Tom Ward, chairman of Henley Lake Trust out cutting wood for winter. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Wood sourced from around Henley Lake is keeping Wairarapa families warm this winter, with 43 loads of firewood already sold.
Masterton District Council regularly calls in contractors to clear away fallen trees or branches, or to prune dead or unhealthy trees at the Henley Lake Reserve.
The council has teamed up with the Henley Lake Trust to manage a fairer and more community-minded approach to distribution of the fuel. Previously it was often a case of first-in, first-served.
The wood is now being managed by either the Masterton Rotary or Lions clubs.
Henley Lake Trust chairman Tom Ward says both groups sell the wood at a “fair market price” to a growing list of buyers, many of whom are elderly and in need of help getting a supply for winter.
“The best part about it is that all of the proceeds from the sale of firewood go back into the charitable trusts held by Rotary and Lions.
“It means that trees planted for the community are continuing to provide benefits even after they are dead and hauled away.”
The popularity of the wood has seen each buyer restricted to one load until the waiting list has been exhausted.
Work removing trees has been underway for the past fortnight. That wood will be dried for the winter of 2020.
Council community facilities and activities manager Andrea Jackson said it was pleasing to see people band together for the benefit of the community.
“This is a classic case of small things making a big difference in our community. I’d like to personally thank all of those that have been involved.”
