Welcome Back Welcome Back

fter four months of waiting, the bunting fluttered once again on 5 March signalling the return of Coateville Market. People came from all over Auckland to shop for handmade treasures and must haves, and of course lunch was a highlight. Food and beverage vendors were kept busy churning out their specialities and the sunhats and sunglasses were essential wear in the late summer sunshine. Live performers entertained the crowd which included plenty of pooches who were on their best behaviour. From Obie the labrador to Frankie the bulldog, as well as oodles of poodles on a club outing from Devonport, there was barely a bark heard between them.

Coatesville Scouts did an awesome job overseeing the car parking and the Pony Club made the front paddock available for overflow parking, so the community support helped make it a successful day. With any luck, the April market will take place on 2 April.

Editorial

It was great to go to the Coatesville Market on Sunday and see Aucklanders turn out to support this landmark Coatesville event. It's always fun to wander round and visit your favourite stalls as well as check out what's new.

To take the photos on the cover, I need to chat to people I don't know, and let them know what I'm doing to see if they mind having their photo taken. Most of the time they're full of bonhomie and very accommodating. Sometimes though, it's more tricky. On Sunday I found myself saying a sentence to a stranger that I never thought I'd say. I was taking photos of people enjoying lunch and the guy next to me was holding a hot dog that looked so camera ready, I had to snap it. So I asked him, "Can I please take a photo of you and your sausage?"

We were both a little shocked by how that sounded. Quite understandably, he declined. But instead of cutting my losses and leaving the poor man alone, I said "Well, what about just your sausage then?" I was in too deep to back off, so I snapped the snag and skedaddled. It's on the cover. Note to self: no more sausage photos. However that will only hold true until the CRRA finally gets to hold the community BBQ and sausage sizzle. I'll definitely be there with my camera.

The recent spell of late summer sunshine has been a welcome change. It seems to restore optimism and make people smile. Let's hope it continues, because Aucklanders need to stay positive.

This month on page 8, Louise Johnston has the facts on everything relating to the floods and where to go for help. She also asks the community to please provide feedback.

Owen Aspden shares his perspective on the future of the Rangitopuni Stream on page 6 and our Pony Club is holding a special fundraising event called A Taste of HOY this Sunday to support the Hawke's Bay relief fund. The community is invited to come along and show their support fingers crossed for good weather.

There's pest plant advice about getting rid of wild ginger on page 10 and some top performances from the Coatesville Half Marathon on pages 4 and 5.

Happy reading!

Your editor, Vanessa Johnson

Email: coatesvillechronicle@gmail.com, Phone: 021 724 001

The Coatesville Chronicle is distributed free to homes in the RD3 postal area. Deadline for content is 20th of the month prior to publication. The opinions published herein are not necessarily those of the publisher, Cradle Publications Limited. © 2023 All rights reserved.

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Diary Dates

Remember to check that the events listed below are still taking place on the organisers' websites and social media pages.

∞ 12 March, Sunday, Coatesville Pony Club's A Taste of HOY fundraiser for Hawkes Bay relief fund, all welcome.

∞ 17 March, St Patrick's Day.

∞ 22 March, Wednesday CRRA March meeting from 6pm.

∞ 28 March, Tuesday, Deadline for feedback to the Auckland Council 2023-24 Budgets. Read Louise Johnston's item on page 8 for more information and go to AKhaveyoursay. aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

∞ 1 April, Saturday, Watch out for April Fool's Day pranks.

∞ 2 April, Sunday, Coatesville Market 10am-2pm

∞ 6 April, Thursday, Term one ends at Coatesville School.

∞ 7 April, Good Friday

∞ 9 April, Easter Sunday

∞ 10 April, Easter Monday

∞ 25 April , Monday, Term two starts today at Coatesville School.

∞ 26 April, Wednesday, ANZAC Day.

Proud Family Ties

Last week while at the Coatesville School pool we saw this sign naming the founders of the pool.

My husband Andy and his three siblings moved to Coatesville 40 odd years ago, helped build the pool (Andy enjoys telling Ardie the story of how he dug the pool with a spade) and all went to the school 25+ years ago.

Here's a picture of our son, Ardie, who's now in year two at Coatesville School. Pretty fitting with the singlet he happened to be wearing on the day. An amazing circle with the next generation of Staples coming through.

Kylie McCaw