NASEBY VISION NEWSLETTER April 2014
As autumn turns to winter it’s time to plan ahead and prepare for colder days, do you have a pre-winter ritual? For some it’s tidying gardens, clearing gutters and stowing outdoor furniture, for others it’s stacking the mountain of firewood essential for keeping toasty warm, picking blackberries, gathering apples, raking leaves and hunting out winter woollies. Before the snow and cold arrives it’s a good time to ensure drains, taps and your water toby are free of growth, silt etc. so they can be accessed easily.
Heritage Streetlight project comes to a close this month:
They say that good things always take time. This project had its beginnings about 6 years and will come to what we are sure will be a sparkling conclusion when the 17 replica lights are turned on at a function beginning outside of the Naseby Information Centre at 7 p.m. on 30 May!
The project was born when Mrs Josie Dick mentioned to one of our committee members that one of her late husband Robert’s great wishes was to see Naseby’s original streetlamps reinstated at key points around the town. Josie offered an initial donation to help fund the project. Committee member John Steele took up the challenge of the project on behalf of Naseby Vision and was shortly afterwards enthusiastically joined by Phil Ballard.
They tracked down plans of the original gas lamps, which were kindly donated by Phil George, and then located an engineer in Dunedin who was prepared to manufacture the lamps and stands at a reasonable price.
After John left the committee due to ill health Phil Ballard worked tirelessly to bring the project together ably assisted by Stew Francis, Andrew Stewart and Eric Swinbourn and a fantastic funding raising effort by Hilary. Many local families with lengthy ties to Naseby provided the majority of the funding for the project with additional funding from the Maniototo Community Board. However, without the hundreds of hours of volunteer labour by Naseby Vision members, the Lions and many other local people and the generous contributions of the sponsor families, the project would not have been possible.
There are just too many people to mention in the limited space that we have in this newsletter however the committee would like to pay special tribute to James Hazlett and Robbie Dobson who both generously donated their professional services to the project.
The annual Highland Ball
The Highland Ball will be held on Saturday 31st May, 8.30pm in the Naseby Town Hall. It’s always a wonderful night celebrating all things Scottish and local. It’s a valuable fundraiser for the Maniototo Ice Rink and well worthy of support. Plan now to bring a group and make a night of it .Tickets can be purchased from Hazel Harrison, 4449937 or they can be purchased at Naseby Store or at Books and Things in Ranfurly.
Property identification
Does your property have its street number visible? Would a stranger to town know how to get help in an emergency? It could happen any time! We’ve noticed since we started this campaign at least two-thirds of Naseby houses now have numbers. So, if you haven’t done so already, make it simple for anyone to describe their location to the 111 operator by ensuring your property is clearly marked at the roadside and the street address etc is displayed indoors.
Also ….. It would be helpful if you ensure your water toby was labelled. There have been instances where the wrong toby has been turned on or off, with confusing and messy outcomes.
Wheelie bin collection changes:
We need to be aware that in July this year wheelie bin collection will become a fortnightly event. To avoid leaving bins out for longer periods of time this is a good time to talk to the permanent residents if you need help with taking out and putting away your bin.
Bins on the street are unsightly, at risk of damage and a nuisance to the truck operator as he frequently finds he is handling empty bins. His solution is to knock them over after emptying – not a good look for the town!
(Maybe there is a little ‘industry’ here for some enterprising permanent resident?)
Recycling facility:
A reminder that with the rubbish collection moving to fortnightly we need to recycle more of our household waste. There are bins located in Lomond Street (just over the Hogburn Bridge) for recycling paper, clean folded cardboard, plastic containers, tins, aluminium cans and glass bottles sorted by colour. Glass from broken windows is not acceptable as it contains contaminants which cannot be recycled, (bottles only please).
Please note that inappropriate materials are simply not removed by Wastebusters. Unsuitable items left recently have included bedding, polystyrene, a quantity of commercial wrapping, used clothing, groceries and an old fridge. These items should be taken to the Transfer Station or placed in your wheelie bin, please don’t leave them for local volunteers to clear away.
The Eden Hore dress collection
The first meeting of the CODC project planning and consultation group was held in Alexandra in early April and Naseby Vision is represented in the group. Council staff have already undertaken considerable research and the group will meet regularly to prepare a long-term business plan for collection. However, it may take till at least the end of the year before the various options are fully explored. We’ll keep you posted on developments.
Summer luge – this will be another attraction and source of fun. Progress is being made on installation but its early days yet. Watch this space!
Naseby Store hours – after much thought, Kay and Alastair, owners of the Naseby Store, have decided to stay closed on Sundays from 4 May until 28 September. These are traditionally very quiet times for the store and they have made the decision to enjoy some well-earned family time while they have the chance.
Support for Vodafone’s Resource Consent application
The long awaited cellphone tower is likely to become a reality later in the next 12 months. Vodafone has lodged a resource consent application with the CODC to erect the tower and Naseby Vision has sent a written submission supporting the application. The tower will provide mobile phone and high speed broadband services for all telcos, including Telecom mobile and 2 Degrees. Please support the application by e-mailing or mailing a short letter of support to the CODC in Alexandra.
