Early activity for the year of 2024
I am really looking forward to Saturday 17th February and attending the Markham Street Summer Festival, thanks to the team from AmberleyNZ for organising this event for everyone to enjoy. There will be a wide variety of stalls and activities for the whole family in Markham Street but also the other retail outlets in very close proximity to the street. Given Markham Street is the oldest established street in Amberley holding a significant piece of history the festival will add to the existing vibrant retail and special character.
The following weekend 24- 25th February the Amberley Fire Brigade is hosting a 24hour swim in support of “Swim for Hope” with the brigade and community members swimming continuously for 24 hours. This is a great initiative in collaboration with the “I am Hope Foundation” and the Give a Little page campaign funds will support people suffering from Mental Health offering a listening ear and coping strategies.
I want to acknowledge our FENZ personal as like many people in our district, I am acutely aware of the demands that have been placed on our volunteer fire brigade members over the past few weeks, and to publicly thank them for their dedication to keeping our district safe. This acknowledgment extends also to the volunteers who supported the welfare centres that have been set up over two recent fire events. The severe fire risk remains with us, so my plea is that we are all conscious of the risk and our shared responsibility keep us all safe until we receive some very welcome autumn rain.
Just around the corner is our wonderful autumn A @ P show season with Amuri on 2nd March and Cheviot 9th March with the Hawarden Show committee planning toward 2025 and to bring the show back better than ever. These are fabulous occasions and a great chance to catch up with family and friends.
Finally, on Sunday 3 March the North Canterbury Wine and Food festival will be hosted under the Oaks in the Glenmark Domain – this is simply the Coolest Little Wine Festival and a wonderful celebration of local produce and people.
We are truly fortunate to have so many wonderful events to attend and enjoy and I warmly invite you to support them and the many people who have spent countless hours to ensure these special events are on our doorstep.
All this activity adds to the richness of our district, lets enjoy it together.