Garden party raises funds for church

COUNTRY KIRK: St Stephen's Anglican Church in the Kawhatau Valley.PHOTO/LIN FERGUSON

The lush gardens at Bunny Gorringe's farm in the Kawhatau Valley will be showcased on November 29 at a special garden party in memory of his wife Kristin who died earlier this year.

As well as remembering Kristin, who created the glorious landscaped garden, the party is also raising funds for the Kawhatau Valley Anglican Church St Stephen's, which has recently been painted and carpeted.

Daughter Alex Gorringe said her mum was a pillar of the Kawhatau Valley community and was the person who kept the rosters rolling at the small and much loved church.

The beautiful lawns, trees and gardens around the Gorringe homestead were ideal for an entertaining, relaxing garden party, she said.

"It's the perfect location here, and everyone will have a wonderful time."

On the programme along with a top-notch country afternoon tea starting at 1.30pm till 5pm, are events with a Christmas theme. They include floral arrangements, a cooking demonstration of Christmas canapes by Ruth Rainey and Di Deighton, and a lilting and uplifting concert of Christmas music by the Vanuatu workers from Mangaweka Asparagus. The workers are well known in the valley for their wonderful voices and have sung at St Stephen's several times, she said.

There will also be a short talk about antiques by collector Sue Dalgety and local needlework will be on display along with delectable ice creams and fresh asparagus for sale.

"We have a wonderful community here in the valley and most people will be here to support us."

Adding a twist to the party will be Alex's husband, Allan Carter, and his business partner, Marty Loughan, lifting the bonnets on their state-of-the-art Lancia Rally cars.