Spring on the horizon

Posted by Deputy Mayor Jim Copland on 18 August 2011 | 0 Comments

Spring - the busiest time of year for most farmers and if the weather plays its part and has a moratorium on polar blasts like what we are experiencing now, it can be the most satisfying. Southland can be likened to a coil of spring steel ready to burst into life.

Viewing some Rugby World Cup matches will also be on the agenda for many and Ripper (off) Rugby takes on a different connotation  if one is in market for a particular jersey.

Those few who do not listen to, read or watch news  may well be ill informed but those who do can just as easily be misinformed (apologies to Mark Twain). Understandings of events are easily manipulated especially if  the tenor of the message is what to our perceptions believe it to be. Is the dramatic reporting of the world's current turmoil the reality?.

We recently had an opportunity to spend some time in the Emerald Isle. What a beautiful part of the world, extensive pastoral farming and a most hospitable people, very like Southland really. The All Black brand is alive and well and the Irish would dearly love to meet NZ in the final. (to be sure)

A disturbance caused by some teenagers in Belfast prior to our arrival fell within our perception of Northern Ireland's past and got world wide publicity.

The reality is that 95% plus of the population wish to move on. In London Derry a new walkway" Peace Bridge" has  just been opened across the river that has historically divided the city. When crossing on  the opening day an elderly women commented that she had not been on the other side for 35years and felt apprehensive about doing so. A 10-year-old on his bike thought the new bridge was great as it shortened his ride to the tennis courts by 20 minutes.

While this significant event got little publicity lets hope this next generation reflect and action the reality.