North Canterbury News: July 17, 2025

BLACKWELL’S WINTER FESTIVAL 28 The <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> <strong>News</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>17</strong>, <strong>2025</strong> Icy fun at Blackwell’sWinter Festival Spinning fun ... Eight­year­olds Lucy Wylie (left) and Amaya Jenkins of Kaiapoi, play with the LED hoops at the Blackwells Kaiapoi Winter Festival. PHOTOS: JOHN COSGROVE Talent on show ... Ice carver Victor Cagayat of Auckland,creates his unique ice statues outside Blackwells department store at the festival. Spell bound ... Ellie (9) (left) and her sister Piper Teague (4) of Melbourne, learn the art of balancing plates at the circus workshop run by Serendipity Circus. Face paint ... Poppy Wilson (3) has her face painted by Snow Drop the fairy during Saturday’s festival. Helping hand ... Max Burke of Kaiapoi, helps his daughter Dixie (5) to master the juggling toys at the circus workshop. Onshow ... Performers from Serendipity Circus entertain the crowds during the evening show at the Blackwells Department Store Kaiapoi Winter Festival. Myturn ... Wilbur Evan (5) learns the art of juggling at the circus workshop run by Serendipity Circus.

NEWS The <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> <strong>News</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>17</strong>, <strong>2025</strong> <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> Wearable Arts show 29 Power of friendship ... Young designer, Mia O’Halloran, aged 11 (left), with her Russley School girl friends, Lilly Stack, aged 12 (centre), and Gemma Creagh, aged 12 (right), during the <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> Wearable Arts show’s rehearsal night in the auditorium of the Rangiora Baptist Church. PHOTOS: SHELLEY TOPP Fabulous fantasy hat ... Lulu Woods, aged 9, from New Brighton, is all set for her trial run during the Wearable Arts show’s rehearsal night. Happiness is ... Lily Sansom aged 7, from Rangiora’s colourful rainbow hat lights up the room during the Wearable Arts show’s rehearsal night last Friday evening. Ladies andplayers in pink for special day Pretty in Pink ... Saracens Division One player Nathan Goodwin and his partner Cassie Jones prepare for the Saracens Rugby Club’s Ladies' Day at Southbrook Park on Saturday. PHOTOS: JOHN COSGROVE It wasasalute to pink on Saturdaywhenthe Saracens Rugby Club hostedits annual Ladies Day. Division One player Nathan Goodwin and his partner Cassie Jones put together, with the help of alarge number of local sponsors and helpful colleagues, aLadiesDay high­tea and entertainment afternoon at the club's facilitiesat SouthBrook Park. The club’s Div 1team played for the inaugural Paul Stevenson MemorialTrophy againstOxford Rugby Football Club, as Paul was aman who gavea lot to both Southbrook Rugby Cluband Oxford RFC before his recent passing. The club said it would be anhonour for the Div 1 team to play in his name in front of his family and at the same time raisefunds to support breast cancer. ‘‘It was agreat way to bring together the community, to support breast cancer and to help Paul'sfamily,’’ says Nathan. ‘‘Everyone has been very supportive of the day, and we hope we can help Paul’s family.’’ The Saracens Div 1team took to the field in special edition, pink colouredLadies Day jerseys that were later auctioned off, with the proceeds of the #13 jersey going to Paul's children. Cassie says the day went well despite alastminute hiccup with the entertainment. ‘‘The high tea was very popular and we had entertainment, silent auctions, inspirational speakers, lots of food and pop quizzes to keep everyone entertained, then we all watchedthe All Blackslater in the evening.’’ Nathan added that the Ladies' Day was everything they set out to be. ‘‘It was agreat success, with 80 amazing ladies enjoying themselves. ‘‘There was lots of fun and laughter, live music, and the food was great. ‘‘All the raffles went very well, especially the silent auction and jerseys, whichwere all auctioned off.’’ Unfortunately for Saracens, Oxford won the inaugural Paul Stevenson MemorialTrophy 56 ­5. Dab hand ... Saracens player Caleb Pomare­Edwards helps move the high tea delicacies to the tent on the day.