Join the adventure at 4.30pm on Sunday December 7th starting at St. Ronan’s Church.
“Christmas is a very special time of year,” says St. Alban’s Vicar, Sue Brown. “A time for parties, for gifts, for eating special treats, for putting up the Christmas tree.”
“But sometimes" she says, “with all the hustle and bluster of the season – I get overwhelmed by food, shopping, parties, holiday plans and end of school year activities. So much so, that these few short and precious weeks can sometimes seem like a burden to be endured, rather than a blessing to be enjoyed!”
So, on Sunday 7th December, the Combined Churches of Eastbourne are giving everyone the chance to enjoy an hour’s breather - a time to enjoy some peace, to share the Christmas story together, and to take a deep breath before diving back into final holiday preparations.
And all this will happen out on the streets of Eastbourne - yes, Christmas Live! is coming to our place!
And it isn’t called ‘live’ for nothing! There’ll be live animals, angels, shepherds and - all being well, a real baby - as well as live music and actors. Cont on page 3,
25 November – 17 December
Getting into the spirit for Christmas Live are sheepdog Shadow and pony Scoobie with Molly Innes, her brother Teddy and sister Hazel from Muritai School.
Faith in the Community
Christmas spirit…
We already see evidence of the (commercial) spirit of Christmas - fruit mince pies for sale in the village. No doubt by now those better organised than me, will be bustling around, thinking about Christmas dinner – the Christmas puddings should already be maturing in some cool, dark cupboard. And who should we invite for Christmas dinner? Or should we instead go to some superior restaurant in the Hutt. Then the whole affair won’t be just so exhausting we don’t enjoy it. Or might we instead go to the bach? And then there are the Christmas presents... Are the kids getting too old for the things we were thinking of buying them?
But the important thing in all this busyness is, can we make time for what Christmas is all about? The coming of the child who grew up to be Jesus Christ. The one who brought us the most important message we will ever receive – to love one another as God loves us...
In the midst of all these conflicting thoughts, let’s make sure there’s at least some quiet spaces left in which to again listen to the message of Christmas, to ponder it and to apply it in our lives in the year to come...
St Alban’s+St Ronan’s: 1st Sundays 9:30am monthly Shared Communion Services (alternating venues, leaders and preachers) 7 December at St Ronan’s church, 4 January at San Antonio church
St Ronan’s: 1st Sundays shared with St Albans (see above). 2nd and 4th Sundays 9:30am informal, 3rd Sundays 9:30am traditional, 5th Sundays 12:00pm fellowship meal. E:office@stronans.org.nz W:www.stronans.org.nz
St Alban’s: 1st Sundays shared with St Ronan’s (see above). Other Sunday services at San Antonio church at 9:30am. 1st Thursdays, communion at 10:30am at St Ronan’s church. Details www. facebook.com/StAlbansNZ E:office@ stalbanschurch.nz W:www.stalbanschurch.nz
San Antonio: Vigil Mass, Saturdays 5:30pm. Sacred Heart, Petone: Mass, Sundays 9.30am and 5.30pm. E:holyspiritparish41@gmail.com W:www. holyspirit.nz
B E R D E B E S
WHAT’S HAPPENING HAIR
NOVEMBER
I’ve always believed in the magic of trying something new!
Whether it’s testing out a new coffee spot, or exploring a different running route, I aim to try at least one new thing each month It keeps life fresh and the same goes for my work. I’m constantly investing in the latest hair training and education, always looking to bring new ideas and techniques to the salon chair.
Sometimes, what we need most is a little reinvention and your hair is a great place to start Whether you ’ re ready to embrace your greys or just looking to soften your style, I can help guide that transformation For some, it’s about blending natural greys with highlights for a softer grow-out.
For others, it might be subtle face-framing layers to bring movement and shape. Even a small change like adding a few lighter pieces or updating your haircut can make a big difference in how you feel.
Change doesn’t have to be dramatic to be powerful If you ’ re feeling stuck or simply ready for a fresh look, let’s try something new—together.
Eastbourne
Community Board
Burdans Gate Bike Track
The ECB and HCC are working together for the ongoing care and development of the Burdans Gate children’s bike track. Built by local volunteers, the track will continue to be maintained and improved by community members under an agreement with HCC, ensuring it remains a safe and fun space for young riders. Anyone keen to help with future design and maintenance can contact Jeremy Chaston.
Eastbourne Summer Pool
“Icebergs” is back this summer after record registrations. Thank you to everyone! We still need volunteers for the summer season. Please contact Alex at Alex.Irvine@huttcity.govt.nz.
New Members joining the ECB are Ben Hainsworth and Jeremy Chaston, alongside returning members Murray Gibbons, Bruce Spedding, and Emily Keddell. Ben says: “I bring both public and private sector experience and a balanced, non-political approach to representing our community.”
Jeremy adds: “I care deeply about what makes Eastbourne special — our businesses, junior sports, and the people who bring it all to life.”
Next ECB meeting: 7.15pm Tuesday 2 December, East Harbour Women's Club, 145 Muritai Road - All Welcome
Christmas Live comes to Eastbourne
“Everyone’s very welcome” says Anne Manchester, a member of St. Ronan’s Church. “This is a time for all the family.” So get ready to journey back in time to first century Palestine with Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus, and a joyful host of animals, shepherds, wise ones and angels.
"Join the adventure at 4.30pm on Sunday December 7th starting at St. Ronan’s Church. The story continues at San Antonio Church, finishing at St. Alban’s Church, in the garden, for the final scene and Christmas treats to eat…“
"And we’re still looking for a special baby to star as the Baby Jesus,” says Sue. “Babies of any gender, with parents of all faiths or none will be very, very welcome to take part in this celebration of hope and peace in a world challenged by war and doubt...”
PHELLEM
November/December: Late spring / early summer.
Primary skin: The skins of young plants are super thin. Just a single layer of epidermal cells (~1/20mm thick). The epidermis is topped by an even thinner but super-waterproof layer, the cuticle (~1/100mm thick). This ‘primary skin’ is all that separates the delicate, wetchemistry of life inside the plant, from the dry, germ-infested world outside. It’s very effective but not very strong. It doesn’t cope well with insect bites, abrasion or too much stretching (growth).
Secondary skin: Plants quickly repair damage to their primary skins by growing (in 7-14 days) a repair patch of ‘secondary skin’. This patch once again keeps the water in and the germs out. The patch is made of waterproof cork cells (phellem). You can see patches of cork cells - rough texture, red/ brown colour, called russeting - on some apple varieties (e.g., Cox’s) and on some pear varieties (e.g., Beurre bosc) where there are so many corky patches the whole surface is russeted. Cork has no taste, so it’s OK to eat it...
Bark: As plants continue to grow, even the corky patches get stretched and crack and these cracks get repaired by new corky patches, and so on until a thick corky layer builds up – ‘bark’. Bark is knobbly but still keeps the water in and germs out. By now, it’s so thick it also serves as a thermal insulator (against the sun’s heat and a frost’s chill) and as a mechanical barrier (tough and rubbery) against the sharp claws of climbing animals.
Corks: But one tree’s taken bark growing to a whole new level. The cork oak, Quercus suber, native to Portugal and Spain. It grows an especially thick bark, the outer ~4cm layer of which can be harvested (carefully). After about 10 years it’s regenerated and can be harvested again - maybe 20-times over the 200-year life of the tree. The harvested bark is cut in strips and bottle corks are cut out with a sharp punch.
Cork: Think of cork cells as tiny, neat-stacked, air-filled, rubber boxes. Cork is ~80% air. Its cell walls are impregnated with suberin (waterproof, rubbery, rot resist) making cork impermeable to water, compressible and with high impact resistance. Cork’s an insulator for heat and sound. This makes it useful for more than just bottle stoppers. It’s also used for floatation, noise control, vibration damping, cricket balls and warm, cushioned, floor tiles.
slang@xtra.co.nz www.mulchpile.org
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Garden Stuff with Sandy Lang
Local Business Profile - Trish Murphy - Travel Broker
It was great to catch up with Eastbourne local Trish Murphy and talk to her about her travel business.
Trish has been involved with travel since the 1980s, so that’s a year or two of experience. She has held a range of roles from working in a tour company focusing on those aged over 50, corporate travel experience and most recently focused on helping travellers plan and book their perfect holiday.
As Trish talks, her enthusiasm comes down the line: she loves helping people realise their dreams, whether that be visiting family and friends or going off the beaten path. She has been lucky enough to travel to many corners of the world and is keen to share those experiences.
In this online world I had to ask Trish why use her when they could “just book online”. Trish’s response was quick. She has
travelled to many of the destinations her clients dream of visiting so has first-hand knowledge of the highlights and can help you get the best from your travel time and budget. Being part of the NZ Travel Brokers means Trish belongs to a countrywide team of dedicated and passionate travel professionals. This gives Trish access to the best available prices for flights, tours and cruises. Trish also emphasised that it is the personal touch which differentiates her from booking online. You know who you will be dealing with, and if you get stuck, you know who will take your call and
Catch us at the Eastbourne Market
Got a bike that’s gathering dust? Bring it along to the Eastbourne Lions Market on Sunday 30 November.
Our friends from Free Ride — a volunteerpowered charitable trust based in Naenae — will help you get your bike ready for the road!
Come say hi to the Tupua Horo Nuku team too, we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about the project.
hutt.city/ tupuahoronuku
help resolve any issues.
Then, almost as a side issue, Trish adds that there is a second part to her business: organising holiday charter yachts and catamarans around the world for you, with or without a skipper or crew depending on your experience (and desire to just kick back). A keen yachtswoman, Trish worked at the Barcelona America’s Cup last year.
As a final comment Trish mentioned that being a local, she can be very flexible. She is happy to come to you at a place and time that works for you. trish.murphy@nztravelbrokers.co.nz
Making Property Decisions Easy
Nicola from the Herald sits down with local valuer Spencer Logan
MAKING PROPERTY DECISIONS EASY
By Spencer Logan
After 40 years of working in his own valuation business, Spencer has written a book to share his thoughts, experiences and knowledge after witnessing the property market skyrocket out of control during and after Covid.
This had a huge impact on property prices. So many purchasers thought that the market was going to appreciate forever and interest rates would remain at 2%. Many suffered, and are continuing to suffer, after the market dropped.
Spencer has been visiting local high schools, concerned about students' level of financial literacy. Presently many students leave an ‘educational institution’ without knowing a thing about saving money, banking or purchasing their most important asset. He applauds the fact that financial literacy will be more important in the secondary school curriculum
Valuers can take the stress and worry out of property issues by acting as personal mentors/advisers. Equally, Spencer does not want people thinking it is now impossible to afford to own a home in New Zealand. It is certainly harder with higher prices but there is a model and plan to do it in stages.
Get your copy now from Eastbourne Four Square or Mitre10 Mega $20.
Kidz talk
The tamariki at Barnados Early Learning Eastbourne love looking out our window at the Fire Station across the road. It's always exciting when an alarm goes off and the volunteers rush out to crew the trucks. Our tamariki wave to the firefighters and cheer when they turn on the siren. In October, we got to visit the Fire Station and meet the firefighters in person. We explored the station, climbed into the
News from Barnardos Early Learning Eastbourne
Visit to the Fire Station
fire trucks, tried on real firefighter gear and even had a go at squirting the huge fire fighting hose.
Our local volunteer firefighters work hard to keep everyone safe, and we’re so thankful for their mahi. A special thank you to Shane and Stephen for welcoming us and answering all our questions.
We all had an awesome time! Barnardos Aotearoa is a children’s organisation working with tamariki and whānau to ensure every child in Aotearoa has the opportunity to thrive, no matter their circumstances. We welcome all enquiries. You can connect with us by visiting barnardosearlylearning.org.nz.
HOW A PROPERTY MENTOR / VALUER COULD SAVE YOU MEGABUCKS! BUYING A PROPERTY FOR THE FIRST TIME
New in the Herald
The 'Bays' have some amazing locals and the Herald wants to recognise local achievements and local businesses.
This month we start with a business profile, could your business be next? We also want
to recognise residents who are making a difference. Please email editor@eastbourneherald.co.nz if you know someone who we should recognise or if you would like to feature your business in an upcoming issue.
Local Achievements
Robin Taylor and David Gledhill (Chairman) are on the Board of the Hutt Valley Hearing Trust.
We are a registered charitable trust supporting the well-being of those affected by hearing loss and promoting hearing health and hearing loss prevention. We provide free preliminary ear checks, and independent advice, hearing screening tests $67.50 and micro-suction (removal of ear wax) $67.50.. We can treat both adults and young children. We are in Unit 19, 55 Percy Cameron Street Avalon, Lower Hutt. There is free adjacent parking.
Hours Monday to Thursday 9.00 to 4.30 although these can vary subject to demand. You can make a booking either by phone, 04 567 8036, email, admin@ hvhearing.co.nz or via www. hvhearing.co.nz.
Sunday 30th November 10am-3pm San Antonio School, 78 Oroua Street, Eastbourne, Lower Hutt
Plenty of budget friendly art, craft, food and gift ideas. Perfect for seasonal gifts or a treat for yourself.
www.eastbournemarket.co.nz Run by Eastbourne Lions with proceeds to benefit the Hutt Valley and Wellington communities.
Exploring Our Backyard: Local Kids Discover
Last week, a group of excited Muritai School kids set out on a special trip organised by MIRO (Mainland Island Restoration Operation) to learn more about the wild places right on their doorstep.
Read on to see what we discovered.
The adventure began at school, with a short welcome and briefing from the new Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) ranger Robert Ashe and a karakia from Vince Robertson, a Taranaki Whanui Iwi representative on the co-management committee to manage the lakes and Baring Head.
First stop was the “The Pipes or Paraoa-nui,” a favourite local spot where the kids heard some of the history.
Next stop Parker Jones from MIRO told the kids about the predators that threaten native species, from stoats and rats and cats, to the surprising culprit—hedgehogs. Parker showed the variety of gear MIRO uses to control these predators: traps, baits, poisons, wildlife cameras and tracking tunnels.
Eastbourne is very lucky to be home to the threatened and in decline banded dotterel. These small, well-camouflaged birds nest directly on the sand and their eggs are vulnerable to being trodden on! This explained the strange fence around an area of sand on the beach, and the other fenced area the kids have seen near the village. The kids also heard how in Eastbourne their biggest threat to their nests are our pet cats, and how keeping
Nature with MIRO and GWRC
them at home at night can keep everyone safe.
The learning continued with a walk through areas of regeneration up to the lighthouse. The MIRO nursery has been supplying plants and working with GWRC
to try and help farmland regenerate. The GWRC ranger Robert had picked some weeds and gave some pointers to how to identify them. Robert said the most worrying for Eastbourne is climbing asparagus and it is great if people pull it out by the roots.
The kids hiked all the way up to the historic Pencarrow lighthouse and got the rare chance to step inside. For many, it was the first time they’d been to the lighthouse on their school logo.
After soaking in the views of the harbour and Cook Strait, the group began the walk and drive back out, tired but happy. Thanks to Robert, Vince and Parker for sharing their stories with the tamariki.
An unforgettable night sky
I recently finished work at 9PM. I was slightly annoyed to be working so late, but a more astonishing sight awaited me when I stepped outside into darkness so black I couldn’t see my hand in front of me. The starry night sky above took my breath away.
We’d been meeting in the recently refurbished Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage at Baring Head. The lack of light pollution out there makes the night sky pop and sparkle in a way we rarely experience in suburbia. I could have watched the show above me for hours…if I’d been staying.
The cottage (gifted the name Te Rama Roa) is the second of two houses that are now available for you to book overnight stays. The house has been completely renovated thanks to the Friends of Baring Head, the estate of John Nankervis, and my predecessor, ranger Jo Greenman, who was inspired by the bold, largely intact wallpaper to redecorate the home into a delightful time capsule of New Zealand in the 1970s. For anyone old enough to remember Raro, Ready to Roll, and the Ran-
Robert Ashe, East Harbour Ranger
furly Shield, you’ll walk into this place with a big, very bright smile on your face. And if you bring kids, they’ll have a massive backyard to explore while you take in the views.
My top five ranger highlights of Baring Head are:
o The brilliant night sky interrupted by the occasional burst of light from the lighthouse.
o The windswept clifftop landscape and the views across Cook Strait to the South Island.
o Having the beach all to yourself and looking for katipo spiders.
o Experiencing the stories and places of mana whenua, the historic lighthouse complex, and the NIWA atmospheric station.
o The nearby walks or, better yet, bike rides.
Ōrua-pouanui (Baring Head) has been managed as a park since 2011. It’s now a largely predator-free environment, so native flora and fauna are start-
ing to thrive again. Livestock has recently been retired off the land, creating the opportunity to plant and recloak the area in native forest. Until then, the rank grass dries off in the summer posing a high fire risk. The park had to be closed briefly at the height of last summer because of this risk as there’s no outrunning a grass fire when the wind is blowing. And boy does she blow. Don’t be disappointed if you arrive on a windy day. For 255 days of the year, the wind gusts are over 60km/h. Baring Head also holds the Wellington record for the second-biggest wind gust ever recorded at 217km/h in March 2010. (In case you’re interested, first place belongs to Hawkins Hill with a gust of 248 km/h in 1962).
Both cottages at Baring Head can be booked on Air B&B. Cooking meatloaf, mashed potato, and brussel sprouts for dinner is optional but highly recommended, followed by a dessert of chocolate instant pudding, of course.
Get the whānau involved in Summer Events November 2025 – March 2026
Discover the magic of your regional parks. For 25 years, Greater Wellington has been hosting fun and free events that help people connect with nature, get active outdoors, and enjoy time together.
Find the full programme of events by scanning the QR code. Some events have limited numbers. Make a booking to reserve your place.
Summerset Boulcott Open Weekend
Nestled in the sought-after Lower Hutt suburb of Boulcott, beside Boulcott’s Farm Heritage Golf Club, Summerset Boulcott offers stunning views of the surrounding valley and lush greens - the perfect place for those seeking premium retirement living.
The village offers beautifully appointed villas, apartments, serviced apartments, and a range of care and specialist dementia care living options.^ The village centre features resort-style facilities and a resident bar with picturesque views over the golf course.
There are a range of brand-new one and two-bedroom independent apartments available, with two-bedroom apartments starting from $751,000.*
Come along to our Open Weekend, Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November and see why our residents love the Summerset life.
• 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 - 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.
•Junior sailing at Muritai Yacht Club, 4:30-7:00 weather dependent. More info: myc.org.nz 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 impactteens to 70+) Music Movement Magic - Muritai Yacht Club - call Amanda 021 316692 www. niainwellington.com
• Toy Library - 9.30am-10.30am. 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. 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.
• Tai Chi 9.40am Muritai Yacht Club Lyn 021 1428915 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, San Antonio. 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
•Senior Residents: Lighthouse Movies - last Friday of every month. Pick up from 10am. Contact Celeste on 021 206 5713 for more information. Okiwi Services (Eastbourne Community Trust).
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.
• Club sailing and racing at Muritai Yacht Club, 1:00-5:00 weather dependent. More info: myc.org.nz
Sundays
• AA Plunket Rooms 10am. Karen 021 440 705.
• Days Bay Touch Rugby, by arrangement on Whatsapp group, text Xavier 027 249 3645 to join.
Our Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do at Te Omanga. Volunteers are an integral part of the valuable service we provide to all our patients and families. We need some more volunteers on our happy lawnmowing team. Once a fortnight commitment, or could be once a month. Need to be able to bring your own lawnmower. Morning tea provided.
Call Rachel on 021 103 8841 for more information or email volunteers@teomanga.org.nz
The Eastbourne Herald is proud to support Te Omanga Hospice.
Eastbourne: A Postcard Village
They were the collectibles of their day. In the early 1900s the postcard craze that had begun in Germany in the 1880s really took off, aided by the Universal Penny Post, which slashed the price of sending mail – then delivered twice a day! – both domestically and internationally.
In an era when newspapers didn’t include pictures, high quality coloured prints of real photos filled a gap; by 1906 New Zealanders were posting over 5 million postcards each year.
Ann Packer
heritage, such as public talks.
And people still collect them –including Nik Zangouropoulos of Eastbourne, who has collaborated with fellow Rona Bay historian Alison Carew, of the Historical Society of Eastbourne, in a book published just last weekend. Sixty-six postcards of the eastern bays, most from Nik’s personal cache (begun some 15 years ago) and a few from the Historical Society’s collection – many of them quite rare and never published before – are featured along with HSE photographs illustrating the history of the seaside community.
The pair met on a panel at
Petone bookshop Schrodinger’s on Writing Local History – and when Nik, author of Petone: A Postcard Town, suggested an Eastbourne version of his book, Ali put her hand up to contribute the historical perspective, with which she was very au fait. Once Nik had organised his thoughts into a talk for the Eastbourne group, they were on their way.
The project was not without its challenges – it was “parked” a couple of times, says Nik, when other commitments cropped up for both. Yet putting it on the back burner had a bonus: new content emerged – from a retiring collector, and from the HSE collection itself. Nik was “gobsmacked” to find his local society had such a trove of postcards. It’s unusual says Ali, as many historical associations do not gather material, focusing on other ways of sharing
Ali's past projects include coauthoring Eastbourne: a history of the eastern bays of Wellington Harbour and (with Mary McCallum) Eastbourne : 100 Years: The Borough of Eastbourne 1906 -1989 and beyond. For her the challenge was to stand back from the wealth of material available in the HSE collection in order to get the big picture, “without over-simplifying or making sweeping generalisations”.
The result is a perfect collaboration, a small gem of a local history lesson that includes both an overview and some tantalizing details, supplied by pictures that speak a thousand words. Ali’s strength is the history, Nik’s is the postcards, neatly accompanied by Where, Who, When, What facts recording all the details a collector might need – or local residents want to know – about each bay and the ferries. It ends with an update on both postcards and Eastbourne’s history since 1989, when amalgamation saw us singing “Bye Bye Borough”.
Eastbourne: A Postcard Village may be purchased for $30 from the HSE rooms above the library, Mondays, 2-4pm, and at the Lions Christmas market. The authors are donating all profits to the Historical Society of Eastbourne.
Often admired, a once in a lifetime opportunity
Perched slightly above Cheviot behind the white fence and electric gates, this lovely home has charm and grace in abundance, and exudes a wonderful sense of home. A wonderful internal layout, all on one level, combines a very spacious modern kitchen and family room, with doors out to the private and sheltered courtyard. The bedroom wing combines three double bedrooms, all with good wardrobe spaces and two modern tiled bathrooms, along with a separate laundry. The grounds are deceptively spacious at 956sqm with a combination of lawn and gardens, vege beds and borders, and easy level outdoor entertaining. Proudly offered for sale for the first time in 36 years, this is a home that will hold wide appeal and your early viewing is recommended. bayleys.co.nz/3329344
An easy one minute stroll to the beach and promenade, gives the feeling of being on holiday all year around. Patience, persistence and perseverance were the keys to getting this one over the line. Give us a call to learn more. bayleys.co.nz/3328418
