April 2021

Current Affairs
A successful start to 2021 with the discussion on introducing a “tax on sugary drinks” and a visit to the Living Earth (green waste) processing facility in Bromley.
The April meeting will discuss “dietary supplements and whether they are essential for good nutrition” and in May the group will discuss “how good is the New Zealand school education system”.
We meet on the 3rd Wednesday at 10.00am in the Halswell Service Centre/Library.
If you are interested in joining the group, contact Graeme.

Cycling Group March Ride
This month we combined a few cycleways to make a round trip. We started at Pioneer Stadium on the new Nor’west Arc cycleway and headed for the University. The track wasn’t completed but was still a pleasant ride. Then we went through the University and rode along the Uni-cycle cycleway that took us into Hagley Park via Riccarton Bush. We had coffee at the Museum Café then back via the Quarrymans Trail for some and the Addington-Southern Motorway cycleway to Aidanfield for some others. There were 10 of us which was great.
We have 7 of our group going to Twizel for another few days cycling over Anzac weekend.
Our next ride will be Birdlings Flat to Little River. We meet on the last Friday of the month and new members are always welcome.

Quarry Group
A small group work in the Halswell Quarry on the first Thursday of the month from 10.00 am for an hour and a half to two hours. We would love more helpers to join us.

Genealogy
The family history/genealogy group met on 6th April. Many memories surfaced as members shared their experiences of their school days and compared those days to those of today. That was the task for this month’s unit in preparation for writing our life stories. Our next task is ‘I remember the day when. .’. What memories will that evoke – one can but wonder? Concurrently we continue with the research of our family trees. Our next meeting on Tuesday 4th May will be a visit to the National Archives confirmation and time to follow. If you are interested in this visit, please contact either Carole or Julia.

Scribes
Scribes are still meeting 1 pm Halswell library first Monday of the month, except for 5th April which is Easter Monday so we will meet on the 12th. We were pleased to have 2 new members at our last Scribes but would welcome more. Happy scribbling! Trish

Scrabble
We have 10 members meeting twice monthly at present.
Because we meet in each other’s homes we are unable to enlarge the group at present.
If others wish to play Scrabble I am happy to keep a list of those people, and facilitate their formation of a new group. Vivienne

Theatre Appreciation Group
At our Theatre Appreciation meeting in March, we were privileged to host a visit from Lara Macgregor, currently starring in “Things I Know To be True’ at The Court Theatre (an absolutely brilliant production by the way! Not to be missed.) Our April meeting is on the 22nd at which time we will organise a visit to see ‘Gladys and Daphne’ at the Lyttelton Arts Factory. Gladys is widowed. What’s left for her but a ticking clock and cheese rolls for one? But then comes Daphne. This play is the much-anticipated sequel to LAF’s 2020 hit show Gladys and Alfie. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll love it. Featuring two of New Zealand’s finest – Lynda Milligan and Julie Edwards. David