As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, it is great to be able to get out for walks in the evening.

One of my favourite walks is along the Methven walkway, either through the Enchanted Forest or along the new track through the cemetery.

The path through the Methven cemetery is a good example of Council collaborating with service groups.

Our Open Spaces team have worked with Methven Lions with a planting day held last month. The rhododendrons that were planted a few years ago at another planting day organised by the Methven Community Board are growing well and the space is looking good.

Last term I presented a petition with over 500 signatures to Waka Kotahi NZTA asking to reduce the speed on State Highway 77 from Methven to the racecourse entrance. While this is still a work in progress it led to our Council agreeing on putting in a shingle footpath to make it safer for people to walk along the side of the road.

I am pleased to say this path is scheduled to be in place before the end of this year.

One of my roles as a Councillor is to chair the Safe Communities steering group. This is a group of 27 agencies who meet bimonthly to discuss safety in the community.

After a two-year break we were able to organise the Safety Village at the Ashburton A&P show. This year saw 11 different agencies set up, with one of the main attractions being the kitchen fire display by FENZ.

I spent the morning at the Safety Village on the Saturday and it was pleasing to see so many people come through to get information on services in our community. Congratulations to Lesley our Safe Communities co-ordinator for organising the village and to all those who took part.

After a disruptive couple of years I think we are all glad to be back attending events.

One of my projects outside of Council is restarting up the Methven & Foothills Walking Festival which will be held next year in the April school holidays.

This was a popular walking festival in the early 2000s and our group has been meeting regularly to put together a programme to suit all ages. We hope it will attract people from near and far.

I think you will agree that when you live in a district as beautiful as ours, you want to share it with everyone and hope they will keep returning.