169 days ago

A Love Story for the Ages

Diana Isaac Retirement Village

Diana Isaac Village resident Maria has a love story for the ages, being flown on a ‘Bride Flight’ by her beloved Peter from their home country of the Netherlands to New Zealand as part of an international air race.

In 1953 a London to Christchurch challenge was organised. The reward for first place (in what was then the world’s longest air race – of 19,756 kilometres) was mainly glory but also a Harewood Gold Cup, named after Christchurch Airport’s operating name in the 1950s.

Competing airlines, amongst the eight airlines, included the Netherlands’ KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Douglas DC-6A, on which Maria travelled. There was also a BEA Vicker Viscount 700 and the RNZAF’s Hadley Page Hastings.

Click to read their full story.

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Share your most delicious (but affordable!) go-to meal...

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Winter is knocking at the door and the cost of living has already made itself at home. So let's help each other out by sharing your meal ideas that don't break the bank.

Comment below with your go-to meals that are delicious and affordable.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.

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13 days ago

And the 2024 Prospa Local Business Hero is...

Prospa

A huge congratulations to mother and son duo, Mary and Sam Danielson from The Puketapu Hotel.

The votes for all finalists have been tallied and they have been chosen by Neighbourly members across the country as the Prospa Local Business Hero of 2024.

The Puketapu Hotel was nominated by a local called Margaret and the nomination reads:
'On Feb 14, 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle flooded many of the rural areas. Puketapu Hotel went under perhaps half a meter of water. However, immediately Mary Danielson and her son, Sam Danielson, along with their loyal staff pulled it together to cook copious amounts of food that without electricity would have been wasted. Throughout the years many of us have been treated with a pub gathering where we can reconnect and a free meal. At Christmas there was Santa, games, gifts for kids, donated patchwork for adults, an ice cream truck and lots of camaraderie.
This February on the cyclone anniversary, they again pulled out the stops to give hundreds of us a special night. We are all tired of the cyclone cleanup and they understood that it was needed.'

Such a deserving business and team, well done Mary and Sam. And thank you to all those who voted!

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13 hours ago

Availability at Mary Potter Community Centre, St Albans

Nicola Smith from Mary Potter Community Centre

The Mary Potter Community Centre has had some cancellations recently. There is availability for hiring the centre on weekends 1st and 2nd June, and 8th and 9th June. Also Sunday 23 June 2024 is available. Phone Nicola on ph: 03 372 9224 for details.

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