NEWS - The Golden Edge A&P Show held in Richmond Park on the 19-20 November

Golden Edge 

128th

NELSON

A & P

SHOW

19-20 NOVEMBER 2022

RICHMOND PARK 

ALL THE NEWS FROM THE SHOW

HELD AT RICHMOND PARK, RICHMOND, TASMAN

The Nelson A&P Association’s only fundraising event for the year, the 128th A&P Show held in Richmond Park last weekend 19-20 November, unfortunately was affected by the weather.

The Association was expecting around 1200 visitors, but they think it was under 1000 visitors. They have not calculated the final exact number as yet, but they feel the weather has kept people away from a fun filled family and community day.

On day one the crowds pored in after an early shower to have a very fine day. Sunday, unfortunately was overcast with showers especially in the morning but cleared to a wet under foot Show.

Organising the annual event and trying to improve it is no mean feat, but the love of the Show keeps the passion alive. Manager of Richmond Park Annette Robinson, and her team say "they really love how it still brings the community together as it was first originally intended back in 1893."

Tania O’Meagher the President of the Nelson A&P Association said “the organisation for this year had been underway since last year’s Show so the A&P Staff, Committee and Volunteers have put a great deal of work into this year’s event. That being said, a huge thanks to the Volunteers, Stewards, Marshalls and Judges who spent countless hours in preparing Richmond Park for the Show and whose passion means that all the sections and competitions ran smoothly. Their work ensures that show traditions are continued for future generations.”

From a spectators point of view the organisation of the event worked well, from the traffic management, to the layout of the event in the park. Many volunteers both individuals and from different organisations were visibly helping. A massive effort by all.

One example of this effort was behind the scenes in the Birch Hall kitchen where a dedicated mother and daughter were feeding all the volunteers over the weekend. Clare Turner and her daughter Nikayla Miller said they “served morning and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream and other food to all the volunteers to keep the workers going as any good organisation runs well when the stomach is full.”

Left Nikayla Miller right Clare Turner Mother and daughter team working hard behind the scenes at the Show

Clare and Nikayla served lunch to all the volunteers and staff and made extra food at lunchtime to make sure everyone was was full. They both said that they were so busy that the time went very fast. Clare commented “ it is my second year in control of the kitchen at the Show and I have been there all week feeding all those who were setting up the Show and that Nikayla came to help me for the weekend.”

They both said “we really thoroughly enjoyed it, we haven’t heard of anyone complaining about the food,” and went on to say “that the whole team at the park are great.”

I spoke to a couple of men from the Waimea Menzshed who were having afternoon tea. They appreciated the food as they were doing very hard work picking up all the wood after every chop at the woodchopping competitions and they told me the scones were great.

One of the biggest winners in the Show that I came across was in the Horticulture Pavilion. Raewyn Robertson, who must have a wonderful garden, won Seven First Places in the rose competition even winning the Champion Rose. 

Raewyn Robertson with her wonderful Champion Rose and first place

Raewyn's Champion Rose

Raewyn said “I am overwhelmed and very surprised,” but it's no wonder as her roses were superb. Raewyn also was working as a volunteer in the Horticulture Pavilion so she really deserves the seven wins.

Another first place for Raewyn Robertson

A rose from Raewyn Robertson first place

Raewyn Robertson first place roses

The Highland Dancing was going to be held at the Show, but the rain meant it was too dangerous to be dancing on a wet surface so the competitions were moved to the Richmond Town Hall.

I was impressed with two highland dancers Jessica Radka (in the under 14 open) and Pete Greenslade (in the open class) dancing the Double Time Jig open.

Jessica Radha dancing the Double Time Jig open at the Highland Dancing Competitions at Richmond Town Hall

Pete and Jessica are from Christchurch being similar to many participants in the Show who came long distances to compete in competitions over the weekend.

Pete Greenslade just about completely off the floor dancing the Double Time Jig open at the Highland Dancing Competitions held at the Richmond Town Hall on Saturday the 19 November 2022

Pete’s mother Katrina Greenslade said “ Pete was doing very well in the competition so she is really enjoying the event - it’s always a good day out in Richmond.”   

There were many rides for the children or adventurous adults, like riding the toy cars and the ferriswheel or other rides in the Carnival area and plenty to eat from an array of food carts.

The toy car rides at the A&P Show Richmond

The Carnival area of the A&P Show Richmond

At the dog trials I met Angela Leslie and her lovely dog Zoom. To an untrained eye I thought she and Zoom had done a very good last round getting all the sheep in the pens and over obstacles quite easily, but Angela thought see lost one or two points as it was hard to obtain a perfect round.

Angela Leslie and her lovely dog Zoom came second in the dog trials

Angela had to came the long way around to Richmond on Saturday from Linkwater in the Marlborough Sounds to participate in the dog trials. She said “I have really enjoyed myself, it has been a wonderful day and the organisers had done a phenomenal job, providing shade and amazing support for the participants.”

Angela Leslie and her working dog Zoom trying very hard to obtain first place in the dog trials

Angela has two children 5 and 2 years old and she finds that working with her dog Zoom keeps her fairly grounded.

Angela Leslie testing her working dog Zoom

Don Stuart (right) the Judge of the dog trials

Don Stuart the Judge of the dog trials said “the 31 participants and their dogs were all very good, the organisation of the trials was superb and all the dogs were very clever.”

Angela you lost out from first place only just by a younger dog!

The final results for the dog trials are as follows:

Senior

1st Eion Herbert with Charlie  from Wakefield

2nd Angela Leslie with Zoom  from Linkwater

3rd Ian Broadhurst with Porsche from Seddon

4th Eian Herbert with Bell

5th Ean Broadhurst with Jet

Maiden

1st David Meade with Meg

2nd Bill Clarkson with Rain

3rd Tom Curnow with Rose

Intermediate

1st E. Herbert with Charlie

2nd Mandy Herbert with Rose

3rd Colin Gibbs with wave

The Nelson Sheep Shearers on Saturday were very impressive showing their skills to a large crowd. I noticed Kimberly McLean shearing away as fast as she could in her heat.

Kimberly McLean hard out shearing in the Nelson Shearers Competitions

There was a lot of free entertainment continuously throughout the weekend on the main stage with five entertainers alternatively performing throughout. Two entertaining groups stood out for me.

The first was the Gypsy Pickers who were playing a number of times and who are a well-traveled band based in Nelson Bays. They're a multi-instrument duo, known for their engaging live performances that have kept them busy on the NZ and international touring scene.

Linda and Ron a multi-instrument duo - The Gypsy Pickers

The second group that caught my eye were the Harmony Hunters a 5 piece band of talented young musicians from Nelson & Tapawera featuring Zac Griffith, Maddison Connor, William Connor, Luke Connor & Laura Lowe. The Harmony Hunters have been performing to large sold-out audiences throughout the South Island.

The Harmony Hunters

The Town and Country Vets from Richmond, organised a large variety of animals for visitors to admire, from a large white parrot to some lovely friendly miniature horses, Mashie and her foal Paddington. These miniature horses have a very gentle and affectionate nature.

Mashie and her foal Paddington friendly miniature horses

The Town and Country Vets from Richmond brought some friendly pigs along as well

The top prize for the most upbeat visitors to the Show goes to:

Bex and Melody and pet lamb Pocket from Brightwater. Bex said “I gained first place in the Handcraft Scrapbook Competition by entering my cards and scrapbook, the kids were able to enter their pet lamb Pocket in a competition and my students were able to enter in the Arts and Crafts and Horticulture sections.”

Bex and Melody and pet lamb Pocket

Bex said “we both had a great day - a classic kiwiana day - it has been a wonderful atmosphere here today amongst this wonderful crowd and the kids have really enjoyed themselves.”

At the Equestrian and Mounted Games Competitions which went on for two days with many participants arriving with their horses and ponies from across the Top of The South. I caught up with 14 year old Hollie Southward from Hope and her 8 year old pony Sailorboy they look a very comfortable pair together.

Congratulations to Hollie as she won three first places. Won first in the Hunter Pony up to 148cm section. Secondly, won first place in the Champion Junior Rider section and thirdly, won first place for the Unity prize (which is how well a rider gets on with their Pony).

Hollie Southward being awarded first place with her pony Sailorboy in the Hunter Pony up to 148cm section

Three wins for Hollie Southward and her pony Sailorboy congratulations Hollie

A few of the horses and ponies resting at the park.

The Nelson Axemens Club organised the woodchopping competitions at the A&P show Richmond Park last weekend. They put on spectacular spectical with most of the visiting Axemen from Hokitika Axmens Club and the Horowhenua Axmens Club on a not-quite-so-sunny nelson weekend.

One outstanding axeman was 14 year old Jack Matthews from the Hokitika Axemens Club who won first place in the second heat of the underhand Memorial Trophy by quite a bit. (I think Jack won the heat by at least half a minute)

Jack attends Western High School in Hokitika, has been in the North Island recently competing in the under 21 Cults and he is going to Tokoroa  shortly to be a reserve for the under 21 NZ Axemens Team.

I notice from the photo of the overall Axemen winners that he had a red ribbon on so he was one of he overall winners of the weekend as well.

Hokitika Axemans Club member Jack Matthews

Jack Matthews chopping fast during the competitions

The winning Axemen at the Richmond Park A&P Show (Jack is third from the right) Thanks to the Horowhenua Axmens Club for the photo.

The Richmond Volunteer Fire Brigade were at the A&P Show. They had uniforms for the kids to try on, they were able to hold the hose and sit in the front of the fire truck.

The Richmond Brigade were also there to give out fire safety tips to the public and possibly find some new volunteer members for the Richmond Brigade.

I met Firemen Josh Ratclisse one of the younger members of the Richmond Volunteer Fire Brigade and he gave me a very impressive overview of fire safety at home.

Firemen Josh Ratclisse at the A&P Show last weekend

The children’s Art and Crafts Pavilion was full of exhibits as usual with individuals and schools taking part. For the Primary School Art Section Years 1 and 2  Zoey Fitches came first with her detailed painting of flowers sitting close to a window.

Zoey Fitches First place in Primary School Art

In the Primary School Handcrafts Years 3 & 4 to design and build a tractor section Marlon Hyslop gained first place by building a tractor with a digger on the front and smoke coming out.

Marlon Hyslop first place in Primary School Handcrafts

In the sewing items in the Primary School Handcraft years 1 and 2 Nikita Jones won the first place with blue haired doll and zipped up green skirt.

Nikita Jones won first place in the years 1 and 2 sewing

The Intermediate School Art section any style for years 7 and 8 Emma Egan not only won first place, but won the Outstanding Art Exhibit for a very detailed and lifelike painting of a parrot.

Emma Egan Won first place and Outstanding Art Exhibit Years 7 to 8

    

There were very special items in the Cookery Pavilion, but what stood out for me was the section for preserves in the class for Marmalade. Tina Roats won first place with her lovely looking Lime Marmalade.

Tina Raats won first place in the preserves section with lime marmalade

First Place in preserves

The next section for cooking was for a decorated cake for under 16 years. Tiffany Aston won first place and the Most Outstanding Cooking Exhibit cup with a very interesting decorated cake with a carnival theme. (see below)

In the Inclusive Learning section the decoration of one cup cake. Kathleen Smith won first place with her cup cake below.

In the open section for a decorated cake showing cooking and sugar art skills. Thea Whitley won three prises for a wonderfully and detailed decorated Christmas Cake, so detailed it must have taken sometime to do. Thea won first place, won the Lesley Morris Trophy for the Judges Choice and won the Most Outstanding Cooking Exhibit.

Christmas Cake made and iced by Thea Whitley

A close-up of the fire place, cookies left out for Santa and Mr Bear - Thea Whitley's Christmas Cake

Wine Open contest. One bottle of wine from Boysenberries - it looked good.

Leslie Leggett won gold for first place for her entry and she also won the Champion Boysenberry section.

Leslie Leggett Champion Boysenberry Wine

 

In the Photography Section under the category Movement, Bella Kern won first place, Champion Photography Exhibit and Outstanding Photography Exhibit.

The Judges comments were: showing movement in a fun image with colour used well. Great composition lovely image.

Image by Belle Kern

Image by Bella Kern 

In the category ‘Open Photography - Close Up’ Martin Armstrong won first place and also won the most outstanding photography exhibit with the following photo.

The Judges said “wow! Wonderful image. Very good technically all round.”

Martin Armstrong's winning photo

Winning photo by Martin Armstrong

Many individuals and groups from throughout the country and locally took advantage of the show to compete in the off and on weather during the weekend, but this did not dampen the enthusiasm of those who took part. Many school children took part in many sections which was pleasing to see again.

The Nelson A&P Association, the Judges, the participants, all the Volunteers, the sponsors and the public made the 128th Nelson A&P one to remember once again.

Note: If anyone wants a copy of any photos please email me:
      EDITOR.PIGEONPOSTNEWS@GMAIL.COM

Pigeon Post News.  Richmond

Most photos taken by Ray Therkleson

Offical opening of Golden Bay shared pathway bridge

Christine Pullar shared pathway Bridge Motupipi

The new Christine Pullar Bridge

Well over 50 people attended the offical opening ceremony for the Christine Pullar shared pathway bridge over the Motupipi River near Takaka in Golden Bay, on a bright sunny day, last Tuesday afternoon the 8 November 2022.

The official opening ceremony included a Karakia and blessing by Manawhenua ki Mohua the local iwi, representatives and Chairperson Axel Downard-Wilke of the Golden Bay Cycle and Walkways Society, children from Motupipi School and representatives from Tasman District Council, members of the public, cyclists and walkers. 

The bridge is named after the late Christine Pullar, who was a strong advocate for cycling and walking facilities in Golden Bay. A wooden plaque with her name on it was unveiled during the opening ceremony.

Christine Pullar was a driving force for cycling and walking facilities in Golden Bay.

photo supplied

During the ceremony, the new bridge and its plaque were both blessed, with people invited to touch the plaque as they walked past.

Christine was one of those people – along with some others – that were at the heart of generating shared pathways and she really contributed to the Golden Bay community, but sadly passed away in late April this year.

Pullar had fought hard for the bridge to be built, and had spearheaded the campaign for its funding and the naming of the bridge was dedicated to Pullar’s memory.

The plaque that was unveiled and blessed by local iwi during the opening ceremony 

A plaque memorialising nine-year-old Robin Snelling was also unveiled during the ceremony. Robin died in September 1992 when he was hit by a car on the Motupipi bridge. 

A plaque in memory of Robin Joseph Snelling aged 9 was also blessed during the opening ceremony

Robin had been watching whitebait fishermen at work in the Motupipi river after school when he was hit by a car while crossing the road. Members of Robin’s family were also in attendance.

The blessing of Robin Joseph Snellings plaque attached to the bridge in the background his mother Helen Rhodes and her son Isaac Snelling.

The route between Tākaka and Pōhara is now a whole lot safer and more pleasant to use for cyclists and pedestrians following the opening of the new Christine Pullar bridge over the Motupipi River, just in time for summer.

The children from Motupipi School took part in the ceremony singing songs and one of them was in memory of former pupil Robin Snelling

The bridge was recommended by The Golden Bay Cycle and Walkways Society to the Golden Bay Community Board who took the project on board and recommended it to Council.

Tasman District Council paid for contractors to build the prefabricated structure mounted on piles on the seaward side of the existing road bridge, near the intersection of Abel Tasman Drive and Burnside Road. Apparently, the houses in Burnside road were shacking when the piles were rammed into the river bed.

The cutting of the ribbon opening the bridge

Cyclists and pedestrians on the popular Tākaka to Pōhara shared path have up to now  shared the narrow Motupipi Road bridge with other traffic, which was a real safety concern for all users.

The project had a price tag of just under $400,000.  It was started in August and finished in late October, just in time for the summer visitor season.

“One of the things in Golden Bay is that there is a community spirit second to none and things like this new bridge happen” said Golden Bay Community Board Member Grant Knowles. 

Grant Knowles Golden Bay Community Board Member

“The shared pathway strategy of the Golden Bay Cycle and Walkways Society became a strong group that made things happen and this is only the beginning from Pōhara to Tākaka. I believe it’s only the start and will be up to Collingwood - soon!”  

“I believe they want to take the shared pathway from the Able Tasman National Park to the Heaphy Track in the Kahurangi National Park, so including Tata Beach at one end and eventually onto the Heaphy Track at the other end. I think the Community Board will have a role to play in that, as this is the role of the Community Board.”

“This (The Motupipi Bridge) was the achilles heel of the whole shared pathway strategy, but now with the Christine Pullar Bridge  it is completed and open to the public” said Grant Knowles.

Golden Bay Cycle and Walkways Society chairperson Axel Downard-Wilke said the ceremony was “awesome” and had a high turn out of Golden Bay residents. 

Golden Bay Cycle and Walkways Society chairperson Axel Downard-Wilke

He said “sometimes it was a real struggle forming the shared pathway with a lack of spare land on the roadside, but it was heartwarming to see such community sprit in Golden Bay with landowners coming onboard and giving a strip of land for the shared pathway so the cyclists and pedestrians didn’t have to cross a road.”

“The community is so great that the Society hasn’t yet publicly approached the community about extending the shared pathway to Collingwood, but landowners have proactively approached the Society and about 4km of private land has already been offered for the shared pathway to be extended to Collingwood.”  

I went over to Tākaka from Richmond last week to report on the opening of the Christine Pullar shared pathway bridge and indeed one come away feeling the passion of the Golden Bay community.

Pigeon Post News

FONTERRA WORLD FIRST

FONTERRA TRIALS WORLD FIRST IN SUSTAINABLE ELECTRICITY STORAGE 

A new organic, low-cost, safe, sustainable and long-life battery being trialled by Fonterra, could support greater energy security and distributed electricity generation for New Zealand.  

 

PolyJoule, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) spin-off, is partnering with Fonterra on the application of the battery made from electrically conductive polymers, an organic based compound with the ability to act like metal.  

 

Late last year the world’s first industrial scale organic battery was installed on a Fonterra farm at Te Rapa. The battery was cycled daily, supporting dairy shed operations for 10 months.  

 

The Co-op is now moving this battery to its Waitoa UHT site, which can be impacted by power disturbances leading to downtime and waste. 

 

Fonterra Chief Operating Officer Fraser Whineray says as a significant electricity user at about 2.5% of the national grid, a sustainable and secure electricity supply is vital to the Co-operative’s local sales and exports. 

 

“At Fonterra we have a strategy to lead in sustainability, and innovation partnerships are a critical ingredient to achieving this.   

 

“The PolyJoule battery has a remarkable discharge rate, which may ultimately link with ultra-fast charging of our fleet, including Milk-E our electric milk tanker.” 

 

PolyJoule CEO Eli Paster says he’s excited to partner with Fonterra and sees great opportunity for growth in New Zealand both in terms of supporting energy security and job creation in the manufacturing and technology sectors.   

 

“We both have sustainability front and centre of our strategy and understand the importance of a reliable, green supply of electricity for quickly chilling the raw milk on farm, processing and distribution. New Zealand is a world leader in protecting the environment. Fonterra is a world leader in nutrition. We couldn’t think of a better partner to work with. 

 

“Since PolyJoule batteries do not rely on lithium, nickel, or lead, the materials are easier to source and the batteries are safer and easier to manufacture anywhere in the world, including New Zealand.  

 

“When you look at where the grid is heading and the number of batteries needed for the region, building a manufacturing base in New Zealand could create hundreds of new jobs and a new green energy hub.” 

 

The PolyJoule battery installation is the third decarbonisation project Fonterra’s Waitoa site has recently adopted. Last month it announced the site would install a new biomass boiler and it will also be home to Milk-E – New Zealand’s first electric milk tanker.

Pigeon Post News

Civil Defence Emergency Management - MEDIA RELEASE - August 2022 weather event

Local recovery transition period to be extended

28 September 2022 1600hrs 

Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese, supported by Tasman District Mayor Tim King, today extended the local recovery transition period for the Nelson Tasman region’s State of Emergency, caused by the August 2022 weather event. This extends the transition period for a further 28 days. 

The notice of extension of the local recovery transition period, under Section 94D of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002, came into effect at 2.54 pm today, Wednesday 28 September and expires at 2.54 pm on Wednesday 26 October 2022.
 
The transition period gives the Recovery Manager powers under the act to aid the recovery efforts, including emergency works, clearing of roads/public places, and requiring structures and materials to be made safe.
 
Mayor Reese said the extension of the transition period was required to give Council time to continue to work on assessing and managing the damage caused by the event.
 
“Nelson was hit hard by the August 2022 weather event, which saw major impacts across Te Tauihu.
 
“Our wider infrastructure was significantly affected. While we have been able to bounce back quickly to provide our core services, we still have a lot of work to do to get them back to where they need to be. It will take time for us all to recover.” Mayor Reese says.
 
“Getting people back into their homes if it is safe to do so has been our priority, and we have focused on infrastructure repairs, including reconnecting water services, to make that happen.
 
“Many of our residents are still not able to fully return to their homes, and they are working with their insurance companies to make sure they can do so safely. Our thoughts are with those affected, and we will continue to help connect them with the relevant agencies should they need help.”
 
 
Note: The Mayoral Relief fund is still accepting applications for those that have been impacted by the event and are not able to receive assistance from insurance or other agencies. Go to https://shape.nelson.govt.nz/mayor-relief-fund for eligibility information and how to apply.

Pigeon Post News

MetService News Release

Rain and a drop in temperature

Covering period of Tuesday 27 - Friday 30 September

As September draws to a close we haven’t seen the last of the winter weather. While the week starts warm for much of New Zealand, a southerly change arriving late on Thursday has MetService forecasting colder temperatures and even some snowfall to round out the month. 

While there is plenty of dry weather across the country at first, showers are forecast to build Tuesday afternoon across parts of Southland and Otago. During Wednesday, rain spreads into the west with some heavy falls expected for the Buller Ranges and the Kahurangi National Park where Severe Weather Forecasts are active.

MetService Meteorologist John Law says, “Spring is a time of changeable weather and this week is no exception. The past weekend’s  high pressure gives way to rain moving in from the west before colder air comes up from the south to end the week.”

One area that is going to really notice this change will be the east coast of the South Island. After a wet but warm day on Thursday a southerly change will bring a very different feeling day on Friday. 

“Temperatures could reach highs of 23°C in Christchurch on Thursday, however on Friday the temperature is likely to only reach about 11°C,” says Law. “Along with that colder air we could see some snowfall about the higher parts of Canterbury and even down to around 400 metres in parts of Southland and Otago.” 

Looking ahead to the weekend, it’s the South Island that will have the pick of the weather but a cool start to October. It’ll be a cloudier and wetter weekend across the North Island with a low pressure system approaching from the northwest.

Pigeon Post News

NEWS TODAY MONDAY 26 SEP

Stafford Drive may be Closed Forever but investigations continue

Stafford Drive Ruby Bay below this house

Stafford Drive investigations continue

Tasman District Council hopes to receive expert advice on a large landslip at Ruby Bay shortly.

Stafford Drive will remain closed until further notice due to the massive land subsidence above McKee Domain. 

The house at the top of the slip looks to be in a very precarious position.

Tasman District Council Transportation Manager Jamie McPherson expects to receive the final geotechnical report this week. 

He says this will help inform the decision-making process about the future of the road, but at this stage there is no certainty about when or if Stafford Drive might be cleared and reopened. 

McPherson says a key issue is ongoing land stability, and potential risks and impacts on road users and adjacent landowners need to be taken into consideration. 

"Costs and future liabilities are important factors that will need to be weighed up. In the meantime, the road will remain closed, and the recommended detour is via Te Mamaku Drive, State Highway 60.” 

One of the slips on Stafford Road Ruby Bay

McPherson says some residents have raised concerns about increased traffic volumes and speed on Pomona Road and Marriages Road, risking the safety of cyclists and pedestrians on this narrower winding route. 

He says the situation is being closely monitored. 

“But all road users should heed basic road rules, like passing other road users, for example cyclists, at places with adequate clear road space ahead to do so safely, and to drive to the conditions with an ability to stop within the visible road in front of them.”

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Gunman opens fire at Russian draft office amid backlash to Putin's mobilisation

Russian police officers detain a man in Moscow following protests against the mobilisation

Incident in the town of Ust-Ilimsk comes just days after the Russian president announced the mobilisation of 300,000 men

A man opened fire and wounded a recruitment officer at an enlistment centre in Siberia on Monday, the local governor said, as tensions mount over Russia's military mobilisation.

The incident occurred in the town of Ust-Ilimsk in Irkutsk, a vast and thinly populated region of south-eastern Siberia.

In a video published on social media, the gunman is seen identifying himself to police officers as Ruslan Zinin, 25, and firing at least one shot inside the draft office.

Igor Kobzev, the governor of the Irkutsk region, wrote on a messaging app that the head of the draft office was in hospital in a critical condition, and that the gunman "will absolutely be punished".

"I am ashamed that this is happening at a time when, on the contrary, we should be united. We must not fight with each but against real threats," Mr Kobzev said.

"I have given instructions to strengthen security measures. I ask everyone to remain calm," he said.

A number of draft offices have been attacked since Vladimir Putin declared a mobilisation last Wednesday.

Protests against the draft took place over the weekend in Dagestan and Yakutia, both of which have supplied disproportionate numbers of soldiers for the war in Ukraine.

Elsewhere, border crossing points out of Russia became clogged up by men of fighting age attempting to flee the country. There was reportedly a 24-mile queue into neighbouring Georgia as thousands attempted to escape across the frontier. 

Flights to other countries had already sold out within hours of Putin’s mobilisation announcement.

It comes as Britain's Ministry of Defence said that the initial tranches of men called up as part of the mobilisation have started arriving at military bases.

"Many tens of thousands of call-up papers have already been issued. Russia will now face an administrative and logistical challenge to provide training for the troops," the MoD said in Londan. 

It added that many of the drafted troops will not have had any military experience for some years, and that many will be deployed to the front line with "minimal relevant preparation".

——————————————————————————

US will take ‘catastrophic’ action if Vladimir Putin uses nuclear weapons

A Russian soldier sits with members of an electoral commission in Mariupol as they wait for voters. In occupied Melitopol, only 20 per cent of residents cast ballots in the sham referendums

Severe consequences loom if Russia follows through on attack threat, says White House, as Kremlin’s sham referendums in Ukraine continue

Russia will face “catastrophic consequences” if it deploys nuclear weapons in Ukraine, the US has warned Kremlin officials. 

Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, said on Monday that the US had communicated directly, privately to the Russians at very high levels how it would respond if Vladimir Putin carried out the nuclear strike threat he made during an address last week.  

“If Russia crosses this line, there will be catastrophic consequences for Russia. The United States will respond decisively.” Mr Sullivan told NBC’s Meet the Press programme. 

Mr Sullivan did not describe the nature of the planned response but said the US had privately  “spelled out in greater detail exactly what that would mean” to Moscow. 

It came as Putin’s foreign minister said on Sunday that annexed areas of Ukraine would be protected like Russian territory. Referendums in those areas are continuing, with Ukrainians under pressure from armed Moscow forces to cast their ballots.  

Some of Putin’s allies, including the speaker of the State Duma, publicly broke ranks on Sunday to criticise the way in which conscripts are being recruited, amid reports of elderly and ill men being drafted after the Russian president announced a partial mobilisation order.

Putin made the nuclear threat in an address when he said Russia had “various weapons of destruction” at its disposal and would use “all the means available”, before adding that he was not bluffing. 

Nato’s nuclear powers have started ramping up vigilance and deterrence.  

In a separate interview on Monday, Mr Sullivan said Putin’s nuclear threats were a “matter that we have to take deadly seriously”. 

Military analysts believe Putin could use Russia’s military doctrine, which allows it to use nuclear weapons to defend its territory, to reframe the conflict in Ukraine as defensive.  

Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s veteran foreign minister, said on Monday that the Kremlin could  use nuclear weapons to defend occupied Ukrainian territories if annexed following referendums. 

Russian forces have only been able to coerce one in five residents of occupied Melitopol to vote in a sham annexation referendum despite the threat of violence, its exiled mayor has said. 

Since voting began on Friday, Russian officials have been going door-to-door in occupied regions flanked by gunmen to give out ballot papers and identify voters. 

Ukrainians living under occupation have been warned their families would be massacred if they refuse to take part. 

Despite the threats, Ivan Fedorov, Ukraine’s elected mayor of Melitopol, said: “Our citizens haven’t taken part in this fake referendum … after three days Russia has only been able to find just 20 per cent of people to vote. Nobody wants to vote, nobody wants to say yes to the Russian referendum.  

Of those forced to cast a vote, he said “90 per cent” had voted against Russia’s occupation becoming permanent. 

In the occupied regions of Ukraine, Moscow has introduced the rouble and issued Russian passports. Ballots are being held, and are expected to continue until Tuesday, in Russian-controlled parts of the Kherson, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions. 

Melitopol, in Ukraine’s southern Zaporizhzhia region, had a pre-war population of about 150,000 and is one of the largest cities to fall under Russian control since the start of the war. 

In the build-up to the vote, pro-Moscow officials blocked evacuation routes to Ukrainian-held territory, only allowing women and children to flee to occupied Crimea, Mr Fedorov said. 

Mr Fedorov said men of fighting age had been blocked from leaving altogether, raising the prospect of them being forcibly drafted into Russian-backed armed forces. 

More than 60,000 people still reside in the city, without the support of Ukraine’s government. 

Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, confirmed on Sunday that Kyiv had received high-powered air-defence systems for the first time from the US. The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) was promised by Washington last month.  

Mr Zelensky told CBS the shipment had been received but added: “Believe me, it’s not even nearly enough to cover the civilian infrastructure, schools, hospitals, universities, homes of Ukrainians.” 

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Thousands of Russians have fled to Finland to escape mobilisation

Thousands of Russians crossed the Finnish border over the weekend.

Almost 17,000 Russians crossed the border into Finland during the weekend, an 80 per cent rise from a week earlier, Finnish authorities have said.

Captain Taneli Repo at Finland's southeastern border authority said: "The queues continue to be a bit longer than they've usually been since the pandemic.”

Young Russian men who spoke to Reuters after crossing into Finland via the Vaalimaa border station last week, some three hours by car from Russia's second-largest city St Petersburg, said they left out of fear of being drafted for the war.

The Finnish government, wary of becoming a major transit nation, on Friday said it will stop all Russians from entering on tourist visas within the coming days, although exceptions may still apply on humanitarian grounds.

Pigeon Post News

26 Sep 2022