Planter boxes in memory of community stalwart

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 661, 5 November 1996, Page 1

Planter boxes in memory of community stalwart

Ohakune' s new planter boxes which sprouted almost overnight last week were provided thanks to the Ohakune Hotel Charity and Sports Foundation. Publican Rick Lowe decided that a memorial to the late Gladys Goldfinch was lacking and since the beautification of Clyde Street was "one of her pet loves" he felt the project was appropriate. Each of the 20 boxes contains a low-growing flowering cherry tree. The plan is long-term, with the pub charity supplying the boxes, filling and planting them as well as helping with on-going care which will be carried out by Ohakune Primary Schbol Year 6 children with the help of the shop keepers. The children will do the work as part of their English, science, maths, technology and social studies

programme. The children' s teacher, Bonny Bramley, said they had received wonderful

feedback both locally and New Zealand-wide. "The shop keepers are loving it — all weekend

they were out admiring the street," she said. Coffee shop o wner B ri an Dowsett said it was "fabu-

lous — the council should have done it years ago". Retailer Bill Te Karu, Turn to Page 2

Planter boxes a memorial

FROM PAGE 1 who i£ on the pub charity trust, said he thought the idea was great and was happy to see something positive done in the town. He was happy to 'adopt' the Buck's Drapery box. Not consulted Despite the boxes being placed on council-owned land, council chief executive officer Cliff Houston said the Ruapehu District Council was unaware that the project was going ahead. "It's really great when the community takes the initiative," he told the Bulletin, "but it's Unfortunate that we weren't consulted." He said there were "some issues" that would have to be considered by the council, including pedestrian access in some cases where the boxes blocked half the footpath. "We do have some concerns," he said. Mainstreet chairman Robert Home said the plan had not come up for discussion by the Mainstreet committee. He said he was sure the planter boxes could fit in with the Mainstreet plans if that was the wish of the community.