The Eastbourne Herald May 2019

New buses to double capacity for commuters

Double decker buses will be servicing Eastbourne 81 and 85 routes by the middle of this year.

Letters were sent out to some Eastbourne residents regarding five tree removals deemed necessary by Metlink before the buses can enter service.

The tree removals are viewed as part of the improvements both Greater Wellington Regional and Hutt City Councils want to make to bus services for the Eastbourne community. The double deckers, which carry 101 passengers, will be introduced to cater for growth, reduce congestion and to improve road safety issues for all road users.

The trees in question are located outside addresses in  Muritai Road (two Ngaio, one Cedar and one Pohutukawa), and in Cuba Street, Petone.

Songsters find harmony in shared enthusiasm

If you have ever wanted to sing, but like most, the thought of doing so in front of others terrifies you, there’s a group in Eastbourne that's putting the fun back in singing.

Sing Eastbourne organiser Arne Herrmann says no experience or talent is necessary.

“It is very relaxed and without expectation,” Arne says. “No pressure to deliver anything, it’s super fun, so naturally people absolutely

love it.”

Arne himself is an arts manager and not necessarily a singer, but he knows his stuff, having worked for more than twenty years in arts and festival management in New Zealand. He is currently the chief executive of both the NZ Youth Choir and Choirs Aotearoa NZ.

During the last school term of 2018, he posted on the Eastbourne Community Facebook page, testing the water regarding the

formation of a local choir. Forty people showed up to the first session and with enough interest fostered, Sing Eastbourne began in earnest.

The group holds its choir sessions every Thursday evening at San Antonio School. A cup of tea, biscuits and an informative chat precede the main event, and then things get a little more serious. “The school’s eagerness to support the initiative was fantastic,” Arne says. “We are

Continues page 8

Sing Eastbourne gather round the piano with Mark Bobb, as their Thursday evening session begins.

SMOKE SIGNALS

If there's a fire in your house, you'll have around 3 minutes to get out before the fire becomes un-survivable.

Here are the things you should do immediately:

• If there are others in the house, shout 'FIRE, FIRE, FIRE!’

• If there’s smoke, get on your hands and knees and crawl low and fast to escape smoke. The smoke will be hot and poisonous, and if you breathe it in, it can kill you. Remember: Get Down, Get Low, Get out!

• If you can, close doors behind you to stop the fire spreading.

• If you can't get out of the house, close the door of the room you're in and put a towel under it to stop the smoke coming in. Go to the window and yell 'FIRE, FIRE, FIRE!' Wait for help.

• If you can't open a window (if it has security stays, for example), consider using a chair or other furniture to break the glass. Use bedding to cover any remaining sharp pieces of glass to escape unharmed.

• As soon as it's safe, call 111 immediately either from a mobile phone or a neighbour's house.

• Meet at your agreed safe meeting place - somewhere safely away from the house.

• Once you're out of the house, stay out. Never go back inside.

• Remember to let the arriving firefighters know whether you are all safely out, or if there’s anyone missing.

• Make sure you have an escape plan so you know the fastest way to get out of your house in an emergency. Remember!

Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives.

Emergency Call Outs:

15 April 19 – Assist Public, Marine Pde

14 May 19 – False Alarm

The Eastbourne Volunteer Fire Brigade is still 11 Firefighters short of its optimum membership which is nearly 50% of the Brigade operational establishment, so please give some serious thought to becoming a Volunteer to help protect your community.

Please call Ross Carroll, Chief Fire Officer (021 648 114), if you think you’ve got what it takes.

(S) = Sailing calls at Somes Island, subject to passengers. FERRY FARES EFFECTIVE FROM 15 JULY One way: adult $12, child $6. Family Days Bay $66 (Return). 10 trip: adult $90, student $68, child $45. Monthly pass: adult $270, student $199, child $135. Matiu Somes Island: adult $25, child $13, family $68 (Return).

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

May Eastbourne Community Board

Next ECB Meeting

Tuesday 25 June 2019 - 7.15pm

East Harbour Women’s Club, Muritai Road

Previous agendas and papers available Council meetings - Home - Hutt City Council

Board members are:

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

Anna Sutherland (Deputy chair) anna.sutherland@huttcity.govt.nz

Murray Gibbons murray.gibbons@huttcity.govt.nz

Liz Knight liz.knight@huttcity.govt.nz

Robert Ashe robert.ashe@huttcity.govt.nz

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

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

It's the end of an era for Eastbourne Four Square

by Carl McRae

Mike and Liz Anderson walked out of the Eastbourne Four Square as owners for the last time on Sunday, May 12, almost twelve years to the day since they took over the local grocery store.

The couple left Eastbourne in 1996 and they have spent the last decade- plus running the BP Central Station at National Park, near Tongariro.

“We put a Four Square in beside the petrol station,” Mike says, “and eventually convinced Foodstuffs in Wellington to give us a go.”

That paved the way for a return to Eastbourne and in May 2007 they took over the local Four Square outlet and they have spent the last decade plus, keeping up with the trends and demands of the modern food and grocery industry and serving the needs of the district's residents.

Mike and Liz say they’d like to thank the Eastern Bays community for their support during their time running the business.

“I’d also like to recognise and thank the many staff who have come and gone over those twelve years since we first took over,” Mike says.

RONA BAY BOOKS

“I was always impressed with the work ethics of many junior staff we employed who as good mature kids, have gone on to become responsible adults.”

Lost to the grocery store but not to Eastbourne, Liz says they will be staying in the Bays and have no immediate plans, but travelling will certainly be on the cards some time soon.

“I’m going to have a go at retiring,” Mike

says.

As Mike and Liz declare, unbeaten, they bring a close to their innings at the Four Square.

The new Lotto powerball ball is now in the hands of former New Zealand test cricketer Chris Martin and wife, but more about that next month.

The Eastbourne Herald wishes Mike and Liz all the best for their future and welcomes the Martin family to the East Harbour community.

Mike and Liz Anderson, twelve years at the Four Square in Eastbourne

Developer willing to work with residents

by Carl McRae

Director of Robertson Design and Consulting, Colin Robertson says he is willing to work through concerns that York Bay residents have regarding his planned construction at the top of Waitohu Road and has already suggested options to Hutt City Council regarding road improvement.

A section of Waitohu Road had come under scrutiny since Mr Robertson’s plans for a residential development at the top of the road (titled to Gill Road, Lowry Bay) became known publicly.

Many York Bay residents felt aggrieved that Mr Robertson was granted access to his building site from the already narrow and winding road on their side of the hill.

By title, the road is council owned land and Mr Robertson says that his resource consent application, once approved, served also to remind people of the current state of the road, which HCC currently maintains by making minor repairs when required.

Mr Robertson says as it is a public road under that common law, he was annoyed by a sign erected at the top of the road last month which suggested otherwise - and furthermore that he was trespassing.

“The sign was factually incorrect and it amounts to attempted bullying and potential sabotage by certain York Bay residents,” he says.

HCC spokesperson Caryn Ellis confirms that the council does maintain Waitohu Road and its view is that it is a public road, and has been used in this way for a considerable amount of time.

“It may have been referenced as drainage reserve once,” she says, “but that no longer shows on the titles.”

“The Waitohu Road subdivision original District Plan dates back to 1900,” Mr Robertson says, “and Waitohu Road is shown as an access route.

"Council took over the maintenance of it in 1970 and have maintained it since then.”

He says that Waitohu Road crosses over some private boundaries, but it is still a public road under common law, therefore the “Doctrine of Implied Dedication” is relevant.

He says that he is entitled to use said

road for access, his property has a 6m frontage on it and this access is detailed in the granted resource consent.

Mr Robertson says that when its traffic survey was carried out as part of the resource sonsent application, the council had identified a number of improvements that could be carried out on Waitohu Road, such as additional passing places, improved parking designation and addressing the deep storm water channels, which would cause damage if a car wheel went into them.

“I suggested to HCC that their subdivision development and reserve contributions could be directed to improving the road,” he says.

“I again took this up with the York Bay Residents' Association and offered to front this issue with HCC.

“The YBRA responded by saying that they were happy with the current substandard condition of Waitohu Road and that it promotes a low speed community environment.”

Colin Robertson says the York Bay residents are complaining that the road is inadequate and barely coping, but they do not want it improved. He believes that they can still have a low speed community environment with an improved access road, which is still going to be a give-way road with passing places.

Mr Robertson says rhe is setting out with a goal of establishing something that he himself, as a developer, can be really proud of.

“The subdivision that has been granted resource consent has been designed based on eco design principles,” he says.

“For example, the new access drive is over

the route of an existing wide-cut track and mature non-native radiata and eucalypt have been felled to make way for the houses.”

“The houses themselves are timber pole houses, which minimises earthworks and foundations and respond well seismically. The houses are moderate in size, typically 135m2 (excluding garage), which minimises material input. They all have a north-west aspect and have been designed to obtain and maximise solar heat gain in the winter, but have shading to avoid solar heat gain in summer.”

Mr Robertson says the houses will all have higher insulation R values than the New Zealand Building Code and the sites have covenants to ensure that the eco-concept is maintained.

“The eco design approach is also practical,” he says, “and acknowledges that material volumes need to be reduced for access up Waitohu Road. This project will be an asset to the Eastern Bays and provides high quality life style housing with wide appeal.”

The Eastbourne Herald apologises to Mr Robertson for not contacting him for comment on the article about the York Bay/Lowry bay development in last month’s Eastbourne Herald.

Concept design illustration of one of Robertson Design and Consulting’s proposed eco-houses, to be built at the top of Waitohu Road, Lowry Bay.

East Harbour walks the environmental talk

East Harbour Kindergarten has been awarded Silver classification membership of the growing enviorschools network, and is on its way to becoming a fully fledged Green/Gold member scheme.

Head Teacher Gemma Bunning, says Muritai School has already achieved the Green/Gold status and that her motivation as facilitator of the principal feeder pre-school is to get sustainability embedded early.

“Recycling, composting and caring for the environment,” she says. “These are things we do with the kids every day. Keeping it going constantly is part of it.

“We have four goals from the lunch box routine, and feeding the worm farm, and every week we go across and clean up the beach.”

Gemma says the tamariki, whānau and teachers shared how their sustainability journey had developed since their Bronze classification in 2016. Their commitment to sustainable practices and embracing opportunities to learn in and from the environment has continued and grown.

“Our Enviroschools facilitator said that we share ideas for learning and actions that reflect a care for each other and our world,” she says. “For instance, sharing lemons from home that would just go to waste or working out a way to capture water for sand pit play.”

have been made as part of the programme and Gemma says that with family buy-in and community working bees, educating the children has become very much a team effort.

“Our aim is to shoot for the Green/Gold status,” she says, “and without a time frame, we will just keep moving in that direction by being as sustainable as possible.”

Trips to Zoolandia and Percy’s Reserve

Members of the East Harbour Kindergarten staff, parents and helpers.

Skate ramp is opening

Dust off your boards, the Eastbourne skate ramp will finally open at the end of this month.

Matt Hayes and Sinead Diederich from the skate ramp committee say that it is hard to believe it is almost three years since the inception of the project, but finally, with communal graft and support, an official opening date has been set.

“We are delighted to announce the official opening of Eastbourne skate ramp,” says Sinead. “This amenity in the heart of Eastbourne, for our local growing skateboarding fans, will be opened officially at 4pm, on Saturday 25 May, followed by celebratory sausage sizzle at the ESSC.”

What Sinead calls the three year gestation period was not without its trials, tribulations and controversy. The original proposal met with some fierce local resistance. Weather setbacks, theft and vandalism have all hampered progress, as well as Hutt City Council having to change contractors at one point.

“But Steered by the Eastbourne Community Board,” she says, “it also included a period of wide community consultation, as well as the fundraising of over $30,000.“

Matt says there are many organisations to thank throughout the Hutt Valley, including the HCC.

“But locally,” he says, “the families of Eastbourne, the Lions Club and the Eastbourne Community Games Trust require special mention.”

Sinead says that she is relieved and excited that there is finally a date in the diary.

“All are welcome,” she says “and heartfelt thanks go to the supporters and all those who have helped with the process. Save the date for yourselves, your families. You might want to bring a skateboard or two. Please spread the invite – the more the merrier!”

Date: 4pm Saturday 25th May 2019

Location: Eastbourne Skate Ramp, Oroua St

water on hand

A new water station has been installed in Days Bay to be put to use in the event of an emergency.

The station (pictured right) will source, treat and distribute water to the Days BayEastbourne communities.

Days Bay Residents' Association committee member, John Rainey-Smith, says water would be pumped from an adjacent creek (providing it is still running post-catastrophe), run through a series of complex filters and housed inside the container, located on the public reserve beside the volley ball/grass tennis courts, just off Kereru Road.

“From there water will be dispersed to residents through bladders, from the back of trucks,” he said. “New emergency procedure recommendations are that each person would

Bus stop moves on

“We are not looking to change the temporary location of the Days Bay wharf bus stop,” Mr. Hodgins replied to some suggestion. “We are investigating options for a bus shelter though.”

We are in our 10th year of being open and would like to thank you all for your loyalty and support.

A lot has changed over the years in the beauty therapy industry and we are proud to say we still offer the most up to date treatments available. We are so happy to have Sam who has been with us for 18 months and now Georgia an experienced Beauty Therapist also joins our team. We are pleased to say we now have more availability for appointments and are open every Saturday.

We would like to offer you a fantastic special with Georgia: Book any O Cosmedics Peel and receive 1 of the following 3 treatments FREE:

• Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage

• Lash/brow Tint and Shape

• Gel Nails

• Valid until 30/06/2019 Call

Chair urges young locals to stand

Nominations for the next Eastbourne Community Board close mid-August and with current board members known to be standing down, it's almost certain to contain some fresh faces, post the October election.

Chair Virginia Horrocks is who who hopes to stay on. She says there are many projects she and the ECB have worked hard for still on the table and wants to see them progress or to fruition. “It’s very gratifying working closely with the community,” she says, “and seeing the little jobs done can be as rewarding as pushing through a major project. I plan to stand once more - now the shared path resource consent has finally gone in - and I’m keen to be involved in getting it through the process and construction on the way.”

The Eastern Bays Shared Pathway has been a major focus for the ECB during its current term and the project took a big step forward this month, with the lodgement of a resource consent application with the Greater Wellington Regional and Hutt City Councils.

Work on it, which includes a 4.4km Shared Path (cycleway/walkway) along Marine Drive, replacement seawalls and future upgrade opportunities could start as early as 2020.

Ms Horrocks says that getting the Days Bay-Windy Point section of the Pathway included in the project was a major achievement for the ECB. “It wasn’t originally part of the deal,” she says, “and is one reason the cost is higher than the original estimate. But it was always a sensible and essential section when undertaking such a venture and we were pleased we could get Council to also view it that way.”

Other ECB members also had the pathway high on their personal agenda. One who did, but will not be seeking re-election next term is Robert Ashe. As The Eastbourne Herald goes to print, he is the only current board member who has made that decision, but Ms Horrocks is sure there will be more spots to fill come nomination time.

“I’m very keen to encourage young people to stand,” she says, ”there's plenty they can do. It's important that all age groups are represented, particularly when it comes

to thinking about climate change, of which I intend to begin local level discussions immediately.

Board member and Harbour Ward Councillor Michael Lulich says that councillors will attend a workshop in June to update them on what has been done so far on climate change impacts and also carbon reductions.

“It is scheduled to include a suggested way forward on how council as a whole plans to address this major issue,” he says. “This could then be followed with a paper to the Policy and Regulatory meeting in July for actual decisions.”

“I haven't made a decision yet on reelection,” he says.

Neither has fellow councillorTui Lewis, although she says that she’s hoping the local body elections for 2019 will provide the opportunity for more people to get involved in our community and city. “We now not only have the opportunity to elect one person to represent the Harbour Ward,” she says, “but the second and bigger opportunity comes from being able to make a difference around the council table by having a say in who the other six councillors will be.” So potentially we could get seven Councillors made up of Eastbourne and Harbour Ward people, or six people who have an interest in matters that they believe need attention; local youth issues, age and accessibility issues, economic or climate change issues.”

“The current community board have all done a fantastic job in the past term,” Ginny says says. “We were involved with the Skate Ramp, which opens this Saturday, and in the design of the upgraded Bishop Park playground. Keeping the Makaro St bus stop was a wonderful group effort, plus endless minor items supporting individual residents. We worked closely with WREMO on the blue tsunami lines and eventually got the emergency hubs sorted, which are now ready if/when the big one strikes.”

They also had a hand in supporting the Historical Trail and mosaics on footpaths. The man behind the heritage trail, Murray Gibbons, says that he will be back for more come election time.

Trust's reserves to go to local grants

by Carl McRae

The East Harbour First Response Trust was wound up at the end of March this year, and its remaining funds transferred to the Eastbourne and Bays Community Trust.

EBCT trustee Derek Wilshere says his organisation will manage the funds through its annual grants programme, with the understanding that they will be distributed to the favoured activities of the EHFRT.

“The EHFRT has achieved its objectives with great benefit to Eastbourne and the Bays,” Mr Wilshere says, “and is keen to see remaining funds made available to the original beneficiaries on receipt of annual applications.

"It is our desire to undertake the future management on those agreed principles.”

The EHFRT was established as a charitable trust in 2000 to raise funds and provide financial backing for the Eastbourne Volunteer Fire Brigade as it assisted and supported the Wellington Free Ambulance in medical emergency situations throughout the Bays, in a first response role.

“At the time, due to ACC legislation changes Wellington Free Ambulance were no longer able to call on the Fire Brigade to assist in medical emergencies," EHRFT organiser and volunteer Wal Louden says.

As a consequence, this resulted in lengthy delays in treating people in need of serious medical help.”

Over $50,000 was raised from the local community and the Trust purchased four defibrillators and a medical stretcher for the fire brigade and paid for comprehensive training of

the brigade's personnel.

The trust has also supplied the Muritai Health Centre, Eastbourne Sports & Services Club, Muritai Yacht Club and the York, Days, Lowry Bay and Point Howard communities with defibrillators and paid for residents' training of the apparatus.

“With the Wellington Free Ambulance now supplying and paying for maintenance of the Fire Brigade defibrillators,” says Mr. Louden, “plus carrying out the training of all volunteers, the EHFRT no longer needs to raise funds, nor to assist financially with the training on the Fire Brigade personnel and volunteers.”

He says that the trustees unanimously supported transferring the remaining Trust Funds to the EBCT, on the understanding that the funds would be invested and managed through its grants scheme.

New choir gets underway in Eastbourne

From Page 1

initiative was fantastic,” Arne says. “We are indebted to them for that and it is such a warm environment, the room where we sing. We are very blessed to have such an ambient space.”

Sing Eastbourne is also fortunate to have the services of Mark Bobb as choir master. A professional opera singer, jazz singer and violinist, Mark is also an accomplished teacher of voice, violin and theory. He teaches classical singing, jazz, musical theatre and performance techniques and has a good deal of experience teaching voice for theatre.

Arne says that Mark’s dedication epitomises what Sing Eastbourne is all about.

“He travels each Thursday evening from Island Bay to be here,” Arne says. “It was hard to find a professional conductor and we could not have found a better, more experienced or more popular one than Mark.”

“Mark is the most talented, engaging and charming person to learn from,“ group member

Talita Archibald says. “Everybody can sing in the group and we have some quite talented singers among us. Mainly we have a lot of fun and I have met a lot of new Eastbourne people, whom I consider my friends now.”

A common utterance was how the group had brought together a range of people who may not necessarily cross paths under normal circumstances. And while they have fun and enjoy each other's company as friendships have developed, when the job is on they are focused, committed and approach it in a professional manner.

Group members come from a host of different nations: Kiwi, French, German, American, South American, and this is reflected in the world music works that the choir have chosen to undertake.

“We started out with some African lullabies,” Arne says. “We graduated into gospels

and then  - getting a little more adventuroustried some pentatonics and pieces from Queen and the Lion King.

“Everyone is encouraged to bring some ideas of their own and we have some Maori music coming up and some from South America.”

Although the group has had up to fifty members, it thinned out a bit last term, but still a hard-core group of 12-15 turn up every week. Arne says an ideal number would sit around twenty, so he and the group members encourage anyone interested to come along to a session and check it out.

“This is a real community activity which will only serve to enrich Eastbourne,” says Talita. “We want you all to know how fantastic we are and how much fun we all have.”

Open Tuesday to Saturday call or txt Lisa on 021 150 9341 for an appointment

The Village Corner, Rimu Street, Eastbourne ph/txt 021 150 9341

thebeautymyth@xtra.co.nz

Freemasons winner to work on endangered species

by Carl McRae

Rachel Selwyn is the most worthy recipient of this year's Eastbourne Freemasons’ Scholarship, secretary of the Eastbourne Bays Community Trust Anne Keogh says.  Rachel lived in Eastbourne for six years before shifting to Ottawa in Canada and growing up in a Kiwi-Canadian family. She is currently undertaking an MSc by thesis in Ecology and Biodiversity at Victoria University, Wellington.

Rachel uses occupancy modelling and novel statistical analyses to study the habitat, distribution and use of Sunda clouded leopards Borneo and Sumatra via remote camera footage. She is examining the influence of poachers in the region, as well as prey availability, to determine factors influencing clouded leopard distribution.

The medium-sized wild cat is threatened by deforestation. Fewer than 10,000 mature individuals exist, placing it on the red list of endangered species.

Rachel completed an undergraduate degree with honours in Biology at Queen’s University in Ontario, before returning to Eastbourne in 2017.

Okiwi Volunteer Driving Service

The $4,000 scholarship was first offered after the winding up of the Eastbourne Masonic Charitable Trust in 2006. It was established to encourage tertiary or post graduate study in the successful applicant’s chosen area of expertise.

The Eastbourne Freemasons’ Fund is held separately by the EBCT and administered by a subcommittee comprising Freemasons and EBCT trustees.

Rachel says she will be using the financial aid provided by the scholarship to help cover her living expenses for the year.

“I work part time as a teaching assistant at VUW,” she says, “but cannot spare enough time alongside my studies to cover my costs while I am studying".

For the rest of 2019, she will be continuing with her research and focusing on writing her thesis.

“I am currently in the analysis phase of my

work,” she says, “and learning how to conduct occupancy modelling.

"In July I will be working with Daryl Mackenzie, who designed the statistical modelling approach I am using. I will be seeking his help and expertise to tailor the

Rachel says her thesis will be completed in March 2020. After that she is hoping to become part of the growing conservation movement in

“I would love to gain experience working with community organisations,” she says, “or applying my work with government initiatives and research. As with many soon-to-be graduates, I do not have set-in-stone plans, but I am hoping my passion for conserving our beautiful ecosystems will lead me to a fulfilling

Rachel is hoping to apply the modelling and statistical approaches she is using in her thesis towards other ecosystems and

Rachel Selwyn, involved at a recent beach clean-up day in Eastbourne.

Antarctic rock returned to yachting pride of place

Eight years locked in a cabinet almost meant the end for one of the Eastern Bays' more colourful and historic sporting trophies. A few years of bad weather had, in turn, caused interest to wane in the Antarctica Trophy and threatened to leave it collecting dust forevermore.

But in April, keelers and dinghies from our two prestigious yachting clubs, Muritai and Lowry Bay, took to the high seas off the harbour’s eastern coast, to once again contest the fiftyone year old amulet. Well, piece of rock!

In 1968, Murray Gibbons father, Clarrie, was invited by the new American Ambassador to New Zealand, to spend nine days in Antarctica as a guest of the American Government. A large rock that had returned with the party from the South Pole, ended up as a door stop in the Gibbons' living room.

When the need arose for a trophy to be contested between the two mighty yacht clubs, Clarrie was only too happy to give his blessing and the fight to secure the Antarctic rock began

in earnest.

Holders and defending champions, Lowry Bay, were again victorious this year, taking first, second and fourth placing in the keeler race, and second, fifth and sixth in the dinghy.

The two clubs enter three boats in

each contest, which is held over consecutive weekends. Bar the past eight years, the Antarctica trophy has been keenly contested between the two yachting giants since 1969. Below: Dinghies from the Muritai and Lowry Bay Yacht Clubs near Seaview.

The crew of Freedom from Lowry Bay, skippered by Theo Muller, on the water contesting the Antarctica Trophy. Photos: Phil Benge

took

part in the presentation of medals replicated from those of Charles Upham, V.C. Colin Rushton and Les Bergman officiated at the ceremony following the ANZAC service. The medals are on displa at the ESSC in Tuatoru St.

Happy New Year everyone!

There’ll be a Community Tennis Day at the Point Howard Tennis Court on Monday, 28 January.

Darren Ward from Cyperus Tennis will be hosting this event. This is a free activity, children from 5 to 12 years old can come up at 4.30pm, teenagers and adults from 6.00pm. Depending on how many show up, and the range of ability - we will make up drills, games, competitions to give everybody a go. There will be racquets to borrow for any beginners wanting to try.

We’ll also be freshening up the exterior of the Point Howard Tennis Pavilion / Play Centre on the Friday, 15 and Saturday, 16 February. Cleaning / water blasting of the exterior will take place from 6pm on Friday 15 February and the painting will commence from 9am on Saturday, 16 February. We are still open for volunteers as the more hands there are, the quicker the job will get done. Please email pthowardassn@gmail. com.

The Point Howard Assn anticipates that there will be the annual walkabout with HCC in late summer. The Assn encourages all residents to raise items in advance of the walkabout directly to HCC using their Report It feature on their website (http://www.huttcity.govt.nz/) so that they can be seen to speedily. If something is bothering you, please do not wait until the annual walkabout to raise it. It is much easier for the Assn to escalate an issue with the council when there are 10’s of tickets raised rather than a couple of tickets or none at all.

pthowardassn@gmail.com

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News from Point Howard

Rachel Thompson from Muritai School and Harrison Allen from Wellesley College,

JAG033

China beckons

by Ross Jamieson

Whoops, I pushed the wrong button. Instead of cycling from Prague to Venice, I committed myself to bike from Chengdu to the Tibetan plateau. Damned computers coupled with old age. Still, China did seem more adventurous. The cheap $750 Auckland to Chengdu return airfare was an incentive, too.

Arriving in Chengdu a few days before my ten cycling companions, I met our guide, a New Zealander in a bad way with the flu. Not an encouraging start. However, the Zen Hotel, Jinjing riverside exploring and mastering Sichuan hot dishes kept me absorbed.

I also decided to go to Dujiangyan - 60 km away. This unsung wonder of the world was built around 250BC. That’s after the Pyramids but well before the Taj Mahal or Machu Picchu. It’s an irrigation project where ‘workers’ burnt piles of hay on a rock mountain then quickly cooled the heated rock with cold water so it split into a spillway channel. The resulting dam tamed the voluminous Min River’s tempestuous flood/trickle flow. Rocks in bamboo cages further diverted the Min into irrigation channels that still water the fertile yellow valley today.

A swing bridge crosses the Min. A sign noted its maximum capacity of 300 people at a time, so I slowed when queuing to ease the overloading. Foolish me. I was jostled and pushed on regardless. Later photos show, ugh, 700 at least, were on the bridge.

Chinese youths were engagingly courteous in helping me navigate local buses and the subway home. Some were on their way for a Saturday night out on the town. I chided one about drinking too much beer, to be politely corrected he and his mates seldom drank as it made their cheeks red.

Our diverse cycling group gathered the next day and we biked to the Giant Panda Breeding Centre. Being dutiful New Zealanders we stood out in the chaotic but flowing traffic as the only people wearing cycle helmets. The centre was packed with lines of families. The whopping

TRAVEL

pandas seemed bored and lethargic. I warmed to the livelier red pandas instead. Pandas became known to the West via a French missionary in 1869, but it was not until an American socialite in 1936 brought a live cub back, bottle feeding it in her arms, that Pandas took on their rise in iconic status. China adopted them as a national symbol. I seldom have felt so famous as when sitting dozing waiting for the others, to be continuously disturbed by parents wanting their children photographed with me. I’m told a balding head is a sign of wisdom. Quite right, too.

Leaving Chengdu in our small bus we then biked along paddy field irrigation paths, past farmlets and on past steamy bamboo forests. Our guide’s flu required him to visit hospital so we had to curtail altitude acclimatisation by a forced day off in historic Pingle. Teahouses were sited on the riverbank so holiday makers could sip their brews relaxing with feet dangling in the slow flowing river.

Up by bus and some biking to the cooler Yaoji Forest camp. This proved to be not enough acclimatisation for some for the next day’s real

grunt up the 4,155 metre Jiajinshan Pass. It was here Mao Zedong emerged as leader of the retreated Red Army remnants. These regrouped into the Long March so driving Chiang Kaishek to flee to Taiwan. Yaks and occasional vultures inhabited the alpine meadows beside the seemingly endless steep snaky pass. To keep my mind off running out of puff, I pondered the Great Leap Forward's absurdities. Denuding the forests, the dopey campaign on sparrow eradication then onto bed bugs that triggered the China famine when I was a boy. Purportedly more died in that catastrophe than in all the excesses of Stalin and Hitler put together. Tea and a yak kebab at the top revived spent sinews for the exhilarating long free wheel down past colourful Tibetan houses and flags.

Next morning the leader cancelled our trip because of his flu. Thoroughly peeved that

there was no Plan B we returned, downcast ,to Chengdu. A saviour in the form of Chan our Chinese interpreter emerged. His boss Larry, an American lived nearby and maybe could be persuaded to guide us for the remaining week. Larry was brilliant. He had lived in China for ten years, fluent in Mandarin, built bamboo bikes and arranged high altitude training for Tour de France teams.

Freed, I must say, from our New Zealand tour operator’s ethnocentricity we set out once again - this time to Beichuan. A now deserted town of ruins destroyed in 2008 by a 7.6 earthquake. Half its 18,000 inhabitants died. It is humbling to walk upon the resulting mud slide, level with the fourth story of shattered apartment blocks.

On to Pingwu. Elevated expressways and tunnels some over 10 km long (I kid you not) have left the upper valleys and passes with little traffic. A good thing, as mountain roads seldom have curbs and are reduced to one lane in places by screeds of strewn out corn or rice baking in the sun on the hot asphalt. Larry’s bicycle frame was bamboo with state-of-the-art in hub gearing.

He claimed the bamboo species he chooses was better than Kevlar – as strong, light but shatter proof if impacted. On his bike too was a wicker basket for his fox terrier to repose in, when not out running up ahead or making

TRAVEL

herself known to local dogs. We cycled over passes into the Jiuzhai valley, visiting some Tibetan (Khan) Villages 3,200 metres high. Jaw dropping steep peaks made up the backdrop. We ate basic but delicious Sichuan meals (tons of vegetables) in pretty humble establishments – some with earth floors. At one, beside dozens of prayer wheels and a drop dead gorgeous temple, we left our bikes outside. The monks good naturedly commandeered them for some two wheeled fun. Chinese plateau Tibetans I gather, have not suffered as their fellows and culture have in Tibet.

Huanglong is a world heritage site. There is parking for one hundred tourist buses and a discreet gondola takes the masses up so they can stroll down through the stunning colourful calcium formed pools surrounded by stone mountains, glaciers and virgin forest. Geologically it's “travertine country” and looks like what I suspect our pink and white terraces did before the Tarawera eruption.

Recent flooding has made the pass

impassable to the tourist crowds so we had this wonderland to ourselves. It was a half days delightful slog up to pay our respects to Buddha in an unobtrusive Temple at the top, pausing at pools, waterfalls and thermal puddles. Pure magic this place.

Over 100km downhill freewheel the next day. Whoopee. Then back to Chengdu.

I said my goodbyes to my shearer/farmer room mate, the bee keepers, a banker, lawyers and partners. We had got along together so well, notwithstanding some two score and ten gaps in ages and different biking prowess.

We had a parting beer with Larry brewed in vats abutting right up against the footpath. The distance from brewer to the handle pulled pints for passing pedestrian imbibers would be a meter at most. So much for red cheeks.

Days Bay student releases debut EP

by Carl McRae

A lifetime of musical passion has come to fruition for Days Bay teenager Harry Crawford with the May 31 release of his debut EP, Confession

Harry says Confession is the culmination of six months' work. The main inspiration behind it was when his mate, Tejas Menon, working with a top producer, released an EP out of his own small bedroom studio.

“The EP 60 Million Seconds and Counting was super high quality, and when I heard it I just knew I wanted to do the same.

"Luckily, Kishan Thanawala agreed to produce my EP as well, so he was the main guy I was working with. He’s super talented and creative, and it was really awesome working with him.”

Harry’s Extended Player has the traditional three songs, but each a different genre. He says he  draws inspiration from bands like Radiohead, Matchbox 20, Fleetwood Mac and Pink Floyd.

There are two featured artists who appear on the work. Emily Yeap sings on one of the songs. Harry met her while playing the lead role in a school musical last year, The Buddy Holly Story, instantly earmarking her as an amazing singer.

The other is his Days Bay neighbour and old school mate, Gus Reece, who solos on two of the tracks.

“I’ve been playing with him for years and he’s obviously an incredibly talented guitarist,” Harry says.

“Our band at Muritai School, “The Bumnotes” won the New Zealand “Battle of the Bands” in 2012.”

“It was then that I learnt to write songs and really enjoyed the experience. I’ve been

properly writing for around two years now.

Lyrics are usually my favourite part of a song so that’s what I try to focus on when I’m writing.”

Harry says he tried his best to avoid simple and basic chord progressions, because they are just plain boring.

“I will say that the songs aren’t the most cheerful,” he adds, “but that’s the type of stuff I enjoy writing about.

Confession by Harry Crawford. Available from May 31 on most major music platforms.

"I love to write from my own experiences, but I also love to create characters and situations and write from that. Music is a good escape for me.”

The former Wellington College deputy head prefect is currently in his first year at the University of Otago, studying a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in politics.

“In terms of the future,” says Harry. I’m still writing songs and I really want to release a second EP sometime soon. So I’ll be looking into that, most likely over the mid-year break.”

The EP was originally set for release on May 17, but there was a copyright problem with the album art. It will be available from May 31 on all major platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, etc) - Harry Crawford, Confession

Architecture awards for EB homes

The Citizens' Advice Bureau is holding regular sessions at the Eastbourne Library. CAB services include advice for employment and consumer issues, legal, money and budgeting advice, The satellite servicewill take place on the third Tuesday of the month.

We’re stocked up with our natural, effective home treatments for nits. Come in and get some before they go!

Two Eastbourne houses won awards at the 2019 New Zealand Institute of Architects’ Wellington branch Awards last week.

A Windy Point house designed by Andrew Sexton Architecture (pictured above) took top honours in the Housing section and the Cambie-Williams house in Eastbourne was a winner in the Alterations and Additions section for Days Bay architect Liz Wallace from Tse:Wallace Architects. John Mills Architects also won an award in the latter section, for his conversion of an inner-city warehouse.

Regarding Andrew Sexton’s house at Windy Point, the jury noted that; “it makes the most of this challenge with exquisitely crafted joinery, cunningly clever planning and stunning views out over the wildest water in Wellington.”

Inside Village corner complex Open Tues to Sat call or txt Lisa on 021 150 9341

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.

East Harbour Women’s Club

• Duplicate Bridge: 2-5pm. Contact Judy Bishop 562 8985

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

WHAT'S ON

Magic - Muritai Yacht Club - call Amanda 021 316692 www.niainwellington.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 2–2.25pm.

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

• Scottish Country Dance. Merryn 562 0236.

• Bridge Club 7-10pm. Shona 562 7073.

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

• “Steady as You Go” Age Concern sponsored Falls Prevention and Exercise Programme. Held 12 noon each Wednesday at Eastbourne Community Hall. Classes are held for 1 hour and costs only $2. Improve your strength and balance to reduce falls and injuries. Falls are preventable. Please join us! Pump Dance Hip hop & contemporary classes Wed afternoons in St Ronan’s hall 0274373508 info@pumpdance.com

Thursdays

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

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

• SPACE at Days Bay Playcentre. Michelle 971 8598.

East Harbour Women’s Club

New Members Welcome

- Bolivia 12.45pm

Contact Glendyr ph: 562 7181 - Bridge 1.00pm

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

7.00pm - Drinks and nibbles provided Contact Diane ph: 562 7555

•Lions meet 2nd Thursday of the month at the Eastbourne Sports and Services Club, Tuatoru St 6.30 pm. New members and visitors are welcome. Graham 562 8819.

• Eastbourne Karate Dojo junior and senior classes (children 8 year & older, plus parents) on Monday and senior classes on Thursday. Contact lindsaysensei@live.com, cell 021 844 873.

Fridays

• 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, 9.3010.30am. Office 562 7398.

Saturdays

• Justice of the Peace at the Eastbourne Community Library, first Saturday of each month 12pm-1pm.

• Lions’ rubbish bin last Saturday of each month.

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

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

Sundays

• Church services - see page 28.

• AA Plunket Rooms 10am. Pauline 562 7833.

Buying, selling or undertaking renovations in this interesting property market?

Tel: 562-7555 or Spencer Logan - 021627773

Campbell Logan - 0220938090

Email: admin@spencerlogan.co.nz

www.spencerlogan.co.nz

SPORT

Long-held dream comes to fruition

Eastbourne bowlers Jim Madden and Scott Roddick (pictured) achieved a long-held and elusive goal when they combined this month to the win the Wellington Champion of Champion Pairs.

Madden and Roddick have reached the final of the tournament four times, coming away empty-handed on three occasions. But they finally broke through for a win this season, beating the massively-experienced Johnsonville combination of Rob Ashton and Grant Wakefield 16-15 in a thrilling final.

Ashton has won the tournament on numerous occasions, as has Wakefield is who is a long-time Wellington representative.

After beating teams from Stokes Valley, Miramar and Petone Central on the way to the final, Madden and Roddick found themselves locked in a tight contest with Ashton and Wakefield for the title. After taking two shots on the first end, then conceding four on the second there was seldom more than a shot separating the teams for much of the final.

The Eastbourne pair pulled away to a 12-9 lead after 12 ends but Johnsonville was in front 13-12 two ends later. The teams came to the final end locked at 15-15.

"There was only a shot in it," Roddick said. "Jimmy drew one bowl and Ashton tried to

8 Huia Road

drive it out of the way but missed. That was it. "It's about time. We've been in the final four times and it's the first one we've won."

The victory game Madden his 14th center title and Roddick his third, though Roddick has built a reputation as one of Wellington's unluckiest bowlers. He has reached the final of center events 15 times but come away with only three titles."It's fair to say my win-loss ratio isn't great," Roddick said. "I've lost a lot of finals over the years. People say to me 'you should be happy to even reach a final. A lot of people play for years and never even do that.' But it doesn't feel that way at the time."

Madden and Roddick are now heading to Dunedin for the national Champion of Champion pairs playoffs in July.

Earlier this season, Eastbourne's Tanya Wheeler, Hayley May and Fiona McKinlay won the Wellington women's triples and May, Sheryl Young, Cheri Davidson and Malesha Hunter reached the final of the Champion of Champion fours.

Mike Solomon reached the semifinals of the Champion of Champion singles and Eastbourne

10 Pukatea Street

9 Korimako Road

made the semifinals of the Champion of Champion fours.

Meanwhile, Margaret Connolly and Cheri Davidson reached the semifinals of the Wellington Development 242 pairs before losing by a shot to eventual runners-up Cherie Brien and Helen Baker of Stokes Valley. Bruce Connolly and Graham Powell also reach the post-section rounds of the men's Development 242 pairs. Margaret and Bruce Connolly, Jamie Hill, Gary Lawson, Gib Cleland, Mike Carroll and Phil Skoglund Jnr. from Eastbourne will compete at the Australian Open championships on the Gold Coast from June 1.

620 Marine Drive

3,000m2 Site Days Bay

Potential to subdivide, demolish and build or renovate the current 3 bedroom home.You have many options available to you with this fine location minutes away from the cafes, parks, bush walks and the ferry to take you across the harbour.

redcoats.co.nz/RED19216 | Enquiries Over $600,000

21

Family Living - Pukatea Street

A lovely 3 bedroom family home that offers space inside and out. Not often do you see properties like this on a 732sqm flat section with access to the main Eastbourne esplanade. Deadline Sale closing closing at 28 Cornwall Street, 12.00pm Thurs 6th June (will not be sold prior).

redcoats.co.nz/RED20448 | Deadline Sale

Korimako Splendour - Days Bay

Sitting high nestled into the Days Bay landscape capturing the views overlooking the Bay and the harbour of Wellington. Positioned to enjoy the vista of the bush life and the overwhelming sun to day end.

redcoats.co.nz/RED20398 | Negotiation

Waterfront - Days Bay

Be seduced by this outstanding opportunity to live in the dress circle of Days Bay. Not often will you see a property with so much potential come to market, for the first time in 60 years. Auction on site, 12.30pm Sat 1 June (unless sold prior).

redcoats.co.nz/RED20438 | Auction

Adventure Playground - Point Howard

Not often do you find a property that has as many secret locations, with an abundance of stable tracks, sheds and special hide aways. Currently divided into two 3 bedroom flats over two levels. It could be converted back to a 6 bedroom home.

“Good Morning Eastbourne!” - Section

Design and build your home to wake up to the stunning view, not only of the harbour, but the vibrant Eastbourne village. “Good Morning Eastbourne!”. We offer for sale a 619m2 section in central Eastbourne. Not often an opportunity to build so central comes to the table.

Redcoats Limited Licensed REAA 2008

Is This Picture Perfect? - Days Bay

This delightful home is now for sale after 30 years. 3 bedrooms - Master with ensuite. 3 living areas which includes the conservatory off the kitchen - a lovely spot for a peaceful breakfast. Step out on to the large deck and appreciate the special spot that you have.

Stunning Art Deco - Days Bay

With accentuating views of the entire Wellington harbour, this beautiful home is thoroughly authentic on all fronts. She has been modernised inside and out over

Nikau Road

1a MacKenzie Road

15 Korimako Road

58 Ferry Road

Eastbourne's wonderful waterways

We are lucky to be surrounded by a magnificent landscape in Eastbourne and the Bays with the contrast of hills covered with ancient native forest on one side and a rocky coastline on the other. The native forest on the hills is a haven for birdlife, while the rocky foreshore is home to several marine species, lizards and seabirds. These spectacular ecosystems are familiar to us, but we often forget another ecosystem community—our precious native freshwater fish and invertebrates. They take advantage of the clean waterways running down the valley floors and gullies then falling straight into the ocean. The native fish are often secretive and nocturnal and therefore hard to find. The only time we might get a glimpse of these cryptic creatures is during the night when they feed on terrestrial insects that fall from bank vegetation or aquatic insect larvae living in the stream.

What is so special about our freshwater fish? We have a diverse range of native freshwater fish, many of which are not only endemic (i.e. found nowhere else in the world), but have very localised distributions, and many migrate between sea and freshwater to complete their life cycle. There are certain native fish species that prefer to swim inland after spending some time in the sea as juveniles. Most of these are commonly known as whitebait (made up of five different species) when in their early juvenile stage. While a big proportion of the whitebait catch comprises īnanga (inhabiting lowland waterways), a very small proportion comprises kōkopu (i.e. banded kōkopu, giant kōkopu and shortjaw kōkopu) and kōaro. Kōkopu and kōaro prefer to swim upstream in forested catchments for spawning and then spend rest of their lives in the freshwater environment. This migratory behaviour makes them vulnerable to the effect of manmade structures that create barriers to their migration.

According to DOC’s New Zealand Threat Classification System, many of our freshwater fish species are under threat or at risk of extinction. These include taonga species (i.e. native animals of special cultural significance and importance to Māori) such as the whitebait species īnanga, giant kokopu, shortjaw kokopu and kōaro, as well as kanakana/piharau (lamprey) and tuna (longfin eel). In Eastbourne most of the waterways are close to the coast, making it easy for our migratory fish to access the forested catchments in search of suitable spawning habitats. Sampling undertaken by agencies, including DOC, Greater Wellington and universities, indicates the presence of several of the nationally threatened species mentioned above.

Besides fish, the waterways in Eastbourne also support some not-so-well-known freshwater invertebrates, including crustaceans, molluscs, worms and freshwater insects.

The kōura (freshwater crayfish) and kākahi (freshwater mussel) are two of these, whose populations are declining because of habitat modification and land development. While sampling shows the presence of kōura in several local waterways, kākahi has been recorded in Lake Kohangatera and Lake Kohangapiripiri on the south coast. Most of the insects in streams live as aquatic larvae (juvenile life stage of insects) in between and under rocks for most of the year. They help stream ecosystems by grazing on slimy algae growing over submerged rocks and breaking down leaves and woody debris accumulated on the streambed. They also provide food for our native fish, birds and other terrestrial vertebrates. The stream insect community changes with the degradation of water quality, so they are considered to be the best indicator of ecosystem health. The insect community living in our local streams is the product of cold freshwater with low levels of pollution and therefore represents a healthy community normally only observed in the pristine waterways flowing through public conservation lands.

While we are lucky to have such beautiful waterways just a few steps away from our backyard, we should feel a responsibility to maintain and improve them. Urban development is one of the biggest drivers of habitat loss and ecological degradation affecting freshwater biodiversity in our region. Many of our local streams have been highly modified (e.g. piped or channelled) as they pass through the urban area. These modifications often create barriers (such as perched culverts) to upstream fish migration and make the upstream forested catchment unavailable for fish spawning. We have big role to play as a community to halt this degradation by incorporating ways of living together with our natural heritage rather than extensively modifying it. Here are some ways in which we can help improve the quality of our local waterways:

• Use greywater-safe products and avoid detergents, fertilisers, and pesticides in areas where they can flow into streams;

• Make sure litter from our rubbish and recycling bins doesn’t tumble down the roadside kerbs into our precious waterways;

• Carry a waste bag to pick up our dog’s faeces to keep our bush walkways and waterways free of bacterial contamination;

• Plant native species beside our garden waterways as shade is very important for their health;

• Make sure the culverts in our property are fish passable.

- Manas Chakraborty

Garden Stuff with Sandy Lang

May/June: Most gardeners raise two crops a year in the same bed. Summer crop + winter crop. This time of year, there’s overlap between the end of the summer crop, and when you should already have planted the winter crop. Same in spring but vice versa. Two, 7-month growing seasons. So, start the new crop early in newspaper pots. Later, direct-plant the pots in the bed. Roots grow through soggy newspaper - no root disturbance, no transplant shock.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dlGQP81yfo

Doomsday: Forget the bomb. We’ve made an awful mess of the world in the last 100 years. Can we pull back before it’s too late…? What’s stopping us…?

Population: There’s too many of us, and we can’t reduce our numbers. We’re still increasing, and we can’t even slow down.

Politics: The doomsday problems are technical and moral and global and complex. Politicians don’t understand them. Some ignore them. Some even deny them. Politicians must focus on the (short-term) problem of staying in power. They can’t focus on the (long-term) problem of saving the world. Politicians are myopic, nationalistic. Nobody is responsible for the planet.

Economics: With expanding populations, and a desire to improve living standards for the poor, all nations try to increase GDP. A child understands nothing can keep expanding forever - but we don’t get this…

Technology: We hope we can save the world by getting smarter - but can we get smart enough, quick enough? And can we afford the transition?

A few rich nations might - but not the majority… What if? Maybe our politicians, economists and technologists will let us down. Then we’re doomed. We’ll be OK, but not our grandchildren… Grow your own: If our complex world-order collapses, maybe we can grow our own food at home. Like our ancestors did for 10,000 years. But how? This ancient knowledge has largely been lost in a generation. Few now know how to grow food at home.

But where? Lower Hutt (like most cities) has been built on the best farming land. What’s left are the poor soils and poor sites. In WW2 many Europeans survived by growing food at home. With ever-higher housing density, the opportunity to grow significant food at home has been lost. Allotments are common in the USA, Europe and Asia, but not in NZ cities.

Sandy Lang

Masters 1 leads club competition

by Steve McMorran

The Eastbourne Football Club's laser focus on the success of its leading Masters team this season has paid huge dividends as the Eastbourne Hammers have soared to the top of Capital Masters Division Two.

In a spectacular month, the Eastbourne team has posted four straight wins and now tops the league with a 5-1 record and by far the best goal difference in the competition.

Since the last week in April, Eastbourne has beaten Tawa 6-0, Waterside-Karori 6-0, survived an encounter with the chillinglynamed Wainuiomata Undertaker 3-2 and has beaten Porirua City 3-0.

That gives the team 16 championship points from six games, only two short of the maximum available, and puts them three points clear of second-placed Upper Hutt and four points clear of Tawa, the team they beat so handsomely four

weeks ago.

At the same time, the Hammers have scored 24 goals and conceded only four, giving them a goal difference of 20; 12 goals better than the next-best team in the league.

Continuation of that form will almost certainly ensure the achievement of Eastbourne's principal goal this season of having a Masters team promoted to the first division.

Without a senior team, the Eastbourne club has focused its attention on the success of its masters teams and the attention has paid off.

Eastbourne has three teams in Capital masters grades this season and all are doing well, thanks to a large pool of keen and loyal players.

The Masters fifth division team is currently seventh in its league, with three wins and four losses. But the team is not far out of contention in a competitive division.

They are only two games outside the top

four and their goal difference of minus three16 for and 19 against - is impressive for a team with a negative win-loss ratio.

They are fifth overall in the league in terms of goals scored.

The EFC Thirsty 5s have won their last two matches, 4-2 over Wellington Marist and 2-1 over Victoria University to significantly improve their standing while not taking away from the second division team.

Eastbourne is operating the masters teams symbiotically this season, moving players between teams when necessary. That has allowed the top team to keep up its strength throughout the season without adversely impacting the other sides.

The Eastbourne Gs, playing in the Masters 43 division for players aged 43 and over - others masters grades are for over-35s - lost their most recent match 3-2 to Brooklyn Northern United but previously beat Stop Out 5-2.

taking the time to listen...

Club celebrates a great season across the grades

The Eastbourne Rugby Club’s Old Timers’ Day on June 22 will again showcase the many ways in which the club and the sport touches the Eastbourne community.

From 9am when the youngest Eastbourne players take the field till late afternoon, when the Eastbourne senior team concludes its match in the Wellington 85kg grade, the broad sweep of participation will be on display.

The day salutes not only the players but many others in differing roles: the parents and grandparents of the junior players, their brothers and sisters; the coaches and others who make sure junior rugby continues in Eastbourne.

There are the friends and partners of the senior players, their families and the supporters of the team and, on Old Timers’ day, the former players and members who have built, supported and sustained the club for so long.

The oldest are likely to take heart from seeing the youngest still playing the game with the same relish, the same enthusiasm, the same enjoyment and camaraderie they experienced in their time.

From June 7, the Eastbourne club will begin Friday night nursery grades for pre-schoolers, the players of tomorrow. Mostly three and four years old, those players, accompanied by their parents at 5.30 each Friday of the season, will be taught the foundation skills of rugby while just having a hugely good time.

The great news for the Eastbourne junior club is that they will field two teams in each of the under-6 and under-7 grades this season.

For the last couple of years, Eastbourne

Kidztalk

has worked hard to build numbers in those grades and it has come to fruition at the right time.

Eastbourne expected a drop-off in playing numbers this season as players in top age grades leave to go to high school. But those departures have been more than offset by increased numbers in younger grades and that means the club will probably have as many if not more players than last year.

The growth at under-6 and under-7 level is particularly pleasing to junior co-ordinator Mark Potter.

“We’re encouraged that a twoyear effort to build up those grades has been successful,” he said. “We’re very fortunate to have supportive families and great coaches.”

The benefit of building numbers in the younger grades is that it then flows through the grades as those players progress year by year.

For all Eastbourne junior teams, the accent is on enjoyment. The club exists in a competitive environment in which children have a wide choice of sports. The best way to maintain good numbers is to ensure that young players enjoy themselves in the company of their friends and family, developing skills, learning the benefits of teamwork and of belonging to a club, a community.

The expansion of Rippa Rugby grades from this season gives players the opportunity to

choose a non-contact form of rugby in future, if numbers allow. That ensures that all players are catered for.

Near the end of Old Timers' Day, the younger players will be able to watch the seniors in action.

The start of the season has been difficult for the Eastbourne team but they had a creditable win over Paremata-Plimmerton in their mostrecent match.

WELCOME TO DAYS BAY PLAYCENTRE

Though the weather may be turning cooler, our gardens and outdoor area are full of activity— we’ve cleared away our bank and steps making room for the little explorers to roam, climb, and get into in nature, while the indoors are a hub of creative play.

Come by and see what we’re all about! Sessions run Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, 9:15am-11:45. Pop in for a visit or phone Andrea 021027973111 for more information.

Right: Helping in the garden, Aidan Dear.

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Members of the 85s.

Faith in the Community

Happiness…

Everybody wants happiness. We hear it, we read it and we sing it. It’s the carrot dangled under our noses by the advertiser. Happiness is a drink, a new car, a holiday in the sun, a new house, even a new hat…!

These are often harmless enough, and they may even be helps along the road to happiness, but they’re hardly happiness itself. People go down byways, pursuing mirages that lead them on to what looks like happiness – myself before all else – a life of riches, of success, a good time…

God’s formula for happiness – travel light. Make yourself useful to your companion as you go along the road. St Paul tells us ‘we have not here a lasting kingdom. We seek one that is to come’

To be deeply engrossed in wealth and material things, is like putting too heavy a load on an aircraft. It can’t get off the ground. Or like a jockey, a few pounds overweight. He/she gets overtaken in the run down the home straight.

As we journey along the road, many of our companions will be lonely and in need of encouragement. Be a ‘Bridge over troubled waters’, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers…’ Blessed are the merciful…’ – there’s plenty of good to be done, and in doing it we will find happiness. That’s the key…! God wants us to be happy in this life.

We will see God as He is, face to face. In that ‘Beatific Vision’ we will see and possess happiness eternally…

St Alban’s: • Men’s group, a drink and a bite, first Wednesdays, 6pm, RSA. •Women’s Group third Mondays, 10am, The Hive Café. PIGS (People Investigating God Seriously), 7.30pm Tuesdays at 12 PuririStreet. Revd John looks forwards to hearing your questions. .Enquiries welcome 562 629 email: stalbnsch@ xtra.co.nz

St Ronan’s: • Mainly Music, every Thurs, 9.1511.15am (term times). •Toy Library, Mons 8-9pm & Tues 9.30-10.30am (term times).

Taizé Candlelight Service, Sunday 2 June, 6.30pm (1st Sundays, winter months).

Muritai sailor George Gautrey has had another outstanding result in international competition, finishing 10th overall in the laser class at the prestigious Semaine Olympique Française in Hyeres, France earlier this month.

Gautrey had second, third and fourth placings between the fourth and sixth races in the 13-race regatta to rise as high as sixth in the star-studded laser fleet. He was consistent over the remaining races, finishing only twice outside the top-10, to remain among the leaders throughout the regatta.

Australian Olympian Matthew Wearn took first place while Gautrey’s New Zealand teammates Sam Meech was second and Tom Saunders was seventh.

Eastbourne footballer Maya Hahn capped an extraordinary season when she was named Young Sportswoman of the Year at the recent Hutt Valley Sports Awards.

Hahn, who is currently studying and playing at the University of Oregon, was a member of the New Zealand under-17 women's team which made history by finishing third at the World Cup in Uruguay in October.

She was chosen as winner of the award ahead of triathlete Brianna Carson, softballer Caitlyn Lewis and weightlifter Samara Wright. She is also nominated in the Emerging Sportswoman category in the Wellington Sports Awards which will be held on June 19.

Corrections

Thanks to Warren Thessman from Lowry Bay for pointing out our mistake in our climate change story last month. While we wrote that the sea level was predicted to rise by 1m by 2020, what we meant to say was "Sea levels could rise up to 1metre from 2000 levels by 2300". Still deeply concerning, but not so soon.

The Eastbourne Herald would like to apologise to the family of Mary Read for any inconsistencies in the obituary we printed last month.

The Historical Society of Eastbourne Inc.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

East Harbour Women’s Club

2pm, Sunday 30th June, 2019

There will be a speaker followed by afternoon tea

ALL WELCOME

EHEA

East Harbour Environmental Association

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Tuesday 28th May, St Ronan’s Church Hall

• 7:15pm Mulled wine

• 7:30pm AGM

• 8pm Speaker

Speaker: Judy Lawrence, senior research fellow at Victoria University’s Climate Change Research Institute on “Eastbourne & climate change: time to get a boat?”

Public welcome to attend

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of the Eastbourne-Bays Community Trust will be held in the meeting room above Eastbourne Library

Thursday 27 June 2019 at 7.30pm

Nominations are being sought for a Community Trustee

Please refer to the following web site for information on the Trust: www.eastbourne-bays-community-trust.org.nz

Contact: Anne Keogh 027 687 1845

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

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 Wednesday 6.30pm 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.

Makaro Construction Ltd

027 205 8569

jasgibb@gmail.com

Jason Gibb LBP Registered Renovations and Maintenance Bathrooms

Decks and Fences

All General Building Work

283a

Tender Closes 2pm Tuesday 28/05/19 at Tommy's, 120 Queens Drive,

OPPORTUNITY

LIGHT

Set in a magnificent spot overlooking Sunshine Bay, enjoying spectacular harbour views which change whatever the weather, and never fail to impress - this is a home for all seasons. In the summer the northwest facing deck, wonderful section and perfect positioning for beach life provide ample diversion. On two separate titles. sinead@tommyshv.co.nz

Sinead Diederich

04 392 0001 | 021 02581960

147

HOME IN EASTBOURNE

Open

By appointment

This home offers potential purchasers an opportunity to buy into the Eastbourne lifestyle at a very affordable level. Situated on an elevated site above the main road, this home was the destination for holidays for famous NZ author Katherine Mansfield and is on Heritage New Zealand's list of protected properties. Substantial improvements are needed so bring your energy and your tool belt. R.V. $385K sinead@tommyshv.co.nz

04 392 0001 | 021 02581960

Diederich By

04 392 0001 | 021 02581960

tommys.co.nz

501 and 502 Marine Drive, Sunshine Bay, Eastbourne Buyer Enquiry From $1,350,000

REF: THV02372

FILLED WATERFRONT HOMEAND LAND!

Muritai Road, Eastbourne

Lower Hutt.

REF: THV02376

EASTBOURNE

CHARACTER

Truly at the heart of Eastbourne village, this gorgeous character home is close to everything. Traditional in layout, the home offers 4 excellent bedrooms and 2 separate living spaces - ideal for growing families. Situated on the main road and the junction of the village high street (Rimu St), 147 Muritai is on an compact section, with minimalist but pretty gardens, so is easy care outside. sinead@tommyshv.co.nz