Muddy disgrace

Lions club member Peter Henderson slowly sinks into the mud as he tries to enjoy a glass of wine on the banks of the Mahurangi River. The forgettable experience is one of the reasons Peter, along with Warkworth Lions and Mahurangi Rotary, are behind a major outdoor fundraising dinner to help clean up the river. At low tide the river is a mere stream with boats mired in the gunk. But in former times the river was navigable whatever the tide and boaties sailed in from Scotts Landing to do their shopping in Warkworth. The 2018 Riverside Dinner will support dredging operations to return the river to its former glory. It will be held between Warkworth’s Wharf and Kapanui Street on Saturday, March 17, at 6pm, when the river will mercifully be at high tide. The fundraiser will also support the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust.

Tickets cost $95 from Warkworth Menswear, Harts Pharmacy or email riversidedinner1@gmail.com. Phone 021 425849.