Tuesday, November 14, 2017
CHRISTIAN Subritzky with some of the old bridge timber that will be turned into a table.
Photo supplied
Sven Carlsson
A CALL for volunteers to help convert an old bridge into a table has come from Motu Trails executive officer Jim Robinson.
“Timber from the old Te Waiti bridge near Opotiki will soon get a new lease of life, and volunteers are invited to help,” he said.
Until early this year, a 1931 wooden bridge crossed Te Waiti stream at the confluence with the Pakihi Stream.
The bridge was removed when the new one was built and some of the historic timber was given to Motu Trails Charitable Trust.
“The timber will be used to create an extra-large bench table at the parking area at the end of the Pakihi road,” Mr Robinson said.
“The table, which will be owned by the trust, will be placed on Department of Conservation land.”
The work session will be held at Weka Wilds, which is accessed across the Pakihi stream. Christian Subritzky, who owns Weka Wilds accommodation, is leading the volunteer work to build the bench table.
The first major step will be on Saturday, November 25 when the wood will be prepared for the new construction.
“We want to leave the wood in as original state as possible, but any rough or sharp bits need smoothing,” Mr Subritzky said.
“The bridge table will preserve an important part of the history of the valley.”
Mr Robinson said through the use of a “co-funding scheme,” the project would end up being free.
“Volunteers’ time will be calculated to access co-funding through The New Zealand Cycle Trail,” he said.
“The co-funding will provide construction materials and enable the widening of the parking area.”
Volunteers did not need to have carpentry skills, Mr Robinson said.
“Even if it’s just making cups of tea, every bit helps.”
Table project work session
Motu Trails executive officer Jim Robinson says the building of a bench-table from the wood of an old bridge will help create an area that’s great to relax in, “whether you’re a hiker, cyclist, runner, hunter or family”.
“The more people we get to help prepare the timber, the better.
“You’ll be able to look at the table, and think, I helped create that,” he said.
Volunteers are asked to bring their own protective gloves, earmuffs and eye protection.
The work day will be Saturday, November 25. Meet at 9am at the parking area at the end of Pakihi Road, which is 30 minutes’ drive from Opotiki.
If wet, the work session will be held on Sunday, November 26 instead.
Free refreshments will be provided.
To help with planning please email Jim Robinson jim@motutrails.co.nz or Christian Subritzky on christianwekawilds@hotmail.co.nz if you intend to come along.