Latest news with #WinterFestival
RNZ News
03-07-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Ice Ice Baby! How one man built an ice rink from scratch.
Canterbury 27 minutes ago What good is a Winter Festival without an ice rink? That's what engineer Neil Wilson of Hanmer Springs thought, so, he set about building one himself. He had mere weeks to complete the rink, and if that wasn't hard enough, an expert told him it was impossible. But to quote Neil, "I look after 1.8 million litres of water that we keep hot. I figured freezing 15,000 litres shouldn't be that hard". Neil talks to Jesse about how he created the ice rink.
Otago Daily Times
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Youth trust's comeback trail
The late Bruce Grant. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED The coming 30th anniversary of legendary Queenstowner Bruce Grant's death has galvanised a trust set up in his name to lift its support for local youth. An Olympic skier, mountaineer and extreme adventurer, Bruce perished, aged 31, while descending K2, in Pakistan, during a violent storm on August 13, 1995. Ali Beaumont, who knew him through a friend, had the year prior organised a 'locals ball' due to so many locals missing out on tickets to the Winter Festival ball, with corporate sponsors snapping them up. After Bruce's sudden death, she decided the next ball, at the Millennium Hotel, should go into a trust set up in his name — ''it seemed like the perfect thing to do''. As did having it support, as its website states, ''the efforts of other young people who show a similar passion for life, adventure and the desire to succeed''. ''Arts and culture was my great passion, and when we moved to Queenstown, [daughter] Amanda was very involved in drama, but there was no opportunity here — anyone that really wanted to progress would have to travel to compete to get better.'' Early recipients included Ben Farry, who would graduate from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, mountain biker Scarlett Hagen and skiers Nigel Gardiner, Angus Rose and PeteSanford. ''It wasn't just they got a bit of money, but it was encouraging for them that somebody believed in them.'' Beaumont organised several balls at Walter Peak, supported by many sponsors, including Real Journeys initially not charging the use of the Earnslaw for transport. In 2000 she told Mountain Scene the best-dressed woman would be chosen by fashion designer Trelise Cooper, but men wouldn't get a prize as ''they always wear the same thing''. Current trust chair Craig 'Ferg' Ferguson also came onboard early. He'd often interview Bruce on his radio show and recalls kayaking from Frankton Beach to Queenstown Bay in the K2 Expedition Charity Relay as a fundraiser for Bruce and Kim Logan's K2 attempt. Only problem, he kayaked with Coast to Coast legend Steve Gurney who was in his prime — ''man, that just about killed me''. Ferguson vividly remembers the day Queenstown heard Bruce had died. ''It was a very grey, overcast, wet day and I remember coming off the radio with Grant Stewart and going down to have a coffee at Gourmet Express. ''Slowly the word filtered through town, and it was a mood that really resembled the weather of the day.'' Like Beaumont, he's very proud of the grants the trust has made, with later recipients including skiers Alice Robinson, Tim Cafe and Adam Barwood, snowboarder, the late Hamish Bagley, singers Bethany Grant and Emily Burns and tennis brothers Ben and Riki McLachlan. They'd even single out someone they'd fundraise for during Winter Festival weeks. ''The long list of recipients tells the story of real community giving,'' Ferguson says, adding every trustee over the years also deserves a big pat on the back. Altogether about $500,000 has been granted to talented up-and-comers. Since the Covid years, in particular, fundraising has taken a back seat and funding rounds stopped. The trust, however, has continued to provide generous scholarships to both arts and culture and sporting talent at Wakatipu High. And since coming under the admin umbrella of the newly-renamed 45South Community Foundation — formerly the Wakatipu Community Foundation — last November, a big burden's been lifted. This week the trust hosted a function to celebrate its 30th anniversary and the launch of a new logo. ''We just haven't got ourselves back to regular funding rounds, but we hope with a big emphasis on fundraising in the 30th anniversary year we'll get back to that by year's end,'' Ferguson says. Thanks to NZSki, another Dash for Cash will be held on Coronet Peak on August 3 — an event Bruce dominated year after year. Beaumont says ''we just need to remind people, if you have the opportunity to raise funds, we're here and we're local, and for some of those young people that have gone on to things, that [Bruce Grant Youth Trust grant] might have been that little bit of a kickstarter''.
CTV News
17-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
City launching public consultations of ByWard Market redesign
An artist's rendering of a pedestrianized William St. in Ottawa's ByWard Market. (ByWard Market Public Realm Design/City of Ottawa) The City of Ottawa is inviting public input into a plan to give the ByWard Market a full makeover ahead of its 200th birthday in 2027. The city will be hosting several in-person and online consultations where residents can give their opinion on a proposed plan to create a 'high-quality public space that invites everyone to experience the magic of the ByWard Market.' The first session was held Tuesday at the Minto Recreation Complex in Barrhaven. 'As the City continues to invest in the ByWard Market we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine the area and ensure its long-term success,' the city said in a news release Tuesday. The plan will see William Street become a pedestrian-only corridor and create space for 'street activations, trees, outdoor commercial areas and infrastructure to support events,' the city says. ByWard Market concept drawings An artist's rendering of the aerial view of Ottawa's ByWard Market with a potential Winter Festival along Williams St. The photo was included in the ByWard Market Public Realm Design released in 2020. (ByWard Market Public Realm Design/City of Ottawa) ByWard Market Square will be redesigned as a two-way street with parallel parking on one side. The city says it will be designed like an 'outdoor living room' with seating, trees and outdoor commercial areas. The city plans to allow the area to be closed to motor vehicle traffic seasonally and for large events. 'Safety and accessibility will be carefully considered in the new design to ensure all visitors can enjoy the ByWard Market at all times of day and night.' The plan is part of a $129 million plan approved by council in 2021 that will also include new pedestrian spaces on George, York and Clarence streets and a new 'destination building' in the ByWard Market. In December, the Ontario government announced $20 million for revitalizing downtown Ottawa, including $11.8 million to enhance the ByWard Market and transform William Street into a pedestrian-only street. In-person consultation sessions: François Dupuis Recreation Centre, 2263 Portobello Boulevard, June 18 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Richcraft Recreation Complex-Kanata, 4101 Innovation Drive, June 20 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ByWard Market, 55 ByWard Market Square, inside or outside depending on weather: June 19 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. June 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Manotick Community Centre and Mike O'Neil Arena, 5572 Doctor Leach Drive June 23 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Residents can also attend an online public engagement session on June 24, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. You can register here. With files from CTV News Ottawa's Josh Pringle
Scotsman
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Edinburgh's Hogmanay cancellation impact revealed - along with winter festival ice rink and Big Wheel use
Unique Assembly said it almost completed the process of insurance claims against the cancelled events. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The cancellation of Edinburgh's Hogmanay events last year had "little to no impact" on the economic benefit to the city, organisers have claimed. A report published on last year's Winter Festival found the benefit to the city from the events was likely to be similar to last year's figure, which is estimated at around £198 million - due to insurance policies against cancellations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Shoppers at the Christmas Market on Edinburgh's Princes Street. | PA The event was blighted when the Hogmanay concerts and street party were cancelled due to bad weather. Organiser Unique Assembly, which was awarded a three-year contract last year to produce and deliver the city's Winter Festivals, told The Scotsman it had 'almost completed' the claims process. A spokeswoman for the festivals said: 'Unique Assembly ensures there is a robust contingency insurance policy in place to minimise the financial impact of any potential event cancellation to the event and the city. Unique Assembly continues to work through the claim process, keeping CEC [Edinburgh City Council] abreast of the progress, and we are happy to say we have almost completed the process. 'What we have seen is that there is little to no impact on the significant economic benefit to the city, with revellers enjoying the hospitality of local businesses throughout the city centre, bringing in the bells at the many bars, clubs and restaurants.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Princes Street Gardens Christmas market in Edinburgh after all outdoor events including the street party and fireworks display planned for Hogmanay were cancelled due to bad weather last year. | PA The report revealed more than 45,000 people had bought tickets for the street party, up from 40,000 the previous year. The ice rink on George Street attracted fewer visitors than in previous years, however, with just 59,000 skaters taking to the ice, compared to 72,000 last year and 66,000 the year before. Meanwhile, 20,000 fewer people used the Big Wheel in Princes Street Gardens than in 2023/24. The report said the total economic impact of the Edinburgh's Winter Festivals in 2023-24 was calculated at £198m, combining the financial impact of both Edinburgh's Christmas at £150m and Edinburgh's Hogmanay at £48m. The report said the figure represents a return of £244 for every £1 invested by the council.
Express Tribune
21-02-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
STEAM education in schools
The writer is an educationist based in Larkana. She can be contacted at sairasamo88@ Listen to article Education is a journey for life, focusing on the practical ways and means of knowledge. The primary purpose of establishing educational institutions is to enlighten students, enabling them to become better citizens capable of addressing life's complexities. However, education often remains underexplored, not due to its absence but because of the limitations in our learning systems and a lack of curiosity to uncover its true potential. Education surrounds us in nature, history and human innovation but we fail to integrate it into meaningful experiences. The responsibility for cultivating meaningful education lies with school administrations and teachers. They must guide students in understanding history, geography, science, culture, art and tradition, equipping them with the tools to view the world critically and creatively. Unfortunately, many educational institutions fail in this mission, especially public schools, where rote learning prevails, leaving little room for creativity or practical application. Recently, I attended the STEAM Expo and Winter Festival hosted by a private institute in Larkana. This was an exhibition of science and art projects prepared by students from middle class to grade ten, offering a vivid example of how practical education can transform learning. The projects were based on how education, when applied creatively, can address real-world challenges. One of the standout projects addressed climate change. Students explained environmental shifts, their causes and the impending threats while proposing practical solutions. Another project focused on the living conditions in areas with extreme cold, providing insights into the measures required to cope with such challenges. These projects were not just exhibits; they represented the students' understanding of global issues and ability to communicate them effectively. At one stall, a young student explained the importance of forests, wildlife and biodiversity. She meticulously discussed the living standards of rural and urban communities, providing insights into cultural and environmental dynamics. Another remarkable aspect of the event was the students' exploration of AI. They created projects proving the relevance of AI in modern life, demonstrating how technological advancements can enhance living standards and address societal needs. One particularly engaging stall was designed by sixth-grade students with a clinic theme. A young girl played the role of a doctor, inviting visitors to describe their ailments. She examined them carefully, offered practical advice on diet and exercise and handed out symbolic "medicines" (colourful candies) for a nominal fee of ten rupees as the doctor's consultation charge. This creative simulation not only entertained but also imparted lessons about healthcare and empathy. The STEAM Expo and Winter Festival focused on how practical approaches to education can create meaningful learning experiences. It highlighted the importance of integrating hands-on projects and real-world problem-solving into curricula. In public schools, students often focus solely on rote learning to secure good grades. This culture prioritises memorisation over understanding, leaving students ill-prepared to apply their knowledge in practical settings. Despite living in an era of digital literacy, many government institutions remain trapped in traditional frameworks, failing to provide the practical education necessary for students to thrive in modern society. The bitter truth is that our education system emphasises theoretical knowledge at the expense of practical learning. Theoretical education focuses on rote memorisation, which may help students pass exams but does little to prepare them for life's challenges. This outdated approach must give way to a system that values creativity, critical thinking and practical application of knowledge. To bridge this gap, stakeholders and the government must prioritise educational reforms. Incorporating exhibitions, workshops and hands-on learning opportunities into school curricula can transform education from a static process into a dynamic experience. The need of the hour is STEAM education, which should be the primary focus of learning in institutions from the very beginning.
