Hawke's Bay garden circle visitors shop up large in Tararua

Three of the organising committee from the Eskview Garden Circle who visited our district last week, Helena Beuth, Mary Duncan and Judith Buckeridge.

The Eskview Garden Circle's visit to Tararua last week was blooming marvellous, as well as being a financial windfall for businesses, one of the organising committee says.

Members Helena Beuth, Mary Duncan and former Dannevirke resident Judith Buckeridge were thrilled when more than 60 garden club members decided to join the trip.

"We packed out a bus and had cars following along. It was the most truly remarkable day," Judith said.

"I am still receiving phone calls and emails thanking me for organising such a wonderful, enjoyable day."

Mid morning the group were greeted with a log fire, along with tea and coffee, at the New Zealand Natural Clothing Company in Norsewood.

"Our committee had made cheese scones, muffins and pikelets and our visitors from the Napier region enjoyed their morning tea while mingling through the beautiful different shop rooms viewing all the fabulous stock on hand," Judith said.

"We were blown away. The beautiful merino cardigans and jerseys were superb with many purchases made. Everything from lovely warm, knitted merino hats with matching scarves, some with beautiful possum pom poms and gloves, and many of our women purchased warm jerseys for their husbands at home and of course, the famous well-known work socks.

"More than 70 per cent of our group bought clothing and items from the New Zealand Natural Clothing Company."

Back on the road it was time to visit the magnificent Ormondville home and garden of Klaas and Juliet Van der Oord.

"It was a brisk day and Klaas had the three, open log fires throughout the home all burning so the warm welcome was just delightful," Judith said.

Invited to wander through the home, the group admired the alterations and improvements made over the past 40 years to the historic homestead.

"The rimu woodwork throughout the home was sensational and the spaciousness unbelievable," Judith said.

"Juliet had worked tirelessly in her very stylishfarm kitchen baking magnificent dutch apple cakes and carrot cakes and Klaas had assisted with making all the sandwiches."

The visitors enjoyed the extensive garden at the country farmhouse before they visited the historic Ormondville Church of the Epiphany.

"Klaas and Juliet are so knowledgeable about the church history and its maintenance," Judith said.

"They both gave us a lively talk about the church today and its use and activities."

Driving past the Ormondville Railway Station and the back way through Ormondville to Te Uri, Awariki, then on to Weber Rd, the group arrived at Kildrummie Nurseries to visit Roger Erskine's family nursery on Tipapakuku Rd, east of Dannevirke.

"Roger had the nursery looking stunning and we could have stayed there all day," Judith said.

"We all purchased plants galore, shrubs and even feijoa trees, pots, planters and colourful wall hangings for the garden. Our bus had a large storage area and it was packed to the hilt. It was a great way to finish a most enjoyable day in the Dannevirke region."