The Ensign

Jan 29, 2024 | theensign.co.nz | Graham Mckerracher

It will be all hands to the pump, or at least the tap, when the Waikaka Hotel officially opens today. It’s taken a while to sort it, but the Waikaka community has guaranteed it will have a hotel in the town from now on. The pub, which was built in 1872, went on the market last year and community members concerned they might lose their township altogether, after losing the Waikaka Store a few years ago, put their heads together and came up with a plan to buy the local hotel.

Jan 26, 2024 | theensign.co.nz | Evelyn Thorn

A big-boned sheep with an excellent head fetched top dollar for a first-time seller at Gore’s annual ram fair. Knapdale farmer Pete Gardyne was one of many farmers to attend the South Island Premier Ram Fair at the Gore Showgrounds last week. He decided to try his luck selling two of his Poll Dorset rams at the fair — one, a yearling, was the highest sold Poll Dorset at $3200. ‘‘It ends up being good potential to buy better rams in the future.

Nov 21, 2023 | theensign.co.nz | Evelyn Thorn

One Southland youngster has grown up alongside horses — and his performance at the weekend suggests it is paying dividends. James Rowlands, of Wendonside, made a clean sweep at the West Otago A&P Show in Tapanui at the weekend with his mount Eastdale Llardro. He won the champion group B show pony, supreme novice pony, champion paced and mannered pony and overall supreme pony showing classes. He was ‘‘really excited’’ to win the awards.

Nov 19, 2023 | theensign.co.nz | Evelyn Thorn

One person’s trash is another school’s treasure in Tokanui. Tokanui Primary School is creating a sensory wall for its pupils. The school is in search of fidgety-type objects they can put on the wall so pupils can use it during the day. Helping to arrange the wall were pupils Honor McCabe, Claudia Buckingham and Monique Deville, who all said they were excited by the project. ‘‘It will be something for everyone to use,’’ Honor said.

Nov 16, 2023 | theensign.co.nz | Evelyn Thorn

Pupils from Tapanui School bared their teeth and paws last Wednesday as they dressed up as animals to raise money for the SPCA. The school’s student council helped to set up the fundraiser, which encouraged pupils to bring a gold coin donation or pet food to assist pets in need. Principal Jane Stuart said the school was focusing on community this term and how they could help out in their areas. The school raised $75.10 and two cardboard boxes full of pet food to be donated.