Latest news with #Fell
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Science
- The Advertiser
School kids inspired by space salad mission to the moon
Growing cucumbers on the moon might sound like science fiction but for thousands of Australian students, it's a hands-on reality. Pupils from years seven to 10 across the country are taking part in the ALEPH Project, a world-first mission aiming to establish a lunar garden by 2026. Far from passive textbook learners, these young scientists are conducting experiments, engineering seed delivery systems and uploading their findings to a national database that will directly help scientists decide which seeds are best suited for space. Research group Lunaria One Director Lauren Fell explains that the idea actually came from kids themselves. "We had an opportunity to suggest a scientific payload to go to the moon and we thought we could probably come up with something ... but we might as well see what the next generation want to see on the moon," Ms Fell tells AAP. "They said, we want to see something grow and it kind of really resonated. It's a very barren sort of place. "They're going to be the ones engineering the full versions of these in the future and really feeding astronauts on the moon and Mars, and this is happening in Australia so it's quite exciting." This is more than a school science unit. It's a citizen science initiative, with students directly contributing to solving a major challenge: how to grow food sustainably off-Earth. The Plants - Lunar Edition unit, developed by Aussie edtech company Stile Education in partnership with Lunaria One, allows students to experiment with seeds under simulated lunar conditions. Clare Feeney, head of education at Stile, says, "It's fantastic ... we were able to get students involved at such a young age actually contributing to the mission." "In the first lesson, students map the mission to the moon and look at the conditions the seeds will face. From that, they find a way to put them under similar conditions." Extreme heat is simulated by putting the seeds in the oven, the G-Force of launch is simulated by shaking them, she says. Then they track how well the seeds germinate and grow, sharing their conclusions with Lunaria One to contribute to their research. Since its trial earlier this year, the program has seen more than 440 student experiments uploaded, with over 200 student teams providing usable data. One group managed to grow a 20cm cucumber under simulated lunar conditions, a first for the student-led experiments. Thirteen-year-old India Huefner from Adelaide's Concordia College took part in the program. "Though science hasn't been my favourite, I have always been fascinated by space and the Lunaria One mission opens a whole new world of opportunities to learn about it and actively take part," she tells AAP. Ms Huefner's flight-simulated tomato seeds - exposed to high heat and then freezing temperatures to simulate what happens on take-off - grew taller after 14 days when compared to the control group but the same number germinated in both. The project vividly brings science to life for students like India. "I found it amazing that we're even trying to put plants on the moon when it was only 50 years ago we first landed there and now this project is exploring how we might feed an off-world colony," she says. "Having the chance to speak to Lauren Fell really showed how this is relevant in the real world," she says. Ms Fell explains that her own experience as a researcher during a simulated space mission on Earth highlighted the importance of fresh food for astronauts. "I just wanted a salad so much. A lot of the food that you take up there, it's dehydrated, it's powdered and you just want something fresh and crisp and something that's just been grown," she says. "That really hit home how important missions like this are because it's the early steps towards growing food in space." Growing plants in space isn't new - the International Space Station has long hosted experiments - but it presents unique challenges. The moon rotates differently, with 14 Earth days of sunlight followed by 14 days of darkness. "As soon as you're in shade, it can plummet to less than minus 100 degrees," Ms Fell says. "It's a very difficult thing to get something to survive that night time period ... so our mission is focused on the daytime when you've got power because of the solar energy." Ms Feeney explains that students enter data into a specially built widget as they grow their seeds, producing real-time information. "There's a whole citizen science component," she says. "The data is being pulled together for the Lunaria One team and they're actually using this to inform what they're doing." Beyond science, students are encouraged to think about humanity's responsibility in space, she adds. "A really cool part about the mission is that it's building that stewardship and students caring for the planet. "There's that implicit learning about why we might need to go to the moon and how we can be better citizens of Earth." The program also shifts students' perceptions of science and scientists. "You can see it in their faces," Ms Feeney says. "All of a sudden they see scientists are real people and think, 'maybe I could be a scientist because this is something I can see somebody like me doing'." Designed for ease of teaching, the unit fits neatly into existing curricula. "We've found lately there seems to be quite intuitively a lot of doom and gloom in science about climate change," Ms Feeney says. "This is a hopeful, joyful way to teach science. "We're explorers at the end of the day. Teaching science is all about building confidence and curiosity." For India, the project inspires career aspirations. "I really like the discovery element," she says. "I would love to work in the space industry when I am older, either as an astronaut or to be able to go to the International Space Station or become a leader like Lauren." Growing cucumbers on the moon might sound like science fiction but for thousands of Australian students, it's a hands-on reality. Pupils from years seven to 10 across the country are taking part in the ALEPH Project, a world-first mission aiming to establish a lunar garden by 2026. Far from passive textbook learners, these young scientists are conducting experiments, engineering seed delivery systems and uploading their findings to a national database that will directly help scientists decide which seeds are best suited for space. Research group Lunaria One Director Lauren Fell explains that the idea actually came from kids themselves. "We had an opportunity to suggest a scientific payload to go to the moon and we thought we could probably come up with something ... but we might as well see what the next generation want to see on the moon," Ms Fell tells AAP. "They said, we want to see something grow and it kind of really resonated. It's a very barren sort of place. "They're going to be the ones engineering the full versions of these in the future and really feeding astronauts on the moon and Mars, and this is happening in Australia so it's quite exciting." This is more than a school science unit. It's a citizen science initiative, with students directly contributing to solving a major challenge: how to grow food sustainably off-Earth. The Plants - Lunar Edition unit, developed by Aussie edtech company Stile Education in partnership with Lunaria One, allows students to experiment with seeds under simulated lunar conditions. Clare Feeney, head of education at Stile, says, "It's fantastic ... we were able to get students involved at such a young age actually contributing to the mission." "In the first lesson, students map the mission to the moon and look at the conditions the seeds will face. From that, they find a way to put them under similar conditions." Extreme heat is simulated by putting the seeds in the oven, the G-Force of launch is simulated by shaking them, she says. Then they track how well the seeds germinate and grow, sharing their conclusions with Lunaria One to contribute to their research. Since its trial earlier this year, the program has seen more than 440 student experiments uploaded, with over 200 student teams providing usable data. One group managed to grow a 20cm cucumber under simulated lunar conditions, a first for the student-led experiments. Thirteen-year-old India Huefner from Adelaide's Concordia College took part in the program. "Though science hasn't been my favourite, I have always been fascinated by space and the Lunaria One mission opens a whole new world of opportunities to learn about it and actively take part," she tells AAP. Ms Huefner's flight-simulated tomato seeds - exposed to high heat and then freezing temperatures to simulate what happens on take-off - grew taller after 14 days when compared to the control group but the same number germinated in both. The project vividly brings science to life for students like India. "I found it amazing that we're even trying to put plants on the moon when it was only 50 years ago we first landed there and now this project is exploring how we might feed an off-world colony," she says. "Having the chance to speak to Lauren Fell really showed how this is relevant in the real world," she says. Ms Fell explains that her own experience as a researcher during a simulated space mission on Earth highlighted the importance of fresh food for astronauts. "I just wanted a salad so much. A lot of the food that you take up there, it's dehydrated, it's powdered and you just want something fresh and crisp and something that's just been grown," she says. "That really hit home how important missions like this are because it's the early steps towards growing food in space." Growing plants in space isn't new - the International Space Station has long hosted experiments - but it presents unique challenges. The moon rotates differently, with 14 Earth days of sunlight followed by 14 days of darkness. "As soon as you're in shade, it can plummet to less than minus 100 degrees," Ms Fell says. "It's a very difficult thing to get something to survive that night time period ... so our mission is focused on the daytime when you've got power because of the solar energy." Ms Feeney explains that students enter data into a specially built widget as they grow their seeds, producing real-time information. "There's a whole citizen science component," she says. "The data is being pulled together for the Lunaria One team and they're actually using this to inform what they're doing." Beyond science, students are encouraged to think about humanity's responsibility in space, she adds. "A really cool part about the mission is that it's building that stewardship and students caring for the planet. "There's that implicit learning about why we might need to go to the moon and how we can be better citizens of Earth." The program also shifts students' perceptions of science and scientists. "You can see it in their faces," Ms Feeney says. "All of a sudden they see scientists are real people and think, 'maybe I could be a scientist because this is something I can see somebody like me doing'." Designed for ease of teaching, the unit fits neatly into existing curricula. "We've found lately there seems to be quite intuitively a lot of doom and gloom in science about climate change," Ms Feeney says. "This is a hopeful, joyful way to teach science. "We're explorers at the end of the day. Teaching science is all about building confidence and curiosity." For India, the project inspires career aspirations. "I really like the discovery element," she says. "I would love to work in the space industry when I am older, either as an astronaut or to be able to go to the International Space Station or become a leader like Lauren." Growing cucumbers on the moon might sound like science fiction but for thousands of Australian students, it's a hands-on reality. Pupils from years seven to 10 across the country are taking part in the ALEPH Project, a world-first mission aiming to establish a lunar garden by 2026. Far from passive textbook learners, these young scientists are conducting experiments, engineering seed delivery systems and uploading their findings to a national database that will directly help scientists decide which seeds are best suited for space. Research group Lunaria One Director Lauren Fell explains that the idea actually came from kids themselves. "We had an opportunity to suggest a scientific payload to go to the moon and we thought we could probably come up with something ... but we might as well see what the next generation want to see on the moon," Ms Fell tells AAP. "They said, we want to see something grow and it kind of really resonated. It's a very barren sort of place. "They're going to be the ones engineering the full versions of these in the future and really feeding astronauts on the moon and Mars, and this is happening in Australia so it's quite exciting." This is more than a school science unit. It's a citizen science initiative, with students directly contributing to solving a major challenge: how to grow food sustainably off-Earth. The Plants - Lunar Edition unit, developed by Aussie edtech company Stile Education in partnership with Lunaria One, allows students to experiment with seeds under simulated lunar conditions. Clare Feeney, head of education at Stile, says, "It's fantastic ... we were able to get students involved at such a young age actually contributing to the mission." "In the first lesson, students map the mission to the moon and look at the conditions the seeds will face. From that, they find a way to put them under similar conditions." Extreme heat is simulated by putting the seeds in the oven, the G-Force of launch is simulated by shaking them, she says. Then they track how well the seeds germinate and grow, sharing their conclusions with Lunaria One to contribute to their research. Since its trial earlier this year, the program has seen more than 440 student experiments uploaded, with over 200 student teams providing usable data. One group managed to grow a 20cm cucumber under simulated lunar conditions, a first for the student-led experiments. Thirteen-year-old India Huefner from Adelaide's Concordia College took part in the program. "Though science hasn't been my favourite, I have always been fascinated by space and the Lunaria One mission opens a whole new world of opportunities to learn about it and actively take part," she tells AAP. Ms Huefner's flight-simulated tomato seeds - exposed to high heat and then freezing temperatures to simulate what happens on take-off - grew taller after 14 days when compared to the control group but the same number germinated in both. The project vividly brings science to life for students like India. "I found it amazing that we're even trying to put plants on the moon when it was only 50 years ago we first landed there and now this project is exploring how we might feed an off-world colony," she says. "Having the chance to speak to Lauren Fell really showed how this is relevant in the real world," she says. Ms Fell explains that her own experience as a researcher during a simulated space mission on Earth highlighted the importance of fresh food for astronauts. "I just wanted a salad so much. A lot of the food that you take up there, it's dehydrated, it's powdered and you just want something fresh and crisp and something that's just been grown," she says. "That really hit home how important missions like this are because it's the early steps towards growing food in space." Growing plants in space isn't new - the International Space Station has long hosted experiments - but it presents unique challenges. The moon rotates differently, with 14 Earth days of sunlight followed by 14 days of darkness. "As soon as you're in shade, it can plummet to less than minus 100 degrees," Ms Fell says. "It's a very difficult thing to get something to survive that night time period ... so our mission is focused on the daytime when you've got power because of the solar energy." Ms Feeney explains that students enter data into a specially built widget as they grow their seeds, producing real-time information. "There's a whole citizen science component," she says. "The data is being pulled together for the Lunaria One team and they're actually using this to inform what they're doing." Beyond science, students are encouraged to think about humanity's responsibility in space, she adds. "A really cool part about the mission is that it's building that stewardship and students caring for the planet. "There's that implicit learning about why we might need to go to the moon and how we can be better citizens of Earth." The program also shifts students' perceptions of science and scientists. "You can see it in their faces," Ms Feeney says. "All of a sudden they see scientists are real people and think, 'maybe I could be a scientist because this is something I can see somebody like me doing'." Designed for ease of teaching, the unit fits neatly into existing curricula. "We've found lately there seems to be quite intuitively a lot of doom and gloom in science about climate change," Ms Feeney says. "This is a hopeful, joyful way to teach science. "We're explorers at the end of the day. Teaching science is all about building confidence and curiosity." For India, the project inspires career aspirations. "I really like the discovery element," she says. "I would love to work in the space industry when I am older, either as an astronaut or to be able to go to the International Space Station or become a leader like Lauren." Growing cucumbers on the moon might sound like science fiction but for thousands of Australian students, it's a hands-on reality. Pupils from years seven to 10 across the country are taking part in the ALEPH Project, a world-first mission aiming to establish a lunar garden by 2026. Far from passive textbook learners, these young scientists are conducting experiments, engineering seed delivery systems and uploading their findings to a national database that will directly help scientists decide which seeds are best suited for space. Research group Lunaria One Director Lauren Fell explains that the idea actually came from kids themselves. "We had an opportunity to suggest a scientific payload to go to the moon and we thought we could probably come up with something ... but we might as well see what the next generation want to see on the moon," Ms Fell tells AAP. "They said, we want to see something grow and it kind of really resonated. It's a very barren sort of place. "They're going to be the ones engineering the full versions of these in the future and really feeding astronauts on the moon and Mars, and this is happening in Australia so it's quite exciting." This is more than a school science unit. It's a citizen science initiative, with students directly contributing to solving a major challenge: how to grow food sustainably off-Earth. The Plants - Lunar Edition unit, developed by Aussie edtech company Stile Education in partnership with Lunaria One, allows students to experiment with seeds under simulated lunar conditions. Clare Feeney, head of education at Stile, says, "It's fantastic ... we were able to get students involved at such a young age actually contributing to the mission." "In the first lesson, students map the mission to the moon and look at the conditions the seeds will face. From that, they find a way to put them under similar conditions." Extreme heat is simulated by putting the seeds in the oven, the G-Force of launch is simulated by shaking them, she says. Then they track how well the seeds germinate and grow, sharing their conclusions with Lunaria One to contribute to their research. Since its trial earlier this year, the program has seen more than 440 student experiments uploaded, with over 200 student teams providing usable data. One group managed to grow a 20cm cucumber under simulated lunar conditions, a first for the student-led experiments. Thirteen-year-old India Huefner from Adelaide's Concordia College took part in the program. "Though science hasn't been my favourite, I have always been fascinated by space and the Lunaria One mission opens a whole new world of opportunities to learn about it and actively take part," she tells AAP. Ms Huefner's flight-simulated tomato seeds - exposed to high heat and then freezing temperatures to simulate what happens on take-off - grew taller after 14 days when compared to the control group but the same number germinated in both. The project vividly brings science to life for students like India. "I found it amazing that we're even trying to put plants on the moon when it was only 50 years ago we first landed there and now this project is exploring how we might feed an off-world colony," she says. "Having the chance to speak to Lauren Fell really showed how this is relevant in the real world," she says. Ms Fell explains that her own experience as a researcher during a simulated space mission on Earth highlighted the importance of fresh food for astronauts. "I just wanted a salad so much. A lot of the food that you take up there, it's dehydrated, it's powdered and you just want something fresh and crisp and something that's just been grown," she says. "That really hit home how important missions like this are because it's the early steps towards growing food in space." Growing plants in space isn't new - the International Space Station has long hosted experiments - but it presents unique challenges. The moon rotates differently, with 14 Earth days of sunlight followed by 14 days of darkness. "As soon as you're in shade, it can plummet to less than minus 100 degrees," Ms Fell says. "It's a very difficult thing to get something to survive that night time period ... so our mission is focused on the daytime when you've got power because of the solar energy." Ms Feeney explains that students enter data into a specially built widget as they grow their seeds, producing real-time information. "There's a whole citizen science component," she says. "The data is being pulled together for the Lunaria One team and they're actually using this to inform what they're doing." Beyond science, students are encouraged to think about humanity's responsibility in space, she adds. "A really cool part about the mission is that it's building that stewardship and students caring for the planet. "There's that implicit learning about why we might need to go to the moon and how we can be better citizens of Earth." The program also shifts students' perceptions of science and scientists. "You can see it in their faces," Ms Feeney says. "All of a sudden they see scientists are real people and think, 'maybe I could be a scientist because this is something I can see somebody like me doing'." Designed for ease of teaching, the unit fits neatly into existing curricula. "We've found lately there seems to be quite intuitively a lot of doom and gloom in science about climate change," Ms Feeney says. "This is a hopeful, joyful way to teach science. "We're explorers at the end of the day. Teaching science is all about building confidence and curiosity." For India, the project inspires career aspirations. "I really like the discovery element," she says. "I would love to work in the space industry when I am older, either as an astronaut or to be able to go to the International Space Station or become a leader like Lauren."
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Science
- Perth Now
School kids inspired by space salad mission to the moon
Growing cucumbers on the moon might sound like science fiction but for thousands of Australian students, it's a hands-on reality. Pupils from years seven to 10 across the country are taking part in the ALEPH Project, a world-first mission aiming to establish a lunar garden by 2026. Far from passive textbook learners, these young scientists are conducting experiments, engineering seed delivery systems and uploading their findings to a national database that will directly help scientists decide which seeds are best suited for space. Research group Lunaria One Director Lauren Fell explains that the idea actually came from kids themselves. "We had an opportunity to suggest a scientific payload to go to the moon and we thought we could probably come up with something ... but we might as well see what the next generation want to see on the moon," Ms Fell tells AAP. "They said, we want to see something grow and it kind of really resonated. It's a very barren sort of place. "They're going to be the ones engineering the full versions of these in the future and really feeding astronauts on the moon and Mars, and this is happening in Australia so it's quite exciting." This is more than a school science unit. It's a citizen science initiative, with students directly contributing to solving a major challenge: how to grow food sustainably off-Earth. The Plants - Lunar Edition unit, developed by Aussie edtech company Stile Education in partnership with Lunaria One, allows students to experiment with seeds under simulated lunar conditions. Clare Feeney, head of education at Stile, says, "It's fantastic ... we were able to get students involved at such a young age actually contributing to the mission." "In the first lesson, students map the mission to the moon and look at the conditions the seeds will face. From that, they find a way to put them under similar conditions." Extreme heat is simulated by putting the seeds in the oven, the G-Force of launch is simulated by shaking them, she says. Then they track how well the seeds germinate and grow, sharing their conclusions with Lunaria One to contribute to their research. Since its trial earlier this year, the program has seen more than 440 student experiments uploaded, with over 200 student teams providing usable data. One group managed to grow a 20cm cucumber under simulated lunar conditions, a first for the student-led experiments. Thirteen-year-old India Huefner from Adelaide's Concordia College took part in the program. "Though science hasn't been my favourite, I have always been fascinated by space and the Lunaria One mission opens a whole new world of opportunities to learn about it and actively take part," she tells AAP. Ms Huefner's flight-simulated tomato seeds - exposed to high heat and then freezing temperatures to simulate what happens on take-off - grew taller after 14 days when compared to the control group but the same number germinated in both. The project vividly brings science to life for students like India. "I found it amazing that we're even trying to put plants on the moon when it was only 50 years ago we first landed there and now this project is exploring how we might feed an off-world colony," she says. "Having the chance to speak to Lauren Fell really showed how this is relevant in the real world," she says. Ms Fell explains that her own experience as a researcher during a simulated space mission on Earth highlighted the importance of fresh food for astronauts. "I just wanted a salad so much. A lot of the food that you take up there, it's dehydrated, it's powdered and you just want something fresh and crisp and something that's just been grown," she says. "That really hit home how important missions like this are because it's the early steps towards growing food in space." Growing plants in space isn't new - the International Space Station has long hosted experiments - but it presents unique challenges. The moon rotates differently, with 14 Earth days of sunlight followed by 14 days of darkness. "As soon as you're in shade, it can plummet to less than minus 100 degrees," Ms Fell says. "It's a very difficult thing to get something to survive that night time period ... so our mission is focused on the daytime when you've got power because of the solar energy." Ms Feeney explains that students enter data into a specially built widget as they grow their seeds, producing real-time information. "There's a whole citizen science component," she says. "The data is being pulled together for the Lunaria One team and they're actually using this to inform what they're doing." Beyond science, students are encouraged to think about humanity's responsibility in space, she adds. "A really cool part about the mission is that it's building that stewardship and students caring for the planet. "There's that implicit learning about why we might need to go to the moon and how we can be better citizens of Earth." The program also shifts students' perceptions of science and scientists. "You can see it in their faces," Ms Feeney says. "All of a sudden they see scientists are real people and think, 'maybe I could be a scientist because this is something I can see somebody like me doing'." Designed for ease of teaching, the unit fits neatly into existing curricula. "We've found lately there seems to be quite intuitively a lot of doom and gloom in science about climate change," Ms Feeney says. "This is a hopeful, joyful way to teach science. "We're explorers at the end of the day. Teaching science is all about building confidence and curiosity." For India, the project inspires career aspirations. "I really like the discovery element," she says. "I would love to work in the space industry when I am older, either as an astronaut or to be able to go to the International Space Station or become a leader like Lauren."
Daily Mirror
18-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Gardening expert's 5 'standout' summer flowers to plant now for 'reliable' blooms
Garden expert Emma Fell shared her favourite picks for summer blooms - and they're perfect for adding some colour to your outdoor space Summer is the ideal season for gardens to burst into a kaleidoscope of hues. With just a handful of plants, even the tiniest of outdoor spaces can be transformed into a "refreshed" and "full of life" sanctuary. Emma Fell, head of horticulture at Hillier Garden Centres, has shared her top selections for "reliable, long-lasting" summer flowers, reports the Express. Gardeners World explained that July is a great month to sow seeds, due to the high soil and air temperatures. The Royal Horticultural Society also recommended cutting back the likes of geraniums after the first flush of flowers to encourage a second flowering period. 1. Dahlia Emma Fell praised dahlias for their stunning, architectural flowers that come in a vast array of colours and shapes. She noted: "Dahlias are celebrated for their impressive, sculptural blooms that come in an extensive palette of colours and forms. From delicate pastels to fiery reds and oranges, their versatility makes them an excellent choice for creating impact." She advises that they flourish in full sunlight with fertile, well-drained soil, adding: "They thrive best in full sun with well-drained, fertile soil. Regular watering and deadheading will encourage continuous flowering, often lasting from midsummer right through to the first frost." Fell also highlighted their suitability for garden borders or sizeable pots, saying: "Their striking presence makes them ideal for borders or large containers." 2. Gerbera According to the expert, garvinea brings the same daisy-like blooms as traditional gerbera, but with the added benefit of hardiness. These vibrant flowers are perfect for borders, pots, or as cut flowers, thriving in sunny spots with good drainage. 3. Impatiens Emma Fell described how impatiens bring a splash of colour to shadier areas: "Impatiens, often known as Busy Lizzies, are a top choice for shaded areas where many flowering plants struggle. Their abundant blooms in shades of pink, red, white and purple provide much-needed vibrancy to the darker corners of your garden." She specified their preference for semi-shade and moist conditions, saying: "These plants prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil (in full shade, they will reduce in flowering)." Fell recommended them for shaded patios and balconies due to their low maintenance and shade tolerance. She continued: "Because of their shade tolerance and ease of care, they're perfect for brightening patios, balconies and shaded garden beds." 4. Geraniums Bedding geraniums are a staple for summer colour thanks to their robust nature and 'prolific blooming.' They offer bright, cheerful flowers in various shades, such as reds, pinks, whites, and purples. Noted for their adaptability, geraniums are excellent for edging, container gardening, and hanging displays. 5. Rudbeckia Emma said: "Rudbeckias bring warm, golden yellow blooms with dark centres that add a striking contrast to any planting scheme. They are long-flowering, typically from midsummer into autumn, and are excellent for attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. "Rudbeckias prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making them low-maintenance yet highly effective plants for summer colour."
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Principals announced for 2025 Gatehouse of Fleet Riding of the Marches
Gordon Nicol is Fleet Lad elect, Claire Mcnay is Fleet Lass elect and Sarah Cable is Standard Bearer elect. The principals have been announced for this year's Gatehouse Riding of the Marches. Gordon Nicol is Fleet Lad elect and Claire Mcnay is Fleet Lass elect. Sarah Cable is Standard Bearer elect. This year's Riding of the Marches will take place on Sunday, August 3. Gordon has lived in this region all his life and took up horse riding six years ago. In the last few years he has been taking part in Riding of the Marches in Gatehouse and other towns. He took early retirement from his work as a chartered accountant and now spends all his free time looking after his horse. Claire has supported Riding of the Marches throughout the region for almost 20 years. She lives in the Stewartry and previously had responsibility for Gatehouse Fire Station through her Station Commander role in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. She feels Gatehouse is a beautiful area with a fantastic sense of community and it will be an honour to carry out her responsibilities over the coming year. She has a fantastic equine partner in Skipper, her nine-year-old Irish Draught, and they are both looking forward to this year's gala week and representing Gatehouse in the other towns in the coming years. Sarah lives near Lockerbie and runs the family holiday let business with her husband James. She is very much looking forward to realising her dream of being standard bearer at Gatehouse after first seeing the Riding of the Marches there while on holiday more than 20 years ago. Sarah will be riding her own horse, Queenie a Fresian/Fell cross.
1News
25-06-2025
- Business
- 1News
Masterton airport runway falls short of gaining safety credential
Despite a multimillion-dollar upgrade to Masterton's airport, the runway has failed to achieve safety standards required by most passenger aircrafts. In a report to council, chief executive of Masterton District Council Kym Fell said aircraft with more than 30 seats could not operate from Hood Aerodrome because the current proposal for a 90m Runway End Safety Area (RESA) did not meet the threshold set by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Duane Emeny, the chief executive of Air Chathams which had expressed interest in establishing a regional airlink with Masterton, said it was a disappointing that the airport had not gained RESA certification. The RESA, situated where the runway finishes, was expected to be a distance of 240m or greater where practicable — a rule the CAA enforced. When a 240m length could not be done, the aerodrome operator must provide evidence supporting the next most practicable RESA length. ADVERTISEMENT Fell said the CAA had outlined areas requiring "further refinement" in the council's runway proposal, including "more robust analysis, clearer presentation of alternatives and mitigations, and updated technical and financial data aligned with current regulatory standards". "While their feedback offers guidance for any future submission, it's important to note that further investment in the RESA proposal may not be prudent," he said. "The threshold for approval is high, the costs significant, and there is no guarantee of success." He said smaller aircraft services with 30 seats or fewer could continue to operate. Emeny said Air Chathams was open to considering a change to its Saab fleet whereby the aircraft would be reduced from 34 to 30 seats. "Despite losing four revenue seats per flight, there would be some improved operational efficiencies of making this change along with the opportunity to provide scheduled air services into Masterton," Emeny said. "Air Chathams will review the options and continue to engage with the Wairarapa community and the regulator on a potential way forward." ADVERTISEMENT Meanwhile, the council was continuing to explore other commercial opportunities such as developing hangars at Hood Aerodrome. Fell said this work was part of a broader strategy to "unlock commercial opportunities and better activate this strategic regional asset". He said initial assessments indicated that expanding hangar capacity could attract and retain a diverse range of users — including private aircraft owners, recreational flyers, small commercial operators, and aviation service providers. "Improved hangar infrastructure would support long-term leasing and ground rental income, while generating broader economic benefits such as increased fuel sales, maintenance activity, and aviation tourism. "This would contribute to a more vibrant and operationally active aerodrome, reinforcing Hood's role as a gateway and economic contributor to the Wairarapa." LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ on Air
