OK Boomer: it’s bird scarer time

Help at Hand

Ripe and ripening fruit means hungry birds invading orchards, vineyards and home fruit tree gardens.

Already the apricots, green Granny Smiths, plums, raspberries, black and red currants have been attacked, or in some cases stripped from the bushes/trees.

While some few bird scaring guns have echoed recently across the townscape, comparatively poor fruit levels mean fewer growers resorting to scaring off the scavengers.

But the banging of the gas gun in rural zones sparks unwanted phone calls from nearby urban dwellers aroused by the sound of the protection.

One such caller was angry that he was being interrupted while “planning my retirement” in a house several hundred meters away.

He was not mollified by lines like “this is the country,” and demanded to know how long the intermittent shots would continue. Till the fruit were ripe to pick _ or what was left of them. Disgruntled, he hung up. … Continue Reading

South Wairarapa Rebus Club

By David J Woodhams

CaringStay is a new company with a mission to offer short-term comfort and care in private homes to individuals who should not be alone for various reasons. 

The guests/clients are often single, living alone and in need of care after a hospital stay or some similar trauma, according to founder Lizzie Scott. She told South Wairarapa Rebus Club that CaringStay Ltd is a virtual network of private homes that offers respite care for individuals in need. 

First time mothers with babies fresh from a maternity ward are welcomed by some hosts. For the hosts, often retired on a pension and having a spare room or granny flat, it is an opportunity to earn a bit of extra income without a long-term commitment to a single guest.  … Continue Reading

Tell Maxx: plastic tag relief may be coming

Council News

Life-long metal dog tags are under evaluation by South Wairarapa council staff, as an option to both save time and reduce plastic pollution by replacing the current annual coloured tags.

For Councillor Martin Bosley, the idea is “a solution looking for a problem,” particularly as the initial experiments in districts like Carterton found the metal used for the tags “is not that great.”

But for Mayor Martin Connelly the metal dog discs would mean savings in staff time _ not giving out a new tag to the 4,000 dog-owners every year _ and lower pollution impacts. … Continue Reading

Tell the pets: short ban on sickies

With an 11-day gap between Martinborough’s vet clinic closing and its new premises opening its door in Greytown, it may be a time for family pets to stay healthy.

The Martinborough clinic closes on 7 March, the new clinic opens 18 March in Greytown.

 In a note to “Dear Valued Clients of South Wairarapa Veterinary Services” at it leaves town, the group offers a crutch, if needed: “”we are fully prepared to support you and your pets during this transition period”  with a “dedicated team” ready in the Caterton and Masterton clinics to ensure “the best possible care.”

The new Greytown clinic will provide modern, sustainable veterinary services and allow the group to maintain a high standard of service in the South Wairarapa, Aidan Smith, managing director of South Wairarapa Veterinary Services, said in an earlier statement. … Continue Reading