Back to school at Charleston

• Author: Rose O Connor
• Published date: 10 August 2022
• Publication title: West Coast Messenger, The

The event is based on the successful Karamea Winter School, which has been running for a number of years, according to co-organiser Jenny Chandler

Ms Chandler said she often visited her sister in Karamea to coincide with their winter festival of crafts and activities.

"I was talking with Jeanette Goode and we thought it would be great to try something like that at Charleston. We needed an idea for people to come together in winter," Ms Chandler said.

"Jeanette got funding from Buller District Council Creative Communities so we had to do it. The ethos is not about 'us' organising it but instead acting as co-ordinators. We put a flyer out to the community which was generously funded by Buller REAP and Epic.

We collected and collated the activities people were prepared to offer and we ran with that." The opening 'shindig' held at the local tavern kicked off the event and attracted around 50 people.

"We had Barrytown folk musicians support us which made it a great night." Activities included harakeke weaving, spinning, wood turning, book art, fern study and laughter yoga.

"Laughing yoga was hilarious," she said.

Many demonstrations were...