk himself and struggled to get one knee on the ground to do the job.. whilst other young men walked by them. How do I know this? because this knight was my husband heading towards 70 years of age with a heart condition and in need of a hip replacement. Yet HE still managed to stop and help whilst all the snowflakes walked by. The age of chivalry is not dead BUT the younger generations need to step into the shoes of the older ones to carry on being MEN. So to all you snowflakes out there it is not that we women cant DO things it is sometimes just a matter of strength. Policemen used to help with these sort of things but they are too busy giving people speeding fines to be real policemen looking after the people . So come on YOUNG men show us you have some balls, it was just a nut that needed undoing she wasnt asking for a kidney ! So I will say THANK YOU to my husband for his kindly deed even if he was in pain for the rest of the day
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
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New Amberley cricket ground gets green light
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Amberley is set to get a new cricket ground, despite some community opposition.
The Hurunui District Council approved plans to allow the development of the Amberley Village Green (formerly Eastern Reserve), to the east of the town centre, which will include a cricket ground, at a council meeting on Tuesday, November 26.
Around 120 submissions favoured the development of recreation in the reserve over a cricket ground, during the council’s recent reserve management plan consultation.
At Tuesday’s meeting, councillors approved a plan to install an irrigation system, with water sourced from a submersible bore pump.
Staff have been authorised to tender for the development of a playing surface, excluding the wicket block which will be developed by the Amberley Cricket Club.
A pathway around the perimeter of the reserve and public toilets will also be developed.
A cricket ground was first mooted for the reserve a decade ago when the land was set aside by the developer.
A budget of about $900,000 has been set aside, with 90% from development contributions.
An updated concept plan tabled at the meeting makes provision for other sports and activities such as basketball, a scooter track, a playground and car parking.
Several councillors expressed reservations about the proposed size of the cricket ground.
Councillor Garry Jackson said proposed the cricket ground was close to international standard and could be reduced by 20 percent and still be ‘‘appropriate as a village green club cricket ground’’.
While she acknowledged Jackson’s concerns, councillor Pauline While said the council needed to move forward, and councillor Fiona Harris said the cricket club had been ‘‘patient for long enough’’.
Councillor Robbie Bruerton said ‘‘it is being talked about as if it is only going to be used for cricket, but it can by used for any sport’’.
Councillor Vanessa McPherson voted against the proposal as she said the process had been ‘‘undemocratic’’ in the beginning.
‘‘I am concerned there is not enough funds for a decent children’s playground. I am angry and frustrated by this. It is so unfair.’’
Earlier in the meeting Amberley ratepayer John Weyers urged councillors to vote against establishing another cricket ground.
He said cricket is already being played at the Amberley Domain and ‘‘there is no reason why cricket and football cannot co-exist’’.
While there had been a dispute between the cricket and football clubs, he believed it has now been resolved.
‘‘Amberley is growing and we have an ageing population and a growing number of young families, but we are lacking spaces for recreation.’’
Councillors noted there has been confusion about the name of the new reserve, between the Village Green and the Eastern Reserve.
Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said ‘‘Village Green’’ was the name put forward by the council’s south ward committee.
Dobbie said the council’s reserve management plan will be presented to councillors at a future meeting for adoption.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.