Wuhootimaru

28/12/2024

The Caroline Bay Carnival has started and runs to 12 Jan! Ride the iconic merry go round, carosuel, octopus, and hurricane. Snack on carnival hotdogs and floss, and try your luck at games! Plus the epic fireworks on New Years Eve and Jason Kerrison on 9 Jan.

Since 1911, the Caroline Bay Carnival has been at the heart of South Canterbury's summer, and for many of us, part of our New Year's Eve traditions.

The coastline used to be a stoney shore, until the construction of Timaru’s artificial harbour changed the way sediment moved up the coast. Fine sand started to accumulate creating a new sandy beach below the cliffs. The low wall with balls on top used to be a sea wall, it's amazing to stand there and look to the shoreline and appreciate how far the sand has extended out to today.

Recognizing its potential, the borough council leased the foreshore from the harbour board in 1902, transforming it into a European-style beach resort. Over the years, facilities such as tea rooms, a hot-water swimming pool, and a band rotunda were added. In 1937, the iconic ‘sound shell’ replaced the rotunda, and later, the piazza improved access to the bay from Bay Hill.

Christmas carnivals at Caroline Bay began in 1911, thanks to the newly formed Caroline Bay Association. Their tireless efforts included volunteer-driven projects that shaped the Bay’s promenade and gardens.

The bay association ran the rides, sideshow games, and free concerts, attracting excursion trains and thousands from Christchurch.

From the soundshell’s competitions, and performances to the New Year’s Eve fireworks, our family has loved our nostalgic tradition and can't wait to take the kids down again.

Thank you to the dedication of volunteers who plan and run this wonderful event. Their efforts ensure the magic lives on for us and future generations.

Whether it’s the thrill of the rides, the charm of the sideshow games, or the excitement of over 30 free concerts, the Caroline Bay Carnival is a fun, nostalgic celebration of our community, history, and heritage.

See you at the Bay!
www.carolinebay.co.nz

28/12/2024

Access to public recreation sites :)
Happy holidays

https://www.ecan.govt.nz/your-region/living-here/public-access-to-recreation-sites/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHcffpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHbbdng2X8k0gkOwgpw0h1G_vD4PEgfmXRc9hD54DlyiindiJzTx5IimGjg_aem_wnJms7wmWpcrT3PSNCmN4w

27/12/2024

27/12/2024

26/12/2024

Spied on another FB group... Boxing Day conflict in Timaru, 1879.

Irish Protestants and Catholics brought a long tradition of sectarian conflict to New Zealand. This excerpt from a December 1879 report in the Timaru Herald describes a confrontation between Protestants, described as 'the Orange party', and local Irish Catholics.

https://teara.govt.nz/en/document/28411/boxing-day-conflict-in-timaru-1879

16/12/2024

Fun fact for your Monday... On May 27, 1784, Mozart bought a starling in Vienna, which lived with him for three years as a pet.

Mozart noticed that the bird, by nature, was very good at repeating the melodies it heard even after very few repetitions. But even more surprising was the little bird's ability to insert personal variations, and it seems that Mozart enjoyed using the starling as a prompter and as a sort of "creative aid" instrument.

One day the bird repeated the 17 opening notes of the Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major, K. 453, which Mozart had composed, with some variations, in particular by inserting a coda on the last bar of the first complete measure and singing a G♯ instead of a natural G in the following measure.

It was the starling's version that became the definitive version of Mozart's concerto.

On June 4, 1787, the starling passed away. For him, Mozart organized a sumptuous funeral and a worthy burial in the garden of his home and dedicated a passionate funeral poem to his friend.

Learn more about some of our garden birds, with our fun fact sheet :) link in the comments

05/12/2024

🌹 The Magic of Roses Meets Science! 🌹

Did you know that roses don’t just captivate us with their beauty and symbolism but also inspire groundbreaking scientific discoveries?

At Liberty University, researchers led by Dr. Hector Medina discovered microscopic, rose-like crystals while studying how to improve dental implants. These delicate structures, created by etching titanium with sulfuric acid, are 1,000 times smaller than a single human hair—and they look just like tiny roses! 🌟

What’s even more magical? The discovery happened on Valentine’s Day! 💕 It’s as if nature itself was sending a message about the beauty and intricacy of creation.

These "titanium rosettes" aren’t just beautiful—they could revolutionize areas like:
🌊 Water purification: Enhancing contaminant removal.
🦷 Dental technology: Helping implants bond better with bone.
💧 Engineering: Improving fluid-surface interactions.

Dr. Medina reflects: “God leaves a footprint in everything He does. This is yet another example of the Creator’s design.”

Science, art, and faith intertwined—what a beautiful reminder that even the smallest details can reveal the grandest wonders.



The tiny rosettes (right) and their petals (left) as viewed through a scanning electron microscope.

https://www.liberty.edu/news/2020/09/30/liberty-university-researchers-discover-microscopic-rose-like-crystals-that-could-lead-to-various-applications/

04/12/2024

Following on from Roses Fun Fact Sheet... do you have roses in your home? Maybe something you can wear or use to decorate your home?

Check out this evening Coat by House of Worth. France, ca. 1900 designed by Jean-Philippe Worth, Silk, Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

"Historicism was a major hallmark of the House of Worth beginning with Charles Frederick Worth's interest in studying historical costume through museum research. This evening coat readily includes iconography of the Tudors with a Tudor rose pattern alongside the silhouette of alternative 16th century negligées in the full sleeves, standing collar and unfitted style. Worth ingeniously manipulates the textile to create an entirely new pattern on the back panel and has a keen eye for the creating the subtle black on black patterning on the top to counteract the stark contrast of the roses in the skirt.

Jean-Philippe Worth began as an assistant to his father, Charles Frederick Worth, in 1875. Gradually he was allowed to create his own designs and when his father died in 1895, he became the lead designer for the house. He was praised for making elaborate artistic gowns with intricate trimmings on unique textiles, much like his father had before him." - Met's description

02/12/2024

30/11/2024

Great day at Timaru Festival of Roses !

29/11/2024

Exciting!!! Free fun at the bay... we will be there with a Rose Garden Maze, and our Free Family Fun Fact sheets :)

Here's the run down of what is happening on Sunday 1st Dec at the Market Day.

29/11/2024

🌹 Fun Fact About Roses and Art 🌿

For centuries, roses have inspired artists with their intricate beauty and symbolic meanings. One standout example is Rachel Ruysch (1664–1750), a Dutch Baroque still-life painter renowned for her detailed and lifelike floral compositions.

Ruysch's "Flowers on a Dark Background" captures the delicate elegance of roses and other blooms, arranged in a seemingly spontaneous yet artfully balanced bouquet. Her father, a botanist, influenced her passion for capturing nature’s beauty with scientific precision. Despite being a mother of ten, Ruysch’s career flourished for over six decades, making her one of the best-documented female painters of the Dutch Golden Age.

Her works remain celebrated today, blending artistry and botany in timeless floral masterpieces!

"Flowers on a dark background", oil painting by Rachel Ruysch.

28/11/2024

Looking to bring a pop of colour to your home? Download our free Rose Colourful Facts Sheet :) And you can create your own rose design like this one by artist, Paintings By Roselyn Cloake

28/11/2024

28/11/2024

Timaru is known famously for its amazing rose gardens, special collections of ancient species roses to more modern heritage roses, check out this video to se...