Eastbourne Community Carols will be in St Ronan’s Church, 234 Muritai Rd, on Sunday, December 8, starting at 5pm.
Come along and meet real live animals in the stable this year at Eastbourne Community Christmas carols! The planning group, working
on behalf of all three Eastbourne churches, believe the animals will be a real attraction for the tamariki, along with the appearance of a jolly man in a red suit. The event will include many of the successful elements from last year’s gathering – a telling of the nativity story (with some fun audience participation), some
local musicians to accompany the singing of favourite carols, a collection of money and nonperishable food for, this year, the Wellington City Mission, and Santa appearing at the end with a wheelbarrow full of ice blocks for the children.
Continues Page 10
Photo: Simon Hoyle
Final verdict coming on church's future
St Alban’s property working group is set to consult its community on the future of the historic Ngaio Street church, abandoned since it was deemed below earthquake safety standards in 2016.
For years, the parish has grappled with decisions regarding the future of the Frederick de Jersey Clere-designed church and its neighbouring brick hall, both classified as unsafe. Ongoing consultations have revealed a strong preference within the parish and local community to restore the church rather than pursue alternatives such as demolition and rebuilding. In 2019, the parish approached the Anglican Diocese of Wellington, which owns some of the buildings, with a strengthening proposal. However, the diocese rejected the plan, citing insufficient details in the vision for the project.
Since then, progress has stalled, but efforts have recently gained momentum under the leadership of new vicar, Rev. Sue Brown.
This Sunday, the parish will review seven potential options for the church’s future. These options have been ranked on criteria such as alignment with the mission plan, space needs, respect for history and tradition, environmental sustainability, and the projected timeline for completion.
The preferred option involves strengthening both the church and the hall, with an estimated “rough order cost” of $1.3 million—funds that the parish would need to raise.
Once a preferred option has been agreed upon, approval will be sought from the Diocese. It is hoped the project would be completed in 2027.Rev. Brown emphasized the importance of community involvement in the planning process, aiming to transform the church into a hub for community activities and fellowship.
That's
a wrap!
St Alban’s church kitchen was a hive of activity earlier this month when over 20 came for a Beeswax Wrap workshop run by the SAGE eco group (St Alban’s for God’s Earth), using equipment provided through the Sustainability Trust, and donated fabrics. With a mission to raise awareness of sustainability, SAGE also operates a community collection recycling plastic bottle tops and lids stamped 2 or 5, with collection points outside St Alban’s office and during the Sunday morning service at San Antonio.
Ruby Drager was one of the tamariki who enjoyed choosing fabric and making waxy food-covering wraps.
The next public Eastbourne Community Board meeting will be at 7.15pm on Tuesday, 11 February, at Eastbourne Library and Community Hub.
Local Government Commission hearing
The ECB and several Eastbourne residents addressed the Local Government Commission at a hearing on 26 November to appeal Council’s decision to disestablish the three Hutt City community boards. The Commission will announce its decision by April 2025.
Summer pool
We are grateful to Council for responding to the Pool Action Group and the ECB’s feedback by extending the pool season for two weeks at the end of summer. Many thanks to the residents who have volunteered to train to support the pool staff so this can happen.
Eastbourne is fortunate to have one of Hutt City’s three summer pools. We encourage residents to use it. It is also available to hire.
Fires
Please remember you need a permit before lighting a fire on Eastbourne’s beaches. Don’t light a fire if it’s windy, and always put it out with water.
Reporting a problem to HCC
If you see any issues or problems with a Hutt City Council service or would like to make a request, you can log it at huttcity.govt.nz. Look for ‘Report a Problem’ on the homepage. If the problem is urgent (noise, pollution, sewer, water, stormwater, or animal issues), call 570 6666.
The ECB wishes everyone in Eastbourne and Eastern Bays a safe and restful break over Christmas and New Year. Thank you to the many residents who have supported us in 2024.
Belinda Moss (Chair) 029 494 1615
belinda.moss@huttcity.govt.nz
Emily Keddell (Deputy Chair) 021 188 5106
Bruce Spedding 021 029 74741
Frank Vickers 027 406 1419
Murray Gibbons 04 562 8567
Tui Lewis (Ward Councillor) 021 271 6249
Muritai at Pencarrow light
It was the best of all possible days for Tūī Team’s outing to Pencarrow Light – the inspiration for their new school logo – and the culmination of a year’s Turangawaewae studies for Muritai School’s Years 3&4 ākonga. Working with Te Ara Tupua and HCC, they’d relocated lizards from Windy Point, cleaned up beaches, planted trees at Bishop Park, and built and painted nesting boxes for the penguin haven at Whiorau Reserve. On their day out, Tūī Team saw where the relocated lizards were rehomed, and learnt about special animals and plants within the Parangarahu Lakes area. Photo: Jamie Power.
Haven in the heart of the harbour reopens
Wellingtonians and visitors alike are welcoming the reopening of Mātiu Somes Island following the successful rebuilding of the 85-year-old wharf. Sailings began on 22 November.
Greater Wellington Regional Councillor Quentin Duthie is delighted what he calls “our taonga harbour island” has reopened for visitors. He says East by West Ferries have had a difficult winter, with the closure depressing patronage and fare revenue, and he hopes they’ll have a bumper summer now Mātiu Somes has reopened.
Mat Jonsson, General Manager at East By West, says they are excited to take visitors out again after a gap of several months and he’s hoping for a busy summer too. “Mātiu Somes is one of the most accessible of New Zealand’s island sanctuaries, and it is a significant part of our business each year.”
To help protect native species on the
island, and safeguard its pest-free status, an online ferry booking system has been set up to help keep visitor numbers sustainable, with a $6 visitor fee to assist “the maintenance and revitalisation of infrastructure and cultural assets on the island”.
Te Whatanui Winiata, Chair of the Kaitiaki Board that administers the island, calls it a haven in the heart of Te Whanganui a Tara. “We’re looking to the future, with Mātiu remaining accessible for all uri (descendants), kaitiaki (guardians) and visitors to experience.”
Work on the rebuild, by Brian Perry Civil –who also upgraded the Days Bay wharf – began in February 2024, and has been completed on time and on budget.
The Department of Conservation manages the island on behalf of the Kaitiaki Board and Angus Hulme-Moir, DOC Operations Manager for Kapiti-Wellington, says it’s critical to keep pests off the islands.
“Mātiu/Somes Island is home to nesting populations of kororā and kākāriki, as well as rare species like tuatara and wētā, while also being a popular destination for tourists and locals alike,” he says. “We will work with visitors to ensure they understand the importance of keeping these species safe.”
Quentin Duthie says Bays residents are loyal supporters of the ferry service, “and I encourage you to invite your Wellington friends to visit Days Bay by ferry or enjoy the history and natural wonders of Mātiu Somes this summer.”
New home for vintage bus
by Ann Packer
Who hasn’t noticed the English doubledecker bus parked on the waterfront in Māhina Bay? Or even taken a few pics? Decorated with a spider and her web at Hallowe’en, it now sports a glowing Christmas ornament dangling from the wing mirror.
It took IT contractor Rob Cooney a long eight years to find somewhere to live where he could also park his distinctive bus, complete with its original number plate, and more recent Beatles signage.
English-born Rob, who moved here from the Midlands in 2007, had searched a long time for a bus to replace the earlier and more cramped travelling home in which he and partner Lidia Mashtaler had toured New Zealand since she arrived in 2016. The couple met when Rob was working in Vienna, but were not successful in their bid to bring a bus from there.
Built in 1948 in Bristol, England, by a company that started building buses for its own use in 1908, this Bristol KS5G doubledecker has seen some changes in its time, including colour and signwriting – in fact if you Google the number plate, LTA 816, you can find quite a few iterations. Associated with memorable summer holidays, it spent its working life in the service of the Western National Omnibus Company Limited in Devon, going from Bigbury-on-Sea to Plymouth.
You might guess that Rob and Lidia are Beatles fans. However, it wasn’t until they’d had the bus repainted in its original colours that Rob noticed the resemblance to one in the Beatles’ “Penny Lane” video. “After some research I discovered that Bristol K buses were common in Liverpool. I even stumbled on a Beatles-themed double-decker telephone on eBay and couldn’t resist the idea of using it as our home phone, and modelling the bus after that iconic design.”
Thought to have arrived in Aotearoa around 1970, LTA 816 was painted blue when Rob first found it, at antiques and general dealers Redruth Traders in Timaru. One of those “sorry, not for sale” items at the time, he was told it had once been a campaign bus for politician Derek Quigley, a National Party minister, and later co-founder of ACT New Zealand.
By the time Rob bought the bus, sight unseen in 2016, it was located in a paddock at Kurow, where Redruth’s owner Derek Workman had moved to on closing down. It was derelict, its Used Goods Store signage covered in a couple of sheets – but undeterred, the couple set about restoring it, before living in it.
Now within earshot of the sea once more, it is being refreshed ready for the next phase of its 76-year-old life as a bed and breakfast stay.
Rob Cooney and Lidia Mashtaler with their 1948 double-decker bus.
Pt Howard Wharf…recycled
The demolition of Pt Howard Wharf is on track, with 80 percent of the deck structure removed, according to Hutt City Council’s Neighbourhoods & Communities Director, Andrea Blackshaw.
She says around 150 tons of timber has been removed so far with about 50 precent recycled. In addition, around 225 tons of concrete has been removed and recycled as fill.
“Steel reinforcing is removed prior, and is melted and reused.”
The contractor will begin removing piles in early December and work is ongoing to remove and realign the original fuel pipes, with the support slabs almost complete.
Ms Blackshaw says regular checks on wildlife are undertaken by the Contractor and CentrePort, with a new blue penguin sanctuary to be established adjacent to Seaview Marina.
Tupua Horo Nuku Update
Work in Whiorau Lowry Bay will continue until 20 December with the construction team moving the cofferdam to the southern end the bay.
The sheet piles will be placed into the beach to create two 30 metre cofferdams for work to start moving north, towards the Skerrit Boatshed.
This area will be cordoned off with a temporary fence and signage to remind members of the public to keep the construction zone clear.
Contact us: tupuahoronuku@huttcity.govt.nz
The majority of project work will stop over the Christmas and new year period between 20 December and 6 January.
135 255
Photos: Mary -Anne Morgan.
Freaky forests
A recent marine science study of marine animal forests in the Wellington region shows communities of tube worms, sea sponges and mussels off Eastbourne.
Study author Professor James Bell said: “These remarkable communities are increasingly being recognised as biodiversity hotspots and we’ve got them on our doorstep.”
Greater Wellington Regional Councillor Quentin Duthie, who reported the findings to the Eastbourne Community Board last month, says: “It’s exciting to know that we have marine animal communities just off Eastbourne. Tube worms and sea sponges may sound weird, freaky even, but they play an important part of the harbour ecosystem filtering the water and providing food and habitat for fish and marine mammals.”
He says GWRC has work to do to learn more about them, promote their value and
ensure they are protected from harm, especially when it comes to elevated sediment levels in Wellington Harbour.
“Sediment is naturally flushed into the harbour from Te Awa Kairangi, but too much of it is bad for marine animals who like rocky beds and need to breathe. Hence, Greater Wellington has rules to lower the amount of sediment entering rivers from activities like earthworks and forestry, and the erosion of steep land and gully sides."
Fun fact: The sponge Ecionema alata can exceed 1m in size, and is potentially decades or centuries old.
The published study: https://www.sciencedirect. com/science/article/pii/ S2351989424003445?via%3Dihub
It's that time of year again...
Readers will recall what a shock it was when the Pencarrow Road was closed last summer without advance warning or a clear communication plan. Some local businesses were severely impacted.
Summer has officially begun and it already seems some time since we had any rain. Official communications from councils and FENZ will be coming out in a week or so but Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Quentin Duthie has given us this update regarding fire risk management measures in regional parks, particularly East Harbour Regional Park. The retirement of farmland within GWRC
regional parks, coupled with ongoing land restoration efforts, has increased the fire risk in these areas in the short term.
In response to these challenges that arose last January, GWRC and other regional councils held a joint meeting in October 2024 to discuss a unified approach to communication for the upcoming fire season. Key outcomes included the need for clear and consistent communication. Social media, signage, and radio advertising were identified as the most effective methods for engaging the community.
Pencarrow Road remains a key area of concern, particularly for the Hutt City Council community. A fire engineer’s report has been
undertaken to assess and recommend measures for this area. Progress has been slower than anticipated due to a lack of historical data.
Hutt City Council officers are working in collaboration with GWRC park rangers to develop processes to manage fire risks along Pencarrow Road and establishing controls to ensure commercial operations can continue safely during dry periods.
“Once the fire engineer’s recommendations are finalised, we will engage directly with affected stakeholders to implement a fair and effective approach,” a statement from HCC said. “And we will continue to provide updates as this work progresses.”
It’s pizza party time at days bay playcentre!
The kids had a great time making their own pizzas, choosing the toppings, sliding them into the oven and then of course getting to eat them!
With warmer weather on the horizon, there’s lots of fun to be had outside as well. Slap on a sunhat and come join us on the playground anytime during our sessions, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9:30 - 12pm.
Email daysbay@playcentre.org.nz
The map indicating the marine animal forest off Eastbourne. The coloured dots represent communities of tube worms, sea sponges and mussels found in the survey
Faith in the Community
Christmas...!
I love everything about Christmas. Every shiny bauble, every ham, every pavlova and every cracker. And I also love the special rituals and events Christians use to remind us that God is close, that God is with us, right here in this world, right now. Singing carols, lighting Advent candles, sharing the Christmas story of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus; the shepherds, wise-men and angels. This year, the hope they bring will be very welcome, amidst the anxiety of climate change, of wars around the world, of discord here in Aotearoa New Zealand around Te Tiriti ō Waitangi.
So, this is our local Churches’ invitation to you – do join us during this truly special season and you’ll be very welcome! You’ll find what you need to know just below.
And, whether you’ll travel over this holiday period, or enjoy a ‘stay-cation’ at home, may the song of the Tūī, the crimson of the pōhutakawa tree, the laughter of whānau and friends, and the sizzle and smoke of the barbeque, bring you joy this Christmas, here in Eastbourne and the Bays...
St Ronan’s: Sun 8 Dec, 9:30am, informal, at St Ronan’s
Sun 15 Dec, 9:30am, Children’s Christmas Pageant Service, at St Ronan’s Sun 22 Dec, 9:30am, informal, at St Ronan’s Weds 25 Dec, 9:30am, Christmas Day Family Service, at St Ronan’s
St Alban’s: Sun 15 Dec, 9:30am, Christmas AllSorts (a service for everyone), at San Antonio Sun 22 Dec, 9:30am, Nine Carols & Lessons, at San Antonio
Tues 24 Dec, 5:00pm, Christmas Eve Children’s Crib Service at San Antonio
Tues 24 Dec, 10:30pm, Christmas Eve Midnight Communion, at San Antonio
Weds 25 Dec, 9:00am, Christmas Day Informal Service, at San Antonio
San Antonio: Vigil Mass, Saturdays 5:30pm Sacred Heart, Petone: Mass, Sundays 9.30am and 5.30pm
St Alban’s+St Ronan’s+San Antonio: Sun 29 Dec, 12:00pm, Fellowship Lunch, at St Ronan’s (BYO food to share)
Sun 5 Jan, 9:30am, Service led by St Ronan’s, at St Ronan’s
Sun 12 Jan, 9:30am, Service led by St Alban’s, at San Antonio
Sat 18 Jan, 5:30pm, Service led by San Antonio, at San Antonio
Playground may get new 'leash' on life
A group of Eastbourne young people keen to create a dog park in the former San Antonio school playground say they would love to reopen this park and make it as safe as possible.
“We are just waiting for approval from the owner but if we get a thumbs up this is what we will do,” says Mary Richards, 11, for the group, which also includes Lucia Lovell and Otto Schollum, both 11. Mary and Otto were both pupils at San Antonio school until it closed in late 2022 and now go to Muritai school. Both have family dogs. They have the support of their teacher and parents. Mark and Laura Richards say: “We see it as a great chance to enhance the community and ensure the community has a say in what they’re surrounding themselves with.”
The group would welcome feedback
regarding their ideas for the currently unoccupied space, which is owned by the Catholic Diocese:
• Repaint the playground and make it dog safe like adding colours that dogs can see and ramps so they can go onto the playground.
• Add wild flowers and plants that dogs can sniff to make it kind of a sensory space.
• Put a couple of ramps and tunnels for the dogs to play around in.
• Weed the area and repaint the hopscotch and handball courts and make it all colourful and fun for kids when they come with their parents and dog.
• Plant some new trees and bushes to give the place a new smell for the dogs. They will also need to comply with regulations – HCC Dog Control bylaws currently prohibit dogs in any children’s playground. A Council spokesperson told the Herald, “Dog parks have to be determined by Council under the Hutt City Council Bylaw. This requires a consultation process.”
Feedback please to: markhsrichards@gmail.com
Otto Schollum and Mary Richards with her family’s pug Pickle.
1/2 Gill Road, Lowry Bay
View: By appointment
Tender: Closing Wed 11 December 2024, 12 p.m. (unless sold prior)
55 Rona Street, Eastbourne
View: By appointment
Tender: Closing Monday 16 December 2024, 2 p.m. (unless sold prior)
Mike Lovell: 027 435 6007
mike.lovell@nzsir.com
Andrew Jones: 021 400 914 andrew.jones@nzsir.com
Mike Lovell 027 435 6007 | mike.lovell@nzsir.com
Andrew Jones 021 400 914 | andrew.jones@nzsir.com
2/16 Cheviot Road, Lowry Bay
View: By appointment
Tender: Closing Friday 13 December 2024, 12 p.m. (unless sold prior)
Mike Lovell: 027 435 6007
mike.lovell@nzsir.com
Kim Slessor: 027 230 3328 kim.slessor@nzsir.com
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.
• Toy Library - Two Monday Sessions at 1.302.30pm and 7.30-8.30pm. EastbourneToyLibrary on Facebook. Kathy 0273551950
•DB Playcentre Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings, from 9:30am to 12 noon. Drop in anytime to visit a session or email daysbay@playcentre.org.nz to arrange a visit.
• Pt Howard Playcentre. Mon 9.15 -11.45am. pcpointhoward@gmail.com
• 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 562 7001 for more info.
• Keas - 5:15pm - 6:15pm. Ed 021 738 699
Tuesdays
• Mindful Mummas group for Mums and preschool children. Childminder onsite. 1011.30. Text Emily 027 552 6119 to join or go to bemoreyou.co.nz for more info.
•DB Playcentre Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings, from 9:30am to 12 noon. Drop in anytime to visit a session or email daysbay@playcentre.org.nz to arrange a visit.
• Muritai Tennis Club 9.30–noon. Merryn 562 0236.
• Eastbourne Homebirth Group 1st Tuesday of the month. Phone Kate 562-7096.
• East Harbour Women’s Club Morning Tea & Chat Group 10am. Contact Glendyr 0210303480.
• Indoor Bowls Club 1.30pm, at the croquet club, Oroua Street. Rosemary 562 7365
• Menzshed 9 till 12 , Williams Park, Barrie barrielittlefair@gmail.com 0204 1234511. Women welcome.
• 9.30am Nia Dance Fitness Class (low impact - teens to 70+) Music Movement MagicMuritai Yacht Club - call Amanda 021 316692 www.niainwellington.com
Wednesdays
• Cubs: 5.30pm - 7.00pm, Ed 021 738 699.
• Venturers - 7:15pm - 9pm - Ed 021 738 699.
• Library preschool story time 10.00 am.
• Pt Howard Playcentre Wed 9.15 -11.45am.
WHAT'S ON
pcpointhoward@gmail.com
• Scottish Country Dance. Merryn 562 0236.
• Bridge Club 7-10pm. Shona 562 7073.
•DB Playcentre Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings, from 9:30am to 12 noon. Drop in anytime to visit a session or email daysbay@playcentre.org.nz to arrange a visit.
• “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!
• EHock - Fun Stick and Ball game Girls and Boys 7- 13.Eastbourne Community Hall. Wednesdays 6.00 p.m. - 7.30 p.m. Derek Wilshere 0274303596.
Thursdays
• Menzshed 9 till 12 , Williams Park, Barrie barrielittlefair@gmail.com 0204 1234511. Women welcome.
• St Ronan’s Mainly Music, 9.15am-11.15am, during school terms. Contact Cathy 027 213 9342.
• SPACE at Days Bay Playcentre. Michelle 971 8598.
•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.
• Scouts 6pm-8pm - Ed 021 738 699
• Eastbourne Bowling Club casual summer bowls 5.30pm for an hour or so. Make up a mixed team of three. Contact Keith Turner ph 04 934 4142.
• Sing Eastbourne: 8pm, St Alban's Hall.
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 pcpointhoward@gmail.com
• AA Plunket Rooms 7.30pm. Mark 566 6444/ Pauline 562 7833
Saturdays
• Justice of the Peace at the Eastbourne Community Library, first Saturday of each month 12pm-1pm.
• Croquet from 10am Muritai Croquet Club. Lyn 562 8722 or Val 562 8181.
• Lions' Bin - cost effective rubbish and e-waste disposal. Last Saturday of the month (except December) by Bus Barns. Gavin 027 488 5602.
Sundays
• AA Plunket Rooms 10am. Karen 021 440 705.
Community carols
From Page 1
Some costumes will be available at the venue for those who want to take part in the story as it unfolds – a few angels, shepherds, stable animals and wise people will be needed — but children are welcome to arrive already dressed as their favourite nativity character — or anything else they fancy! Others with starring roles include Sing Eastbourne, the Muritai School Kapa Haka rōpū and children from Mainly Music.
Eastbourne Community Carols will be in St Ronan’s Church, 234 Muritai Rd, on Sunday, December 8, starting at 5pm.
James Mitford Hayward
24 November 1954 – 26 October 2024
Former Eastbourne hairdresser James Hayward died recently at home in Masterton, after living with pulmonary fibrosis for over 12 years. A celebration was held at ESSC the day before he would have turned 70.
Acclaimed for his and wife Annie’s stylish conversion of the former Masonic Lodge, on Muritai Rd – including his salon downstairs and Annie’s studio above – almost every piece of classy, custom-built furniture was crafted by James in his large downstairs workshop. The creativity that styled hair also produced cabinets, dressers and coffee tables, a backdrop to daily life over 30 years. The converted lodge featured more than once in national lifestyle magazines as well as The Dominion Post.
The decision to move to Masterton was made after James was diagnosed with a rare disease that causes scarring in the lungs and makes breathing difficult – though this was not shared with many outside the family.
Although Annie was not entirely happy about moving, it meant they could buy a cottage with a garden and relax into a new way of life. “I slowly learned to love it and the Wairarapa,” she says. “I was so happy James was happy. That was enough for me. He had retired and didn’t miss the early starts and always jumping to an appointment book stance.”
James painted sea blue walls over the existing beige, built new furniture to fit in with what they had brought over, sold items on Trade Me, and framed every artwork Annie painted.
His illness did not stop him getting on with life, and he successfully ignored it until a year ago. “I don’t want it to be the first thing
Reptilian adventures in art
On the first Saturday of each month, young artists aged 4 – 6 years get the chance to try out a variety of media in Clare Leniston’s hARTspace studio in the village. In November, they created reptiles, inspired by Eric Carle’s classic picture book The Mixed-Up Chameleon. Clare (right) helps Robyn Leniston-Lee while Liliana Hilton assists Daisy Lissette.
OBITUARY
I think about when I wake up in the morning or when I go to sleep”.
A drug stalled the onslaught of the disease for several years and he lived way past the terrible prediction of only having two to five years left. He survived Covid twice, pneumonia twice and RSV twice but eventually he needed 24/7 oxygen and had to use a wheelchair.
James Mitford (his great-great-grandfather’s name) Hayward was born in South Africa where his father, Alexander Bissett Hayward, was a lighthouse keeper on the naval base at Seal Island (aka Robben Island, after the Dutch for seals). Cape Town was a boat ride away.
When he was eight, with the political situation more oppressive, the family –including siblings Lex, Helene and Carol, plus cousins – moved to Christchurch. After their mum Maureen died, the Hayward kids were brought up by their dad.
James’s hairdressing career began when he was still at Christchurch Boys’ High School.
Though naturally gifted academically and in sport – judo, rugby and cricket – his creative talent won through.
He earned pocket money as a junior in hair salons around Christchurch and traded haircuts at school for cigarettes before creating his first salon, above the Christchurch cafe where he lived. After working around Australia, his first Wellington salon – James – was in Waring Taylor St, where he had a huge clientele, won several awards…and met Annie.
After a whirlwind romance, she left for the UK with James hot on her heels. He worked at Vidal Sassoon, among others, but decided life in the UK was not for him, and returned to Wellington. Annie followed.
James re-established himself, building interiors for his two Network salons, plus Bright Sparks and later Vancouver, before finally moving with sons Lukas and Sam to Eastbourne, where Annie had grown up. The chance to buy the old Masonic Lodge was irresistible – within a very short time he had renovated and converted the building into a home plus two business incomes.
Clientele drove from far and wide for his expertise, stories and the ambiance the salon provided, and James enjoyed great relationships with all, from creatives, politicians, and academics to Prime Minister Jim Bolger.
Retirement at 65 was not easy – James loved the social interaction with clients. In his Masterton workshop, he set up a corner with his mirror, scissors and combs, and chair – and for the very few in the know, he did their hair while regaling them with stories that could only be told by the vivacious and knowledgeable man he was.
No one told a story like James…ever. He will be missed.
- by Ann Packer
James with grandson Hendrix James Hayward.
A J WILKINS LTD
Servicing the Wellington region for 30 years
• Exterior painting: all aspects including scaffolding
• Interior painting: Complete service including plastering, wallpaper & paint
• Maintenance: Washdowns, carpentry repairs, epoxy repairs. We draw on a combined 80 years’ painting experience & use the latest technology to deliver a quality finish that’s environmentally friendly.
Team work makes the dream work
Year 7 & 8 boys hit the water off Days Bay wharf for the school’s annual triathlon, which begins with a swim followed by run then bike ride. Twenty-nine boys swam, but overall 95 took part as this triathlon is a team event. Photo: Phil Benge.
Chris Bishop MP for Hutt South
Please contact my Lower Hutt office, my staff and I are here to help.
Phone 04 566 8580 or email me at Chris.bishopMP@parliament.govt.nz
Wishing all our readers and advertisers a joyful festive season.
We want to share our heartfelt appreciation for your continued enthusiasm and support for The Eastbourne Herald Our office will be closed December 11 - January 13.
Deadlines for the first edition of 2025: Ad booking - Wed, Jan 15 Ad copy - Thurs, Jan 16 Deliveries - Jan 24/25. Here’s to a peaceful and prosperous 2025!
Authorised by Chris Bishop, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.
Breathtaking
Located on a prime 1430sqm site in Lowry Bay opposite its iconic heritage listed Boatshed, you couldn’t imagine a more idyllic setting, gazing out to the harbour, the city and the unique regional park that envelopes this beautiful bay.
Sold by Duncan and Jasper in an ‘off market’ campaign achieving a record price for Waterfront bayleys.co.nz/3327168
5 4 4
For Sale
Duncan Povey 027 597 1080
duncan.povey@bayleys.co.nz
Jasper Povey 027 552 7737
jasper.povey@bayleys.co.nz
2008
A prestigious address
Occupying a portion of one of Wellington’s historic and most impressive gardens, this amazing home and its extensive grounds came to the market after more than 60 years of cherished and careful ownership. Sold by Duncan and Jasper after an extremely successful four week Tender campaign.
bayleys.co.nz/3327737
5 2 2 1
For Sale
Duncan Povey 027 597 1080
duncan.povey@bayleys.co.nz
Jasper Povey 027 552 7737
jasper.povey@bayleys.co.nz
(2013)
LETTING OUR CLIENTS DO THE TALKING
“Duncan and Jasper were right there, from the first big smiles and warm greetings all the way through the journey for me as a first home buyer. Their approach to both the vendor and I (as the buyer), was so great! They ensured we were fully informed and supported while being mindful of who we are and our respective circumstances. Their professionalism came hand in hand with their kindess, calmness and responsiveness.”
- Mel | Buyer | Petone
“Thanks again for the wonderful result you have achieved. It’s very impressive indeed and we are delighted with the outcome and indeed the buyer that you have found. You have achieved much better results in a much tougher environment than we managed 9 months ago and that is a reflection of your professionalism in how you operate and the approach in which you deal with people. Thank you!
