Riding high at the country fair

Keen mountainbikers had a chance to try out new trails as part of the Valley to View fundraising event in Cable Bay.

Friends of Hira School organising committee member Laurel Hilton said the event yesterday was the school’s big fundraiser for the year, and all the proceeds went towards equipment, school camps, and extra learning opportunities for the kids.

‘‘We are a decile 10 school, so we don’t get a lot of funding. We are also a very, very small country school, so we rely heavily on our fundraising.’’

She said the country fair was unique in that as well as providing bouncy castles, live music, food and market stalls, it partnered with Cable Bay Adventure Park so that people could use the park’s mountainbiking and walking trails, which offered great views over Tasman Bay.

‘‘This year we are really lucky that they have opened up some new tracks that have never been ridden before, so we have a lot of mountainbikers here today.’’

There were also many tracks for kids to try out, with a splash of mud to keep things interesting.

Valley to View is now in its fifth year. In past years, money raised had been used to build a school kitchen, garden beds and a gardening shed.

This year, Hilton said, the funds would go towards upgrading the school’s playground, and the annual school camp

Iwao Fujii, of Upper Moutere, said it was the first time he had attended the Valley to View event, and it had been a beautiful day with a chance to do a bit of adventuring outdoors.

‘‘It’s such a nice atmosphere, it is beautiful. I love it.’’

Hira School principal Symon Beattie said the event had progressively grown over the last few years into a ‘‘really neat’’

‘‘It is a big effort for a small school.’’ Hira School principal Symon Beattie

community day out, as well as being a great fundraiser for the school.

‘‘For a school of about 80 children, we have 54 families. We have got everyone involved in this event in some way.

‘‘It is a big effort for a small school, but I am pretty stoked with how it has turned out.’’

He said there had been a ‘‘phenomenal’’ amount of generosity from the community in support of the day.

‘‘To all those that have come here and supported the event, we say a big thank you."

Iwao Fujii and his son, Satoru, of Upper Moutere, attended the Valley to View fair for the first time and are keen to return next year.

Mountainbikers at Valley to View register for a ride on the Cable Bay Adventure Park trails.