Local actress at Downstage

“At our time of life we simply cannot deal with this shit”

The Children has been a hit world-wideand this production features three of our most highly-valued actors, Catherine Downes, Peter Hambleton and Carmel McGlone.

"The world is in chaos. Hazel and Robin are trying to go about their life of yoga and farming as though nothing has changed. But everything shifts when an old friend, Rose, knocks on their door. Something doesn’t feel right…the fallout will be unpredictable.

The Children introduces audiences to this trio of characters in a witty and touching story that rumbles with big questions about how in As You Like It will step up to direct the next BCTT production in August,” Anne says.

“We are doing a thriller, a whodunnit by Agatha Christie, called And Then There Were None, says Lian.

“Ten strangers are invited to a house on an isolated island and one by one they meet their grisly end, in the manner of a childhood poem on the wall.

"Trapped on the island they realise if they don’t find their killer soon, there will soon be none of them left. ”

Auditions will be held on May 5 and Lian says local actors who would like to tread the boards can e-mail her; lian.potter92@gmail. com for an audition time.

Rehearsals are scheduled to start on June 4, with performance dates between August 1 and 10

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Richard John Robinson 21/9/1954 – 14/2/2019

Richard was born in Royston, Hertfordshire, England to Joy and John Robinson. Richard was named after his grandfather, and his father, John.

Richard’s birth was toasted by Joy and her parents who she was living with, with a cup of tea - and by John, who was away at sea in the Merchant Marine, with a glass of champagne.

When Richard was 6, Joy and John decided to start a new life in New Zealand, arriving in Wellington in 1961. Joy’s parents joined them.

Joy and John bought their home on Marine Parade the same year, and it has been the family home for 57 years. Eastbourne was a small village back then – there were only four phone numbers to dial to reach your neighbours and Marine Parade was only an unpaved stretch of sand.

Richard started school at Muritai and soon made friends, playing in the sand hills, digging forts and swimming in the sea across the road.

He later went to Wellesley College. Richard and school were not the best of friends!

He played rugby for the school. From what his father John used to say, Richard’s white shorts didn’t ever see much dirt.

Richard’s grandfather was a large influence in his life, and they would spend many afternoons doing homework together.

After Wellesley, Richard went on to Scots College then straight into a job at Russell & Sommers Shipping. He then went on to work at Ajax in Seaview where his father was working. The idea was to save to travel overseas.

Soon after his 21st birthday Richard left NZ to travel to the UK. On the way he travelled via Greyhound bus around the USA and Canada, up the west coast and across the Rockies to Toronto. Once in the UK Richard lived with family in the Lake District, working during the winter months and travelling around in his old mini over summer.

On returning home after a couple of years away Richard brought a new Ford Escort back with him – his vision of a rally car.

He started work back at Ajax, as a starting point, but ended up staying for twenty years. He enjoyed his time at Ajax, making friends who have endured for over forty years.

In his free time Richard enjoyed windsurfing and later bought an old catamaran, sailing for a couple of seasons with the Muritai yacht club. He played social golf but, like most, never conquered the game. He also enjoyed going to the rugby with Bobbie and Brian, neighbours in the flats next door, supporting Petone and Wellington.

In 1988 we moved next door to the Robinsons. For thirty years we had the best neighbour one could ask for. Richard was our own personal neighbourhood watch; nothing would escape him, standing sentry at his front window. He had a pat and a kind word for every animal and child that crossed his path.

The early days our memories are of turquoise speedos, a sleeveless wet suit and taking our children out on the catamaran. He became a favourite and caring uncle, once whacking Ben on the behind and reprimanding him for not holding his hand as he ran across Marine Parade.

Richard always wanted to help. Late one Christmas Eve he was erecting a trampoline on our front lawn. Next morning, Christmas day, he did a grand job of feigning surprise and agreeing with everyone that Father Christmas was very clever to have dropped the trampoline off at the right house.

Richard was curious and interested in the world, and especially history. He had an amazing memory for facts, I think inherited from Joy. Richard was actually a walking encyclopaedia and would regale tales of everything from the War of the Roses, to China’s economic policy, to every last detail of every Lord of the Rings book.

He loved his garden, and loved animals. And they loved him. There were several neighbourhood cats who left home to live with Richard.

And he loved Eastbourne. In 1997 when Ajax closed, like many manufacturing companies in Wellington, Richard’s first instinct was to travel. He went to stay with brother Michael who was working and living in Vietnam, and travelled throughout Thailand and Vietnam. He returned to NZ and worked in a number of contract roles, returning to Vietnam to visit Michael.

Nine years ago Richard had life-threatening heart surgery but he came through remarkably well and was soon his old self with the help and care of Joy.

Richard joined the Eastbourne Lions Club and has been very active in it, helping with various activities and acting as Project Manager. He was very appreciative of the friendship and sense of purpose that it gave him.

In the last few years Richard worked in Paraparaumu but gave up his work to become Joy’s full time carer. He was worried about leaving his mother alone in the house for long periods of time each day.

During and after Joy’s illness, Richard was a tower of strength, helping with his mother’s recovery. He was instrumental in Joy being able to return home.

Richard is survived by Joy, and his brother Michael and sister-in-law Jass.

- By Juliet Allnatt

Lions club mourns passing

Current President of the Eastbourne Lions Club, Kevin Togher, says that his organisation certainly, but the Eastbourne community in general will miss former Projects Director, Richard John Robinson, who died unexpectedly at his home on February 14th, aged 64.

“Richard joined the Eastbourne Lions in 2010,” he said, “and has always been a major contributor. He was the perfect example of the Lions mantra “We Serve”.”

Kevin says Richard would regularly be seen in his Yellow or Orange “Hi-Vis vest”, clipboard in hand.

“Whether he was organising marshals for the Petone Christmas Parade or managing helpers for the Waterbourne festival, or with large orange cones coordinating the road closures for the Eastbourne Anzac parade, or the Eastbourne Games, Richard was always on hand. He was a real “doer”.”

His major yearly event was the November Lions Auction and many months in advance, he would start receiving calls from people who had items to donate. He would coordinate the collection and storage wherever they would fit, usually filling his garage, his carport and then the front yard.

“This was only the pre-cursor to actual auction itself,” Kevin says, “which entailed a very long Friday afternoon and evening followed by an even longer Saturday. But he made sure our major fundraiser went ahead as smoothly as possible and for this we are ever grateful.”

“On behalf of Eastbourne Lions and the wider local community we would like to say 'Thank You Richard”, for your service and may you rest in peace'.”

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 10.00am.

• 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. 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. Rosemary 562 7365

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

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

• Toy 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