Thursday 12th November 2020 Volume 30 Issue 17 LEESTON CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL CELEBRATE THE OPENING OF THE NEW HALL Sixty years ago almost to the day, the verify that those ten electric heaters had Leeston Consolidated Hall was officially lasted a very long time and as part of the opened in front of a large gathering of par- modernisation project, have only just been ents, friends and pupils by the local MP, the replaced with more economical panel heaters. Honourable J K McAlpine. This week, with And while the stage has been removed to the help of the youngest and oldest pupils, extend the floor space, the school still has a Adele, Jack and Johan, it was officially re- very modern, warm and tastefully decorated opened following a modernisation project, meeting space, with the added advantage of by Mr Daniel Rollo, the current Leeston acoustic tiling and warm carpet to sit on! Consolidated School Board of Trustees, in Back in its day, it was the only modern front of invited guests, parents, staff and meeting place available in Leeston and many pupils. wedding receptions, 21sts and various party Back in 1955, A special hall committee events were held here. Until recently it was was formed and, four years later, it was in a used by members of the community for in- position to accept Mr G M Doyle’s tender to door bowls and, of course, since 1965 it has build this hall at a cost of 7400 pounds. An been used daily by pupils of the school for extract from the Leeston and Consolidated assemblies and school functions. Liz Brown School Centennial booklet reads was able to share with those present how she “A fine Assembly Hall, of which, the dis- remembered being a pupil at the school and trict can be justly proud, was eventually learning to folk dance in the hall. And of constructed through the efforts of the school course it was a lot of fun playing on the stage committee and the continued support of the and hiding behind the curtains! district. The use of this has proved invalua- Today there is a very accessible storage ble both to the school and outside organisa- area behind a large garage door, comfortable tions. carpet tiles to sit on and plenty of warm col- “The main hall, which has a large stage, oured autex board to display art work. Stage will seat comfortably 400 persons. Both the two of the plan is to install retractable tiered exterior and interior were decorated in the seating at the rear of the Whare hui to allow modern manner in tasteful colour schemes. performances to be clearly seen by an audi- A special feature is the electric heating ence. consisting of ten heaters mounted in the If members of the public would like to have ceiling.” a look, they are most welcome to pop down to Principal Mrs Lynda Taylor was able to the school office and have a quick tour! COMING UP 13 & 14th Nov: Ellesmere Clay Target Club Centenary. Pg 12 14th to 22nd Nov: Selwyn Arts Festival. Pg5 14th Nov: Grand Opening Leeston Doyleston Way. Pg 5 22nd Nov: ReVamp Market. Pg 14 25th Nov: Southbridge Rugby Club AGM. Pg 15 29th Nov: Ellesmere Historical Society Tour. Pg 14 29th Nov: Drury Lane Theatre. Pg 14 30th Nov: Special General Meeting for the Friends of Ellesmere Hospital. Pg 15 4TH DECEMBER ~ THE LEESTON SANTA PARADE Check out our new website: ellesmereexcavationandaggregate.co.nz P.O Box 25. Leeston 7632 * Phone 741 2206 * 0211093470 * [email protected] * Next Deadline 20th November 2 THE ELLESMERE ECHO Thursday 12th November 2020 ELLESMERE CHURCH SERVICES SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS LEESTON LIFE CHURCH ANGLICAN CHURCH OF ELLESMERE LEESTON Station Street, Leeston Sunday 15th November Oct 24 1432 Tractor fire - Selwyn Lake Rd 9:30am St John's, Leeston Oct 24 1552 Lift Assist - Chapman St Sunday 15th Nov Communion Service Nov 03 0159 Hedge fire - Wabys Rd Sunday 22nd Nov 11:15am Trinity Church, 10.00am Family Service Dunsandel Communion SOUTHBRIDGE with café open after Sunday 15th November 6pm Southbridge Evening 9.30am Service at St No report to note service Prayer Service David’s, Leeston 6:30-7:30pm Weekly 11.00am Service at Trinity, DUNSANDEL Sunday 22nd Nov Oct 16 2243 Alarm Activation - Rakaia Sunday Evening Service Dunsandel. 9:30am Leeston 7.30pm Service at Senior Pastors: Communion Service Wayne & Nicky Watson Brookside. 11:15am Irwell Morning Church Office: Prayer Service phone 3243-697 Sunday 22nd November WHERE TO GET HELP: [email protected] 9.30am Service at St. Wednesdays 10am David’s, Leeston. St John's Leeston - 1737, Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ELLESMERE 11.00am Service at Trinity, Reflective Communion Dunsandel. Cafe Church. Service any time for support from a trained counsellor St John the Evangelist, Lifeline – 0800 543 354 Leeston, & Children are catered for at St Patrick's, Lincoln. New to the district? all services. Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or Come & check us out! Minister: Rev’d Willem Van der All are welcome Leeston Walt Ph. 3243-315 email [email protected] or online chat Mass will be celebrated Email: For any further infor- ellesmere.cooperating.parish Samaritans – 0800 726 666 at mation contact the Vicar, St John the Evangelist, @xtra.co.nz Lifetouch Pastor: Teena Dela Susan Gill Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 Leeston Cruz: 021 08162926 02102315241 Sunday, 10.00am. www.churchatellesmere.org.nz ellesmere. (0508 TAUTOKO) Weekday Mass on [email protected] Wednesday 5.30pm www.ellesmerenzanglican What's Up – 0800 942 8787 (for 5–18 year parish.wordpress.com olds). Phone counselling is available Monday to Lincoln Friday, midday–11pm and weekends, 3pm– Sunday Mass will be celebrated at St 11pm. Online chat is available 7pm–10pm dai- Patrick’s Church, Lincoln, ly. at 8.30am Saturday Mass at St Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 (0800 kidsline) for Patrick’s at 5:30pm young people up to 18 years of age. Open 24/7. Priests of the Parish: thelowdown.co.nz – or email Fr. Brian Fennessy, ph. 0276 758 456 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and [email protected] or free text 5626 Fr. Chris Orr, ph. 0276 591 962 courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not Anxiety New Zealand - 0800 ANXIETY (0800 Leeston Parish Chairperson be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you 269 4389) Anna Carter, 3243 206 or wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 0272 350 869 Supporting Families in Mental Illness - 0800 732 825 The Ellesmere Echo Ph: 741-2206 Mob: 021 109 3470 Email: [email protected] P.O Box 25. Leeston 7656 For all your advertising and community news Thursday 12th November 2020 THE ELLESMERE ECHO 3 SOUTHBRIDGE GARDEN LEESTON SANTA PARADE CLUB OCTOBER MEETING We are so excited to announce that fol- lowing the Leeston Santa Parade the Instead of the usual Selwyn District Council will be putting on monthly meeting the Southbridge Garden Club CHRISTMAS ADVERTISING a great family Christmas Movie in Ander- had a very enjoyable day son's Square. So bring your chairs, grab visiting two local gardens. THE ECHO IS TAKING BOOKINGS FOR some food from the parade vendors and First was Katherine & DECEMBER Geoff Millar’s where we come on down. all had a picnic lunch un- NOW!! der the shade of the trees * There is still room and then onto John & FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS HOURS AND MESSAGES. Regina Christey’s, which THE LAST ISSUE FOR 2020 WILL BE ON in the parade if you THURSDAY 17TH DECEMBER is being revamped and (NOT THE 9TH AS PREVIOUSLY STATED) WITH would you like to extended. Both these THE DEADLINE OF THE 11TH. have a float? properties had well estab- lished old gardens with THE FIRST ISSUE OUT IN 2021 - 21ST JANUARY * Are you a local plenty of interesting DEADLINE - 15TH JANUARY crafter that would plants and vistas to keep like to have a stall? us all admiring the work [email protected] that goes into their up- * Are you a local or- keep. ganisation that Our next meeting on Monday November 9th is will be there with his organ- would like to have a food stall as a fund- ic vegies. raiser? celebrating our 70th anni- The lavender folk will be versary. This is a lunch- back in December with their eon being held in the Christmas is coming & we lavender products. There Time is running out so register Lakeside Hall at 11am so, only have 5 Markets left this are lots more gift ideas such if you are planning to join year. as oven mitts, aprons & peg with us - us, please RSVP by Octo- The stall holders have a aprons as well as lovely email: [email protected] ber 30th so we can con- great selection of products fresh baking. just ready for Christmas The Market Dates for the firm numbers for catering. We look forward to seeing gifts. Ruth, Catherine & rest of the year are DON’T FORGET TO PICK UP YOUR all present and ex mem- Daphne have children’s NOVEMBER bers to help us celebrate clothes, smocked frocks, 21st & 28th LUCKY TICKET WHEN YOU PUR- baby bibs, baby knitting and DECEMBER 5th, 12th & CHASE ITEMS AT YOUR LOCAL this milestone. Janice lovely knitted teddies 19th great to put in with baby If you would like to come SHOPS. Contact either: gifts, Lois & Rose have jig & join us at the Market Cathie Thomas President saw puzzles, books & lots of please make contact with Bring yourself and your ticket to 3242 693 or bric a brac plus lots of dolls Daphne ph 3295 519 email Linda Maginess Secretary clothes & dressed dolls from [email protected] the parade.