The Eastbourne Herald February 2020

Draft annual plan commits to extra funding for EB

by Carl McRae

Hutt City Council’s draft annual plan has been updated to include an additional $15m to the Active Transport – Cycleways project to cover the estimated shortfall in funding for cycleways, including the Eastern Bays Shared Path.

Speaking at the February meeting of the Eastbourne Community Board, HCC Chief Executive officer, Jo Miller, said that the draft plan also proposes deferring the shared path for three years, to enable the consenting process and New Zealand Transport Association’s funding uncertainties to be resolved.

“Delay is a good thing,” she said, “pragmatic and realistic. In accordance with the desires of the ECB however, Mayor Barry and I shall be lobbying NZTA hard to get this project pushed forward.”

HCC are to fund 51 percent of the proposed pathway, allocating $14.2m toward the project in its Long Term Plan 2018-2028. Ms Miller said that realistically, this figure was more like $25 million.

NZTA has reviewed its planned funding for 2018-21 and indicated that its subsidy for the construction of the majority of the Eastern Bays Shared Path is unlikely to be funded in this current period.

NZTA has continued to fund the design and consenting of the entire pathway and has

indicated that it is likely to fund construction of the Windy Point section.

ECB chair Ginny Horrocks said board members were delighted that the final number of submissions for the pathway reached exactly 200.

“Submissions showed the strength of community support for the project,” she said, “with photos showing the danger of stretches of Marine Drive such as Lowry Bay.

"The project team is now meeting with those who have raised concerns in submissions to clarify or facilitate resolution of issues raised.”

While support for the project was overwhelming, opposition was mainly around the management of penguins and further discussions are continuing to work through

those concerns.

Senior Project Manager, Simon Cager, says that HCC has always been committed to finding suitable ways of protecting penguins during the construction of the pathway and identifying safe areas for penguin nesting areas and habitats along the Eastern Bays coast.

Department of Conservation, Forest and Bird NZ and the East Harbour Environmental Association Inc, were all opposed to the project, citing (penguins aside) coastal avifauna, intertidal ecology, policy, and seagrass as their primary objections.

The EHEA added amenity, beach access, loss of beach, resilience and seawall design among its further objections.

An artist's impression of the Windy Point section of the proposed Shared Pathway.

Water issues high on the agenda for Hutt City Council

Hutt City Councillors met with representatives from Wellington Water recently, to discuss an issue now considered a national challenge facing local government; funding the renewal of water infrastructure, with some estimating the investment required across the country to top $17.2 billion over the next decade.

During the briefing Wellington Water advised HCC that community expectations on water are changing, plans need to be put in place to address the forecast impacts of climate change on our water infrastructure, and that current funding for the threewaters infrastructure is inadequate to meet expectations.

The three waters (drinking, waste and stormwater) deliver public health, economic and quality of life benefits for communities. Managing them well has environmental benefits, provides for city growth, ensures there is enough water to go around and that reservoirs, pipes and pump stations can cope with demand.

Water supply and effective wastewater and stormwater systems, ensure urban environments function properly.

Hutt City Council Chief Executive, Jo Miller, says that the council has an obligation to "fix and preserve" and it is not an issue they can afford to defer.

“In Lower Hutt, around 60 percent of the city's water infrastructure needs to be renewed in the next thirty years,” she says.

“On top of that, in that time the city is expecting the population to grow by 10-20 percent. We need to look at doubling our investment in water; drinking, storm and waste.”

The three waters and the infrastructure needed to look after them properly, are fundamental to a functioning city and the wellbeing of its residents.

“The data and research available to us now demonstrates that comprehensive planning and investment is needed,” Ms Miller says.

“We don’t want to be in the same position as others, where water systems have failed or are failing, putting people and places at risk.”

At the briefing, Hutt City Mayor Campbell Barry said that information shows HCC need to do more when it comes to the core infrastructure and that council was not afraid to tackle the issue.

“The past approach has made the most of the funding available to ensure the asset’s lifespan is extended as much as possible,” the Mayor said.

“We are signalling that a significant investment in underground water infrastructure to improve performance and support growth, must be one of our top priorities.”

Mayor Barry says this is the time to plan well for the future and make funding decisions that will give the city the most control over the circumstances it faces, rather than having the circumstance control the city.

“I’m looking forward to discussing the proposal with the community and deciding on our next steps together.

"I’m confident that they’ll understand the need to invest in our three waters infrastructure.”

Mayor Barry also took to Twitter on the issue; “For me, this is about leadership and investing in critical areas for the future.

"At the moment, there are still days waste water is pumped into our ocean. That’s not acceptable.

"It’s time to prioritise this basic infrastructure, and the Hutt City Council I lead will do that.”

Wellington Water Group Manager, Network Strategy and Planning Mark Kinvig

“Since that infrastructure was built, people's expectations about what's acceptable - such as allowing wastewater to enter the environment have changed. So has the climate which affects key environmental factors such as rainfall and sea levels.”

Initial financial indications from HCC suggest an estimated $30M increase in operational expenditure over ten years to improve maintenance of existing infrastructure and to allow for robust planning.

A further estimated $240m capital investment is needed over a decade for the replacement, renewals and to meet new demands.

The amount of money HCC has allocated on three waters in the current financial year (2019/2020) is $50.2m operating expenditure and $15.2M capital expenditure.

Three waters is made up of over 2,000 kms of piping (drinking, waste and stormwater), including 74 regional pump stations and 24 reservoirs.

SAT, SUN & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

(S)

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

Saturday & Sunday 8am - 3pm

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

says that due to the way New Zealand cities have grown, many have infrastructure that's nearing the end of its useful life, or is simply underperforming.

Next ECB meeting:

7.15 pm Tuesday 21 April 2020, East Harbour Women’s Club, 145 Muritai Road.

What does the Eastbourne Community Board do?

The Eastbourne Community Board (ECB) has five elected Eastbourne residents and a Ward Councillor who represent and advocate for your interests. The board also considers and reports on any matters referred to it by the Hutt City Council.

February meeting

The minutes of the ECB meeting on 18 February will be available at infocouncil.huttcity.govt.nz/. You’ll find previous meeting agendas and Chair reports there too. You can also find updates and links to documents on our Facebook page: Eastbourne Community Board.

What’s coming up?

The ECB’s annual walkaround Eastbourne will be on Saturday 7 March. The walkabout is a chance for residents and resident associations to meet with the board as it travels from Eastbourne village to Point Howard. If you would like to meet with the board about an issue in your street, please email Ginny Horrocks by Monday 2 March.

Board members

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

Ph 021 230 8210

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

Shag-gate incident under review

Hutt City Council is currently reviewing a recent incident where some trees at Williams Park in Days Bay were removed and others pruned, potentially endangering the Shags nesting in them.

Attending the February 18 meeting of the Eastbourne Community Board, HCC CEO, Jo Miller, said that the affair was handled poorly by council representatives at the time and she has asked for a full report into the occurrence.

“I’ll 'fess up,” she said, “we could have

handled it better and we’ll look at the incident as a whole with a view to resolving the problem.”

This will include a review of the tree policy. No further work will be done in the park until a full management plan has been developed for the park as a whole in consultation with the community.

“It sounds like the conversation landed the wrong way,” she said, “and if council and the people have a decent conversation, I’m certain we’ll get the right result.”

Anne Mackris-Berdebes Hairdressing

Hi Eastbourne. Are you after a new look for 2020? With more than 30 years in the hairdressing industry, I love working with my clients on what will work best for their lives: What’s your budget? How much work do you want to put into styling your hair each day?

Call me for a consultation - I am constantly looking to create new looks and always looking at how I can educate myself in order to provide you with the best service! I’m constantly upskilling my colouring and cutting techniques, and can offer you a totally individualised service from my Eastbourne salon, which is open nights and weekends to suit you. I offer a totally individualised service and I only use the best products to give your hair its optimum health, naturally.

So go on, make an appointment with me today! I’ll give you a fantastic new look using Italan brand Lakmē colour and Olaplex treatments.

Contact

Freedom campers not wanted at Whiorau reserve

by Carl McRae

Concerns have been expressed by several organisations about an increased usage of Whiorau Reserve in Lowry Bay, which has become popular recently with freedom campers and live-aboard boaties.

The reserve is not equipped with toilets and David Miller, President of the Lowry Bay Residents' Association says that has associated sanitation risks . There are alternatives with good facilities available to these users, he says.

The Eastbourne Community Board is monitoring the use of the reserve along with Greater Wellington Regional Council, LBRA and Hutt City Council.

Beautification work completed several years ago has led to a greater appreciation of the area.

“It is important that the current illegal camp site is removed,” says David Miller, “and that there is signage at the reserve entrance, which clearly prohibits freedom camping, reflecting a relevant bylaw.

“We understand that there are special issues associated with this particular infringement,” he says, “and that it therefore needs to be and is being dealt with sensitively by HCC and other agencies.”

Whiorau Reserve is locked at night, freedom campers and their vans and motor homes inclusive. Removing illegally-parked vehicles is not part of the contract for the locking of the gates but David believes that it would be appropriate for HCC to be reasonably assertive and to publicise the fact that it will wheel-clamp such vehicles as a deterrent.

“Residents have been concerned about a specific vehicle with a flat tire that has been parked at the reserve for several weeks now,” he says, “although it is understood that this matter has now been addressed by the HCC.

Residents have also been especially concerned about two boats that had been moored at the jetty at the reserve for several weeks.

They were preventing other boats from tying up, an important option to make available to boaties in the event of stormy sea conditions.”

Residents are also concerned that GWRC

have no powers to act on any boat unless it’s sinking, drifting, or dumping sewage, which David says is very difficult to prove.

"It appears that the jetty is not included as being part of the reserve in a legal sense,” he adds, “therefore HCC’s powers to remove the boats themselves are very limited.

"Nevertheless, the jetty is owned by council, who wanted to take action because it was being damaged by the large boat when it tied up to it in rough weather.”

David says that authorities had asked the boat owners to leave, initially with no result. While delighted that some boats now look to have departed from the jetty, the LBRA remain disappointed that they have been directed to (unwanted) moorings installed by GWRC.

“For safety and sanitation reasons,” he concludes, “we believe that people on boats wanting to stay overnight should be in the Seaview Marina, another designated marina or at the Port of Wellington rather than tied up to a jetty or a mooring.”

Freedom camping at Lowry Bay.

Concerns over public usage of tennis courts at Days Bay

Wellesley College is proposing to invest significantly in a scheduled Hutt City Council upgrade of the asphalt tennis courts located at Williams Park. The proposal will involve the resurfacing of three asphalt courts and three synthetic surfaces in poor condition, to a new synthetic (artificial) surface across all six.

Currently, the public has access to three asphalt courts, which are marked for tennis use, however, concerns have been expressed by the Days Bay Residents' Association and members of the public, that the plans, as proposed, could limit public use of the facility.

DBRA chairperson Dianne Cheyne, says that it was only by chance that they found out about the proposed agreement between WC and HCC.

“Concerns have been expressed by members of the community about the private exclusive use of public land,” she said. “Wellesley College would have exclusive use of the courts during school hours. The issue is a regional one and is not limited to Days Bay/Eastbourne. Williams Park was gifted to the people of the Wellington region and is vested in the HCC in trust to manage as a recreation reserve.”

Mrs Cheyne says that members of the community sought the answers to a number of questions about the plans, costs and management of the courts.

Representatives from the College and Council recently met with Eastbourne Community Board members and immediate neighbours to the Days Bay courts, to discuss the proposal. The issue was also on the agenda at the recent ECB meeting and residents were keen to air their views.

HCC’s Parks team leader Aaron Marsh, said that the refurbishment is expected to improve and broaden the function of the courts, and gave assurances that the facility would not be locked and casual use by visitors and locals would remain in place.

“We expect to widen the facility's use,” he said, “whereby it becomes a training and playing surface space for other sports, as well as remaining a general recreation space. The main use by the general public is after school and during weekends, the impact to public regarding that is less than minor.”

As landowners, council will manage the courts and are responsible for maintenance. A licence agreement between Wellesley College and council will be entered into which, will outline, among other things, the obligations and responsibilities of each party as it relates to access, costs and care. Details are still to be finalised.

“The general public can access the courts at any time without a booking, where this is

informal use, which is consistent with current policy,” Mr.Marsh said. “Similar arrangements exist where club investment is pro rata through use of space at agreed time slots, and at an agreed hourly charge.”

Construction is scheduled to commence in mid-April 2020, and will take approximately four-six weeks. Mr Marsh said speculation regarding the erection of floodlights at the courts was no more than rumour. And contrary to opinion, there would be no reduction in the number of tennis courts available for public use in Eastbourne.

However, several residents spoke opposing the plan. “As a Wellesley old boy, I can’t support this and am aggrieved at this first take of public spaces, for future generations.” Robert Ashe (former ECB member and Green Party member) told the meeting.

“Days Bay is a part of Wellington and the Hutt, these public spaces are not exclusive for local residents. I would hate to see any expediency in decision making with ratepayers' money.” Days Bay resident Mashanta Thaver said.

“Meaningful communication and consultation was lacking, the issue needs to be addressed in a transparent and balanced way. I'm in favour of courts being left for public use.” Days Bay resident Jeanine Reed said.

Further article on Pg 8

Lions Club gives school a new barbeque

It's big, it's powerful, and, best of all, it's brand new...Eastbourne Lions Club members presented Muritai School with a new barbecue last week - the result of funds raised from none other than the sausage sizzles the club has held each year following the annual community Christmas carol service at the school. Lions Club member Mike Parker says the bbq had become liable for a "health warning" so the club decided to buy a new one. Mr Parker says the bbq gets quite a lot of use throughout the year, and the club is especially looking forward to cooking the sausages on a shiny new piece of kit this December.

Kidztalk

News from our local playcentres

We're back on session for 2020 and loving being outdoors in the sunshine. Our tamariki have been busy exploring the centre after the long summer break and have been helping to tidy. Cleaning the "chair buses" has been a big hit, followed by some target sponge throwing!

On Tuesdays this term we’re having an open session where anyone with under 5s is welcome to join us. So, if you’ve always wondered what playcentre is all about, or you just want to come for a casual play, please join us. Your tamariki wll love playing outside in our large sandpit and fort, trying out the swings and slide, zooming around the tennis court on a bike or in a car, and climbing on our child-size confidence course. There’s also plenty of messy play, carpentry, crafts and more ...

You’ll also be able to catch up with other parents and caregivers over coffee to share ideas and experiences. We welcome any caregiver - including grandparents and nannies - you just need to be willing to join in the fun!

Our sessions run from 9.15 to 11.45am, and you just need to bring a water bottle and some morning tea for your tamariki. If you can’t join us on a Tuesday, you’re also welcome to visit any time from 9.15 to 11.45 on Monday, Wednesday or Friday – and ask us for an information pack to learn more about what we offer. You’ll find us at 1 Ngaumatau Road, Point Howard. You can also find out more about us by visiting our Facebook page or by contacting Conny on 021 101 7304.

ECB fires up

The newly appointed Eastbourne Community Board met for the first time in the public forum on February 18th. It might have been a while since their declarations, but members have been gearing up for action.

Since that inaugural meeting last October all Board members have been to training and induction activities organised by Local Government New Zealand and Hutt City Council. These have been very helpful for both new and experienced representatives.

“We’ve reviewed our communication channels so residents can readily contact the ECB and we can share information too,” says deputy chair, Murray Gibbons. “We now have a Facebook page and message account for those who are online."

For those who prefer email or phone, all the ECB members’ contact details are listed in every Eastbourne Herald.

The annual ECB walk-around is planned for Saturday, March 7. Board members will be visiting residents throughout the Eastern Bays. If you would like to raise an issue contact Ginny Horrocks by Monday March 2nd vjhorrocks@gmail.com

Mayor hints at Days Bay crossing

HCC Mayor Campbell Barry dropped a broad hint at another council project that may be in the pipe-line. While briefly addressing the board and gallery at the ECB meeting, Mayor Barry said that council is looking at traffic flow in Days Bay and how traffic congestion could

be alleviated.

“We’re just putting it on the table for the ECB to consider at present,” the Mayor said. “Whether that be lights, a bridge, whatever they and your community consider the best option, we’ll look into its feasibility.”

HCC CEO now a Bays resident

Hutt City Council Chief Executive Officer, Jo Miller, has become a resident of the Eastern Bays, herself and family moving into Lowry Bay this summer, attracted by the ‘great life-style’ that East Harbour residents constantly purport.

Jo, a Yorkshire native from Doncaster in the old West Riding, addressed those gathered at the board meeting, proposing that in her belief, great public service and leadership can propel a community or district forward and on her watch, that’s how this council will operate.

“Communities have the way to solve problems themselves,” she said. “HCC, with best intentions, acts paternally, asking questions, hoping that these communities will look internally for the solutions they are seeking.”

She sees communication as key and believes that if people hold decent conversations, issues will generally be amicably resolved. “Conspiracy theories,” she adds, “are usually cock-ups!”

Days Bay rubbish & waste survey

Recent complaints about overflowing rubbish bins in Days Bay on busy weekends has seen ECB members take on the task of patrolling these bins to ensure they are not overflowing. “We are promoting recycling and use of bins by members circulating at times with bins and talking with beach and park visitors about recycling,” said Frank Vickers.

“This has been rather haphazard so far

but we’re working on it.” ECB also encourages residents to become involved in the upcoming HCC review of our waste. Survey results to date show 84 percent of respondents are interested in the option of a council-supplied green waste bin, however this will not automatically be included in the final plan.

Again, ECB recommends residents make a submission on the issue.

College responds to court speculation

Wellesley College’s plans to co-refurbish (with Hutt City Council) the tennis courts at Williams Park met with some fierce community resistance recently and the college’s business manager, Robert Cross, says that the consultation process was not as robust as it could have been, which led to some confusion.

Days Bay residents had some concerns regarding the continued public usage of the three asphalt courts and Robert says the school acknowledged these and worked hard to overcome issues as best they could.

As is usually the case in these situations, he said, opposition comes from suspicion regarding change.

Wellesley College has had a 21 year lease on the other three astro-turfed courts, which has a year and a half to run. But somewhat neglected, all six courts are in need of repair work.

“The surface is ‘knackered’, for want of a better term,” says Robert.

“No realistic work has been undertaken on them for 20-30 years, so we went to see HCC about repairing the courts.”

He was part of a team which gave a presentation to council, with plans hatched to turn the complex into something better for both the school and the wider community.

The initial response from HCC was positive, but the College was told that owing to issues which needed urgent address regarding the Naenae Pool, funds had been swallowed and it was ‘a no-go’.

“The courts are at the end of their use by date, says WC Board of Trustees member, Peter Dowell, “still the same courts and fences as when I was a kid.”

“We talked to sports clubs about the idea of us re-equipping all six courts for multipurpose, mainly based around winter resilience for junior sport; hockey, ripper rugby, little dribblers.”

The result is that Wellesley College is to front with 80 percent of the total refurbishment costs, which includes all surfaces, fences and retractable curtains.

The caretaker of the College will be responsible for managing the curtain and posts, which can both be completely removed,

to enable the six courts to be turned into one multi-purpose surface. Appropriate signage will also be erected.

Council's 20 percent input is to be for operations, not capital, as they have all the necessary infrastructural machinery to provide continued maintenance of the new facility.

Both parties will enter into a licence agreement regarding the ‘life of the turf’ and the HCC website will run an easily accessible booking system for other organisations, schools and general public.

“That surface will be tennis favourable,” says Robert Cross, “an upgrade reflected in the new and vastly improved technology.”

Patter Tennis, a great lead in for tennis proper, is very popular at the school and a great sport for developing eye hand co-ordination and skills.

“We book our needs around PE classes mainly,” Peter says, “and generally we will not be using the facility outside of school times or during the weekends.

"We want the community to use it, there will be no locking system.”

"Wellesley College is not gated,” says Robert, “which is a continuation of the school philosophy and we’re happy about that.”

Further article on Pg 5

As you may be aware, there is a defibrillator at 19 Nikau Road, Point Howard. The access code is written under the box.

There is an opportunity for Pt Howard & Sorrento Bay residents to take part in a free defib/CPR training session at the Pt Howard Tennis Club Pavilion. A minimum of five is needed for a session to run, and there is a maximum of twenty participants per session.

Are you keen to take part? If the answer is a resounding “yes please!” then email pthowardassn@gmail.com to express your interest. The PHA will then work with Rachel on potential times and dates for the session, or hopefully sessions!

Seaview NoiseEvent dates for your calendars

The PHA has been formally notified of the following event on Port Road in Seaview:

Kapiti and Wellington Motorcycle Club Inc street race 12 and 13 April 2020.

News from Point Howard

Garden Stuff with Sandy Lang

February/March: Late summer/early autumn. Equinox 20 March. Shortening days herald winter gloom. Time for something new, bright and joyful…!

Bulbs: Also, corms, tubers and rhizomes. Different names as they’re made from different plant parts - roots, stems, leaves. But to save space I’ll use ‘bulb’ to refer to any/all. Forgive me botanists...

Magic: Bulbs all do much the same thing. They allow the aboveground parts of a perennial plant to disappear each winter, then magically reappear next spring. The great thing about bulbs is they are much bigger than seeds - so they can produce a lot of plant, very quickly. A bulb contains all the nutrients and energy needed for growth and flowering. So, in the same time a seed produces a fragile seedling, a bulb produces a robust, adult flowering plant... Joy: Flowering bulbs herald spring. How good it is to see the daffs. The end of a drear winter… There’s a huge range of bulbs to choose from, to give you exquisite flowers, bright colours and sexy fragrances for six months, from late winter through late summer. Selection: A decent garden centre will have a good range of bulbs. Remember - size matters. A bigger bulb produces a bigger plant, with more flowers.

Timing: For spring-flowers, plant in autumn/early winter (daffodils, tulips, freesias, grape hyacinths, bluebells, crocus). For summer-flowers plant in winter/early spring (amaryllis, begonia, calla). Read the pack label.

Indoors: Bulbs are great in the garden and can be picked for the vase. Maybe you’ve not much garden? They also grow very well indoors, in pots. Super-early, super-fast. A great kid’s project…

Potting: Use a pot with a drain hole. Bulbs don’t like wet feet. Don’t overwater. A good potting mix, with slow-release fertiliser. Stand the pot in a shady place (4-6 weeks). Move to full sun when leaves/shoots appear.

Staggering: Plant pots successively, two weeks apart. Then new blooms will appear as the old ones die off.

Mixing: Plant different sorts of bulbs in one pot, the larger ones deeper.

Recharging: After flowering, the thick green leaves make a nice pot plant. Keep in bright light, keep watering till the leaves brown off and dry. This will recharge your bulb for next year. Let the pot dry out, lift the bulb. Leave it in a cool, dry place. Do it all again next year…

More? Google how to grow bulbs - Sandy Lang

Predator threat to banded dotterel

Recent attempts to assist the native Banded Dotterels in establishing a breeding colony on the shingle bank at the south end of Eastbourne beach, have been frustrated by predators. Predator fencing the area is not viable, so the only option is trapping. While this has been successful for rats, stoats and hedgehogs, local domestic cats are an ongoing problem.

Dotterel campaigner, Parker Jones, says that camera traps indicate a local cat (or cats) are responsible for the almost 100 percent predation of Dotterel chicks over the last two breeding seasons.

Unless a bylaw is passed allowing Hutt City Council to declare a seasonal (August to December) cat curfew in this area, he remains concerned that the situation is unlikely to improve.

“To try and put up a cat proof fence on the Eastbourne Foreshore would require a very costly tall structure to be installed and it would have to be moveable, as the dotterels do not always nest in the same areas, so not really realistic,” Parker says.

“All we can realistically and legally do is continue to try and get people to keep their cats inside at night by informing people of the threat cats pose (to ground nesting birds in this case), via social media and the press such as the Eastbourne Herald.”

“We will also continue to use live catch traps,” he adds, “to try and catch the offending cat.”

Terry Webb, Chair of MIRO (Mainland Island Restoration Organisation) says that committee have discussed the issue and the

balance of opinion was that they would support the introduction of a micro-chipping bylaw.

“The big advantage of micro-chipping is that cats caught in live capture traps can be identified and their owners made aware of the impact they are having on the dotterels,” Terry says.

“However, our official opinion will only be decided when our committee agrees on a submission to HCC on the cat issue when the opportunity arises.”

HCC acknowledge that cats are an issue in the city and bylaws on cats are currently under review.

Council is considering options available to them in relation to the management and control of cats and whether a specific bylaw relating to the control of cats is required.

Some of these options include microchipping and de-sexing all cats owned, limiting the number of cats per property and requiring that owners keep moggies indoors or contained at night.

Wellington City Council has a bylaw to microchip cats. The scope of their bylaw was greatly influenced by the input from public consultation.

WCC has employed an animal officer in an education role, as their view is that voluntary compliance is more likely to lead to outcomes than rules which lead to infringements.

While keen to raise public awareness and encourage residents to adopt good pet management practices, HCC are not currently proposing a clause allowing for a localised, seasonal cat curfew in sensitive areas.

Support for fire brigade

An open day, specifically targeted at retaining, re-engaging and enlisting new recruits for the Eastbourne Volunteer Fire Brigade will be announced soon. The Eastbourne Community Board is encouraging the community to get behind this critical service and show appreciation for the volunteers; past, present and future. A primary focus is to boost volunteer numbers which are low for a community of this size.

Recent personnel issues at the EVFB saw questions raised concerning their ability to remain an effective service and the ECB have been in ongoing contact with Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) to check on the welfare of the volunteers and also ensure that the community's safety is not compromised.

With a number of fires on our beaches being reported over the summer months, the ECB is also aware that it is important to note that no fire is permitted on public reserves without a permit and there will be no permits issued for some areas, specifically anywhere south of Burdan’s Gate.

“Even with a permit there are stringent requirements on when and how a fire may be lit,” says Virginia Horrocks, what conditions are suitable, and "what must be done to safely extinguish any fire afterwards".

Impact of Port Rd events explored

ECB have arranged meetings with HCC officers and the Point Howard and Lowry Bay Residents Associations, to discuss the impact of Port Road closures and the impact of motor events on residents: specifically the noise, but also the dangers of parking and the threat to pedestrians in the 70km/hour zone in Seaview.

“We also met with the organisers of the annual Port Road Drag event, which has run since 1966,” Virginia Horrocks said. “These were positive meetings which gave all parties a better understanding of the events and impacts.”

HCC has received an application for a new motorcycle event in Port Road, which, if approved, would run over Easter. All calls

If you see fire or smoke which you think poses an immediate risk (anywhere) dial 111, she adds, otherwise ask if they have a permit (on public reserve). If in doubt ring 105, the non-emergency number. regarding the noise will be logged, so the impact can be reviewed.

Swim the wharves

The annual Wharf2Wharf swim is on this Sunday, March 1. Registration is open at Williams Park from 8.30am to 9:30am, when race packs and numbers will be issued. The race starts at 10am, and the compulsory race briefing will take place in front of the Pavilion at 9.45am. For more information, go to https://wharf2wharf. wordpress.com

Faith in the Community

That’s loving…

On the last day of each term, of each year, I would say to my students: “Make sure you have a gentle and carefree break and don’t forget to practise random kindness and senseless acts of beauty”. Most would look at me with that “There she goes again” look in their eyes, or a puzzled “What’s she on about?” gaze. Then let it slide out of their consciousness, already dreaming of the leisure time ahead. For almost a decade – the same message, the same bemused expressions.

Imagine my surprise one first-day back, when a Year-10 student greeted me excitedly saying: “Miss, miss, I did it, I did it! I practised random kindness!”

“What did you do?” I asked

“I put a dollar in a parking meter that was just about to run out, and I hoped the car belonged to a busy mother who was Christmas shopping and that I gave her a few more minutes. I’ll never know, but that’s what I hoped.”

“What a wonderful, senseless, act of beauty! Well done!”

I was reflecting on that recently when a friend was bemoaning her lack of discipline. She was staring, she said, into the face of yet another ‘failed’ New Year’s resolution.

Funny things – New Year’s resolutions! Are they intended to make us happier? More fulfilled? What if we centred just on being more of who we already are? More of the unique gift we already are, to our friends, our families, our communities? What if we simply practised random kindness as often as we could?

St Alban’s: Men’s Group, a drink and a bite, 1st Weds, 6pm, RSA. Women’s Group 3rd Mons, 10am, Hive Cafe

San Antonio: Women’s Group 3rd Fris, 2pm, various homes, tel: Eileen 562 8806 St Ronan’s: Mainly Music Thurs 9.15-11.15am (term times) Toy Library Mons 8-9pm & Tues 9.30-10.30am (term times).

Presbyterian and San Antonio Catholic Churches.

Answer sought for windblown sand

by Carl McRae

Twenty plus local residents attended a gathering on the beachfront at the end of Kauri Street in early February, to discuss the newly problematic issue of sand, blowing in the wind and ramping up against the sea wall, spilling over onto Marine Parade.

It has been a perennial issue and this summer, strong winds have exacerbated the problem.

Eastbourne Community Board member Frank Vickers says that there was a diversity of concerns mainly around safety, drainage issues and aesthetics, as well as environmental considerations.

“The common goal agreed was to stop the sand coming over the wall and to remove what was already on the road,” said Frank.

“It was fairly clear that a gap between the sea wall and the nascent dunes was the preferred option to deter further sand spilling onto the road.”

Frank says that Hutt City Council have indicated that they would like to consult with

experts before formulating a long term plan. But in the interim they have agreed, in the interim, to have their contractor remove the sand from the road, returning the majority of it to the beach south of Kauri Street and also to create some gap between the dunes and the wall.

In the past this sand has been collected by the contractor and dumped in landfill.

ECB Chair, Virginia Horrocks, says that from an environmental perspective, the board consider this an unattractive solution and it is hoped that planting of natives, such as spinifex, wiwi and pingao will help with the formation of dunes which may eventually reduce the need for intervention.

Part of the solution may require the relocation of a portion of the plants already growing on the dunes. Some of this is exotic Marram grass, which grows in dunes native

to the coastlines of Europe and North Africa.

“It is hoped that natives could be replanted on the north face of any dunes created by the excess sand returned to the beach,” Frank adds.

“A dozen or so people have agreed to assist with any planting initiative and HCC have indicated that they may be able to set aside a quantity of native plants this winter season, to help with dune formation.”

This is a long term project, and the ECB asks for patience from locals directly affected.

If you would like to be added to the list of people receiving updates on this issue, please feel free to contact Frank Vickers directly. (Frank's details are on the inside cover of the Eastbourne Herald).

Meanwhile, following the meeting, HCC contractors cleared the sand on the road at the end of Kauri Street, helped by willing neighbours.

Sand at the end of Kauri St. Photo: Stan Swan.

On a recent Ornithological Society of New Zealand bird monitoring trip to the Parangarahu Lakes Geoff de Lisle and other volunteers counted a flock of more than 50 banded dotterels, preparing to leave us for winter. 31 pied shags were recorded nesting at Lake Kohungatera, both positive numbers. However, it was not good news for one shag tangled in fishing net.

“We tried to catch it but it swam off before we could get to it. I suspect it will eventually succumb if the net is not removed but catching it while it is still relatively healthy is a real challenge,” Geoff says.

On Sunday 9 February, as part of the Greater Wellington Regional Council summer events programme I was assisted by MIRO, Whānau Tree House, Wainuiomata Scouts and the Hutt Valley Tramping club to hold the first Northern Forest Open Day.

The Eastbourne Scouts were at the centre of the event running a fundraising tea stall at Butterfly Creek picnic area. It was reminiscent of the historical “Kiosk tea rooms” that existed from the late 1930s until the mid-1950s.

It was a beautiful day and over 250 people and numerous four legged friends made the walk to Butterfly Creek to be rewarded by scones, cream and jam. Over 150 cups of tea and 270 sweet treats were sold and $820 raised.

Thanks to the park guardians who were

positioned along the route to share their knowledge and chat to the visitors.

The tamariki from Whanau Tree House Early Childhood Centre who regularly explore the park at Lees Grove, have been concerned about the rubbish they keep tidying up. They made a poster display at the entrance to get their message across.

“The whakatauki (proverb) in this poster ‘Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua’ translates to "Care for the land, care for people, go forward."

The connection Māori have with the whenua (land) is deeply woven into the wellbeing of their people, their connection to their ancestors/past and therefore their strength/wellbeing going forward,” teacher Michelle explains.

On Saturday March 14th we are holding an Open Day at Baring Head. The lighthouse complex and NIWA’s clean air monitoring station will be open. Lifts up the steepest part of the park will be available. Meet the Friends of Baring Head to find out about the ecological restoration, pest control and plans and progress

on the new visitor centre and accommodation. To find out more go to http://www.gw.govt. nz/baring-head-open-day/ or https://www. facebook.com/events/

On a final more sombre note I need to mention it is an offence to remove any matter from the regional park without permission. This includes vegetation such as orchids, animals such as birds, fungus, insects, and wood –even dead logs.

Not even the experts fully understand the complex inter-species relationships in a healthy ecosystem. Removing whole plants or organisms can have untold impacts. I ask the community living around the park to be vigilant and if activity of this nature is seen, not to approach people but observe and record information: registrations, time, date and activity then report to GWRC, or myself. Your help is greatly appreciated in this matter.

Enjoy the rest of summer.

-EHRP Ranger, Jo Greenman

Pied Shag. Photo: Geoff de Lisle.

Tamariki from Whanau Tree House Early Childhood Centre. Photo: Michelle Neilson.

Tea Kiosk Butterfly Creek. Photo: Stephen Catchpole.

Othello plumbs the depths of jealousy and racism

Love, jealousy, race, revenge and madness – these are the themes of Shakespeare’s great tragedy, Othello.

Directed by Emanuel E Garcia, this is the latest offering in the annual summer Bard in the Yard productions of Eastbourne’s Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe (BCTT).

Garcia has directed a fast-paced, compelling version of the play, with some of the subplots and a few minor characters removed. Garcia has directed Hamlet for BCTT and he both directed and starred in Macbeth in 2018. This is the third of the four great tragedies in which he has been involved.

“Some may regard this play as rather too grim. But there are moments of wit and banter, and the intensity of the characters and the beauty of the language always carry us along,” he said.

Long-time troupe member Laurie Ward plays Iago who engineers Othello’s downfall. “This is a really meaty role and I am loving exploring Iago’s multifaceted and complex character. I hope my performance will help the audience understand what motivates his deeply manipulative and diabolical behaviour.”

For Colton Stuart, who played leading roles

RONA BAY BOOKS

Rare books, quality used books bought & sold. See our stock at: www.tinakoribooks.com

in the last two BCTT productions, the role of Othello is a huge and exciting challenge. “Othello, the Moor, has become a leader within a foreign culture. This makes him vulnerable, especially when he chooses to marry a high-born Venetian woman, Desdemona.”

In exploring the character of Othello and to help him understand the underbelly of racism expressed in the play, Colton has drawn partly on his Ngāti Kahungunu descent.

“One of my antecedents fought during the 1860 land wars on the side of the colonialists. These Māori soldiers were known as kūpupa or collaborators. There are parallels here with Othello’s position.”

Julia Seeman, playing Desdemona, and Anne Manchester, playing Iago’s wife Emilia, performed these roles two years ago when Garcia directed the final scene of the play in a BCTT season of Shakespearean extracts. They are both thrilled to be part of a full production.

“That extract was very dramatic and our audiences really responded to it,” said Seeman. “I love Desdemona’s character. She has a free and rebellious spirit, which leads her to make some unconventional choices. She is also a little flirtatious, a characteristic Iago exploits to the hilt.”

Othello is performed outdoors in the secluded quadrangle at Muritai School from March 3-7, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Eventfinda or Rona Gallery,

$17 adults, $14 concessions, plus booking fees. Dress warmly to suit conditions. If wet, the performances will transfer to the school hall. A complimentary glass of bubbles is available on the opening, gala night.

For further information, contact Anne Manchester on 027 684 5664 or Lian Butcher on 021 905203

Gavin Murphy General Manager

Colton Stuart and Julia Seeman play Othello and Desdemona.

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.

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

• 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 Ross Carroll Chief Fire Officer 562 7001 for more info.

• Toy Library 8-9pm. St Ronans Hall www. eastbournemibase.com.au 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

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.

• 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.

WHAT'S ON

• 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 MagicMuritai 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

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

Thursdays

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

• St Ronan’s Mainly Music, 9.30am-10.30am, contact Cathy 027 213 9342.

• SPACE at Days Bay Playcentre. Michelle 971 8598.

• 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

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, 9.30-10.30am. 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 10am Muritai Croquet Club. Lyn 562 8722 or Val 562 8181.

• Eastbourne Dune Restoration Group Meets 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

• AA Plunket Rooms 10am. Karen 021 440 705.

EH MARCH ADVERTISING DEADLINES

BOOKINGS: WED, MARCH 18

AD COPY: THURS, MARCH 19

DELIVERIES: MARCH 27/28

phone 562 7500 editor@eastbourneherald.co.nz

Cricket club heads towards its centenary

As the ECC reaches its centenary in March this year, we are printing some of the club's history. Below is the second installment.

Maurie Ballinger was a very accomplished leg spin bowler and regularly took 50 senior wickets each season. In his semi-retirement years he played on in the fourth grade literally mesmerising batsmen with his subtle art of leg spin bowling. Maurie captained the side the Club’s first year in Senior cricket. He then made way for Malcolm Bishop who held the captaincy for the next seven seasons and his contribution should not be under-stated.

By the late 1950s there were four teams in the Club: Senior, Third Grade (later second grade), Fourth Grade and Fifth Grade, the last named being a team formed largely by members of the Rugby Club but over the years sponsored many quite accomplished cricketers to the higher grades. Michael Watson and John Lees, who later captained the Senior Team, being just two.

Having won promotion to the Senior Grade it was a question of performing at a level worthy of the promotion and that wasn’t easy. The competition in the Hutt Valley in those years was huge and Hutt Valley competed on equal terms with their Wellington counterparts in the annual encounter which was always a spirited affair.

Eastbourne found wins hard to come by but there were many outstanding performances. In their game against Petone United the opponent were within 2 runs of a first innings win when Maurie Ballinger took a hat trick, all clean bowled. Then late one afternoon JB (Jim) Morrison and Sid Turner opening for Eastbourne put on 199 for no wicket with Jim on 110 not out against Bob Blair at his prime and then the opening attack bowler for New Zealand. Jim Morrison, a product of Wellington College, was the first Eastbourne Senior player to be selected for Wellington. Jim’s tenure in the Wellington representative team was brief but on one memorable March day in March 1959 the Eastbourne Cricket Club

arrived en masse at the Basin Reserve to see Wellington play Peter May’s MCC team who had just completed an unfortunate Ashes Tour in Australia. Jim opened the Wellington batting and faced up to Frank Tyson without doubt the fastest bowler in the world at that time. He looked not too uncomfortable and, when Tyson unleashed a bouncer at him, he hooked the ball off the end of his chin.

We still have a vision of an ecstatic Maurie Ballinger leaping up on the bank applauding and shouting ‘that’s guts for you’.

No other Eastbourne cricketer gained representative honours for Wellington in that period but a number represented the Hutt Valley including Malcolm Bishop and Barney O’Connell.

The standard of cricket in the Hutt Valley in these years was very high indeed and the team was nearly always called upon to face up to at least one if not more representative class bowlers in every game. Bruce Morrison playing for Eastern was in those years the up-

wind bowler for Wellington and Bob Blair, the New Zealand opening fast bowler played for Petone United. JR John “Bogo” Reid, then the NZ Captain, played for Hutt and while he normally contented himself with bowling off-cutters from 5 paces he was also capable of bowling faster than anyone in the Hutt Valley as Eastbourne found out one day at the Hutt Recreation Ground.

That day he unleashed a spell that must have been reminiscent of the innings in which he demolished South Africa taking 6 for 60.

Sunday cricket at the Eastbourne Recreation Ground seated on the old grandstand.

A practical holiday in Vietnam

by Ross Jamieson

Vietnamese man Pham Van An and his family are delighted. 10 New Zealanders volunteered to spend a week bricklaying to extend their family home. He and his wife along with an aged crippled father, brother and families squeezed into a 22 m² shack. Their home now will be three times as large, although the piggery will still abut the kitchen.

Travelling overseas with Habitat for Humanity gives one a sense of how people live and struggle, by lending a practical hand to improve their lot. We worked side-by-side with locals. This charity has a sweat equity model, with those in need of acute housing pitching in with volunteers to build or repair their place to live in. Eventually, Pham Van An will pay off the materials and be well on the path to home ownership. It was satisfying hard yakka for us mixing cement and bricklaying in 30° plus heat. Everyone pitched in according to a mixed bag of abilities.

Pham’s home was in a rice-growing community 40 miles north of Hanoi. He was selected by the local commune for Habitat's help. Families were given small lots of leased land. This was the communist 1980s “land to the tiller” policy. These lots could not be sold or passed on outside the family, so land was not amassed. This practice hindered high tech large scale production systems developing, but kept roughly half the country’s labour force self sufficient with their small holdings and markets. Women do much of the work hunched over planting rice, in sealed gumboots to keep deadly water snakes at bay.

“Reforms“ are in the wind that could do away with these small family holdings. Such economies of scale reforms may usher in social problems, disenfranchise peasants from their livelihoods or even put a small dent in the Vietnamese’s sense of place. An identity and pride are instrumental in driving out the Chinese after a thousand years of occupation in 938; winning the battle of Dien Bien Phu that kicked out the French colonists in 1954; whipping the Americans in 1973 who had sprayed 72 million tons of defoliant over 16% of South Vietnam and banishing the Chinese back behind their borders after they attacked North Vietnam in 1979.

It was poignant to sit cross-legged in front of a shrine adorned with Pham’s father and his late mother’s picture of them in military uniform, drinking tea knowing a prefect at my school lost his life fighting these people. Unlike many of my fellow university students, I was not an anti-Vietnam War protester. Influenced, I guess, by my WWII Squadron Leader dad, who although very much anti-war, seemingly subscribed to the domino theory. That theory held that once Vietnam fell under communism’s

”red terror” it would spread south to threaten Australia and New Zealand. Ho Chi Minh’s governance, we now appreciate, was so different from Mao’s communism and barmy orders. The Vietnamese I talked with had no time for the Chinese.

Along with Cushla we took the opportunity to travel to Ha Giang near the Chinese border. A drive-through extraordinary mountainous landscapes and terraced paddy fields. We stayed

in straw walled homes of the Hung minority people. Hiked to villages, some with big stilt houses, rummaged through colourful markets and visited a linen cooperative that spun hemp bark into thread on old bike wheels, wove it on foot-driven looms, dyeing the linen in boiling earth infused pots to be embroidered into stunning garments.

We then did the usual tourist thing and Continues next page

The build.

From previous page travelled to Sapa. The highlight attraction is the over 6000 metre cable car ride, and the 600 odd steps to the top of Fanispan - the Roof of Indochina.

Intriguingly, it was misty, so the view limited, making the pagoda and Buddhist destinations one climbs up through wonderfully eerie.

Back by overnight train to Hanoi. Although one of the worlds’s most polluted cities it’s a buzzing, friendly, architecturally intriguing cosmos with a sniff of its French legacy. The ‘Hanoi Hilton’ Hoa Lo Prison is a must, although I felt the atrocities committed on both sides during the French and American conflicts were somewhat sanitised. Woe betide American B-52 crews shot down and caught by vengeful peasants, rather than the conventions of military capture. The Vietnamese Woman’s Museum that I was not

greatly enthusiastic about visiting, turned out to be really worthwhile. I was intrigued to be followed around it by a 10-year-old girl bored with her mum. So this 75-year-old man communicated over the exhibits' meanings, mainly in sign language, with a bemused Asian kid that gave me a high-five send off at the final exhibit.

On our final night we did a food crawl around local eateries with an Hanoian. The evening ended sitting on plastic stools out on the crowded footpath outside a bar talking to architects winding down from their work week. We shared a duck's feet snack, drinking the great local beer. Hanoi has many quirky narrow tube houses in the old quarter, as they were taxed on their width, so the narrower the cheaper. It was a great discussion, and I remember it finished with the best English speaker saying:

“We’re just a developing Third World country… you know”.

“Yeah right!” I likely opined “You cleaned up the Chinese, French and American invaders and my Samsung Galaxy cell phone was made in a state-of-the-art industrial park in that nearby satellite town.”

Two Bed Unit, Easy Living

Dinner with the Hungs.

The colourful market.

PUBLIC NOTICES

EASTBOURNE MEMORIAL RSA (Inc.) Notice of AGM

To be held on Sunday 29 March 2020 at 1pm in the Clubrooms, Tuatoru Street, Eastbourne.

Nominations for Executive Committee & Notices of Motion must be with the Secretary by Saturday 8 March 2020.

CLASSIFIEDS

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.

SONNY'S YOGA - EASTBOURNE CLASSES - Enjoy a relaxing yoga class near the ocean. Every Thursday 7pm at Muritai Yacht Club. Beginners welcome. For more info call Sonny on 021 800 512.

Dan Reed lawn mowing, lawn and garden care. Contact 027 337 1360.

WATERBLASTING Services – For all exterior cleaning and maintenance – call Mike on 027 587 5871

APPLICATIONS FOR EASTBOURNE

FREEMASONS’ SCHOLARSHIP

Closing date 31 March 2020

This $4,000 scholarship is available to students who have distinguished themselves during a minimum of three years tertiary study and who have lived in Eastbourne for a minimum of five years during their life.

Application forms are available from the website www.ebct.org.nz

Contact: Anne Keogh 027 687 1845

ANAHATA YOGA: Muritai Yacht Club starting Wednesday 4th March 3.45pm - 5. All welcome. Traditional yoga, with a touch of creativity and fun. Modifications offered.. Please bring a mat (or txt me). Casual $15. Concession cards $120 for 10 (can be used at the Studio) in Petone. Cash or online 03 0543026820600. www.anahatayoga.co.nz. Jennifer 0274159345

SERVICE EXPERTS

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

PRIZE

Located on a large sunny site in popular Eastbourne, this is a very special home. Just a stone's throw from the beach and village, this authentic home is surprisingly spacious, has a fantastic garden and TONS of potential.

View By Appointment

Sinead Diederich

For Sale by Tender closing 2pm Wed. 11th March 2020 at our office 120 Queens Dr, Lower Hutt (will not be sold prior). sinead@tommyshv.co.nz

04 392 0001 | 021 02581960

PARADIS SUR MER

Stunning and superbly presented, this truly exceptional property captures the essence of luxury living, and is an entertainers paradise offering very generous multiple indoor and outdoor living spaces. Front row views of Lowry Bay and the harbour and city in the distance are enjoyed from all aspects of the property.

View By Appointment

Sinead Diederich

04 392 0001 | 021 02581960

sinead@tommyshv.co.nz

Duncan Povey

04 568 2222 | 0275 971 080

duncan@tommyshv.co.nz

CURRENT LISTINGS

3 BED APARTMENT WITH VIEWS

7D is the penthouse apartment, which has spectacular views of Wellington harbour, all the way from the Hutt Valley in the north to the Cook Strait in the south. Light and airy, this stylish home is perfect for those who want a spacious (160sqm) comfortable low maintenance property in a superb location.

Sinead

sinead@tommyshv.co.nz

Sinead

tommys.co.nz

45 Marine Parade, Eastbourne Buyer Enquiry From $950,000

REF: THV02586

ON THE PARADE

234 Marine Drive, Lowry Bay, Eastbourne Buyer Enquiry From $2,495,000

REF: THV02457

7D/33 Rimu Street, Eastbourne Buyer Enquiry From $795,000

REF: THV02507