July 2026
BOOK GROUP
Our book for August is ’See How They Fall’ by Rachel Paris This is a thrilling whodunnit.
Ros
CYCLING GROUP July Report
We have 2 organised rides each month, on the 3rd Monday and the last Friday.
We ride mainly on dedicated cycleways around Christchurch and further afield. The rides usually have 2 start points to accommodate distance and speed preferences of the members. Most members have e-bikes. New members are always welcome.
On Monday 20 July we rode from Kaiapoi to Waikuku on the Pegasus Trail and Tutaepatu Trails. It was a very cool start as there had been a good frost. From Waikuku we rode out to SH1 and stopped for coffee at The Office Café (old Waikuku School). From here we cycled west through a lovely rural area and met the Rangiora/Woodend Rd and back through Ravenswood and Pegasus and on to Kaiapoi. There were 11 of us including 2 potential new members of our group.
On Friday 31 July we cycled to Lincoln on the Little River Rail Trail, then we explored the wetland areas around Lincoln and the new subdivisions before stopping for coffee at The Pantry in Lincoln.
There were 9 of us enjoying this ride, a repeat of one done in May as it was such a great ride. From Lincoln we rode to Tai Tapu and back to Halswell.
FAMILY HISTORY
Last month’s meeting found us sharing why we knew or thought a selected ancestor had chosen to emigrate. We learnt of conditions, at that time, of the place they came from that was or could have been the catalyst for their journey. It was very interesting hearing of the known or possible reasons promoting a great deal of discussion.
We meet on third Tuesday of the month which will be 18th August, in the afternoon.
Contact Carole or Julia if you want to find out more about this group.
GARDEN VISIT GROUP
On September 1st, the first Tues of the month, the Garden Visit Group will meet at 1pm at Deans Bush, Riccarton House front lawn area, for a 900 metre walk all on boardwalk, which is level ground, followed by a late coffee, tea or snack. As the café closes at 3.00 pm there may not be a huge selection of food, but they will be expecting the group. Holly
HISTORY GROUP
The next unit in our Australian history course is entitled Military History
Ros
PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP
Our July meeting was spent reviewing recent photos taken by members and discussing the challenges posed by photographing in winter conditions not the least of which is the low temperatures that keep us in doors. We discussed the need to allow for the greater reflection from frosty surfaces using lower than usual settings. Cell phones certainly have large advantages in these conditions. We then took time to photograph some objects inside including a few orchids that had survived in sheltered positions outside although subsequent frosts have now ended that! A photo of a Chinese vase taken by Barbara was admired by all as it brought out the dimly seen images on it.
Our August meeting will be held on Friday 21st August at 20a Victors Road at 10am when we will look at photographing the night sky on these clear frosty evenings. All welcome whether you have a SLR or point and shoot camera or prefer to use a cell phone for recording memorable events.
Eric
SINGING GROUP
It is fantastic to see such an enthusiastic bunch of singers who come to our singing sessions twice a month!
And also , how very nice that so many came (I think there were 15 ) to chat over coffee at Oderings cafe recently. It’s a great way to get to know one another and that helps too in feeling relaxed about singing together.
Our last two singing sessions have covered new songs : A Bluegrass tune/song ‘Sweet Sunny South’ and early Rock and Roll , Buddy Holly, “Rave On’ and ‘Raining in my Heart’. As well, of course, as singing our well-known old favourites.
If you think you would like to give singing with us a try, but are not too sure of your voice, please be assured that this is a group that sings for fun! We are not a choir, and perfection is not aimed for – just pure enjoyment.
New members welcome anytime!
Song sheets are emailed for you to print or provided for you if you are unable to print your own.
We meet from 2 to 3pm at the Halswell Community Hall on the 1st and 3rd Fridays each month. See you there!
Bronwen