Stolen bench saddens soroptimists

The theft of a bench on the Two Rivers walkway in Brightwater has left the SI Waimea Soroptimists upset that someone could steal something that was donated in good faith.

Group secretary Annette Smith says the bench was one of two that had been there for several years, along with bike stands that were bought using funds from the charity.

“We were notified a few days ago by a cyclist who uses that route regularly that one of the benches had gone. I’m so angry that people would do that.”

The bench had been screwed into a concrete slab with metal bolts and would have been extremely difficult to remove.

“It was made from solid macrocarpa wood so would have taken at least two people to carry it away. They must have cut the bolts using some kind of power tool, but with portable battery packs these days, I’m sure anything is possible.”

At the same time, a cabbage tree was hacked down and left on the ground to rot.
Annette notified Tasman District Council in the hope they had some information, but they were as stumped as she was.

Communications officer Tim O’Connell says the benches had been there for about five years and provided a great spot to rest for cyclists on the cycle trail as well as other users in the vicinity.

“We are disappointed that this has occurred, and we are in the process of replacing the seat so the public can enjoy this popular amenity once again.”

The charity is behind the recently donated bench at Snowden’s Bush and used the same funding process to purchase the ones at Two Rivers.

“We have asked everyone we know to keep an eye on Trade Me or Facebook Marketplace, but to be honest it’s probably in someone’s backyard.”

The SI Waimea Soroptimist group has been active in Tasman and Nelson since 1974. Members work together to raise funds to support education projects for women and girls and create opportunities to transform their lives.