The Eastbourne Herald May 2020

MAY

HARATUA 2020

Virtual engagement for council's draft plan

by Carl McRae While public engagement closed on May 22 for the Hutt City Council’s 20/21 Draft Annual Plan, Mayor Campbell Barry says that in light of all things Covid, it is more important than ever that council gets the necessary feedback from the public regarding initiatives they intend to put in place.

The Mayor and councillors have confirmed that those wishing to present feedback directly to them can do so through a virtual hearing planned for Friday, 29 May. Further information on how to access this service will be provided on the HCC website and Facebook page. This will enable council to make final decisions on 30 June.

A DAP is usually an update to the Long Term Plan, but circumstances have dictated that this year it will be different. Council has outlined and requires feedback regarding major changes to our rubbish and recycling service, extra investments in infrastructure like roads and water, and changing its financial strategy to put Hutt City on a more secure footing going forward.

While he could not have foreseen the future when he took office last October, Mayor Barry considers his job is more important than ever now, as council views its most important role as doing everything it can to ensure that Hutt City thrives. “‘Business as usual’ would seem unlikely to work in this current environment,” the Mayor says, “and the last thing we want to do is shoot ourselves in the foot. The road to recovery may be some time away, which makes getting today's decisions right even more vital. When we get through this, we want to ensure that we are firmly on the front foot with projects planned or in progress.”

T h e M a y o r says that he is aware businesses a n d households will be under s i g n i f i c a nt pressure in the months ahead and Council needs to make the most of Government funding initiatives.

“We need to ensure that people are out supp or t ing l o c a l Mayor Campbell Barry in Eastbourne last week, supporting local businesses. Seen here business,” he with Barry Spooner, owner of Eastbourne Village Meats. says, “not just There are a few of these so-called ‘shovel as a one-off, but as an ongoing commitment.” ready’ projects, which the Mayor sees as vital Mayor Barry is also keen to promote Hutt to the recovery of our city.

City as a holiday destination, under the slogan “We understand the importance of ‘Staycation’. The Mayor will be booking himself mobilising industry and driving economic into a few local accommodation establishments activity through infrastructure projects,” Mayor and organising gatherings of ten people, to help ensure that support for the venture comes Barry says. “On this basis, we are putting forward a diverse range of projects – from directly from the top. transport infrastructure, through to housing Keeping key projects moving includes development and water infrastructure. The the continued thumbs up for the Eastern combined value of these projects is over $338 Bays shared pathway project. The budget still million.” includes money for initial work on the Naenae Other ‘shovel ready’ projects include a Pool, so when budgets are reviewed in the greater supply of social and affordable homes future, council is ready to go.

Continues Page 3

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The Eastbourne Herald, 29 May 2020

Community Fridge; open again in Lockdown The Eastbourne Community Fridge reopened on Monday, May 25th and Sandy Lang of St. Ronan’s Church says it’s very much back to business as usual.

“It was never directed to close in the first instance,” Sandy says, “but once the chaos of lockdown started, I thought it best to shut it down. Now I think it’s a good time to re-open.”

It has often been mooted that we have little need for a community fridge in Eastbourne, but Sandy says this thinking is a little short sighted.

“Initially,” he says, “the fridge was opened as a means of sharing garden produce. As we know, this can be all excess or dearth, depending on what is in season, and rather than have produce go to waste, local folk were encouraged to use the fridge. It’s not a food bank and one doesn’t have to be destitute or qualify in some capacity to check it out.”

But he says people are welcome to take if in need, without fear of losing face or proving anything to anyone. It’s more about self determination.

The brainchild originally of Finola Rance, Sandy says the community fridge, while housed on premise, is not strictly a St Ronan’s project.

“It was suggested to Finola that the church may be happy to provide a place and power -

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which we did,” Sandy said, “and the fridge itself was donated to us by Coca-Cola and officially opened by former Mayor, Ray Wallace.”

Other uses for the fridge include reducing food waste.

A lot of produce has reached its use by/ best before dates,” Sandy says, “and therefore we are always grateful to the Eastbourne Four Square and also Eastbourne Fruit Supply, who often contribute items to it for community use.”

Sandy says that, despite the contention, there are certainly members of this community who have need of the service it provides.

Thes e i nclude t he many sick ness beneficiaries living in Eastbourne, most on mediocre incomes.

“There is also the cash poor/asset rich elderly,” he says,”who often don’t want to sell up and leave an area they have lived in for some

considerable time.”

Sandy, who helps maintain the fridge along with two local women, has himself seen people that he knows are not from Eastbourne go to the fridge and take produce.

A lot of folk from Naenae or Moera who come out here to fish are also aware that the community fridge is there,” he says, “and I have seen a few of them check it out from time to time, before leaving the district.”

If in doubt, there is a sign on the fridge which lays out all the rules, terms and conditions.

“Strictly speaking,” Sandy concludes, “home made produce should not be placed in the fridge. But I have seen many locally made jams and chutneys appear from time to time and let me tell you, they fly out the door faster than when they went in!”

The Eastbourne Herald, 29 May 2020

Praise for community support

by Carl McRae

Next ECB meeting: 7.15 pm Tuesday 23 June 2020, East Harbour Women’s Club, 145 Muritai Road.

Covid-19 – keeping in touch We congratulate and thank all the Eastbourne residents who helped set up formal support networks or offered informal support to neighbours during the lockdown.

There have been some fantastic initiatives that demonstrate the creativity, kindness and support in our wonderful community.

Rubbish collection – recycling is back Hutt City Council’s contractors are collecting all recycling again at alert level 2. If you’ve been storing your recycling during the lockdown, please don’t put it out all in one week. The recycling in the green crates will be collected and sorted – don’t over-fill them.

Eastbourne Community Board (ECB) ECB members have been making good use of Zoom during the lockdown. We hope that our next scheduled public meeting on 23 June can go ahead.

Residents are welcome to contact board members at any time. Members often sort minor issues directly with council staff or may ask for a report from officers to go on the next agenda. You can also contact us on the Eastbourne Community Board Facebook page.

Board members Virginia Horrocks (Chair) virginia.horrocks@huttcity.govt.nz Ph 021 230 8210

While clearly, it has been a most difficult start to 2020 overall, local businesses are eternally thankful for the amazing response they received from the community, especially during Level 3, where most were able to trade again, at least to some degree.

Owner of Eastbourne Village Meats, Barry Spooner, says that he thought a percentage of business may be lost to the Four Square and other online services during L3, but the response and support received from his local customers was very encouraging and much appreciated.

“As customers will note,” Barry says, “we’ve had to put screens up in the shop, can allow only a couple in at any time and practise the art of social distancing. But while it’s very much a changed world now, with new rules and regulations, we will adapt and be able to offer the same quality service and product going forward.”

Barry would like to thank the community for their continued support during a difficult trading period.

James and Carol Hutton of Marmalade Deli offered a similar sentiment, Carol says support for their business was at times overwhelming, especially in the face of such adversity.

“My only regret,“ says James, “is that some popular products we usually sell, we are currently unable to, owing to new food and safety laws put in place by Ministry of Primary Industries. This is unfortunate and we’ll look at how we can make these available again. But Carol and I would like to thank local people for their continued patronage, it means a lot to us.”

Other business owners say that slowly but surely, things are returning to some form of normality and while a little too early to tell, a changed environment will call for adaptation to systems in place and how they go about doing things in the future.

Brandon Bodden, owner of Hive Cafe, says that the vibe has been extremely positive since his doors were opened once again.

“It appears that locals were not only missing their coffee fix,” he said, “but normal species interaction, somewhat altered, was returned with a warm welcome.”

Virtual engagement for HCC DP From Page 1

in Lower Hutt; high-quality cycling initiatives to improve road safety, active transport and boost local tourism; and the ‘Three Waters’ infrastructure (waste, storm and drinking water) to adequately support the current population as well as future growth. $84 of the estimated $122 average rates increase proposed is to cover the ‘Three Waters’ infrastructure, which the Mayor says is just the tip of the iceberg. Council is estimating that it will spend $120m on the project over the next seven years.

The Hutt City Wharves refurbishment programme, Seaview Wastewater treatment

storage and the construction of a 14-megalitre drinking water reservoir for Lower Hutt (to be built in Naenae), are all ‘shovel ready’ to go ahead during the current year, or 2021.

Overall, these projects will create jobs for up to 1,300 people, at their peak and engage a range of contractors across a number of industries. The hope is that this will have an enormous impact locally, especially at a time of rising unemployment.

The Draft Annual Plan feedback form is available via the HCC website, which includes a ‘rates tool’, so that individuals can see how the rates split will affect their rates.

Murray Gibbons (Deputy Chair) murray.gibbons@huttcity.govt.nz Ph 04 562 8567 Tui Lewis (Ward Councillor) tui.lewis@huttcity.govt.nz Ph 04 970 5159 Bruce Spedding bruce.spedding@huttcity.govt.nz Ph 021 029 74741 Frank Vickers frank.vickers@huttcity.govt.nz Ph 027 406 1419 Belinda Moss belinda.moss@huttcity.govt.nz Ph 029 494 1615

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The Eastbourne Herald, 29 May 2020

Local identity pens honest and raw memoir When long-time Eastbourne resident, writer and editor Anne Manchester was making the final tweaks to her latest book – a memoir called Memory Stick – and was only days away from printing, the country went into lockdown. She considered writing a whole new chapter about this enormous event in her life and consulted with her editors and former Eastbourne residents, Paul Stewart and Mary McCallum, at The Cuba Press.

But with the book so close to completion, she decided to only include some passing references to the cataclysm. Her involvement in the recent Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe Zoom production of A Winter’s Tale was one thing she slipped into the final text. Her book is being printed this week in Wellington now the printers are back to work and will launch in June, with copies available at Rona Gallery and Unity Books, and able to be ordered from other bookstores and at her publisher’s website.

Anne believes that everyone has a story to tell, with most people’s lives containing all the elements of high drama. It’s just a question of whether you choose to tell that story or not, and to whom.

Anne’s download of memories includes a few racy incidents and some laugh-out-loud anecdotes. She said she chose to tell her story, warts and all, including her share of loss, heartbreak and mistakes. “Whether readers will judge this venture as brave, insightful and honest, or rather foolhardy and too revealing remains to be seen,” she says. “Laying your life on the line is a creative but rather scary thing to do.”

Anne's previous books include two for children, about a Pekinese called Andrew, and two she’s co-edited: Eastbourne: An Anthology and a collection of poems by Colin WebsterWatson. She also edits the national nursing magazine Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand.

Anne describes her memoir as first and foremost a journey of self-discovery. It arose out of a 10-week memoir writing course she did with playwright and novelist Renée in 2018, though elements of the book had been bubbling away inside her head for some time before that.

“Nearing 70, with my brain and body still in reasonably good working order, seemed as good a time as any to take that journey of self-discovery,” she said. “I have framed this meander through memor y around important people in my life, those who have helped shape who I am. My uncle, sculptor Colin Webster-Watson, is one of the more colourful characters I profile.

“But as I wrestled with that wonderful creative process of writing, I realised that the social and political shifts and changes happening in the latter half of the 20th century and early part of the 21st century have had an equally important impact on who I am.”

Anne has been in the midst of the struggle for gay rights and the right for women to have access to safe abortions. She has witnessed the growing acceptance and understanding of what it means to be part of a bicultural nation and has seen the growth of green politics.

Environment and place – Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington, London, Eastbourne – have also played their part. Anne’s life in less than half what it is today. Although my Eastbourne, where she has lived for more than family was far from wealthy, I understand the 40 years, runs like a thread through many of the inbuilt advantages that I, as a Pākehā New book’s 12 chapters, and the final chapter reads Zealander and a member of the baby boomer like a love song to her seaside home. generation, enjoy.”

“Eastbourne is where I spent some of my Although Memory Stick will have particular teenage years, where my children were born significance to her own family, Anne hopes and grew up, where I went through the pain other readers may recognise aspects of their of divorce, then experienced the greatest pain own lives in its pages and experience some of all when my younger son, David, died at the sense of solidarity. end of 2004.

Memory Stick is published by Wayfarer, “Eastbourne is the backdrop to my an imprint of The Cuba Press. Its first chapter community life – in the church, on stage in the can be read on the Coalition for Books Muritai School Hall or out in the yard for the website http://www.coalitionforbooks.nz/firstannual summer Shakespearean productions, chapters-non-fiction/ It will be available from and as a board member of the Okiwi Trust.

Rona Gallery and costs $30.

“When I was a child, the population was

The Eastbourne Herald, 29 May 2020

Pause yoga, free classes during lockdown

by Carl McRae Cathy Gamba of Pause Yoga decided that in order to keep herself sane during Level 4, she would offer some free yoga classes online, for her own clientele, but also for anyone interested in finding out more about different aspects of the practice.

“It was fun to set up,” Cathy said. “I needed something to do which required some level of commitment, so I offered seven classes a week for free. We had over 100 people tuned in on most occasions, most of whom were naturally motivated, some were there just for a bit of a nosey.”

Cathy says that there is a plethora of yoga or gym classes available online for free, but with all the uneasiness and uncertainty around the Covid issue, she saw a need to provide classes as primarily a need to offer mental support more than anything.

So what started out as largely a family and community venture, ended up with folk tuning in from Auckland, Australia, France and the United Kingdom. And despite the fact that it was ‘live’, leaving little room for error, followers responded well, with fun more paramount than mistakes, which

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people seemed to enjoy.

“I received great local support,” said Cathy, “people leaving messages on our Facebook page, thanking me and reiterating that we were all in this together.

People seemed keen to socialise in this forum, which helped create a real sense of community.

We were all connected somehow.”

Her classes included many of the individual practices within the d i s c ip l i n e of y o g a ; Mindfulness (training the mind to focus), conditioning, stretching and relaxing. She even ran classes for children.

C at hy s ay s t h at while the venture w a s su c c e ss f u l and therapeutically rewarding and despite encouragement from many to continue, it was strictly an exercise that worked during our Cathy Gamba of Pause Yoga, in her Days Bay studio. isolated confines.

“It s er ved its purpose,” she said. “I did think about continuing, says that under the new rules, she’ll be able to but I have children and we are building a house accommodate nine students per class.

“So my local clients can return to their and I have my normal yoga business to run.

With life back to normal - whatever that ‘happy place’,” she says, “with every corner means now - so must I return to some form designed for yoga, a space that makes them feel of normality. It was a cool experience though.” good, with real secular teaching.”

Pause Yoga’s purpose built studio in Days Bay will re-open on June 1st though and Cathy

Entrance closure

The Muratai Park entrance/exit will be closed to the public on the 15 June for a tree felling operation.

The public will not be able to enter or exit the Muratai or Kaeaea tracks.

The poor Weather back-up date is 16 June

Private functions Outside catering Office morning & afternoon teas

Inquiries: 021 028 85347 Tartineseastbourne@gmail.com

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The Eastbourne Herald, 29 May 2020

Uncle Squirrel and Puhoi Pete set for new ad(venture)

The famous bears survey their domain from the McKenzie track.

by Carl McRae What started out as a divine piece of spontaneity has ended up with a book commission for Ann Garry. Many people will be familiar with her continuing series, based around Uncle Squirrel and Puhoi Pete (amongst others), which was recently posted daily on the Eastbourne Community Notice Board.

While the stories were both entertaining and riveting, Ann says the whole saga developed around events as they unfolded as we entered the Lockdown period in late March.

“It wasn’t planned at all,” Ann says.

“I did have lots of ideas in my head and was encouraged by all the positive feedback I received, but the whole thing just snowballed once it got going.”

The stories were posted on the ECNB Facebook page or 39 consecutive days until May 12, when life returned to some form of normality and we were down-scaled to Lockdown 2.

“It was most definitely the feedback and comments that kept the stories going,” Ann says. “It kept me busy so that I didn't have as much time to worry about family in England and Ireland and those thoughts about when you›ll see them again.”

While Ann, Pete and Squirrel are currently “How kind is that!”. continuing under the banner of ‘occasional days in Lockdown 2’, the bulk of the work posted when under more rigid isolation, has been picked up by publisher, Mary McCallum (The Cuba Press/Mākaro Press) and will be re-told and published in book form.

A self-confessed ‘big reader’ herself, who has worked as an English teacher, Ann says that this is her first foray into the world of published books.

She admits that while she had planned to, she didn’t read a single book at all during lockdown. Largely because she was too busy Broken windows entertaining us all with her stories and the • adventures of Pete and Squirrel.

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The Eastbourne Herald, 29 May 2020

Positive factors in housing market

Faith in the Community

These I have loved...

Young soldier and poet Rupert Brooke died in WW1. From the muddy trenches, he listed the things most dear to him before the maelstrom of war.

These I have loved: White plates and cups, clean-gleaming, Ringed with blue lines; and feathery, faery dust; Wet roofs, beneath the lamp-light; the strong crust Of friendly bread; and many-tasting food; I was reminded of this, when recalling the myriad gifts of our lockdown. These I have loved: The teddy bears in the windows bringing joy and encouragement; the traffic signs exhorting us to stay safe, stay at home, be calm and be kind; the wonderfully assuring daily updates from our Prime Minister and Director General of Health; the gentle ‘we’re in this together’ smiles of walkers as they kept a respectful distance; the poppies created by youngsters for Anzac Day; the dawn end–of-the-driveway sentries honouring those who died, so we might live in freedom; our essential workers who ensured we remained safe in our bubbles; the sound and the sight of the tui and kereru and piwakawaka in our gardens; our team of five million; the opportunity to slow down and reconnect and be grateful…

And that on Easter Sunday, Christ rose again, the everlasting sign of hope eternal for us all, and that surety that love conquers all.

St Ronan’s Most weekday activities have restarted: Toy Library, Community Fridge, Mainly Music, Pop-in-and-Play, Pumpdance. Formats adjusted to fit the level 2 rules. Sunday services?

We don’t know when. If you want to receive our weekly e-Service email just ask: office@stronans.org.nz St Alban’s For some, COVID-19 has raised a search for something more and for others wondering about the big questions of life. If you are interested in being part of a conversation over a fixed number of weeks please contact Rev John Hughes on 027 499 4792 or vicar@stalbanschurch.nz You get to set the content and direction of the conversation.

San Antonio Parish office, Petone (weekdays 10am-2pm) T: (04) 971 7885 E: holyspiritparish41@gmail.com • This column of church news and views is sponsored by St Alban’s Anglican, St Ronan’s Presbyterian and San Antonio Catholic Churches.

Eastbourne and the Bays appear to have fared well during the global pandemic, with the local housing market largely unaffected by events thus far.

While the market was completely shut down in level 4, Sinead Diederich of Tommy’s Real Estate says it returned with a vengeance as soon as viewings recommenced in Level 3 (albeit restricted), where buyer activity ‘came back with a bang’.

“Of six viewings in the first few days of level 3,” Sinead says, “there were as many offers (across three properties), with multiple offers on each. These three properties have since sold and at prices in line with pre-Covid expectations.”

Sinead says that this is in line with the reflected experience shared by her colleagues throughout the Hutt Valley, with multiple offers across most listings and prices holding well at this stage.

“Our interpretation of this is as follows; huge shortage of property stock over the last

12 months and pent up demand from no sales taking place during lockdown. It seems likely that this level of demand might peter out as winter approaches. I expected listings to wane also, but I listed four properties last week, so perhaps the winter will be busier than previous years, to catch up on the lost month.”

In t h e l o n g e r t e r m , S i n e a d s ay s commentators are making all sorts of forecasts regarding price.

"I heard a great quote yesterday from an expert economist,” she says, “who talked about several possible futures and remarked that it would be very unwise to make predictions with certainty at this stage – there is too much unknown. However, in terms of the Eastbourne, Lower Hutt and Wellington market, there are certainly some strong factors which will buffer any economic turndown; a chronic shortage of stock over several years with no change to that foreseen. Strong public service sector and growing and here-to-fore unseen interest rates making property investment an almost certain cashflow positive investment.

Sinead says that whatever negative effects in the property market (if any), are likely to be far more severe in other parts of New Zealand, particularly where tourism is vital, than here in Wellington.

“Specifically to Eastbourne,” she concludes, “in eight years working in this market we have had multiple disruptions: LVRs, two earthquakes, two elections, an insurance meltdown in 2019. The market here is small, slow, steady: it’s a destination place to live and I have already had overseas Kiwis returning back and many enquiries from others. I don’t expect things to change much here.”

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The Eastbourne Herald, 29 May 2020

Dual book releases for LB writer

by Carl McRae Local writer, photographer and blogger Pete Carter is about to have one book released and has also just received a grant from Copyright Licensing NZ to complete a second.

This is Us, due out in June, has been issued

by Exisle Publishing and tells the story of more than 200 New Zealanders in words and pictures.

The book was commissioned by the publishing company in response to the Christchurch terrorist attack in 2019.

“The book is really a portrait of the nation and how it is made up,” Pete says. “Some are famous, some are not. It makes up a portrait, of sorts, of the country as it is, showing the rich diversity of new New Zealanders and those who can trace their lineage back to the very first Waka.”

Each short story is accompanied by a photo of the interviewee and places the person in a landscape that they call home. Many of those featured in the book will be familiar faces to most of us, as there are a few local Eastbourne residents whose story and image grace the pages of the impressive looking publication.

Village celebrities including the local butcher and green-grocer are amongst those whose story is told.

“I had the idea for the book a year ago,” says Pete. “All the interviews were conducted

by August 2019 and I had finalised the text

by October.”

Three months in Lot-et-Garonne in Southwestern France, were followed by a further three house-sitting in England, before a timely return to New Zealand in February, the Covid issue playing no part in the decision to come back home.

“The book was printed in China,” Pete says, “and - via Australia - will be available in bookshops from early June.”

On the back of the release, Pete has just received a $12,000 grant to follow up with a second title; “This Is Us - the diaspora in lockdown”. The new work will feature the stories of Kiwis currently in exile, somewhere around the globe.

In order to support the publishing industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, Copyright

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Authorised by C. Bishop, 66 Bloomfield Tce, L. Hutt

Garden Stuff with Sandy Lang

Pete Carter and the first of his books, “This Is Us”. In bookstores in early June.

Licensing New Zealand released a special fund of $120,000 for short-term projects, that could be started straight away and completed by the end of September this year.

Almost a decade ago, Pete Carter decided to do an undergraduate writing course through Massey University and has since had several other works published.

“I wrote Our Dog Benji a children’s book, illustrated by my nephew and published in 2017,” Pete says.

He is also the author of two books of poetry, has had magazine articles, and poetry published in anthologies.

As a photographer he has had two solo exhibitions and has had work included in group exhibitions in New Zealand and overseas. He has sold work to and been commissioned by corporate clients.

May/June: Late autumn/early winter. Bubble living’s made us rethink our lives. Maybe some return to our roots? Grow some of our own food? Last month (website only), all you wanted to know about seeds – and a bit more.

This month. How to grow from seed.

Seeds: Don’t collect your seeds from last years’ crop. Fun, but not wise. You are different from your parents. Same with plants. Re-seeded plants revert to wildtype - fewer, smaller fruits. I once planted a date stone (a good houseplant) and an avocado stone (grew like mad, no fruit). Fun…!

Choice? Want something really special? A garden centre has a good range of seedlings (+) but a better range of seeds (++). Online seed merchants have huge ranges of seeds (++++++).

Where? Some seed packs say to direct-sow where you want the plant. Why? Because these seedlings suffer transplant shock. Here in Eastbourne, I find snails/birds destroy all emerging seedlings. So, raise all seeds in pots and transplant them. But how to avoid transplant shock?

Secret: Raise seedlings in a safe place, in paper pots. Google newspaper pots. Later, plant the paper pot complete. Don’t disturb the roots. Roots grow through sodden newspaper.

Bingo…!

Potting mix: Don’t use soil. Don’t re-use potting mix. Soil and re-used potting mix contain weed seeds, and eggs/spores of pests/diseases. Weeds choke seedlings. Pull weeds out and you wreck the seedling. New potting mix is sterilised (no seeds/eggs/spores) offers good aeration, drainage, water-holding capacity and fertiliser.

When? As on pack. Don’t sow too early. Too cold - slow start - stress - susceptible to pests/ diseases.

Depth? As on pack. If unsure, 2x seed diameter. Too deep and small seedlings don’t make it up to the light. Too shallow and seedlings dry out. Sow 2+ seeds per pot. Two weeks later, cull to 1 (ground level - scissors).

Firm the soil: Too loose - poor soil contact. Too firm - shoot/root can’t push through.

Water: Hard to get right. Too wet - fungus kills.

Too dry - drought kills. Mist water often with old spray-cleaner bottle (well washed out).

Light: Light is food. Potted seedlings need good light (north aspect). Too dim - seedlings weak, lanky – disease, wind prone.

Harden off: Before planting out, transition seedlings in steps from where they’ve been, to where you want them. Gradual changes in light, temperature and wind.

The Eastbourne Herald, 29 May 2020

E-hoc set to resume

APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS Closing date: 15 July 2020 Applications from Eastbourne-Bays groups are invited.

Application forms are available on the website (see below) or from Eastbourne Library.

Please refer to the following website for information on the Trust:

www.ebct.org.nz

Contact: George Tuffin 562 7520 or email: trustees@ebct.org.nz

Herald Ad_May 2020_PRINT.indd 1

The local E-Hoc 'clan' pictured with Derek; Left to Right: William Cleland, Maddy Wilson, Luca Tokeley, Eloise Mathewson, Tom Cleland and Tom Mathieson.

A decision is being made this week regarding the future of E-Hoc, but organiser, Derek Wilshere, says that it is likely to recommence in some form next Wednesday (June 3rd).

"The kids have missed it," says Derek. "It's pretty tough at that age when you just want to

get in there and have a go. But it looks likely that we'll be able to start up again next week, with a few amended rules."

Derek is keen for any local children who'd like to have a go at E-Hoc, to come along to the Community Hall at 6pm and take a look or try it out. He can be contacted on 027 4303 596 for further details.

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The Eastbourne Herald, 29 May 2020

WHAT'S ON Mondays • Retired Persons’ Assn meet 4th Mon, 10am St Ronan's Church hall for morning tea followed by a speaker - $2 entry.Transport can be arranged for these meetings on request, ph 562 7365 or 562 8387.

• East Harbour Women’s Club – Contract Bridge 2pm-5.30pm. Contact Judy Bishop 562 8985 • “Baby Bounce & Rhyme” at the library 10.00am.

• Singalong 1st Mon, 2pm at St Ronan’s.

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, from 9:15 to 11:45, phone Andrea 02102797311 for more info.

• Pt Howard Playcentre. Mon 9.15 -11.45am. Caroline 021 072 1070.

• The Historical Society’s Eastbourne History Room above the library is open 2-4 pm every Monday.

• Eastbourne Volunteer Fire Brigade training every Monday 7-9pm. Ph 562 7001 for more info.

• Toy Library 8-9pm. St Ronans Hall w w w. e a s t b o u r n e m i b a s e . c o m . a u Elizabeth 021 08224664.

• Eastbourne Karate Dojo junior and senior classes (children 8 year & older, plus parents) on Monday and senior classes on Thursday. Contact lindsaysensei@live.com, cell 021 844 873.

East Harbour Women’s Club • Duplicate Bridge: 2-5pm. Contact Judy Bishop 562 8985 Keas: Monday 5.15pm – 6.15pm Kea Leader: Ed 021 738 699 Cubs Monday 6.30pm – 7.45pm Cub Leader: Damon 022 620 7116

• East Harbour Women’s Club Morning Tea & Chat Group 10am. Contact Glendyr 562 7181.

• Eastbourne Embroidery Group, St Ronan’s Church lounge 10am-12noon.

• Indoor Bowls Club 1.30pm, at the croquet club, Oroua Street. Rosemary 562 7365 • Menzshed 9 till 12 , Williams Park, Mike 562 8688.

• Poetry group, every second Tuesday meet to read and enjoy poems old and new. Phone 562 8387.

• Toy Library9.30-10.30am. St Ronans Hall. Facebook: Eastbourne Toy Library Elizabeth 021 08224664www. eastbournemibase.com.au • 9.30am Nia Dance Fitness Class (low impact - teens to 70+) Music Movement Magic - Muritai Yacht Club - call Amanda 021 316692 www.niainwellington.com • Pump Dance preschool and junior hip hop. 4pm onwards St Ronans Hall.

0274373508 info@pumpdance.com

Tuesdays • Eastbourne Bowling Club. Gentleman’s Casual and Social bowling held every Tuesday from 2.30 to 4.30pm.

Experience not required. Bowls and instruction provided. Casual dress code Contact Bruce 562 8401 or Warren 562 8606 • Pt Howard Playcentre Tues 9.15 -11.45am. Caroline 021 072 1070.

• Days Bay Playcentre Puddle Jumpers Tues 10:30 to 12 noon: Messy and Sensory play for children 2 years and under. Casual sessions, $3 donation.

• Muritai Tennis Club 9.30–noon.

Merryn 562 0236.

• Eastbourne Homebirth Group 1st Tuesday of the month. Phone Kate 562-7096.

Saturdays • Justice of the Peace at the Eastbourne Community Library, first Saturday of each month 12pm-1pm.

• Lions’ rubbish bin last Saturday of each month.

• Croquet from 10am Muritai Croquet Club. Lyn 562 8722 or Val 562 8181.

• Eastbourne Dune Restoration Group Meets dunes area in front of the Thursdays Eastbourne Recreation Ground, on the • Menzshed 9 till 12 , Williams Park, first Saturday of the month at 9am.

Mike 562 8688. Women welcome.

Contact Keena for more details on 562 • St Ronan’s Mainly Music, 9.30am- 0992.

10.30am, contact Cathy 027 213 9342.

• SPACE at Days Bay Playcentre. Michelle Sundays 971 8598.

• AA Plunket Rooms 10am. Karen 021

Wednesdays • Retired Persons’ Assn meet 2nd Wed at Tartines for morning tea and socialising 11am. Occasional outings arranged. Ph 5627365 or 562 8387.

• Library preschool story time 10.00 am.

• Pt Howard Playcentre Wed 9.15 -11.45am. Caroline 021 072 1070.

• Scottish Country Dance. Merryn 562 0236.

• Bridge Club 7-10pm. Shona 562 7073.

• DB Playcentre Mon, Wed, Fri 9-12.

Andrea Jensen 02102797311.

• “Steady as You Go” Age Concern sponsored Falls Prevention and Exercise Programme. Held 12 noon each Wednesday at Eastbourne Community Hall. Classes are held for 1 hour and costs only $2. Improve your strength and balance to reduce falls and injuries.

Falls are preventable. Please join us!

• Baby Boogie - dance for babies and preschoolers at St Ronan's Hall. 9:30am10am. Intermediate/teen hip hop and contemporary. 5pm onwards St Ronans Hall. 0274373508 info@pumpdance. com

• East Harbour Women’s Club - Bolivia 12.45pm, Contact Glendyr ph: 562 7181. Guest Speaker (3rd week of month)7pm, drinks and nibbles provide, Contact Diane ph: 562 7555 •Lions meet 2nd Thursday of the month at the Eastbourne Sports and Services Club, Tuatoru St 6.30 pm. New members and visitors are welcome. Graham 562 8819.

• Eastbourne Karate Dojo junior and senior classes (children 8 year & older, plus parents) on Monday and senior classes on Thursday. Contact lindsaysensei@live.com, cell 021 844 873.

• Pump Dance boys hip hop. 5pm-6pm St Ronans Hall. 0274373508 info@ pumpdance.com Scouts: Thursday 6.30pm – 8.00pm Scout Leader: Susan 027 535 4962 Fridays • Eastbourne Bowling Club. Newly formed Ladies casual bowling group meets Fridays at 2.00pm. Experience is not required. Bowls & instruction available. Casual dress code. Contact Cheri - 021 0699 274 • Pop in and Play playgroup at St Ronan's Church Hall, 9am-11.30am during school terms. All preschoolers (0-4 years) welcome. Cath 027 213 9342.

• Pt Howard Playcentre Fri 9.15 -11.45am. Caroline 021 072 1070.

• AA Plunket Rooms 7.30pm. Mark 566 6444/ Pauline 562 7833 • DB Playcentre Mon, Wed, Fri 9-12.

Andrea Jensen 02102797311.

• Discovery Time for 4years+ at San Antonio School, 78 Oroua Street, 9.3010.30am. Office 562 7398.

440 705.

The Eastbourne Herald, 29 May 2020

BCTT rehearse virtually for upcoming performance The show must go on, that’s the word from Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe’s John Marwick.

The new ways in which we must now all go about our daily business was further exemplified for the BCTT recently, when during lockdown they were forced to hold a ‘virtual’ rehearsal of their proposed summer Shakespeare production of ‘A Winter’s Tale’, via the most popular medium on the planet currently, Zoom.

Having to adapt to a new way of doing things was a bit of a challenge for the group, but most fared very well and all enjoyed the experience.

John put out a call to present the virtual rehearsed reading of the play on the first evening of Level 3.

“As is usually the case with our Shakespeare productions,” he says, “I attracted a great cast from the Bays and beyond. The reading was presented on 28th April through Zoom and was seen by some 40 people from all over the country and further afield.

John says he finds it ironic that A Winter's Tale, in 1611, was Shakespeare's first new play produced when the London theatres had reopened after being shut for three years because of the plague.

After our own pandemic has settled

down, John is planning to direct it as the next Shakespeare play the Troupe produces, scheduled for their 2021 Bard in the Yard production at the end of February.

John says the cast were superb.

“It was really enjoyable,” he said, “and the time and effort put into developing the characters made the performance so authentic.”

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Anne Manchester, who had two relatively small parts, says that being part of the Zoom production was a great experience.

“In the middle of lockdown,” she says, “it was a wonderful distraction and made us all feel we could still do something creative and worthwhile together. We had four rehearsals before the performance, with some time spent on the technical aspects; how to share the script on screen, while still seeing the other actors.

How to get the lighting and sound right and minimise the distractions in the room behind us.”

Although the cast did not need to learn lines, John had high expectations of those playing the Bohemian country characters and even had them taking a few lessons from voice coach, Hilary Norris, to get their accents consistent.

BCTT’s Lian Butcher says that John Marwick shone in his directing abilities, as there was more focus on facial expressions and small gestures due to the nature of doing this production live and online.

“I personally have missed being able to rehearse and act due to lockdown,” says Lian, “and so it was great to be part of a production and have something fun to focus on. The BCTT are keen to see how we can take what we’ve learnt to do and do a few more online script readings during the year, so community members can have a go at trying out their acting skills from the comfort of their own homes.”

Anne Manchester says the troupe were all delighted at how much the audience seemed to enjoy the production.

“Even though we were performing from our own, separate little bubbles,” she says, “we really managed to interact with each other and create a bit of theatre magic.”

“We all felt a bit sad when it was over,” she adds, “as one does with any theatre production.

Not being able to meet for an after show cast and

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The Eastbourne Herald, 29 May 2020

PARKSIDE ERAT – being smart about trapping In Eastbourne and the Bays there are numerous traps in place to control predator numbers. But maintaining these requires constant monitoring and regular in-person checks to empty traps and reset them. To reduce effort and improve efficiency, ERAT (Educating Residents About Trapping) has started trialling smart traps with the help of Rona Bay resident Oliver Seiler. The advantage of these smart traps is that they can report catches via a wireless network. The person monitoring the trap can then receive an email or txt message and clear and reset the trap, instead of leaving the trap unarmed until the next time they service their trapline.

Some traps get a lot of activity while others don’t and knowing which ones need attention can save time and ensure that traps are brought back into action faster. Automated monitoring also helps with getting a timely notification when there is lots of activity, for example during a mast season.

ERAT uses a number of self-resetting traps (A24, AT220) that do not need to be manually reset after each catch. For those traps, it’s not clear how many times they

have caught something. For the trial, one of the AT220 traps has been fitted with a sensor that counts the number of catches and reports them to a visual dashboard.

It also reports the exact time of the catch, which helps with data collection and better and faster understanding of how pests move within the area.

LoRaWAN (which stands for Long Range Wide Area Network) - the technology behind it The sensors are using LoRaWan, a wireless network technology that supports long distance data transmission over several kilometres. The sensors run on a small battery that lasts many months, or on a small solar panel. Basically, LoRaWan works similar to wireless internet at home, but for smart sensors with a much further reach.

Oliver set up a LoRaWan network at his home in Rona Bay when he wanted to monitor his beehives which are at some distance from the house, out of wifi coverage.

Monitoring the temperature inside the beehive allows him to see whether his hive is breeding and is in good health without having to open it. He has since installed a number of other sensors, including for weather observations, air quality and inside his mailbox to notify him when there’s mail.

In Eastbourne there is currently good network coverage in the wider Rona Bay area, including Matiu/Somes and parts of

the Seaview and Petone shoreline. This could relatively easily be enhanced with another gateway in an elevated position and there are even some new satellite based gateways that provide global coverage.

TTN – where to get it The website thethingsnetwork.org combines many LoRaWan networks and anyone can register their sensors there and use the network for free. Sensors can be bought off the shelf ready to go, or home-made using very affordable components with some basic electronics skills. This also offers a great learning opportunity for anyone interested in multi-discipline STE(A)M education and skills.

Many regions in Europe now have good coverage of these networks, and communities, schools and individuals can run their own environmental sensors and citizen science projects. Some councils use LoRaWAN networks for providing their services and have opened them up to citizens and communities.

Innovative solutions, for example monitoring council rubbish bins, moisture levels in plant beds or parking sensors, allow councils to save money and focus resources on where and when they are needed most. If you are interested or have any ideas that that would benefit from smart sensors, please get in contact at ttn. eastbourne@gmail.com - Oliver Seiler on behalf of MIRO

Community fund now open for applications The Eastbourne Community Board has $1,178.00 to distribute in this round of funding for the Community Engagement grant. Applications close June 16. Information on how to apply is on the Hutt City website:

Kidztalk

http://www.huttcity.govt.nz/Services/Funding/ festivals, youth group events and projects run Community-engagement-fund by the elderly or citizens associations, art Applications cover the following (as projects that are not part of the core curriculum examples); purchase of office or other or advertising and promotion costs. equipment, food and catering costs, community

WELCOME TO DAYS BAY PLAYCENTRE

It's great to be back!

Days Bay Playcentre is open, and our tamariki are happy to be back.

We are following new Ministry of Education protocol under level 2, with physical distancing for adults, a focus on hand washing and extra sanitation in place, as well as ensuring all visitors are traced.

This still gives us plenty of space to provide a quality ECE experience for our families.

We still have some spaces available for our winter terms.

Please phone Andrea 02102797311 for more information.

Right: So happy Playcentre is back! Where else can you paint your toes, paint with your toes, paint a chair, sit in the painted chair, then cover yourself in sand. Aidan Dear.

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

PETONE

News from our local playcentres

The Eastbourne Herald, 29 May 2020

From classroom to couch Wellesley is an Independent School for boys in Years 1-8. Just like all other schools, Wellesley was thrown into the deep end of distance learning as COVID-19 rapidly crossed the globe.

There is no doubt that youth in our schools hold an inherent understanding of emerging technologies, fundamentally different from what their parents experienced.

Technology advancement and integrating the tools in education are of paramount importance. The Ministry has already mandated that Digital Learning is to get students to be the creators, not just users of, digital technologies. It wants them to understand digital citizenship and people. Trying to portray a vision where creativity and curiosity are explored with people in mind.

Amat Victoria Curam – Victory through care Respect and Empathy – Perseverance for Personal Bests – Risk Taking in Learning Rather than pull the school holidays forward, Wellesley decided to continue with the flow of teaching and learning.

The staff turned to digital technologies and platforms.

Some of which they weren’t particularly familiar with or comfortable with. Our Value of ‘Risk Taking in Learning’ kicked in. Boys quickly assimilated to daily half day programmes, where learning was delivered in a virtual face-to-face fashion.

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Boys could access assignments, work and be given feedback • Support staff continued to provide one-to-one support • Specialist lessons continued in Visual and Performing Art, • STEAM, French and PE. • Students could contact Deputies and/or the Principal for extra help and did so often.

• By taking learning inside homes, parents became involved and many boys thrived in this environment.

• Half-day programmes allowed for boys to be active in the afternoons • Boys were encouraged to be involved in an active holiday programme, create fantastic art works, compete in house competitions and our Year 8 leaders made videos to motivate younger boys.

• Older boys learnt independence by having deadlines and online learning lessons each day.

• Students were able to join scheduled lessons of other teachers to enhance their learning.

While online teaching and learning did prove to be tiring and not without some challenges, it kept our boys connected and their learning moving forward.

The decision by staff to have the holiday break later and having a ‘normal’ start to Term 2 has paid off. The teachers continue to use digital technologies and boys have made great strides in incorporating them into their learning.

For more information about Wellesley, please visit www.wellesley. school.nz and register for one of our Discovery Days.

Alternatively, contact Karen Reid karen@wellesley.school.nz to book a meeting with our Principal and take a tour of our school.

Wellesley Independent School for Boys, Years 1-8 Marine Drive, Days Bay - Ph 562-8030 – office@wellesley.school.nz

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The Eastbourne Herald, 29 May 2020

SERVICE EXPERTS Makaro Construction Ltd

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The Eastbourne Herald, 29 May 2020

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The Eastbourne Herald, 29 May 2020

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