Ball season’s glitz and glamour is on its way back

It was a busy weekend for Timaru motorhomers Don and Jenny Sargent, who are volunteer containment officers for the New Zealand Motor and Caravan Association (NZMCA).

With a backlog following lockdown, with more than double the number of vehicles they usually check, the pair spent the weekend checking NZMCA members’ vehicles were up to selfcontainment standards.

The pair have been doing the checks for eight years, and if the motorhome complies, its owners are issued with a self-containment certificate allowing the vehicle to park at designated spots overnight around the country, where other vehicles are prohibited.

To be self-contained a vehicle must have a usable toilet 24/7, all waste and water contained, and a sink or hand basin. The regulations include there must be 12 litres of freshwater per person and a minimum of 3 litres per person toilet holding tank capacity.

Don Sargent said the three most common reasons vehicles did not comply were there was no cap on the water pipe, the hose was not in a sealable container and there was no lid on the rubbish bin.

‘‘Of those rejected most people would come back in a week or so compliant. Most people are very keen to become a responsible camper,’’ he said.

The reason the couple chose to volunteer their time completing the checks was because they have been NZMCA members for 17 years and wanted to give something back.

They enjoyed the freedom of motorhoming and have recently returned from a 21⁄2-week trip to the top of the South Island.

Sargent said travelling in their self-contained motorhome meant they could park up where they were allowed without having to prebook.

Delayed school balls are making a comeback – to the relief of a South Canterbury seamstress.

Some of the annual senior school events, where many students dress to the nines after weeks of preparation, were postponed in term two due to Covid-19 regulations, and will now most likely go ahead in coming months.

Aoraki Secondary Principals Association chairwoman and Craighead Diocesan School principal Lindy Graham said the balls were deferred because of restrictions on gathering numbers, as well as the need for social distancing and contact tracing.

She said at this stage Craighead would have its formal on July 31.

‘‘Several secondary schools still have to decide on alternative dates but it already looks as if term three is going to be very busy in terms of social commitments,’’ Graham said.

Seamstress Naomi White said she had not had any ball customers yet but she was hoping with rescheduled balls they would be coming soon.

‘‘Ball season is a huge chunk of my income,’’ White said.

The majority of ballgoers want alterations to their gowns, she said. She will also make about five ball dresses from scratch over the year.

Sometimes customers planned what they would wear

‘‘Ball season is a huge chunk of my income.’’ Seamstress Naomi White

six months in advance but usually there was a rush about four or five weeks before the night.

Then there were always those who left it to the last minute and needed help the day before the ball, White said.

Timaru beauty salon Skin Deep Beauty and Health had not been badly impacted by the postponements, owner Min Holding said.

A few girls had booked in preparation for the Craighead ball, while students from other school were waiting on confirmation of dates, she said.

Mountainview High School’s original ball in May has been moved to September 25.

‘‘Our ball will go ahead providing we can meet all the Government guidelines at the time,’’ newly appointed principal Kenny Diamond said.

Roncalli College is tentatively planning its ball for August but no date has been set yet. June 30 was the original date.

Timaru Girls’ High School has also rescheduled and will be informing the school community of the new date shortly. Timaru Boys’ High School is looking to hold its ball in September.