Writers Walk Poem Unveiling
On a cool Spring day on the Taylor River the 21st poem was unveiled.
Written by Mia Lasenby from Wairau Valley School, this new poem forms part of the Writers Walk. Springlands School students who were passionate about the environment start the project in 2009. The students had been learning all about the Taylor River including its water quality and came up with an idea that would make a difference then and in the future.
With support from Marlborough District Council, who provided the large rocks. Sowmans Funeral Home who set the poems on plaques. Cathee Wilks and Ali Kay, teachers and project champions. 14 years on, the project is still going strong. They have now unveiled 21 poems along the banks of the river from talented student writers from across the Marlborough region. With poems entirely written by students, it is the only Writers Walk like it in New Zealand.
Springlands School students welcomed Wairau Valley school, guests and families to the unveiling. This included a karakia and waiata and shared the background to the Writers Walk. Mia Lasenby with help from Mr Holmwood of Sowmans unveiled her beautiful poem and then read it out loud. The local MP Stuart Smith noted how important it was to take positive action for the environment and that poetry was a great way to do this. The Mayor, Nadine Taylor, acknowledged in her speech what a special gift Mia and other students had given to the community. Locals and visitors to our region would be able to enjoy it for many years to come. Wairau Valley School students then sang a waiata to celebrate the unveiling. And to close they then joined Springlands School students for another waiata.
