It's Official, The Trail is Open!

Above:Thames Coromandel Deputy Mayor Peter French (right) and Trail Chairman Gary Fowler prepare to cut the the  opening ribbon.
 

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The Pauanui Trail is now officially open!

Monday December 28 saw special guests and a large number of Trail supporters gather at the Trail's Tangitarori Lane entrance for the opening ceremony.

A special fly past by aircraft from the Pauanui Airfield opened proceedings with Trail Chairman Gary Fowler paying tribute to the many volunteers who have helped build the Trail as far as Duck Creek.

Bishop Bruice Gilberd from Tairua blessed the Trail.

Local Member of Parliament, Scott Simpson, spoke about the community spirit behind the Trail and praised Gary Fowler and his team of volunteers for their achievement.

Thames Coromandel Deputy Mayor, Peter French,  also praised the success of the project before he and Gary Fowler cut a ribbon and declared the Trail open.

Cyclists and walkers then flooded on the the Trail to mark its first official use. 

Special certificates were sold to commemorate the opening and these were pouircahsed at five dollars each. Coromandel More FM Ambassador, Warren Male, auctioned a certificate signed by Mark Hadlow. The winning bid was $120.

"A most successful morning to mark a major local achievement," Mr Fowler commented later.

Here  is the full text of Deputy Mayor Peter French's speech at the Trail opening.

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