www.eastbourneherald.co.nz
Wandering dogs cause controversy in Eastbourne by Carl McRae Two small dogs are causing a big ruckus in Eastbourne. The dogs, Ziggy and Lockey, regularly roam the streets of Eastbourne, earning owner Frank Johnstone the reputation of being an irresponsible dog owner. Frank says he does not deliberately allow his dogs to roam freely, but they occasionally escape from their home near the bus barns and do what dogs do best: go off investigating. That the dogs roam at will is a bone of contention locally, and their uncontrolled presence in the suburban streets has riled many. Frank says he has been rung up by the pound and has had to pay fines and arrange for his dogs' recovery on numerous occasions He says that he has had enough of what he terms cyber-bullying, in direct relation to issues around his dogs, but also in the general comments he reads regarding many topics on the Eastbourne community Facebook page. “I’m pretty thick-skinned myself,” he says, “but I’ve had some experience with family who have been victims of this 'hide behind the keyboard and screen' mentality in the past and I can tell you, it can be particularly vitriolic and psychologically damaging.” “It is totally annoying,” he says. “I’ve lived here for 30 years and seen a lot of changes in that time, but not much that surpasses the level of venom that can be projected through these vigilantes, via the internet.” Continues on Page 5
28 July Hūrae 2018
Ph 562 7500
Happy 20th birthday, Toy Library It was entirely appropriate that teddy bears should be at the centre of the Eastbourne To y L i b r a r y ' s 2 0 t h birthday celebrations. The bears had a party, and their owners celebrated the event with an afternoon tea at St Ronan's earlier this month. The Toy Library has been based at St Ronan's for the entirety of its existence, and committee chair Kathy Claridge says the milestone in passing and reaching platinum status is good cause for celebration. “Despite the winter weather settling in,” says Kathy, “attendees made the most of the party. Children enjoyed face painting, a bouncy castle, Teddy Bear competitions, activities and their pick of an entire library of toys.” Afternoon tea was donated by local businesses; Hive, Marmalade and Tartines, Rev Reg Weeks and Jonny Claridge cut the Toy Library's 20th birthday cake. and culminated in the The toy library is funded by membership cutting of a Teddy Bear birthday cake. fees, bouncy castle hire, fundraising, donations In attendance were volunteers, past toy and grants. It is open in St Ronan's Church librarians and even founding members. hall on Monday nights (8-9pm) and Tuesday Kathy says that special mention must mornings (9.30-10.30am) during school term be given to long-standing supporters Sandy time. Currently, the Library caters for children Lang and Reg Weeks, both of whom seemed aged 0-6, although the current committee are intent on winning the prize for Oldest Teddy working to increase the toys on offer and extend Bear. this age group out by a few years.