Greenpeace/Stuff
Greenpeace delivered a 33,000-strong petition in January to ask the Government to phase out synthetic nitrogen fertiliser.
Farmers and horticulturalists are using more natural nitrogen fertilisers in the face of ongoing pressure to reduce or stop using synthetic equivalents. Greenpeace delivered a 33,000-strong petition in January asking the Government to phase out synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. Senior campaigner Steve Abel pointed the finger at industrial dairy farming for allegedly “poisoning” public and private water sources for profit. The environmental campaigners launched a new petition last week calling on the minister of health and the Government’s new water regulating body to lower the recognised safe limits for nitrates in drinking water.
“We have people visiting the church every day, people who are passing on their way to Mesopotamia and who are down around the Peel Forest area.” Acland, of Mt Peel Station, said the church, named in remembrance of the first four children who were buried there, was always open and welcomed visitors. “Lots of people love the specialness of the place. We’re devastated. We’d love whoever took it will put it back on the altar for us. “The church is 150 years old and the cross is part of it.” Built by one of Canterbury s early notable stonemasons and craftsmen, William Brassington, in 1868, the category 2 Church of the Holy Innocents sits on Mt Peel Station, a 5500-hectare farm about 30 kilometres north of Geraldine.
Hunter Mackenzie, 7, left, Leo Archer, 8, Kate Mcdonald, 8, of Woodbury School among the remaining bales.
A South Canterbury school’s annual pea straw fundraiser has been hit in the pocket following a fire which destroyed about 1000 bales. Firefighters from Geraldine, Peel Forest, Rangitata and Temuka, and residents, managed to save a further 3000 bales, for sale as part of a Woodbury School fundraiser, as flames ripped through them in a paddock off Tripp Settlement Rd in a late night fire on February 18.
Bejon Haswell/Stuff
Woodbury School principal Mike de Joux, and pupils, from left, Kate Mcdonald, 8, Leo Archer, 8, and Hunter Mackenzie, 7, at the site where 1000 bales were lost in a fire.
The South Canterbury Vintage Car Club is holding an open day at Redruth on Saturday.
YMCA Community Pop-Up: Free bubble football, cornhole, badminton and giant Jenga for all ages, 3pm-5pm at Anzac Square, Craigie Ave, Timaru.
Live Music: Country musicians Phil and Lana Doublet perform at The Green Man cafe and bar, Peel Forest, from 7.30pm, $10 entry.
SATURDAY
Pleasant Valley Hall carboot sale: 9am-12.30pm at 477 Pleasant Valley Rd, Geraldine. Plants, produce and tools included.
Timaru Save the Children garage sale fundraiser: 9am-1pm at 17A Evans St, Timaru. Bedding, kitchenware and clothing.
South Canterbury Drama League open day: 10am-2pm, at The Playhouse, 198 Church St, Timaru.