Workshops, forums, and roses
Friday, 3 December 2004
Life has been very busy, as usual, since I last wrote. There have been meetings, council workshops, end-of-year functions, a Ministry for the Environment, “Talk Environment Roadshow” (big talk-fest with little substance) and the forums held in each ward to gather feedback on ward representation. I don’t know the total numbers of people who attended these fora, but there were less than thirty at the Papaioea meeting. The majority at that meeting indicated a preference for formal ward committees. Their comments and preferences will be collated with all the other responses from the other wards and presented in a report to council this month.
On 21st November I had the pleasure of presenting the New Zealand International Rose Trial Grounds awards at the Dugald MacKenzie Rose Garden in the Esplanade.
Over a two year period, 50 roses not yet sold commercially were assessed by a panel of 20 judges on criteria such as plant quality, health, freedom of flowering, flower quality and fragrance. Each rose is judged seven times over the course of the trial so to reach the 70 points required for an award, it must perform consistently well over the trial period. Now in its 35th year, the New Zealand International Trial Grounds aims to test unreleased rose cultivars under standard conditions with the view to their possible release onto the New Zealand market.
The day was sunny, though a bit breezy, and the awards announcements were made to a group of rosarians from throughout New Zealand and overseas. The World Federation of Rose Societies had just concluded a week-long conference in Auckland and the Trial Grounds awards was arranged as an optional side-trip for the international attendees. I spoke with many of the visitors and they were unanimous in their praise for our internationally recognised rose gardens (I suspect that many of us tend to take the rose gardens for granted. Sure, it has won a prestigious award and been recognised as one of the five top rose gardens in the world - but how many Palmerstonians really recognise the significance of this, or how much of a tourist attraction it is I wonder?).
I also, on the day, presented a certificate in recognition to Allan Bates. Allan is the head rose gardener and is now in his 20th year of nurturing the 5,000 roses in this garden. Palmerston North City Council wanted to commemorate these years of service with this small token of our appreciation. We could have waited the few months until his 20th anniversary with us, but it was more appropriate that he receive it amongst the glory of the blooms he cherishes. Besides, trying to get Allan to leave his roses at any time is hard enough, so we decided to grab him while we could! 
The awards were presented from the new gazebo in the rose gardens. Since its opening nearly 36 years ago, the Dugald MacKenzie Rose Garden has become a popular venue for wedding ceremonies and photo opportunities. This gazebo provides a new feature for these as well as offering a peaceful spot for quiet contemplation of this wonderful garden.
When I unveiled the plaque and officially opened the gazebo I got a real shock. This is why…
Enough writing for now. Until next time…
