The Eastbourne Herald April 2020

Page 1

Kia Kaha, Eastbourne

Businesses plan for level 3

Following the Government decision on Monday, April 20, to extend L4 for another seven days, local businesses are now looking to gear themselves up for a return and offering whatever service is permissible to Eastern Bays inhabitants.

The country looks set to enter L3 at 11:59pm next Monday, April 27, but among other restrictions, bars, cafes and restaurants will remain closed. Indications are that the country will be in L3 for at least a fortnight.

Most local businesses are confident they will be providing takeaway or delivery options as they are able under the L3 criteria. This has required adaptation and flexibility, but businesses are organised and excited to get up and running. Camille Furminieux, from Tartines, says, "we have all the food sorted and I have a week to work out a strategy for coffee orders, which I will certainly do".

James and Carol Hutton, from Marmalade Deli, say, “Jacinda has made the right decision to delay the drop to level 3. While it's not good for business, it's good for the whole.

The wage subsidy has helped us and I feel the Government and all of NZ has done an amazing job.

"We were touched by the level of support we had pre-lockdown and really look forward to throwing our doors open in a few weeks time.”

What local businesses are planning:

• Eastbourne Village Meats - telephone orders only, no online, no Facebook and no messages on our answer phone (to enable restocking and availability).

• Eastbourne Fruit Supply - delivery (or collect at door) boxes of fruit and vegetables (as opposed to individual orders). These will be made up of what is available, as it is still only a limited range of produce that is able to be accessed. To place an order as of next Tuesday; 021 024 46199.

• Spices Restaurant - deliveries around Eastbourne. Telephone orders and payment over the phone. Depending on L3 specifications, Spices may also offer a more generic pick up option. Vijay says, “to our customers…please

stay safe and healthy.”

• Marmalade Deli - delivery and pickup service for meals, soups, preserves & granola www.marmalade.net.nz.

• Pavilion - planning to be open for contactless takeaways under level 3, for pick up only. Likely open in the afternoon through evening from Wednesday to Sunday www. daysbaypavilion.co.nz.

• Cotti - ‘click and collect’ service, maybe extending to deliveries. Also ‘text and collect’ coffees.

• Still Room - Online service for collection and delivery.

• Tartines - delivery and pick-up service via our online platform.

• Rona Gallery- Taking online orders www.ronagallery.co.nz

• Chocolate Hair offering free, contactless delivery of all haircare products. Also selling vouchers for appointments. www. Morgangracehair. co.nz

LEST WE FORGET

APRIL PAENGA-WHAWHA 2020
Left: Nurses Debbie May and Bridget Rillstone prepare for another flu clinic at Muritai Health Centre. Read more about this on Page 3. Above: One of the messages of hope left in the Village, at Spices.

Eastern Shared Path –ploughing on and maybe ‘shovel ready’!

The planned April resource consent hearing dates for the Eastern Bays Shared Pathway are no longer feasible given the disruption from the coronavirus lockdown. The applicants have therefore requested that the hearing date be shifted to the end of June, or as soon as reasonable thereafter. This should be within 4 to 8 weeks after the planned dates.

HCC Senior Project Manager Simon Cager says that before lockdown commenced, council had a very productive, independently facilitated workshop with a number of interested parties on the subject of Penguins and Shoreline Birds.

This included representation from DOC, Forest & Bird, GWRC, HCC Parks & Reserves Officers, Community Representatives (Mike Rumble & Sally Bain) and HCC’s project team’s technical expert.

“A number of potential mitigation options were raised during this workshop,” Mr Cager says, “some of which required site visits, and these have not been possible given our current lockdown situation.

“We also have some ongoing discussions with GWRC and are using this time to respond and prepare some initial consent conditions as well as initiate the preparation of evidence for the hearing with our wider project team of technical experts.”

“HCC’s current thinking on a rearranged hearing date, taking the above into consideration, is early July and we are discussing this currently with GWRC. We continue to assess the impacts of COVID-19 on the project including that of the hearing and the possibility of submitters who wished to be heard being able to participate ‘virtually’ if required.”

ECB Chair, Virginia Horrocks, says “everyone is keen to keep the momentum going, however we realise that there are many unknowns lying ahead of us.”

HCC has also put forward the Eastern Bays Shared Path as a possible project for inclusion in the government’s major infrastructure package for stimulating the economy, once the Covid-19 crisis is past.

The term ‘shovel ready’ defines projects that could/will be ready for construction within a 12 month period.

The Eastbourne Herald, 22 April 2020 2 238/10 MURITAI ROAD, EASTBOURNE facebook.com/ Anne-Mackris-Berdebes-Hairdressing\ 0277422559

Next ECB meeting:

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

Covid-19 - keep in touch with your neighbours

Street and Bay networks have been set up nearly everywhere in Eastbourne to help support neighbours. If you’re not sure if you’re part of a network or would like to contact your local coordinator, please contact any of the board members below.

Rubbish collection – recycling glass only

Please only use your recycling bins for glass until further notice. If there is plastic and cans etc in the bin, the glass cannot be recycled because rubbish isn’t being sorted at the moment.

Board members

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

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

Doctor urges ill to seek help

Don't delay - if you're sick, ring the doctor. That is the message Dr Fiona Clendon is hoping to get across to patients who may think Muritai Health Centre is too busy to see them.

The centre has remained open throughout the Lockdown, and Dr Clendon says while patients have adapted well to phone and online consultations, she is still encouraging those who need medical help to call.

The Sunday before Level 4 came into effect staff of the centre spent hours working out how they could continue to operate.

So far it has gone well, Dr Clendon says, but she is concerned some unwell people are not contacting the clinic.

Poor internet connections and lack of data can mean it's not easy for everyone to have a remote visit with the doctor or nurse. There's also a reluctance among some residents to cause bother to the doctors.

"Everyone thinks we're really busy and they say 'we don't want to disturb you'. People don't know whether to come to the medical

centre, and some are putting themselves at risk. Don't delay, ring and we can deal with it," Dr Clendon say.

There is also a worry among some that visiting the doctor is too risky at present. Dr Clendon says the staff all have full PPE gear and systems to ensure everyone is seen safely.

The clinic has been administering flu vaccinations to those most at risk - initially those aged over 80 (that has been extended to over 65s, people with compromised immunity, chronic asthmatics and pregnant women,.

From April 27, the flu vaccine will be available to the general public, and Dr Clendon says people can book via phone.

A number of people with sore throats and other symptoms that could be associated with COVID-19, along with people who have had contact with people recently returned from overseas, have been tested at one of several sites around the Hutt Valley.

The clinic door is kept locked, and the staff have enough PPE to last them through the various stages of the pandemic.

"We are doing our best to ring our older clients because there are some who tend to hold back.

"Don't hesitate to give us a call - we have time to talk at themoment. Don't delay treatment, we can arrang for them to be seen safely."

Dr Clendon herself was in isolation after she had to quickly pack up and head back home from Germany, where she was visiting a new grandchild.

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The Eastbourne Herald, 22 April 2020 3
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HCC adapts to counter Covid-19

Run on effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has quickly unearthed a need for new initiatives across many fields and the Hutt City Council have had to convert and run with many of these in order to continue to operate and offer as many of their services as is permissible in the circumstance.

Chief Executive Officer of HCC, Jo Miller says that the results achieved over the last six weeks would have taken six months through normal channels. Adaption at pace has been the key.

“I’m super proud of my team,” the boss says. "Teams/Zoom meetings and other systems have proved that people can work from home and that itself offers more agility. Previously, we had 38 people accessing council systems operations, now we have 200.”

Jo says that the council has been able to do things like virtual payrolls and monetary based transactions, all remotely, while staff of libraries and pools that are currently closed, are out delivering food parcels.

Mayor Campbell Barry agrees that there is a real gain in logicality from virtual meetings, reducing costs for one, and that with the change, he can see the potential benefits.

“It’s a different way of doing things,” the Mayor says. “It’s less personal on a human level, no face to face contact, but it is productive and efficient and where we are at.”

The Mayor also praised the effort of his team behind the scenes, who quickly got the necessary systems up and running smoothly.

New policy has also had to be developed to accomodate a radically altered business landscape. Staying generic in the first instance, HCC - in association with the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce - began a ‘love local’ campaign for business, which is covered in a separate article in this Eastbourne Herald.

HCC have also expanded a rates postponement scheme, for both residential and commercial rate payers. The Mayor says that the policy has been recently adapted especially to cover those effected by Covid-19.

“What was originally designed to help many over 65’s to pay rates” he says, “has been expanded to include small business, in an effort to help them build a policy to deal with their individual predicament. There are no penalties and I encourage people to get in touch with us regarding this.”

Jo Miller agrees and says that in these extraordinary times she would rather the council be viewed as one still with human interest at heart.

“Contact council and we’ll work out a payment scheme. In the four weeks of L4, we have already seen a real increase in numbers using a direct debit set up, which also helps us reduce transaction and administration costs.”

Leadership comes from the very top at HCC, with Jo herself asking Council to reduce

her salary by 20 percent, followed last week by Mayor Barry, himself taking a 10 percent pay cut.

Continues Next Page

The Eastbourne Herald, 22 April 2020 4
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HCC and COVID

From Previous Page

“I know there is pain out there,” the Mayor said, “in business and right across the city. It’s heartbreaking and I can’t do much but send a strong message that we feel that pain and by donating this money to community groups and charities.”

The CEO’s 20% has - in part - already amounted to $27,000 being distributed to local food banks and some charity organisations.

“I stand in solidarity with the community,” Jo said. “It’s a leadership thing and I have a part to play.”

In addition, Council have just set up a Community Resilience Fund, geared toward providing a grant scheme ($2,000) to assist NGO’s, registered charities or community groups to continue to provide essential community-led solutions to support local resilience and wellbeing.

“The fund was established during our last meeting before L4,” Mayor Barry said. “There’s $100,000k available and again, if your organisation is in a difficult position, please apply for this fund.”

HCC further encourages people to check out the HCC official website for more information regarding any of these grant schemes. Forms for all are available within and applications will be processed with haste.

Mayor Barry says the folk of the Eastern Bays deserve a big thank you themselves, for staying home for the month, as instructed to do by the government.

The Mayor singled out his sincere thanks for the incredible efforts of ‘one of our own’ in Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, right from day one of this coronavirus crisis.

Although Jo Miller says she has only been a Lowry Bay resident herself for two monthsone of those in lockdown - she is already aware that Eastbourne is a very special community.

The Eastbourne Herald, 22 April 2020 5
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Hutt City Mayor Campbell Barry. Hutt City Council CEO Jo Miller

St Alban's parishioners spring into action

Roman military saint St Alban might not recognise the eponymous Anglican army operating in his name in the eastern bays right now, but he would surely approve of its current activities. Born of a chance conversation between a St Alban’s Eastbourne parishioner and local Four Square’s Jane Martin, local volunteers of “St Alban’s Army” are currently undertaking deliveries of grocery orders to a wide range of local people classed as vulnerable under the present Covid-19 lockdown.

It all came about when local vicar John Hughes followed up the conversation, asking Jane how Four Square was coping with being just one of two shops trying to supply groceries to a significant number of self-isolated, older or health-compromised Eastbourne and Bays residents keeping their ‘bubbles’ intact. Discovering that they were having difficulties finding the time and staff to undertake home deliveries, John put out a message on the Anglican parish e-network and very soon had 15 offers - enough drivers and parcel-carriers to meet the need. The day before Easter was a real challenge, with some drivers taking 10 to 20 packages each, but the goods got through and Easter could be suitably celebrated by

LH Foodbank service suspended

The Lower Hutt Foodbank has suspended its service because it cannot operate safely in the current COVID-19 environment.

“We had no choice but to close,” says Acting Chair Paul Gandar. “We have very small premises which meant we couldn’t follow the distancing rules and keep clients, volunteers and staff safe from infection. In addition, almost all of our 30 volunteers are in the at-risk category. However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t continue to support our clients. We are providing food through partnerships with The Salvation Army and Common Unity Project. We have given them all of our food stocks and are also giving them financial support.”

The Lower Hutt community has clearly understood that emergency food will be needed even more with people losing their jobs and livelihoods as food and monetary donations are continuing to flow in. “Our community can be assured that all donations are still being used to feed those who need it, says Gandar.

“We realise that we are unlikely to be able to operate as we have in the past. In a sense, COVID-19 has been a catalyst for reflection about how we might provide the service differently,” he said.

The Foodbank normally provides an average of 2200 emergency food parcels annually, each of which is enough food for a week for the household. It has been providing these emergency food parcels in Lower Hutt for 35 years.

recipients.

Now settling into a pattern, regular deliveries arrive late morning (see photo) and help turn coping into comfort for their appreciative recipients. Four Square is appreciative too; Jane Martin wrote to the parish saying that their members freely taking on this service had made Four Square’s life so much easier.

“We’ve been thinking that maybe we could donate some groceries in the name of St Alban’s Church to a charity/food bank,” she said. “Please let me know and we’ll get on to it. While it’s been the most crazy busy time we’re very aware of how lucky we are to still have jobs when so many are facing uncertainty, and would like to give back.”

Given that not all foodbanks are operating, it will be up to the St Alban’s vestry to decide on a suitable recipient. Meantime, the boxes get loaded, the wheels go round, the steps get climbed and the orders get delivered and it’s not likely to end any time soon. St Alban’s Army is going to be around for a while yet.

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The Eastbourne Herald, 22 April 2020 6
Photo: Shelley and Peter O’Hara of St Alban’s Army in action.
L
Supporting Eastbourne’s Future The friends Inside Friday EastbourneEastbourne

There goes the raft...

Faith in the Community

I thought I would share with you some words from a Pastoral Letter from Bishop Justin and Bishop Ellie.

“Christ is risen! We hope and pray that you have experienced the nearness of Christ over the Easter weekend. This year the words of John 20:19 are so real – “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” This year many of us have sat in anxious social isolation, in our locked rooms. But our Easter story reminds us that Jesus is not in lockdown – that He breaks through the walls that divide to bring peace.”

We re-imagine the resurrection of Jesus to understand that Lockdown does not inhibit his ability to be at work during this pandemic. Two powerful words to hang on to. Peace. He always offered peace when he came into their Lockdown. We may be facing the “perfect” storm, but Jesus offers the perfect peace. Hope. This pandemic will end. We will be scarred by it but there will be new life beyond it.

St Ronan’s Sandy Lang:

(04) 562 8753

M: 021 222 0383

E: office@stronans.org.nz

Rev Reg Weeks M: 0274 915 947

E: third.age@xtra.co.nz

St Alban’s Rev John Hughes

(04) 562 6076

M: 0274 994 792

E: vicar@stalbanschurch.nz

San Antonio Parish office, Petone (weekdays 10am-2pm)

(04) 971 7885

E: holyspiritparish41@gmail.com

Support for elderly continues

With the elderly most demographically at risk during this current Coronavirus pandemic, our own senior citizens still have the services of Okiwi Trust at their disposal, thought somewhat altered as with most of life’s offerings at present.

At the start of lockdown, all the trust's clients were rung to see what support they had and, as a result, the Buddy Scheme was created.

“We were mainly focused on the pastoral side,” says Okiwi Co-ordinator Pippa de Court, “as a number of them were feeling anxious and alone. With the new Buddy

Scheme, we have 14 elderly clients who are buddied up with a volunteer each.

Their main aim is to keep in touch, reassure and be a friendly voice over the phone.”

Pippa says that Okiwi have also been involved with helping the aged with accessing deliveries of supplies online and/or shopping for them locally.

“We are also dropping off prescriptions and available to assist with deliveries from the 4 Square,” she said.

Pippa insists that the elderly get in touch with her if they require any assistance whatsoever.

“if you are feeling lonely, frustrated and anxious,” she says, “not sure of what each level means perhaps, please ring me on 0800 654 942. Let’s have a chat and see where or how we can assist you, in any way we can.”

The Eastbourne Herald, 22 April 2020 7
• This column of church news and views is
St Alban’s
St
and San Antonio Catholic
sponsored by
Anglican,
Ronan’s Presbyterian
Churches.
RONA BAY BOOKS Rare books, quality used books bought & sold. See our stock at: www.tinakoribooks.com Make an appointment to visit. 26 Totara Street 562 7376 027 316 4066 tinakoribooks@xtra.co.nz
The popular raft off the end of Karamu Street was a victim of last week's huge waves. Willie Davis, who has been part of a group of locals who built the raft and anchor it offshore each summer, said he was devastated that the raft had sustained extensive damage from the storm.

Locked down in Byron Bay

Garden Stuff with Sandy Lang

April/May: Mid/late autumn. Cooling down. Bubble living’s made some think about growing veggies from seed.

Seed plants: These appeared ~350 m years ago. Two sorts: gymnosperms ‘exposed seeds’ (in a cone) and later angiosperms, ‘covered seeds’ (in a fruit).

The following was provided by Lowry Bay author Pete Carter from his blog. Pete's new book, This is Us, is due to be published by Exisle and released on the June 1, 2020. The Eastbourne Herald will feature an article about this publication next month.

Two of us are working from home, two are tradies and they’re working off and on. The other one is doing plenty of surfing. With social distancing, there might be restrictions soon, there should only be one per wave anyway. Unless it’s a party wave, then everyone’s welcome.

I’m a travel consultant. At the moment we’re trying to work out how we can navigate the travel world with everything that has changed.

I’ve just come out of self-isolation, I went on a “famil” to Morocco. I’m in a sleepout and the guys did the shopping for me. They had a bit of fun and called me “Covid”.

CHRIS BISHOP MP FOR HUTT

SOUTH

E chrisbishopoffice@parliament.govt.nz

F fb.com/chrisbishopmp

W chrisbishop.co.nz Lower

It was harder than I thought. It was touch and go for me to get back here. I was supposed to fly out of Casablanca but got fast-tracked via Agadir, took a flight to Luxembourg, a train to Brussels and then home with Etihad.

It’s been good to get stuck into work five days a week. Otherwise I spend time ceiling gazing and wandering around the house aimlessly, opening the fridge door, hoping that something new has appeared.

The summer lasts forever here, an easy life really. It just has a good vibe about it, people are positive and happy to see you. We’re a twominute drive from the beach.

I’m the youngest of three brothers, the favourite is at home with Mum and Dad in Eastbourne, the oldest in Newtown. He might be enjoying this time, we like to keep to ourselves.

It can be pretty heavy for some, the big unknown, it’s the uncertainty that plays on your mind.

Angiosperm seeds: Après pollination, the flower changes. Petals fall off. The nowfertilised egg cell morphs to an embryo, the surrounding ovule to a seed, and the surrounding ovary to a fruit. Soon the embryo stops growing. The now-mature seed contains a tiny dormant embryo, an endosperm (food reserves) and is surrounded by a seed coat. The surrounding fruit continues to develop. Later, it ripens, falls to the ground and rots, or is eaten. The embryo in the seed stays dormant. The seed may pass through the gut of an animal. It waits for the right moment to wake. It can wait a long time. In 73 AD, King Herod left behind a date stone in Masada. It germinated in 2003.

Dispersal: It’s not good if a seed germinates near its parent. Better to try elsewhere. Seeds hitchhike. Buoyant coconuts (in the sea), dandelion fairies (in the wind), grape seeds (in birds), prickly grass seeds (caught in fur). Coevolution of angiosperms and animals…

Size matters: There’re two opposite seeding strategies - a few big seeds with a high chance of survival (coconut, 1.5 kg) or many small seeds with a low chance of survival (poppy, 0.3 mg). The best strategy maximises the chances of producing a mature offspring, in the right habitat.

Dormancy: Seeds of most species lie dormant for years before germinating. Why? The dormant seeds form a seed bank in the soil. Just a few germinate each year. If this year’s seedling cohort all perish (drought, fire, predators) - no matter… Next year’s cohort will germinate just the same. If all seeds germinated at once, the species could be wiped out by one disaster.

Germination: First, the seed absorbs water. This wakes its dormant metabolism. After its long lockdown, the embryo restarts growth, using up the endosperm reserves. The embryo first grows a root (down) to ensure access to water, it then grows a shoot (up) to ensure a continuing food supply (photosynthesis). Once a dormant seed’s been woken, it’s very vulnerable to drying (almost no root). Keep seeds moist the first days/weeks after sowing or they die.

The Eastbourne Herald, 22 April 2020 8
Hutt Office:
Bloomfield Tce Authorised by C. Bishop, 66 Bloomfield Tce, L. Hutt
04 566 8580 66
Eastbourne lads, Jack Henderson and Eamonn O’Sullivan, in their Byron Bay home office.

In these unusual times it’s more vital than ever to look at buying local products instead of imports. But it’s not all about altruism, you also have the right to expect something in return. So here is what we promise you.

When you buy a local product you create jobs. The downstream effect of this cannot be understated as it has a positive effect on other businesses, rates, community wellbeing and individual happiness. By supporting local businesses you’re also supporting yourself and all those around you.

When you purchase a sofa from our workshop or recover your favourite chair you are keeping people employed and revenue stays in your community. But you get further benefits.

TO LOCAL

1. You get a better product. It’s well proven that cheap imported furniture has a drastically lower use by date. The average imported sofa lasts 3-4 years, as opposed to 20+ years for a Kadima piece. The economics speak for themselves.

2. Environmental consideration. Not only will Kadima make a product less likely to end up in the landfill before its time but our manufacturing process adheres to and exceeds New Zealand environmental legislation. This is very important to us. Imported furniture is almost always made in places with scant regard for environmental or labour well being.

3. Accountability. If you think we are not living up to our end of the deal on the first two points, we are here on your doorstep to be held accountable. Come and see us to discuss ideas, make things better and of course to also make you the sofa you want....bespoke to fit you.

Thank you for your past support, and for your very much appreciated and vital future support.

The Eastbourne Herald, 22 April 2020 9
WWW.KADIMA.CO.NZ Phone: 04 568 8800 matt@kadima.co.nz 1 Seaview Road, Lower Hutt
LEAP

Isolation- Italian style

The following was provided by Lowry Bay author Pete Carter from his blog. Pete's new book, This is Us, is due to be published by Exisle and released on the June 1, 2020. The Eastbourne Herald will feature an article about this publication next month.

I live in Bologna in Northern Italy and I’ve been here for three years. I’m a motorcycle designer for Ducati.

I love the performance aspect of design which I get working for them.

I understand Italian at work, around the bikes, but around global pandemics I’m not quite so good.

I’m in an apartment, it’s my own little New Zealand. It’s just me, but sometimes I wish I had some flatmates. At this stage we’re allowed to go to the shops but have to go to the closest one, otherwise you can’t go out.

The police and the military are out patrolling.

I try and live by a routine. I’m officially on leave, but I do turn my work computer on, my job is safe.

I’m spending time developing my design skills and working on CAD, you can’t be focused on trying to be intelligent all the time, so there’s a bit of Netflix, reading and working out.

I don’t think the government can be faulted, nobody realized how bad it would get and we were the first European country to really get it.

Kidztalk

I didn’t take it seriously to start with.

I grew up in Eastbourne and I went to Muritai, then Hutt Valley High and on to Massey.

I miss the sea and the waves, surfing at Pencarrow and just hanging out in the village, it was always a good time. I worked at the Pizzeria there too.

News from our local playcentres

This term the Point Howard Playcentre has been focusing on early literacy and supporting our tamariki to recognise and write letters.

Recently, we invited the tamariki to take part in a letter treasure hunt in our outdoor area. The tamariki put on their best pirate personas and set off to find chalk letters hidden around the Playcentre. Next to each letter was a bounty of gold treasure.

The activity was such a hit that it continued to evolve for weeks to come and most recently the tamariki have been hunting out the letters and writing them down onto their own clip boards.

You can find out more about our Playcentre by visiting our Facebook page or by contacting Stephanie on 022 088 0010.

I talk or message my family every day, not always a big chat, but I know they’re there and concerned.

My siblings have moved back in with my parents, my sister Emma just got back home from Sydney and is in self-isolation.

I’m not worried about getting sick, but if I did it would be a real hassle.

The Eastbourne Herald, 22 April 2020 10
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
PETONE
NEWS FROM POINT HOWARD PLAYCENTRE Sam McCafferty in his flat in Bologna.

Covid-19 – local companies

The Covid-19 lockdown delivered a sharp shock to New Zealand businesses. But some Lower Hutt companies have shown an extraordinary ability to rapidly adapt, and some are carving out new opportunities postlockdown.

Metal Art is a Seaview-based engineering company that originally earned its reputation through the design and manufacture of architectural metal furniture.

Within little more than a week into lockdown, the company’s 15 staff had come up with a new product line, designed and produced prototypes and were ready to ship the first of 500 hand sanitiser stands to a supermarket chain and other customers. Other orders are in the pipeline.

Managing Director Carl Longstaff is quietly confident the new products will continue to see strong demand, by companies, government departments and organisations dealing with the public face-to-face, once lockdown ends.

“We’ve always had the objective of being a nimble company, cross-training staff across a range of engineering techniques and materials and that’s now paying off. I really can’t rate my staff highly enough.”

Petone-based Hills Hats is another company that moved rapidly to adjust to the new environment.

Before there was any suggestion of a lockdown in New Zealand, the company reviewed and upgraded its health and hygiene processes and went to work on a new product line.

Demand for the new range of stylish and reusable protective face masks was instant with health workers, trades people and others, including one of the company’s US retail chain clients.

Some 450 masks were produced and sold in the three days before lockdown. Production halted as Chief Executive Simon Smuts-Kennedy

struggled unsuccessfully to get Hills Hats registered as an essential service. Another 500 masks are ready to ship once lockdown ends and around 2000 are sitting on the production line.

Simon says the company is ready to ramp-up production once he has a clearer view of how the market is evolving.

“But the question at this point is how to get to the market place. I won’t be giving up. Like any crisis, there are so many opportunities that will come from this.”

Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and Hutt City and Upper Hutt councils have joined forces to provide support for local businesses and to foster a businesses supporting businesses approach to the crisis.

Chamber Chief Executive Helen Down says the partnership is a great example of local government and the private sector rapidly and effectively working together.

“What’s also emerging – and I’ve been aware of this for some time – is the astounding ability of Hutt Valley businesses to adapt and to rapidly change direction in response to demand.

Hutt City Council Chief Executive Jo Miller says, “When we take into account our strong and dynamic manufacturing and technology sectors, it’s easy to see Lower Hutt becoming a regional centre of economic recovery once the Covid-19 situation eases.”

Five hundred and forty people and businesses have signed up to the Hutt Valley Business Support Facebook group. Business-focused live streams and webinars are being hosted, with local experts providing advice and guidance.

The Eastbourne Herald, 22 April 2020 11
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The Eastbourne Herald, 22 April 2020 12

ECB webpage for Covid-19 information

The Eastbourne Community Board has set up a webpage to give local and national information and to provide links associated with Covid-19: eastbourne.org.nz/covid-19. It includes helping agencies, emergency contacts, local businesses offering home delivery and street / bay contacts. This followed the cancellation of the April ECB meeting.

Some of the information has been on Facebook but the ECB are aware many people do not use social media and they will be circulating this link as widely as possible. The

board welcomes any new information to keep it up to date and this is also available on the ECB Facebook page.

More than three-quarters of Eastbourne streets and each bay have set up street contact groups and organized neighbours’ support within streets. The ECB are constantly informed of stories of how these networks are bringing together people who hardly know each other and livening up the lockdown social links of Eastbourners.

Chair, Virginia Horrocks, is also keen to

Eastbourne reimagined

The current situation is giving many locals new insights into our community and the possible way things could be in the future.

ECB chair, Virginia Horrocks says that this space in our lives could be used to capture some of those insights, possibilities and priorities.

“Improvement of the waterfront to join Days Bay to Burdan's Gate, ways to fill the gap left by Waterbourne and Battle of the Bays, art galleries and creative spaces, community facilities and infrastructure, a bike track to Wainuiomata and other ideas have been suggested,” she says.

The Board is keen to gather more ideas for future planning and consultation no matter how ‘out there’. Ideas can be sent to board members or posted on the Facebook group Eastbourne Reimagined.

express hers and the ECB’s thanks to all those people who are continuing to work through this time, especially those who are providing essential services.

She’d also like to thank those who are staying at home and supporting the efforts to minimise the impact of Covid-19 on our country and encourages local folk to reach out to the services available and our community for support.

Suzanne Levy-Young owns the website and is hosting the page for the ECB.

Tee hee hee

We love the jokes at the vcorner of Muritai Road and Kowhai Street. Thank you for giving us a giggle.

The Eastbourne Herald is for locals, by locals. We’re all about supporting local residents with news about events that affects you. And we’re all about supporting local businesses to thrive. We especially thank our advertisers who have continued to support The Eastbourne Herald during COVID-19 lockdown level 4 and beyond. Some of them are unable to open as we head to level 3. Yet, they still support a local business - The Eastbourne Herald. We urge you all to do the same - support local, and support the businesses who continue to advertise with us. This pandemic has taught us many things. One of them is the immense value of local services.

So as the levels decrease, and we begin to go back to a semblance of preCOVID-19 living, remember to support local first. These businesses need you to keep on going. And The Eastbourne Herald needs them to keep on delivering your hyper-local news.

Thank you to all the many local residents who have worked through the lockdown - peoople such as mental health nurse Melanie Holman, nurse Rebecca Odlin, and police officer Harriet Walton, pictured right.

Next month, The Eastbourne Herald returns to print and online publishing. In the meantime, if you know of someone who is unable to access this edition of The Eastbourne Herald, please either print out a copy for them and pop it in their letterbox, or email me: editor@ eastbourneherald.co.nz

Ngā mihi, Louise Parry, Editor, The Eastbourne Herald

The Eastbourne Herald, 22 April 2020 13

In and out of school - the Polio Epidemic in EB

“It was an endless summer,” say those who remember the polio epidemic of 1947/48. And indeed it was - New Zealand schools closed in late November 1947, and many did not re-open until after Easter the following year.

To keep up children’s learning, the Department of Education arranged for lessons by correspondence and - a great innovation - morning radio lessons and music on air, targeted at specific age groups. At 9.30 a.m. listeners were treated to half an hour of The adventures of Brian and June at the Sea-side for Primer 3 to Standard 2 [Years 2–4], and then at 11.30, Standards 3–6 [Years 5–8] had talks on music appreciation, current affairs, nature and social studies, and general knowledge quizzes.

The country was not in total lock-down but travel was discouraged, so it was the stay-at-home mothers who supervised their more or less willing broods to “do what teacher says”. Complicating factors were small houses, often with just one table to work at, and younger siblings making concentration hard for older children. Ruth Thom (nee Shearer) remembers enjoying the musical appreciation classes; she and her sisters got dressed up as ballet dancers (her mum was a great dressmaker) and pranced around the kitchen under radio instruction. Others, such as Graeme Wilson, were drafted into a class of three or four boys at a nearby home, supervised by a local teacher.

The lesson books were “wonderfulbeautifully laid out", said Alan Bagnall. Work-books with white paper were a novelty; after seven years of paper rationing. Sue Ruane (nee Dick) recalls exercise books were very precious. Most writing work in junior classes was on little home-made brown-paper books, with lines carefully ruled in pencil, and a cut-out magazine picture on the front cover. So the printed work-books were a novelty, though each week’s lessons had to be completed on time and mailed (free) back to the local teachers.

The beautiful summer weather, for many eastern bays children, meant some rather perfunctory lessons followed by an escape to the beach for the rest of the day. But for all the summer fun on the beach, swimming and sand-castle building, the rowing lessons by Mrs Hector in Mahina Bay, bush walks and cycle trips down to Pencarrow for older children, the shadow of the epidemic was ever-present.

There was no clear understanding of how polio was spread. All the children knew someone who had been infected (Ruth Thom’s father Percy Shearer had a ‘withered leg’ from an earlier epidemic) and that it could be a lifelong sentence.

Strange theories abounded - it could be caught by going without a hat, or sun-bathing

in wet bathing suits - and contagion prevention messages were confused. Gargling with Condy’s crystals (potassium permanganate) was popular - and messy. Treatments for those who did become paralysed involved massage, stretching the affected limb, and hot baths – Brian Shearer remembers his Uncle Perce bathing his feet in kerosene tins full of warm sea-water. Many who recovered wore callipers (which clanked) and special boots to aid walking.

For those with family members who caught polio in 1947/8 , there was a sort of quarantine. Brian Shearer’s brother was one of those afflicted:

“Barry’s legs just stopped growing”, and he was sent to a special hospital in Whanganui. Brian himself caught a mild dose of “polio flu” and possibly gave the bug to his brother. Patients were nursed in full isolation for three weeks, and close contacts were restricted in their activities for 14 days.

Child contacts could only play outside with other child contacts, and necessary communication also had to take place in the open air. No visiting was allowed, and just essential shopping.

If the “bread-winner” of an affected family could not take a holiday, they were to work by themselves, take their own lunch, and not use the work canteen.

For everyone else, inconsistencies in “social distancing” abounded. The kindergartens and schools were closed, yet restaurants, workplaces and shops remained open.

Picture theatres and swimming baths were closed, gatherings cancelled - Jill Taylor (nee Berry) was very upset about missing the

Wellington College end-of-year ball - and travel between the North and South Islands was banned in an attempt to keep the disease north of Cook Strait.

Instead of visiting his South Island grandparents, George Gibbs and his parents went bush, going by train to Waikanae and then up into the Tararuas to a tramping hut. Jill Bagnall (nee Mayer) found herself stranded at Waikuku Beach north of Christchurch with her mother and older brother, after a trip south in an Austin 7 had to be extended: “My brother found some friends, but I remember being quite bored.”

After ten weeks, by mid-February 1948, pressure was growing from secondary schools to return to normal, with senior exams on the horizon. School re-opening was staggered and became a “glorious muddle”, according to some exasperated principals.

Some schools went back on 1st March, but in Auckland and other places not until 15th April. There was still confusion about how the virus was spread, though the understanding of faecal transmission was growing; eventually a strong message about handwashing saw the spartan school cloakroom of the post-war era issued with towels and soap.

Some health officials said the shut-down had merely slowed the infection rate, and that while polio was a crippling condition for the unlucky few, it was mainly a childhood disease and society just had to get used to it.

But another epidemic followed just four years later, and it took till the development of the vaccine in the 1950s for the surges - and the fear - of the “childhood plague” to end.

The Eastbourne Herald, 22 April 2020 14

Covid 19, alert level 4 and lockdown have had a profound impact on park activities. The fantastic increase in people enjoying the park is very welcome but does not come without health and safety challenges so be careful out there.

Many of the northern forest tracks are very narrow with steep drop offs and don’t easily accommodate 2m social distancing. So please think carefully about which tracks you use, when you walk them and how many people are in your group. Make sure your children understand how to pass other groups and keep your dogs on a lead so you can keep them all safe in your bubble.

Under the current NZ Health Act you must only exercise in places you can readily access from your home. If you drive to a park you have broken the lock down rules.

Non-essential travel increases the risk of road accidents.

We need to keep emergency services free to manage Alert Level 4.

During the Alert Level 4 lockdown:

• exercise in your neighbourhood

• walk, run or cycle in streets near your home

• walk, run or cycle to a public space, don’t drive there

• stick to simple outdoor exercise to avoid injury or getting lost

• keep your dog on a lead. Don’t pat other people’s dogs

• stay 2-metres away from other people… ... make sure you smile and wave!

• if the area is crowded, go home.

Thank you for helping stop the spread of COVID-19.

During lock down, as a park ranger I am deemed an essential worker, but only to undertake patrols to ensure public safety. It is important to report any track damage or other issues. Please take note of your location and call the GW contact centre on 0800 496 734, or email INFO@gw.govt.nz. Details on the scale of the issue or photographs are helpful.

Lakes update

The Parangarahu lakes are a nationally significant Key Native Ecosystem. Native regeneration is occurring but significant stands of gorse and grass still remain. Vegetation data collection at six plots was started just before lockdown and this will provide us with a progress report in the near future. MIRO has been planting small fenced areas with natives since 2007. This should provide a native seed source for regeneration and improve biodiversity. These planting plots have required fencing to exclude goats, rabbits and stock. Widespread stock grazing ended in 2004. To promote regeneration and protect

the lakes biodiversity we aim to focus on reducing the stock incursions and improving pest control operations. The long boundary fence in rugged terrain is challenging to maintain as stock proof. We are working with the neighbouring land owners to develop maintenance plans and make improvements.

We are also targeting other weak spots around the park, for example cleaning out the cattle grid and fencing work at the Kohungapiripiri outlet.

The lakes are a fantastic cycling destination. The new bike entrance/cattle grid to the park at Lake Kohungapiripiri has made bike access a lot easier. Once more funds become available more will be installed at other entrances. Many of you will be familiar with the short narrow track from the coast road up the escarpment towards the old light house. This is designated a tramping track and is not safe as a shared use track. Many people cycle to the base of this track and walk up to the light house, the bike hoops I have ready for installation will help here. The fence at the top of this track has been a constant weak point for stock entering the park, the style and later the gate did not solve the problem. The new gate has been installed as part of the wider stock exclusion work. Cyclist should enter the lakes at Lake Kohungapiripiri.

Wasp update

On 22nd March a line of 69 Waspex bait stations were installed on the Makenzie and Bus Barn tracks in the Northern Forest. This is part of a region wide wasp control programme managed by DOC, implemented by conservation volunteers and sponsored by Stuff.

Here are some wasp facts:

• New Zealand beech forests have the highest vespula wasp nest density in the world.

• A single nest can produce thousands of queens and thousands of workers and there can be up to 40 nests per hectare of beech forest.

• More than 1300 people seek medical treatment for wasp attacks each year

• Wasp stings are painful and venomous. They may cause swelling, shortness of breath, anaphylaxis and even death. Even hearing the drone of wasps when you are trying to enjoy the outdoors can cause stress and fear. Many people are allergic to them, so a sting may end in a trip to the emergency department.

• Wasps kill and eat other animals

• Wasp colonisation in New Zealand comes at the cost of native resources and biodiversity. Wasps compete for native bird food sources by eating beech honey dew and other insects. Once these are depleted, wasps will attack and eat lizards, bats and baby birds.

• Wasps cost New Zealand’s economy $130 million per year

• They have a large impact on a variety of agricultural industries, including forestry, bee keeping and viniculture.

Due to lock down they have not been loaded with Vespex. It is likely that due to lock down the programme will now miss the wasp season and the stations will remain up all winter to be loaded next season.

Stay in your bubble, stay safe and enjoy your local parks.

The Eastbourne Herald, 22 April 2020 15
PARKSIDE
The German Wasp.

Restoration of 1929 Sloper almost complete

Bob McAvoy has been working on fellow York Bay resident, Stephen ‘Snifter’ Phillips' father’s old 1929 BSA Sloper, a model which revolutionised the fine art of motor-cycling.

This passion-project has been a great learning curve, even after restoring several motor-bikes over the years.

The Model S (quickly nicknamed the Sloper) set all manner of new design trends, some skin-deep, but with other design characteristics which would define the motor-bike well into the next decade.

Snifter says that he was born after his dad had finished riding, so never saw him aboard unfortunately.

“So I can’t tell you more about his motor-cycle diaries,” he says, “because there are none.

"After the war he bought a

Chevy, but the BSA was in our garage in Puriri Street for decades.

"I don’t how Bob came to know about it, but he did and kept asking me if he could have a go at restoring it.”

When Snifter heard that his brother, Tony in Lowry Bay, was going to sell the old family property, he asked if him if he could give the 90 year old bike to Bob.

“He said yes and of course, the rest is history,” says Snifter.

Bob insisted on giving him $500 for the bike.

“It’s amazing what he has achieved,” he adds. “My plaudits go to him and him alone. He has sourced replacement parts from New Zealand and abroad.

"By the time he pumps that engine, I bet his spreadsheet will show material costs of around $20k. I’m hoping to have as many of the family present at the launch as possible.”

Bob says that because it's so old, getting information and parts and manuals for the ol’ Sloper had been a real challenge.

“Without the internet, I think this would have been near impossible,” he said.

Continues Next Page

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Passion project for an oldie but a goodie

From previous page

“But having a large range of gifted associates and friends, it was amazing what I could get made or restored.”

When the old family property was sold the 90 year old bike was given to Bob, who insisted on paying $500 in return.

Bob intends to host a celebratory ‘reveal’ day for both the Phillips and McAvoy families when the restoration is finished, hopefully in October.

As he nears the end of this restoration, Bob has just started restoring a 1952 B31 350 cc BSA, which he says is in pretty rough condition.

“But what I have learnt from the Sloper should make this next project a little easier.”

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Sports stars back in Eastbourne for L4

Two local women, who apply their sporting talents overseas, have ended up back home in Eastbourne during L4, and are making the most of an unprecedented opportunity to spend some quality time in the family bubble.

Maya Hahn and Stella Beck arrived home from the USA and Australia respectively, and both went straight into a 14 day isolation process, as New Zealand prepared to deal with the raging Coronavirus pandemic that was already sweeping the globe.

“Basically I came back to NZ on very short notice,” Maya says. “I think I had arrived back to America from Germany and then in one day, decided to pack a bag and come home on the next flight.” She had attended a German U20 training camp, having recently decided that her international footballing future would be with Germany, the country of her father’s birth. Maya previously represented New Zealand at the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2018.

Maya didn’t initially know how long she would be back for, but now, with her schooling at the University of Oregon to be based online, she likely won’t be back in the US until at least August, assuming the upcoming season goes ahead.

Tall Fern, Stella Beck, is also in a ‘wait it out phase’, as her club season for the Melbourne Boomers does not commence until September. She says that she is trying to stay fit, so when it does begin she’ll be as ready as she can be.

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Continues Next Page
Maya Hahn and Stella Beck.

Maya and Stella back home for a while

From Previous Page

Both women have been in regular contact with coaches and team-mates, as their respective codes learn to deal with and adapt to what the ‘new norm’ may actually mean.

We have a new coaching staff and they’re really making an effort to keep us connected while we are away,” Maya says. “We have team zoom meetings, where we do tactics and quizzes and receive updates. Unfortunately they happen to be at 6am! With everything going on over there (US), things are constantly evolving and changing so it’s pretty hard tell what to expect for the future.”

How do young sports stars cope with the rigours of being semi-harnessed by the constraints of life under L4?

“I have enjoyed lockdown,” says Stella. “My body has enjoyed lockdown after many seasons playing year round. Now, it is nice to give my joints and bones a bit of a break from quite a taxing sport.”

Stella says that she enjoys the off season and working out.

“I enjoy running and we are lucky to be in a place like Eastbourne where running is so enjoyable - either in the hills or along the coast, beautiful scenes and we have had great weather. I really struggle to motivate myself to lift weights, because they are hard to find and I also prefer running. I also haven't touched a basketball since lockdown started. I enjoy the mental break the most.”

Maya agrees that lockdown hasn’t been too bad.

“At first when I came home and had to self isolate I was pretty frustrated that I couldn’t train and see my friends,” she says, “but now that everyone is in the same situation, it makes it a lot easier and I have a good routine.”

“I have been sent so much stuff from Oregon, the German federation and my academy (Ole), in terms of workouts and along with my own things, there’s plenty to do. I’m

definitely trying to use this time to improve in different aspects of my game that I don’t normally have time to focus on. But I do tend to procrastinate a bit more on my running days - I think because I ran competitively for so many years, it’s kind of disappointing when I’m still not faster than I was when I was 11.”

Honing skills in other areas has been as aspect of lockdown that the ladies say they have also enjoyed.

“I have spent a lot of time with my family, which doesn't happen a lot because I am away for most of the year,” says Stella. “I have learnt to sew face masks and I have spent a lot of time trying to create a dinner out of the odd assortment of food we have in the cupboard.”

Maya is down with that. Tired of ‘dorm’ food, she has been ‘super-hyped’ enjoying her mum’s cooking.

“Now that I have more time, without training in the evenings, I’m learning a few tips and things off my mum.”

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The Eastbourne Herald, 22 April 2020 19
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Wharf to wharf - a letter from Eastbourne, England.

I’m writing this from the wharf/pier of Eastbourne, England - a pretty seaside town once made famous by wealthy Victorians seeking fresh air and “healing waters” of the coastline.

Times have changed now as this wharf is now owned by a wealthy Arab Sheikh - with cafes serving flat whites and mushy peas (alongside British tea and scones). Today is the Eastbourne half marathon with locals out in full force along along the seafront, not dissimilar to a land version of our Wharf to Wharf race.

Growing up in Eastbourne, New Zealand, I hadn’t appreciated the history behind our name and am curious at the comparisons between the original British Eastbourne of 107,000 people to our friendly 5000. Eastbourne UK has an average age of 71 and a relaxed pace about it - my coffee costs me GBP 2.75 pounds ($5.50 NZD) and realestate adverts indicate rentals of 2 bedroom flats about be around NZ $2000 a month.

I’ve come here for a weekend away from London where I’m currently based for New Zealand firm, Antipodes.

Chatting to locals over a ‘flat white Coffee’ - now served all over England thanks to the Antipodean baristas, I ask about what Eastbourne means to local father and son Andy and David. “It’s the combination between the hills or ‘downs’ and the seaside - summer time fish and chips and friendly locals”. They are surprised to learn of New Zealand’s Eastbourne, though Andy remembers learning about it at school. It’s made me wonder is there more than two Eastbournes ,in fact.

I’m staying at on the beachfront hotel. Also owned by Sheikh Abid Gulzar, it is one of the many now once opulent and now dated beachfront hotels. Many are vacant mid-winter England because flights to Spain for a get away are often cheaper than taking the train from London. Today’s average temperature for winter is 11 degrees vs my Mum and Dad

at home at 20 degrees in summer. Locals are still out here bracing the winds that rival Wellington and walking their dogs. It seems the ‘Eastbourne spirit’ is something that exists on both continents to embrace the elements.

Some of the activities around the beachfront include Victorian tea rooms, a gaming arcade and numerous pleasant Tapas bars - with many staff from exotic places like Albania! A trip to the local heritage trail “the story of Eastbourne” reveals some of its long history, from a village in 1232 with 1000 people trading farming and seafood. From its emergence in the 18th century when people believed that bathing in seawater was good for your health and could cure disease, it became fashionable to stay at the seaside.

By 1871 Eastbourne had more than 10,000 people, with a later train development revolutionising access to the sea for the city-bound Londoners.

I’m left wondering at the future of our Eastbourne and dream one day to return and bring my kids up there, licking honey pokey ice creams from sandy lips - thrashing out hours

and a wonderful residents who embrace it.  Tally Ho’or, ka kite āno, from one wharf to another.

The Eastbourne Herald, 22 April 2020 20
playing games like four square or doubles on the courts of San Antonio. We have a special place Eastbourne Uk. Emily, left, meeting the locals. The famous Pier, now crowned with gold and owned by a resident Arab Sheikh

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The Eastbourne Herald, 22 April 2020 21
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We anticipate to be able to do property viewings, offers and appraisals safely during level 3. We also offer virtual tours, virtual open homes and a range of already available property tours online. For up to date information please follow Sinead Real Estate on
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