The Eastbourne Herald August 2018

Eastbourne teachers join the call for more teachers, more pay and better conditions

Local teachers joined thousands of others in a protest aimed at improving staffing levels, pay and workloads for teachers.

Days Bay resident Krista Huber, team leader at Thorndon School, was one of many local teachers who took industrial action on August 15.

Almost 1500 schools closed around the country, as 30,000 primary and intermediate teachers and principals attended scores of rallies, to take strike action for the first time since 1994. One hundred and sixty one of those schools were in Wellington, where thousands of striking teachers filed out of a briefing at Westpac Stadium, before a midday march to Parliament.

Although not originally her intention, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern juggled her diary in order to meet the disgruntled educators when they arrived at Parliament.

“She made a great speech,” Krista said, “not us and them, just us. Chris Hipkins [Minister of Education] said that the select committee were finishing off legislation to end national standards and charter schools.

" The rain stayed away and the strike mood was positive.”

Among the demands made by the primary

school teachers union, NZEI Te Riu Roa, is the implementation of a 16 percent pay rise over three years and more non-contact time to tackle paperwork.

Other issues concerning maternity leave, the number of special needs co-ordinators and incentives to attract new teachers are also on the wider agenda.

Bec Power, principal at Muritai, the biggest school in Eastbourne, said that 100 percent of the regular classroom teachers were on strike

and all, including herself, attended the rally at Parliament.

“Of our teachers and relievers,” she said, “including those working part-time, we have 18 teachers and 12 support staff who live in the Eastern Bays.”

Both the principal and the one other teacher at San Antonio took part in the strike, which closed the school.

Wellesley College remained open, with no teachers striking.

Local intermediate teachers, Annette McRae and Krista Huber (right) joined 4,000 colleagues from the Wellington region in a parliamentary protest last week.

Eastbourne Volunteer Fire Brigade is currently experiencing a shortage of Volunteer Firefighters and currently has 12 Firefighter vacancies. We are especially short of daytime volunteers which affects our ability to respond with a full crew, which in turn increases the risk to the community.

Are you ready to help to protect your community and learn new skills?

If so, come down to the Fire Station on a Monday night at 7pm and introduce yourself to Ross, the Chief Fire Officer or give him a call on 021 648 114.

Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives!

In 80 percent of all of the fires the Fire and Emergency NZ attend, smoke alarms are either not installed or not working.

As a guide, for optimum smoke detection FENZ recommends hard wired or Long Life Photoelectric type Smoke Alarms (will give ten years' smoke detection without battery changes), which should be installed in every bedroom, living area and hallway in the house and on every level. However, if this is not practical, then the FENZ suggests, at an absolute minimum, a long-life Photoelectric alarm should be installed in the hallway closest to the bedrooms and supplemented when circumstances allow.

Next ECB Meeting

Tuesday 4 September 2018 - 7.15pm

East Harbour Women’s Club, Muritai Road

Previous agendas and papers available

Council meetings - Home - Hutt City Council

Board members are:

Virginia Horrocks (Chair) virginia.horrocks@huttcity.govt.nz

Robert Ashe (Deputy chair) robert.ashe@huttcity.govt.nz

Murray Gibbons murray.gibbons@huttcity.govt.nz

Liz Knight liz.knight@huttcity.govt.nz

Anna Sutherland anna.sutherland@huttcity.govt.nz

Cr Tui Lewis tui.lewis@huttcity.govt.nz

Cr Michael Lulich michael.lulich@huttcity.govt.nz

Remember:

• Do not install Smoke Alarms in the Kitchen, Bathroom or Laundry

• Test the battery regularly. (For example Daylight Savings time)

• If not using hard-wired or long-life photoelectric alarms, replace the battery at least once per year.

• Keep Smoke Alarms clean.

For practical advice on Fire Safety visit www. fireandemergency.nz or contact your local Fire Brigade.

Emergency Call Outs:

• 27 July 2018 – Structure Fire, Gracefield

• 28 July 2018 – Alarm Activation, Rimu St

• 02 Aug 2018 – Medical Assist, Muritai Rd

• 06 Aug 2018 – Alarm Activation, Muritai Rd

SAT, SUN & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

(S) = Sailing calls at Somes Island, subject to passengers.

FERRY FARES EFFECTIVE FROM 1MAY One way: adult $11, child $6, student $9. Family Days/Petone $61 (Return). 10 trip: adult $87, student $61, child $37. Monthly pass: adult $270, student $199. Matiu Somes Island: adult $23, student $19, child $12, family $67 (Return).

Sailings may be cancelled at short notice due to weather. To check today’s sailings, tel. 494 3339

August Eastbourne Community Board

Come and talk to us

You can now come and talk to us at the start of the formal meeting at 7.15pm about anything that concerns you whether or not it’s on the agenda. You are welcome to make suggestions, give praise, criticise or just come for a chat.

Representation review - again!

After some initial consultation Council’s proposed representation arrangements are now on their website and available in the Eastbourne Library.

The ECB is submitting in support of the proposed retention of community boards but has not commented on the make up of Council or how councillors should be elected. The current proposal is to keep the same arrangements for council, community boards and local panels. Do let Council know whether you agree with their proposals and if not what you would prefer.

Submissions should be addressed to Representation Review, Hutt City Council, Private Bag 31912, Lower Hutt (or faxed to 569 4290) and must be received no later than 5pm on 3 September 2018.

A final decision will be made at a Council meeting in early October after which Council must decide whether or not it will amend its proposal.

HCC's approach to environmentalism questioned

by Carl McRae

Hutt City Council is now at an advanced stage of its preliminary consultation with landowners on its work to identify and protect sites of significant ecology, landscapes, and coastal natural character.

Speaking on behalf of Eastbourne

representative groups, Kathryn Cretney says that “there are a lot of moving parts” regarding the current Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) topic and it has been challenging to find the balance between keeping the community informed and representing those very real concerns.

The landowners' group has no desire to further antagonise Hutt City Council, but members agree that the approach applied to date has been anything but conducive to its ultimate objective: protecting the environment.

HCC’s environmental policy divisional manager Drew Cumming says that identifying and protecting SNAs is the primary aim of the relevant sections of the Resource Management Act and the council’s legal obligation to the legislation.

As the initial identification of sites of significance was predominantly based on aerial photos and existing documents, a key aim of HCC’s consultation process was to verify the accuracy of the areas identified.

As a result of some discussions, a number of SNAs have been reduced in size, or removed entirely.

The council's district plan division has also developed further grounds for reducing or removing SNA boundaries, including the exclusion of areas that have regenerated or have been planted within the last 23 years, as evidenced by comparing 1995 aerial photographs with those taken recently.

But the Landowners' group says that as a result of the council's failure to consider the nuances of the policies, their mapping approach has been ineffective and completely inadequate for the purpose.

Eastbourne

“Council has a sound understanding of the legislation, policy statements and legal precedents related to this work,” Mr Cumming says.

“Mapping of SNAs was always an initial and draft identification of valuable habitats to be confirmed, and if need be adjusted, during the consultation process and site visits.”

The group says it remains concerned that the council has removed the blanket tree protection and has not included any of the current regional park land in its SNA identification, leaving them seemingly with plans to develop precious public land, while hunting for private land to put restrictions on.

“Blanket tree protection was removed by legislation at central Government level and was not a council decision,” Mr Cumming says.

“Regional parks and other public land are part of this work and SNAs have been identified for protection on public land.

"The suggestion that Greater Wellington Regional Council or any guardian of public land plans to develop this land is scaremongering and made without any evidence.”

“The process of identifying SNAs was always going to be detailed work, examining 1,200 individual cases, and this was explained to property owners at the outset,” he says.

“Because of the sheer volume of work, this has regrettably taken some time.”

The timing of any formal District Plan change will depend on the progress of the consultation process and the nature of recommendations received.

Mr Cumming says any District Plan change would realistically be unlikely before 2019.

Support for current representation

by Carl McRae

Hutt City Council is supporting the status quo in its draft proposal on a representation review that will determine how councillors are elected, and whether second tier representation will remain.

The council is required to review and consult on the way residents are represented at least once every six years under the Local Electoral Act 2001.

The draft proposal was agreed on at the end of July and is now open for public submissions.

Among the proposals in the draft (the result of two citizen panel surveys) was that the existing second tier representation arrangements remain in place.

Seventy percent of respondents were in support of the retention of community boards; good news for the existing Eastbourne board.

Eastbourne Community Board chair Ginny Horrocks says the board strongly supports retaining the current community boards not only in Eastbourne, but also Petone and Wainuiomata.

“Community boards were set up to represent and act as an advocate for the interests of their community,” she says.

“A key principle of the 2001 Act is that issues relevant to a specific community be decided as closely as possible to that community.”

“Community boards know their communities in a way that is not possible for city councillors who, as ward councillors, are responsible for a much larger group than board members,” she says.

“The best intentioned councillors cannot be expected to go to the local meetings, have coffee with individual residents and belong to community organisations in every community in their ward. This is the role of community board members.”

Council's endorsement of the existing ward structure is still subject to submissions received, but in the proposal as presented, the ECB will continue to be represented by seven - five elected members and two councillors.

Copies of the proposal and plans showing the ward and community boundaries are available

for public inspection on the HCC website; www.huttcity.govt.nz and are also held at Eastbourne Public Library.

Written submissions must be received no later than 5pm on September 3, 2018.

“After considering submissions,” HCC chief executive Tony Stallinger says, “council will decide whether or not it will amend its proposal.

"If the Council receives any appeals or objections then the Local Government Commission will determine the representation arguments.”

A final decision will be made at a council meeting in early October.

The local advantage

by ECB Chair, Ginny Horrocks

A perfect example of community action took place one evening in Eastbourne in 2017.

A contractor had been instructed to cut down a number of trees said to be a problem for a power line in a well loved bush path linking Rona and Totara Streets. The contractor was so upset he knocked on a street resident's door asking whether there was some way this instruction could be altered.

The resident had just moved to Eastbourne, but his mother knew the board chair so she was contacted. The board chair was at the airport but directed the resident to knock on the door of board member Murray Gibbons, who lives in the same street.

Murray phoned council officer Colin Lunn who phoned the contractor to arrange a meeting on the site at 7am the next morning. At 7am several residents, Murray, Colin Lunn and the contractor met on the site and decided only one tree needed to come down and several others crowned. Everyone was happy. And at least one new resident was seriously impressed! This is how a community should work.

Update Your Look

Let

Table tennis championships exceed expectations

by Carl McRae

The inaugural Eastbourne Table Tennis Championships was held at the Sports and Services Club last week, attracting 26 entrants with a high standard of play exhibited.

Organiser of the event Englishman, Christian Lewis, who has lived in Eastbourne for two and a half years, says that the decision to hold a championship was largely driven by people talking about it in local garages, while engaging in games of ping-pong.

“I was excited by the prospect,” he says, “but had been talking it up so much that I really had to act and get the thing organised.

"I drummed up some considerable interest,

based around the fact that table tennis is such a great game, it covers most ages and genders quite successfully.”

That was evident at the end of a couple of hours of play and elimination.

Bruce Connolly, the oldest registered entrant, was victorious against the youngest, Ollie Evans.

It was all action at the inaugural table tennis champs. that had been stored or were in use around our suburban garages.”

For his efforts, Bruce received a $50 ESSC bar voucher and of course, the new trophy and title of local champion.

The charity event raised money for the Eastbourne U9 Sea Eagles rugby side, who have an end of year trip to Taupo organised.

It was also held in part to gauge whether there would be enough local interest in table tennis to make it more of a regular event.

NOW OPEN SUNDAYS!

Come and see some familiar faces at Dandelion Cafe in Petone!

Offering great coffee, delicious food, and service with a smile.

Open Mon-Fri 7am-3.30pm, Sat 8am-3.30pm, Sun 9am-3.30pm

Havana coffee: Ring through your order and pick up on the way to work...

txt or ring 0221373254 to place orders

Check out the exciting additions to our menu and cabinet food

We have lots of gluten free options, as well as catering for other dietary requirements.

Dandelion Cafe Petone

274c Jackson Street Tel 5689984

SPRING IS ALMOST HERE

• FREE RANGE MUTTON BIRDS

• FREE RANGE CHICKENS

• FREEDOM PORK

• SHOP MADE GRAVLAX

• WE CAN SHARPEN YOUR KNIVES

“We had one table donated to the sports club for kids to use or in the event that we started a club,” Christian said.

“I raced around the community and borrowed four other tables from local folk,

“A couple more tables and we could certainly look into some sort of monthly league,” Christian says.

“It exceeded my expectations, everyone seemed excited and played well and there was a lot of talk about making it more of a regular occurrence, certainly enough to feed on.”

Second and third prizes on the night, were donated by the Still Room and Golden Palace Takeaway.

ESSC Manager Natasha Butler, thanked everyone who entered, and says Christian organised a fantastic night.

Penguin Random House NZ announced the release of a new children's book on August 1st, written and illustrated by Days Bay resident, Kimberly Andrews.

Puffin the Architect is the first picture book which Kimberly has put together herself in its entirety. In 2016, she illustrated Tuna and Hiriwa for author, Ripeka Takotowai Goddard, which received a 2017 Storylines Notable Book award.

Kimberly grew up in the Canadian Rockies, learning to toboggan from an early age in the ski resort of Banff, Alberta. She moved to New Zealand as an eight year old with her English father, Simon, a photographer of some standing, her kiwi mum, Janet, a renowned watercolour artist and two older brothers.

She attended Hutt Intermediate and Hutt Valley High School, before training as a biologist and geologist at Victoria University. But with just such a background, the scientific was always going to make way for the artistic and the world at large was calling for Kimberly.

Aside her now native New Zealand, she has lived and worked as the only non-indigene amongst the elephants and orang-utan in the Danum Valley Conservation area in Borneo and in the United Kingdom.

In London, she worked for The House of Illustration, made famous by English cartoonist and illustrator, Sir Quentin Blake, best known for his work with Roald Dahl. She also worked at the Natural History Museum, in both the live Butterfly House and also behind the scenes, assisting the curation of mammal specimens in the dry stores.

“I wrapped up very important taxidermy specimens for transport and storage,” Kimberly says. “Most of these animals hadn't been touched in years, so they needed a good clean. Some were covered in glass shards from when London was bombed in WWII. I even got to vacuum a giraffe!”

Another stint in Canada, this time working twelve hour shifts in a bookshop in Lake Louise, was where the seeds of Puffin the Architect were sown. Kimberly had little to do but drink hot chocolate and while filling in time, fashioned the concept that she may like to write and illustrate children's books.

Kimberly says. “My scientific background held me in good stead, I learned to write succinctly. I had seen puffins in Iceland and had marvelled at how cute they were.”

Now married, Kimberly once again resides in Days Bay, with husband James. She continues to write, illustrate, and operate the couple's business Tumbleweed Tees, which feature images of New Zealand birds and wildlife.

“We donate $5 to conservation groups every time we sell an adult t-shirt,” says Kimberly. “Some groups are linked with specific designs and they get the $5 when we sell their t-shirt. For designs without a specific partner – we pool the money into the Tumbleweed Conservation Fund and then donate it to chosen groups twice a year.”

Having brought the puffin idea down-under (and a menagerie of other more exotic beasts), the architect concept was born from her own real life events, the planning and erection of a container house in which to live, on the land behind her dad's studio.

“The construction of the house, made out of shipping containers, was certainly the inspiration behind Mrs. Puffin being an architect,” Kimberly said. “James and I were very involved in the design and architectural options, with young draughtsmen continually in and out with their own ideas.”

“While all this was going on,” she added, “I was up at 5:30am working on the book, running Tumbleweed throughout the day, then working on the book again at night. But once the flow started, the whole book was done in about a month.”

Her work is the story of a mother Puffin who is an architect, which is a unique beginning in itself as picture books portraying women in professional roles are in short supply. Puffin always exceeds her clients’ expectations, that is, until she takes on the toughest clients ever – her own pufflings!

Puffin takes her demanding new clients on an inspirational tour of her builds. Together they visit all kinds of cleverly designed spaces; Otter’s floating home, Pig's toolshed on wheels, Painter Goose's light-filled studio and Platypus's cosy underground bakehouse.

Some folk may recall Kimberly and family out walking their three-legged beagle

through Days Bay some years ago. The beagle was posthumously the inspiration for another character in the book, Detective Hound.

But the young pufflings remain unimpressed. They may be the only ones however. Although a children's book, older readers will be suitably impressed with the grand designs and drawings and are certain to study the architectural plans and the many ingenious contraptions in more detail.

Upon release, the book certainly struck a chord. The official Penguin launch was a sell out and it has remained the top selling children's book in New Zealand throughout the month of August, all of which has fuelled Kimberly’s desire to continue the process.

“I must admit that it has all seemed quite surreal,” she said. “It’s all just snowballed in a good way and it’s great to be able to do what you love doing in the first instance. It has certainly given me the scope to keep going.”

Kimberly is planning to hold readings of Puffin the Architect at Muritai School and East Harbour Kindergarten during September. Copies may be purchased directly online from Penguin Books.

“It’s not all that easy to write for kids,”

Composer claims top prize

Mahina Bay resident, Colin Decio, claimed First Prize at the New Zealand Double Reed Society Chamber Music Composition Competition, held in Auckland on July 21st. Colin’s composition, Chorale for Three Bassoons, also won the audience award, voted for by present students at Auckland University’s School of Music.

The compositions of all six finalists will

Okiwi Volunteer Driving Service

form the basis of a collection of pieces by New Zealand composers, suitable for intermediate double reed ensembles (oboe and bassoon). Their works will also be published by SOUNZ, centre for music of Aotearoa.

The six compositions were performed live by their creators and members of the Auckland Philharmonic and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestras.

Colin said it took seven days to compose Chorale for Three Bassoons in response to the request from the NZDRS for new works for double reed instruments to enter into their competition.

“The Audience Award was announced first,” said Colin, “and I was over the moon that my piece was chosen by the younger members of the audience on the evening, such an honour. When it was announced that I had also won First Prize, I simply couldn’t believe it. And the performers were superb. I didn’t really need a plane to fly back from Auckland to Wellington.”

Finals panel adjudicator and esteemed NZ composer, Dame Gillian Whitehead, said it was a great initiative to set up a competition to create practical ensemble repertoire for intermediate level double reed players, which produced a new, varied, exciting and challenging repertoire.

“The six finalists were all impressive, writing in a range of styles,” she said. “Colin’s Chorale for Three Bassoons brings a new voice to New

Zealand composition, exploring a rich sound world, almost Russian in its intensity.”

Colin has no plans to rest on his laurels and has already entered a piece for solo clarinet, written especially for an Auckland clarinet competition coming up in September.

“I have also recently completed my third Cello Sonatina,” the composer says. “Palliser Viols (a Wellington consort of viols) will perform a new piece composed especially for them by me, called ‘Lord Have Mercy’, on October 14th in the Hall of Memories, which is in Wellington’s National War Memorial.”

Colin has also been invited to perform on the Balladeer Stage at Wellyfest. This will be a selection of well-known songs for voice and guitar. Longer term plans include a narrated, piano version of Peter and the Wolf for schools and a ‘top secret’ new work for poet and piano.

A handrail on the Days Bay wharf that had been damaged recently has been removed and not repaired as initially proposed. Eastbourne Community Board chair Ginny Horrocks says "it was decided that the damaged handrail on Days Bay Wharf would be removed and consideration of access for the disabled will be part of the planning for the wharf refurbishment." Residents will be consulted once planning for the wharf begins, she says.

Our

Phone

Calbeni Flooring is an exciting new business that has just been started up by local businessman Benoit Petit. Ben and his family live in Days Bay.

Calbeni offers the best carpet laying services in NZ! Our friendly and experienced flooring team supplies and fits carpet from our quality range.

We can quote on any size project. From residential to large commercial – we do them all.

We also specialise in Garage Carpet so if you are looking to enhance your garage, workshop, man-cave, or commercial office space then contact our sales representative for a free quote.

* For every job listed in the Eastbourne area we will donate $100 to San Antonio School, until the end of August.

Phone: 027 225 2364

Email: clinton@calbeni.co.nz

Nits get the natural treatment in Eastbourne

The worst case of nit infestation she had seen in ten years has prompted a local businesswoman to see how she can help children in low decile schools solve the scourge of head lice.

Lisa Daniel developed her Nitsy Pixies brand of natural head lice treatment ten years ago while looking for something to supplement her income as a hairdresser.

After much research she decided to work with natural ingredients, shying away from harsh chemicals used in many of the over the counter treatments.

“Not just because I’m a greenie, but children absorb 100 times more chemicals than adults. It makes sense. It’s a poison on their head.”

Over the years Lisa has heard many "old wives' cures" for nits.

"People come up with all sorts of poisons and potions ideas," she says, "including Kerosene, and Spot On from the vet.

“It’s going to work because you just put poison into your child’s bloodstream.

She says some people use mayonnaise or oil through the hair.

"All of them can work but every strand of hair from the roots to the ends has to be combed - every knot as well."

Many parents complain that their children keep getting reinfested, but Lisa says it's more common for the reinfestation to occur

because the initial nits were not treated properly. It just takes one louse or one egg to lead to a head full of itchiness.

Lisa says it's a myth that nits have become resistant to treatments: she says they haven't, but treatments have become harsher.

"In the end it's about what you want to put into your child's system," she says.

Her clients come from all over the North Island, with one flying down from Auckland for a treatment.

Lisa says there is no nit season: they are always around, and they love hair from people right across the economic spectrum.

She recently had a call from a high school about a serious infestation of nits on one of their students. The girl, who had been neglected, had weeping sores. Lisa says it was the worst case she had seen - the photograph shows its extent. Lisa donated the treatment, and when some of her clients heard about he case, they began donating money. Lisa could see a way to help people in lower decile schools deal with the problem, and is looking at setting up a Givealittle page so she can treat more cases.

In-Salon Treatments x 2 treatments = $169 (extra for long, thick hair)

All products are tested on HUMANS every day! 100% Natural and leaves hair and scalp nourished and smelling GORGEOUS!!

Nitsy Pixies home care retail range:

Treatment oil over 5 years 250 mls = $35 & 500 mls $59

Treatment oil under 5 years 250 mls $35 & 500 mls $59

(suitable for babies toddlers and pregnant and breast feeding mothers)

Prevention sprays over and under 5 years $35

All hand blended with LOVE, mixes of high quality essential oils lavender Hydrosal water and olive oils

Buy in store or order online at www.nitsypixies.co.nz

0800 NITSYPIXIES (0800 648 797) Village corner complex, Eastbourne

Alan's passion for painting, and life, continues

by Louise Parry

Alan Collins may have been painting for most of his 91 years, but his passion for the art of watercolour remains unchanged.

Alan has an exhibition of forty new works on show, and is still gripped by the light, composition and feel of places around Eastbourne, Wellington and the world. It’s this interest that sees him constantly finding new subject matter, as well as revisiting favourite subjects.

One view of the Days Bay hills is painted from a seat in the sand dunes opposite his Eastbourne home. The view is familiar, but painted at different times of the year and day it becomes a new picture each time.

Alan painted it on a bright, summer’s day with sun lighting up the approaching tides, in the evening, and - his wife Sally’s favourite versionon a cloudy, brooding day where the water is still and reflecting the hills.

Alan's is a story of great success both professionally and personally.

His long career as an artist is matched by his devotion to wife Sally, to whom he has been married for more than 62 years. The couple share a love of art and a sense of fun, and met in London at the beginning of Alan's career. Sally is also a talented artist, but recently has lost sight in one eye due to glaucoma, making it too difficult to draw.

It's not only Alan's huge body of work that is inspiring, but also his continual wonder at what he sees, whether it's the familiar beaches

of the Eastern Bays, scenes from Wellington, or Buckingham Palace.

He always draws and while he'll sometimes take a photo of the scene he wants to paint, he'll never work directly from that. "I would say that the camera lens is so inaccurate," he says.

His last exhibition, two years ago, resulted in 41 works being sold, and an ensuing trip to the UK. Alan says he had never before had the courage to stand on a traffic island and paint the familiar streets: Regent, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace.

He says he experienced some anxiety working in central London.

"Sometimes it's a bit nerve racking when you're 90, to have police with submachine guns looking at your bag suspiciously," he says.

However, one of the great pleasures of the trip was the way members of the public greeted his work. "I had an audience of thirty in Venice. There, they tend to walk past and say 'Bella, Gratzie'. Overseas, people don't come along and breathe over your shoulder and say 'you must know my aunty, she's an artist, too'," he says.

Alan worked for many years as Art Director of National Publicity for the Government, rising up the ranks to manager, and making the unit the most profitable it had ever been. He retired

in 1986. "It gave me more time to work on my own projects and idolise my wife," he says,

The couple have been in their Eastbourne home for sixty years. Alan has a studio there. He has always used top quality paints and paper, and a secret weapon - a small, screw on water filter that allows him to equalise water all over the world. Hard water in his daughter's home county of Berkamsted and in Pinner in London makes painting challenging, but the filter means the water mixes the paints consistently.

While Alan and Sally love to travel, Alan also loves depicting local scenery in his work. Recently he biked around the coast - his first time on a bike in twenty years - to find a specific rock pool to paint. "I wobbled like Hell," he says.

But it was worth it: "Getting a painting to work is about as exciting as meeting my wife."

Alan Collins Exhibition, Alfred Memelink Gallery, Petone, August 25 - September 4.

Alan and Sally Collins.

News from the Menzshed

The Annual General Meeting of the local Menzshed was held on the 5th of June in the Workshop. The necessary Office Holders were re-elected, in accordance with the rules. A modest attendance of members reflected the cold day and the prior commitments we all must fulfil.

The President reflected on our activities over the past year noting the very important role the Shed plays in the Community. We are not a commercial organisation and do not compete with professional tradesmen. The shed is open each Tuesday and Thursday from 9 o’clock to noon. In keeping with good practice we pause for a ten o’clock break of indeterminate duration. Ladies are welcome to attend on Thursdays.

We do undertake small tasks such as one would expect the home handyman to tinker with in his toolshed, in our workshop. Our current membership has a wide range of work experiences which they willingly share for the mutual benefit of all.

Health and Safety in The Shed is paramount. Members are taught the proper and safe way to operate machinery before being let loose on a task. The Workshop must operate within strict Health and Safety rules for the protection of all.

We do not wish to become the largest organisation within Eastbourne but we do welcome people who have time on their hands, an interest in sharing skills and enjoy working with a like-minded group. It’s a great deal better than looking at the wall after having read the morning paper.

You may have encountered Menzshed in other towns or parts of our City. The objectives are the same, namely the well-being and companionship for those who may otherwise be alone. You will find us operating out of the Menzshed at the southern end of Williams Park.

We would be pleased to see you.

Mike Parker, President

Headline was disappointing

Leaving aside the issues raised in Frank Johnstone’s letter published in the July edition of The Eastbourne Herald, it was disappointing to see a headline that could be taken to ridicule the author. The headline was neither an accurate quote from the letter, nor an accurate quote of the mantra “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”. Instead, despite having space for the accurate wording, it used ungrammatical double negatives, “if you can’t say nothing nice, don’t say nothing at all”. This changed its

meaning and is open to the inference of poking fun at the letter and its author. I think our very useful local publication can do better than that.

Susan Ewart York Bay

Apologies if any offence was caused by the headline. It was a quote taken from the movie Bambi, and was meant to convey the spirit of keeping feedback positive - Ed

Faith in the Community

Real Leadership

I came across this story recently and it made an impact on me. The 1924 Olympics were held in Paris and a young American rower called Bill Havens had been chosen to represent the USA. He was faced with a massive decision. His pregnant wife was due to give birth at the same time as the games. The choice: the opportunity to compete on sport’s greatest stage or the birth of his child? Bill chose to stay for the birth of his son. He never won a gold medal. The sacrifice was considerable. To compound the issue, his younger brother Bud won three gold medals in other canoeing events that year. Fast forward to 1952. The American favourite for the canoeing gold medal won the canoeing singles in the Helsinki Olympics. He sent the following telegram to Bill Havens: ‘Dear Dad, thanks for waiting around for me to get born in 1924. I’m coming home with the gold medal you should have won. Your loving son Frank.’

The pathway to success goes through the valley of sacrifice. The way of the cross is the way of true leadership. We all lead in some way. Do we lead in our many different contexts in a way that means we take the heat and those we lead get the recognition?

St Alban’s: •Men’s group, a drink and a bite, first Weds, 6pm, RSA. •Women’s Group third Mons, 10am, Hive. •Israeli dancing, all-age fun, 15 Sept, 7.30-10pm, Wellesley College, $10 (under 18 free), light supper, tuition. Contact: valerie.meyer@xtra.co.nz 562 8181 St Ronan’s: •Taizé by candlelight Sun 2 Sept at 6.30pm (last one for the year). •A ‘Toolbox’ parenting course for parents of primary children (5-9 yrs) is planned for Term 4. Contact: Sandy office@stronans.org.nz

• This column of church news and views is sponsored by St Alban’s Anglican, St Ronan’s Presbyterian and San Antonio Catholic Churches.

LETTERS

Community page administrator apologises

I would like to apologise to Frank Johnstone, his family and any other member of the Eastbourne Community Noticeboard Facebook group who has received abusive and/or offensive

messages through the group at any time in the past. The ECNB has a purpose to serve our community which I believe works, by and large, pretty well. However after the deterioration of recent threads into outright bullying and threats of violence, I have been criticised for inaction and I accept that criticism fully. In the times we live in, we need to offer a helping hand, an encouraging word. But instead we say things online we would never say to people’s faces. I am mortified that a group I have been responsible for has been used to this end. I promise to be more vigilant in future and request that anyone who feels hurt by any discussion please report it to me. I cannot police it 24/7 but I will react more promptly in future.

Know your place

Congratulations Eastbourne Herald. You have put Jacqui Colley back in Eastbourne. She and her husband could not understand why the Hutt News and DomPost had put her in Lower Hutt. I would love a rational explanation of why the DomPost and Hutt News keep on insisting that all areas within the Hutt City region have moved to Lower Hutt. We have

This is an apology to Frank, but it is also a stand against bullying, intimidating behaviour of any description. It is a reminder to all ECNB members to think carefully about the words they use in the group. I will take a much stronger stand on rude, obnoxious, abusive, sarcastic, aggressive and any other comments deemed offensive by other members. I am taking responsibility for the moral code. I ask members to either commit to kindness or simply leave. Remember, it’s a choice to be a member: there’s absolutely no obligation to stay!

“The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts”

Sinéad Diederich, ECNB admin

seen Muritai School being relocated to Lower Hutt. The same with Wainuiomata College, Jackson Street in Petone and many other places. None of these places which were 50 years ago in Eastbourne, Wainuiomata or Petone have shifted in anyway any distance towards Lower Hutt.

Adrian Moonen

EASTBOURNE 13 Taumaru Avenue

Within easy reach of Eastbourne Village, Wellington City and just steps from the beach. This sympathetically modernised 1960s home o ers a fantastic lifestyle with sun and sensational harbour views. The interior unfolds over two floors with three of the four double bedrooms, plus a shared ensuite and full bathroom, upstairs. The fourth is on the living floor, making it also excellent as a guest, work or media room. All have views that will make you want to stay here forever. Living is open plan and there are separate dining and sun rooms. Bifolding doors open the house up to a spacious deck that is both sheltered and sun drenched. Further benefits include the kitchen upgrade and new gas central heating, double glazing and wood burning stove from 2014. A big internal access double garage (with separate workshop and storage space) complete a brilliant package in luxurious Lowry Bay. Homes o ering this much are rare - call me today and see for yourself. I think you’ll love it!

CONTACT: Kim Slessor 027 230 3328 kim@justpaterson.co.nz

TENDER: Tender Guide Upwards of $1,150,000

VIEW ONLINE: www.justpaterson.co.nz/JP1296

Proud Supporter of The Malaghan Institute 11 Tory Street, Wellington | 04 385 7755

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.

• “Baby Bounce & Rhyme” at the library 10.30am.

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

• DB Playcentre Mon, Wed, Fri 9-12. Andrea Jensen 02102797311.

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

• Historical Society of Eastbourne local studies room open above the library 2-4 pm every Monday. (Check Saturday).

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

• Toy Library 8-9pm. Elizabeth 021 08224664. www.eastbournemibase.com.au

• 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.

Tuesdays

• 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 5627096.

• 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. Jeanne 562 8555.

• 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 Library 8-9pm. Elizabeth 021 08224664. www.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

Wednesdays

• Retired Persons’ Assn meet 4th Wed at

WHAT’S ON

Tartines for morning tea and socialising 11am. Occasional outings arranged. Ph 5627365 or 562 8387.

• Library preschool story time 2–2.25pm.

• 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! Pump Dance Hip hop & contemporary classes Wed afternoons in St Ronan’s hall 0274373508 info@pumpdance.com

Thursdays

• Menzshed 9 till 12 , Williams Park, Mike 562 8688. Women welcome.

• St Ronan’s Mainly Music, 9.30am10.30am, contact Cathy 027 213 9342.

• SPACE at Days Bay Playcentre. Michelle 971 8598.

East Harbour Women’s Club

New Members Welcome Card Groups (weekly)

- Bolivia 12.45pm

Contact Glendyr ph: 562 7181 - Bridge

1.00pm

Contact Heather ph: 562 7995 Guest Speaker (3rd week of month)

7.00pm - Drinks and nibbles provided 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.

Fridays

• St Alban’s Pop in and Play, at St Ronan’s Church Hall, 9am-11.30am, contact Stefi 021 178 2099.

• 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.

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 10.00am Muritai Croquet Club. Lyn 562 8722 or Val 562 8181.

• Historical Society of Eastbourne local studies room open above the library 11am - Noon on Last Saturday every month. (Check Mondays).

• Eastbourne Dune Restoration Group Meets at the dunes area in front of the Eastbourne Recreation Ground, on the first Saturday of the month at 9am. Contact Keena for more details on 562 0992.

Sundays

• Church services - see page 28.

• AA Plunket Rooms 10am. Pauline 562 7833.

Baring Head in East Harbour Regional Park is getting behind Million Metres, planting trees to help improve our environment.

The Million Metres Project is planting one million metres of waterways up and down the country with native plants and trees. They do this by helping landowners and local volunteer groups set up and run crowdfunding campaigns for their projects, and this now includes Baring Head.

Plantings like this help prevent fine soil, which often carries pollutants, from running into our waterways. Planting in public places like our regional parks provides habitats for birds and animals as well as creating recreational opportunities for the wider community and helping with management of pest plant species.

Replanting this area with native plants and trees will also reduce bank slumping. As the trees grow, they will create shade and improve fish habitat. Planting will speed recovery of the area, increase plant diversity and repair inanga (whitebait) spawning sites. Birds in the park that will be helped by this initiative include the nationally threatened grey duck, the uncommon black shag, and the black swan and paradise shelduck. There is also a freshwater mussel population in the river.

For the 2019 planting season Greater Wellington Regional Council’s goal along with Million Metres is to plant 550 metres of the Wainuiomata River. With volunteers, we will put in over 5,000 native plants and trees, including cabbage trees, harakeke, ngaio and toetoe.

We’ve already fenced off the river edges and wetlands to help prepare the park for this project. In 2018 we started our intensive planting programme by planting 2600 natives along Wainuiomata River.

Next year we hope to get 5,000 plants and trees in the ground. Then in 2020 we will build to 7,000!

Over the next 10 years, we’d like to restore all the lower reaches of the Wainuiomata River. This is a huge area and we are thrilled to be able to make a difference to this park along with the support of Million Metres.

For more information about the Million Metres Project or if you would like to help us see https://millionmetres.org.nz/ or email

eastharbour.ranger@gw.govt.nz

EHRP Ranger - Mark McAlpine

Youth Group in good shape

The Eastbourne youth group is to receive a generous donation from an unnamed benefactor on August 31 (more about that in the September Eastbourne Herald), which Youth Workers Trust head, Maree Jansen, says will go directly toward resources for the teens.

Although not ready to make a public announcement, Maree says the YWT is particularly grateful to the backer, as it will allow for more scope and activities to keep attendees entertained at ‘The Loft’ on Friday evenings.

“Currently, we have the biggest group - around 55 - in my time of involvement,” Maree says. “When I took over we were getting around 30-35 kids at each session.”

“The Hutt Council have replaced the ovens recently,” she adds, “so we are now back making pizzas, which is a popular activity. Door takings are up, we have initiated some fun fund-raising activities and now we have a donation to be thankful for.”

Maree encourages kids to check out the Facebook page and the fun activities and if interested, come along and see what Friday nights at ‘The Loft’ are all about.

https://www.facebook.com/The-LoftEastbourne-NZ-608796662469650/

The Pt Howard Assn 2018/2019 “What We Do” flyer has been delivered to all residents. A big thank you to the residents who have paid their subs for their support and contribution towards the community. For those intending on joining or renewing their membership, internet banking is our preferred method of payment with a soft copy Subs form emailed to pthowardassn@gmail.com. Please let us know if you prefer a hard copy Subs form in order to pay by cheque. We appreciate everyone’s support!

The Point Howard Tennis Pavilion / Play Centre is also available to hire for children’s birthday parties. A $25 donation will secure your booking. Your donation goes towards the building’s maintenance. Please email pthowardassn@gmail.com for further details.

Speaking of building maintenance, there will be a working bee later this year to paint the exterior of the Tennis Pavilion / Play Centre. We would love any residents handy with a paint brush to come on up and help us out. Look out for further information as we come into summer.

We would also like to thank all residents who host an ERAT monitoring station and all the residential trappers who have been doing an awesome job over the last few months.

Please remember to email any catches in Pt Howard to pthowarderat@gmail.com.

pthowardassn@gmail.com

News from Point Howard

Oldies but goodies

by Steve McMorran

Masters football is thriving in Eastbourne but new players are sought for both of the Eastbourne Football Club masters teams which have performed well in their leagues this season.

The Masters 2 team (pictured), promoted from Masters 3 at the end of last season, finished fifth in a tight division for players 35 and over. The Eastbourne Gs, playing in a division for players 42 and over, were third and only one win out of second place.

Eastbourne has a long history of involvement in Masters competitions, which gives players a chance to extend their football careers for as long as they wish to play. Several members of both Eastbourne teams have played for the club at junior and senior level. Dean Burrows, from the 42s, is one of the longest-serving club players in the world, having played for Eastbourne for most of its 50 years.

The Masters 2 team peformed above expectations in its first season in a higher grade, winning seven games, drawing four and losing

seven.

It finished with 39 goals for and 36 against and with 35 points was only a game out of third place.

Team player-manager Neil Drummond said the Masters form a tight community within the Eastbourne club, training together and often in company with Eastbourne senior players. “Over the off season we continued our group Wednesday trainings with the combined Eastbourne Masters teams which helped flush out quality new players for the upcoming campaign,” Drummond said.

“This season has been enjoyable and we have

competed well in the higher grade culminating in a 2-0 victory over the league champions Crown Western at the end of the season. “Another reason the masters 2 team has progressed in recent seasons is newer, younger players playing for masters 2 with older players being able to continue to play in the over 42s league.”

Drummond said both teams are looking for new recruits who can join the teams at their Wednesday night trainings through the off-season.

The masters 42s finished with nine wins, four draws and four losses, with 39 goals for and 22 against.

Three points away from finals contention

In other circumstances, Eastbourne’s 2017 loss to Upper Hutt in the semifinals of the Wellington 85kg rugby competition might have been heart-breaking.

Eastbourne trailed 15-0 after 10 minutes but launched a stirring fightback which brought them to the brink of victory before Upper Hutt, the eventual division champions, edged ahead by the margin of a single penalty.

Any tinge of bitterness or disappointment was short-lived. When the moment of regret had passed, Eastbourne was able to look back with pride and satisfaction on a season in which a new team, rebuilding after the loss of six core players, reached the peak of its competition.

Eastbourne has been to the semifinals

repeatedly in the last four years. But the players and the coach who were central to that success had moved on before the start of this season and coach Barry Luke had to build a new and younger team, some of whom were only recently out of Hutt Valley High School.

Former head coach Greg Halford had left to join the Old Boys-University club as forwards coach of the premier team which won the Jubilee Cup for the second straight year.

Under Luke, Eastbourne forged a powerful team spirit this season and that served them well in the second half of the highly competitive 85kg first division. Eastbourne lost its first two matches in the second round, leaving it with its back to the wall, having to win all of its remaining games in the regular season to

reach the semifinals. Luke is full of admiration for the way his players lifted themselves to meet that challenge. They went on to qualify for the semifinals in third place behind Avalon and Upper Hutt and ahead of Tawa.

After winning the semifinal, Upper Hutt went on to beat Avalon in extra time to claim the Paul Potiki Shield. That meant Eastbourne was only three points away from a final it might have won. “I suppose you could say that three points was the difference between losing the semi and winning the whole thing,” Luke said. “But for me, just getting to the semifinals was really good. This was a very young team and they really rose to the challenge this season. They were a great bunch, they enjoyed their rugby and each other’s company.”

They came last, but team looks good for next year

On its surface the Eastbourne senior football team’s season in Capital Three was disappointing. They finished last in the division with three wins from 18 games and face the prospect of relegation to Capital Four next season.

But under closer scrutiny, there were many positive signs; if not for the current season, certainly for the next one. The very young Eastbourne team, several members of which had been recent junior representative players, showed flashes of potential throughout the season, especially in their last three games. They held the runaway league winners Upper Hutt to 3-1 and were more competitive than that scoreline

Kidztalk

indicated.

Eastbourne suffered throughout the season from the disadvantage that comes from being the only team for their club. When injuries hit they didn’t have the luxury that other clubs enjoy of being able to replenish their squad from other teams. They were constantly up against older and more experienced players, often the second XIs of much larger and stronger clubs. Spokesman Carl McRae was hugely impressed with the way in which the young Eastbourne players kept up their spirits and enthusiasm in a season which brought many setbacks. “That may be a result of their youth,” McRae said. “They don’t dwell

News from our local playcentres

NEWS FROM POINT HOWARD PLAYCENTRE

It’s great seeing our tamariki trying new things and developing new skills – from mastering peddling a bike or climbing the monkey bars, to learning to follow instructions so they can join in the fun of experiments and cooking. They learn so much from playing with and watching each other.

There's been plenty to update in our children’s profile books where we record their adventures through ‘learning stories’, photos and their artwork. Here are just a few of the things we’ve been documenting in the last few weeks:

• The always popular science experiments have continued – a favourite has been volcanoes using lemon, baking soda and colouring … simple and very effective!

• Our kitchen activities are a real highlight and the simplest of recipes create an engaging experience for all... and eating it together is always the best part! We've made everything from french toast and pizza, to shortbread and scones

• So many creations have come from our craft tables - the stained-glass windows were a great project, as well as our furry Kiwi birds. Our tamariki are all showing great skills with cutting, gluing and glittering (always a favourite!)

• Our Matariki celebrations culminated in the decorating of a Matariki ‘cave’ and a whānau fun night.

If you’d like to find out more about Point Howard Playcentre, check out our display at the Eastbourne Library then visit us at 1 Ngaumatau Road any time from 9.15 to 11.45 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday. You can also visit our Facebook page or contact Caroline on 021 072 1070.

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

on setbacks. They move on and come back the following week just as keen.”

Despite finishing at the foot of the table, Eastbourne still made an impression and the biggest tribute they received was a back-handed one. McRae was speaking with the coach of the Brooklyn-Northern team that finished second to Upper Hutt and who mentioned that all the coaches in the league - Eastbourne also lacked a fulltime coach - dreaded playing Eastbourne. The reason was simple; while they were last on the table they were much better than that placing made them appear and all coaches feared the possibility of an embarrassing defeat to Eastbourne.

Varied winds lead to 32nd place

Eastbourne’s George Gautrey has finished 32nd overall in the laser class at this month’s World Sailing Championships in Aarhuis, Denmark.

The placing was more modest than Gautrey would have hoped but was still meritorious among a fleet of 165 yachts and in a regatta which took place in a trying range of weather conditions.

Gautrey had his best results, eighth place finishes, in the third and sixth races and was consistent and on target for a higher placing in other races. But a 32nd and 33rd place in the eighth and ninth races dropped him down the fleet. He finished 15th in the last race, which suggested that on his best form he wasn’t far from the top-10 medal race.

New Zealand’s best finish in the laser class came from Sam Meech who was fourth.

All sailors struggled in conditions which ranged from light winds to thunderstorms.

Beck plays pivotal role in NZ's victory

Eastbourne basketballer Stella Beck has played a key role in the New Zealand women’s team’s victory at the William Jones Cup tournament in Taiwan.

Beck scored 24 points, grabbed five rebounds, provided seven assists and claimed five steals as New Zealand, ranked 42 in the world, beat Asian champions Japan, ranked 13, 85-74 in the final.

Japan led by 11 points in the first half but two three-pointers from Beck launched a sustained New Zealand rally.

Beck had previously scored a career-high 28 points, including 11 of 16 from the field, two of four from three point range and four of five from the free throw line, as New Zealand beat Chinese Taipei 69-62. She had 17 points in an 88-66 win over Chinese Taipei B.

Beck has just embarked on her professonal career with the Townsville Fire in the Australian Women’s National Basketball League after her successful college career in the United States.

Sixth placing for local fencer

Eastbourne fencer Isaac Rusholme-Cobb has finished sixth in the men’s epee competition at the Commonwealth Under-20 Fencing Championships in Newcastle, England.

The former Hutt International Boys School student stood out by reaching the quarterfinals in a strong international field of 64 competitors.

Rusholme-Cobb, who has been fencing since he was eight, has been a regular member of New Zealand age group teams competing in international competitions in Australia and further afield. He has also stayed briefly in England, competing against local fencers.

After a bye in the first round, RusholmeCobb beat England’s Daniel Hazlewood 15-8 and Australia’s Roshan Chandran 15-10 to reach the quarterfinals.

His winning run came to an end when he was narrowly outpointed, 15-11, by England’s William East in the last eight.

Tennis continues into the Winter

With the weather as it was over the summer months, the Muritai Tennis Club enjoyed a tremendous season and now, having welcomed several new members from sister club, Rona Bay, has continued the trend throughout the winter months.

“We had an awesome season of Summer tennis,” said club captain, Wendy Manson, “with only one Sunday being rained off. The tennis played was both challenging and exciting, while skill levels exhibited were high quality.”

The Evolve School of Tennis, which have been coaching the Muritai juniors and also running night classes for adults, has been steadily growing in participating numbers and benefitting the level of play overall.

The Senior Club Championships were played over a couple of weeks and Wendy says that club patrons enjoyed watching the intensity of some breathtaking games.

“The courts were constantly full during our Sunday matchplay,” she said, “and we were in awe of the quality of some of the tennis exhibited.”

“Our afternoon teas were something to be cherished as well,” she says with a wide smile, ”and actually, I think some people came just for those.”

The club is in a good position, she says, in playing numbers, skill levels and the obvious enjoyment expressed by those who have been regular in attendance.

“Tennis is a great leveller,” Wendy says, “and it is wonderful that our community provides such an awesome facility. No matter what one does during the week, all is forgotten come game day and the focus is on playing against great people, friends that we rub shoulders with on most days.”

“Our midweek members have enjoyed some coaching and good play on Tuesday mornings,”

Wendy says.

“We also have had several night teams playing, one of which has played continuously for over twenty years and some new teams on a Thursday morning.”

The Senior Club Champions for the 2017/18 season are as follows;

Women's Singles - Sophia Cave; Women's Doubles - Sandy Green and Jaq Henderson; Mixed Doubles - Sandy Green and Graham Seabrook; Men's Singles - Dan Gentry; Men's Doubles - Greg Hayton and Dan Gentry; Service to the Club - Chris Cornford

Chris Cornford was recognised by the club for his long service and says that he was very pleased to have been given the honour.

“I know the club hold the award in very high regard,” Chris said, “and for that reason, I was very proud to receive it.”

Church Services In Eastbourne

St Alban’s Anglican: Sunday Worship 10am at Wellesley College. Thursday Worship 10am - check venue with Parish office, 11 Ngaio St, Eastbourne tel: 562 6269

Children and Families Ministry: see www.stalbanschurch.nz

St Ronan’s Presbyterian: Muritai Rd, Eastbourne tel: Parish Clerk 562 8753

Sunday Morning Worship: 9.30am. Power Hour: 9.30am

San Antonio Roman Catholic: Oroua St, Eastbourne tel: Fr Marlon Maylon Parish Priest 970 8405

Saturday Vigil Mass: 5.30pm

Sunday (Sacred Heart, Petone): 9.30am & 5.30pm

Garden Stuff with Sandy Lang

September: Spring at last. Pruning done…?

Weeds: Weeds are plants you don’t want. Most weeds grow from seeds. Aboveground, weeds compete with your plants for light and, belowground, for water and minerals. Some weeds produce ‘allelopathic’ chemicals that poison other plants. Weeds are bad…

Weed seeds: When you buy seeds you expect 95+% germination. But weed seeds are not like that. If all germinated, the lot could be wiped out by e.g. a bad frost. Nature is cunning. Maybe 95% of weed seeds don’t germinate but lie dormant in the soil for a year or two or more (gorse 30 yr). Hence, the soil contains a vast ‘bank’ of dormant weed seeds. So while a frost might kill all those germinating this year, next year there will be another healthy flush of new weed seedlings from the seedbank. Weeds are survivors…

Weed seeds are programmed to germinate when conditions are right – light level, daylength (time of year), moisture, temperature. Because germination is mostly triggered by light, when soil is disturbed the seedbank is redistributed, many buried, dormant weed seeds now find themselves on the surface, and so germinate. Weed control methods…

Mechanical (beds): •Pull them out (damp weather, so roots come out too). •Hoe them (dry weather, so they dry and die). But pulling and hoeing disturb the soil, so both encourage weed-seed germination.

Smother (beds): •Cover with mulch. Many weeds die, a few break through, pull them out. The disturbed soil stays dark, so weed seeds don’t germinate.

Cook (paths, edges): •Gas flame (handheld blow torch - dry, still weather). •Steam (handheld steam cleaner – dry, still weather, extend nozzle with 6” of garden hose to slow jet). •Boiling water (boil the jug, pour on). These methods kill only the tops. Some weeds regrow weakly from tap roots. Cook them again before they get big. More will die. Councils use flame and steam.

Chemical (beds, paths): •Use an ‘organic’ weed killer or •use Roundup (glyphosate). Many chemicals are dangerous - even many ‘organic’ chemicals. There’re many familiar, dangerous chemicals in your home (glues, paints, petrol, bleach, Harpic), glyphosate is just one of them… Most NZ horticulture uses glyphosate. Councils use glyphosate. So, use chemicals but with care… Sandy Lang slang@xtra.co.nz

Cash for scrap - Copper, Brass, Aluminium, Stainless, Cars, Whiteware, Steel. Ingot Metals, 2 Port Road, Seaview. Ph 568 8300.

GARDEN WORKER for all weeding, tidying and garden maintenance contact Hamish on 022 3748453.

Lawn Mowing and all Lawn Care phone Dan Reed 027 3371360.

SONNY’S YOGA - EASTBOURNE CLASSESEnjoy a relaxing yoga class near the ocean. Every Wednesday 6.30pm at Muritai Yacht Club. Beginners welcome. For more info call Sonny on 021 800 512.

GARAGE SALE SAT 25 AUG: Trinkets, paintings, jewelry, household items, clothing, objet d'art, curios. 9am-1pm OUTSIDE

MARMALADE 2 Rimu Street Eastbourne

Over 35, leisure time on your hands, want to build fitness and enjoy nature? Check out our website: www.kaumatuatc.org.nz

NEED A LOCAL JP? Bill Guthrie 027 247 5427.

DELIGHTFUL TWO BEDROOM COTTAGE cute, sunny and sheltered. All set up, just like home. Move in tomorrow, just bring your essentials. Reasonable rates. Available between now until January 14. Enquiries to Mandy 0274 490 627 or harrey@xtra.co.nz

THINKING OF SELLING YOUR HOUSE?

I’m a local cash buyer, hoping to find a 2 or (pref) 3 bdrm home in Eastbourne.

I’d love to hear from you: please call or text me to discuss on 027 254 5434.

Editor: Louise Goble

Stories: Carl McRae

Sports: Steve McMorran

Advertising

562 7500

Email:

Phone:

562 7500

• Small job specialists

• Full maintenance service

• Registered sub-trades

• Competitive rates

• Free quotes & advice

ph: Mark O’Rourke 021 027 61926 email: markorourke2014@gmail.com

ANT

We specialise in Ant Control AND this is the time of year when rodents move inside to nest in homes & work spaces. We offer eradication and prevention programmes.

All Hutt Valley & Wellington Regions All Operators Are Fully Qualified & Security Screened www.bestpest.nz

Be seen by your community - advertise your business here for as little as $55 + GST per month email editor@eastbourneherald.co.nz

ARCHITECTURAL DREAM HOME: DAYS BAY

Nestled on a sheltered north facing Days Bay site with fantastic, year round sun and unimpeded harbour views, 615a Marine Drive is a haven.

Architect Richard Middleton of Novak+Middleton, conceived this property as a series of boxes set into the land, sited optimally for land contours as well as sun, with Scandinavian design influences. The generous 495m2 accommodation, spread over 5 levels, is luxurious. Clean lines and bold glazing statements are softened by the interior design. Materials used include Victorian Ash with several different finishes, soft window furnishings, cedar and sto cladding, double-glazing and top quality bathroom and kitchen fittings.

The main living level while open plan, has distinct areas: formal and informal living, office space, kitchen and dining (plus superb wine cellar). The kitchen is superb with walk in scullery, fantastic appliances and breakfast bars. The home's 6 bedrooms are crowned by the master suite, which occupies the entire 4th level.

Sinead

04 392 0001 | 021 02581960

sinead@tommyshv.co.nz

615a Marine Drive, Eastbourne $3,500,000

REF: THV02134