Colourful Cranford weekend

GLEAMING: The late sun at the Wildflower Sculpture Exhibition gardens gave this Ricks Verstappen artwork titled 'Molecular' an extra sheen. HBT16267213

The 25th Hawke's Bay Wine Auction, the Holly Hospice Trail and the Wildflower Sculpture Exhibition were a major part of the Cranford Hospice fundraising programmes staged over the past few days.

Fine wines, fine art and fine landscapes left thousands of people delighted, and Cranford Hospice chief executive Janice Byford Jones overwhelmed.

She paid tribute the everyone who became involved, both in organising and staging, and attending. Photographer Warren Buckland caught up with some of the activities.

BID: Prime Minister John Key, who attended along with Tuki Tuki MP Craig Foss, was a keen bidder on a few lots - and he got one. HBT16267623.

FILLING UP: The Hawke's Bay Opera House Plaza quickly filled up as the first lots began to emerge. HBT16267635

WELL DONE: Alwyn Corban of Ngatarawa Wines was one of many leading figures from the Bay's wine industry to attend the great auction. HBT16267610

TOP TABLE: The weather was fine, as was the landscape, as this group of visitors to the Wildflower Sculpture Exhibition found out on Saturday. HBT16267203

MATAI: This unique 'La Madonna' was sculpted from recycled matai and caught plenty of attention at the exhibition. HBT16267204

GLEAMING: The late sun at the Wildflower Sculpture Exhibition gardens gave this Ricks Verstappen artwork titled 'Molecular' an extra sheen. HBT16267213

CHRISTMAS STORY: Visitors on the Holly Hospice Trail were in awe of the design and lighting within the St John's Anglican Church setting at Waimarama. PHOTO/ Tim Whittaker

ARCHWAY: This stunning gateway to one of garden landscape on the Holly Hospice Trail turned many a head. PHOTO/ Tim Whittaker