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Published as Issue No. 143

January 13, 2016

Community at heart and at work: This first issue for 2016 is two weeks earlier than planned. It brings people up to speed and the opportunity to get involved with the current work of a number of locals behind the scenes – helping someone in need. Their efforts make a person appreciate our little community tucked away here on the south coast.

Norman

Dave (of everywhere in Houghton Valley) reports: “Many readers of the newsletter are aware that one of our long-term residents of Houghton Valley, Peter Blackwood of Hornsey Road, arrived home recently to find his home destroyed by fire. A faulty fuse may be the cause. You can read an illustrated article about Peter’s situation here.

Many of us are asking how we can best support Peter at the very early stage. Peter’s neighbours have taken the initiative to create a website that enables people to donate money: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/petersetupfund/

Peter is very keen to find short to medium term accommodation in our neighbourhood until the insurance and rebuilding decisions are sorted out. He enjoys an independent life. Please ring Natasha if you have a sleep-out, out-room or flat that he can rent.

Some people have kindly offered to donate furniture and other items. His immediate needs will not be known until he finds short to medium term accommodation. Please ring Dave with the details of how you can be contacted and what you can offer. We will endeavour to keep you informed of what Peter needs as his future becomes clearer.”

Published as Issue No. 142

December 15, 2015

Flying South: It’s a measure of the appreciation of their contribution to the community that three people provided articles to farewell Houghton Valley residents Ruth and Peter Reece from Hornsey Rd, leaving to join family in the South Island. Ruth helped out at the Kae Miller Lodge; Peter will be remembered by many children of the valley for his researching and data collecting of the valley bird life. Both made important contributions to the Kawakawa Commons garden by keeping the vegetable garden tidy and productive; feeding the birds and donating tools.

Each winter for the last six years Peter ‘The Birdman’ has set his mist nets up on the trails in the school forest. It is part of his valuable research of our changing bird population as our valley regenerates its forests. It has also provided hundreds of our children with a unique opportunity to get close to our birds. The joy on their faces as they got to hold and release a bird said it all. At a recent school assembly it was with sadness that students presented him with a farewell tree and a range of cards expressing their appreciation for all he has done. Local people gathered at Ken and Miranda’s home to farewell Ruth and Peter (see photo below, second and third from left).

Locally made Ice cream again this summer: Brian of View Rd is again setting up in competition with Top Top and others, from December 17 to December 23. One dollar a scoop! For what, where, who, how and why, see Houghton Valley Ice Cream Parlour.

Still waiting: Friends of Houghton Valley are still awaiting the outcome of the Judicial Review concerning the multi-housing development in Houghton Bay. On Friday, 4th December an article about saving the natural character of Wellington’s South Coast was published, see http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=84353

Thanks again Brenda: For many years now Brenda, who lives on the corner of Houghton Bay and Hungerford Roads has been decorating her windows for the children kids who come to the playground to enjoy.

Around 25 in 2015: Busy mid December is not the time of the year to talk about new ideas for the newsletter for next year, although possibilities are being discussed. Suffice to say about 25 issues were produced in 2015 and there was always contributions from a range of people. The first in 2016 will be late January.

Norman and contributors

Published as Issue No. 141

November 24, 2015

Last for 2015: The final meeting of the year of the Houghton Valley Progressive Association will be held at the hall at 4 pm on Sunday, 6 December.  An agenda will go out the week before so any items to Ken.

School Fair Proceeds: Organiser Karen advises the (provisional) amount raised is $29,200 and comments: “That should go a long way towards sorting out the playground and getting some new IT Equipment, and the plant stall did exceptionally well this year.”

Coffee morning: The last coffee morning in the Hall for the year is Saturday, December 5. Rumour has it at the last gathering blokes of a certain age spent so much time playing table tennis they finished up a net calorie loss even after eating heaps of goodies. Call in after 11 am.

Fundraiser reminder: Wednesday, November 25 – tomorrow. Friends of Houghton Valley have booked one of the LightHouse Cinemas to show the James Bond movie Spectre.  Order tickets through FOHV.

Hall Hire: The hall will not be available for hire from mid-December to mid-January as we need to do some maintenance. The hall will be back in action by 20 January.

Wall wanted: Claudia of Houghton Valley Rd is looking for someone who can build a low concrete retaining wall for holding up plant beds etc.

Another last for 2015: If you have any items, community messages or items to buy/ sell/swap, the final newsletter for the year will be in three weeks and appear on Tuesday, December 15.

Norman and contributors

Published as Issue No. 140

November 10, 2015

Judicial Review Report from Friends of Houghton Valley: On Wednesday, October two members of Friends of Houghton Valley gathered at the Wellington High Court at 10 am, seated in the gallery in Courtroom 2, behind a partition which separated us from the lawyers and Justice Brown …

Art Club Exhibition: Houghton Valley locals Linda Smith and Steve Stevens are among the artists contributing to the Wellington Art Club’s annual exhibition in the Rita Angus Retirement Village in Kilbirnie. It is in the Atrium on Saturday, 14 and Sunday, 15 November from 10 am to 4 pm, all welcome.

Houghton Valley School Fair: From the team that organised the Houghton Valley School Fair, Karen reports another highly successful event with local and from further afield. Money raised from the community garden stall was $620.00 – which is a record!

“Whatever the financial outcome the day was a lovely community event, with great food, entertainment, and plenty to do for everyone. We were blessed with sunshine, and it really was an excellent day for showing off our school and our valley. Huge thanks to those members of the local community who helped directly, particularly the community garden gang and Andy and Jane who ran the ever popular pottery stall. Thank you also to those people who donated goods, and to all who came and shared the day with us.” – Karen

Norman and contributors

Published as Issue No. 139

October 27, 2015

Houghton Valley School Fair: Saturday October 31, 10 am – 2 pm. The Fair is this weekend! Organiser Karen Parr says a big thank you to those people who have donated goods. “Your help is much appreciated by the school. The Fair will go ahead rain or shine, so please come along. We look forward to seeing you there!”

Community Coffee: Next community coffee morning Saturday, November 7. The Community Hall opens at 11 am for coffee, conversation, table tennis and a copy of Saturday’s paper to read! It’s fast becoming the place for JAHVA’s to be seen. (Just Another Houghton Valley Apparatchik)

Back issues: Back issues of the newsletter are on the Houghton Valley Website.

Norman

Published as Issue No. 138

October 13, 2015

Hands across the Valley: Andrea from View Rd extends a call to ‘arms’ to anyone with basic drawing skills to join in Henna Hands Painting, a community-based Workshop. This ‘Celebrate spring and coming together …’ will be held over successive Sunday afternoons, October 18 and 25 in community Valley Hall. Artist, teacher and parent, Andrea has run the Henna Hands stall at the school fair for the last 8 years wants to pass on this tattoo art tradition from her original Indian teacher to others in the hope of enlisting extra helpers for the fair (!). Mehendi is henna, a plant-based dye mixed to paste then applied to the skin. The curvilinear designs fade quickly over 3 weeks. Mehendi traditionally marks special occasions such as weddings and festivals in the Indian cultural calendar i.e. Diwali (Festival of Light). It is an enjoyable social activity involving shared conversations, very popular at girls and hen parties. Skill develops simply, quickly and intuitively through practice. As a non-profit event, a $2 gold coin donation is required to cover cost of materials.

Houghton Valley School Fair 31 October: A big thank you from organiser Karen Parr for people who have contacted us with donations. They will be accepting donations until October 30, as well as vouchers, crafts, chutneys, jams, baking and other such goodies. Our silent auction will be on-line this year, and bids can be placed anytime from Thursday Oct 15th. [Link not current] Have a look at some of the great offers we have. We are not just on the scrounge though, and more than anything we would love local people just to come along to visit our school and enjoy the Fair with us. The community garden is looking for native plants and/or vegetable seedlings to sell at the fair. If you have any, bring them the garden on a Sunday afternoon, or to the fair on the day.

Wellington Scoop article: Recently Scoop published a comprehensive article about Friends of Houghton Valley’s (FoHV) struggle to overturn WCC’s decision to not notify the resource consent application for 215 Houghton Bay Rd. You will find the article by following this link Protecting the south coast; residents challenge approval for 13 new houses.  Donations towards legal fees: A number of supporters have expressed a desire to help financially. If you would like to support the cause in this way, we are suggesting that donations of $200 will help us reach our goal. Or please feel free to give any amount as you are able. Friends of Houghton Valley (FoHV) can provide a receipt on request. Fundraising: FoHV are fundraising to pay costs for the judicial review of WCC’s decision to not notify the resource consent application for 215 Houghton Bay Rd. On 9 August we had a very successful fund raising concert at the Pines and the next event is a Quiz Fundraiser at Brew’d Bar Island Bay, Thursday 29 October from 7 pm; quiz starts at 7.30 pm. The quiz master is a lot of fun and very entertaining. The quiz lasts about an hour and a half including 5 rounds and an interval. We even have a ‘Buy Answers Jar’ to increase your chances to be in the win. We play in teams of four or five and there is an awesome prize for the winning team to enjoy together; brunch at Fidel’s, 234 Cuba St. Team tickets are $10 per person, totalling $40 or $50 for a 4 or 5 person team.  You can register a team of four or five or you can also register individually, or per couple, and we will organise teams for you. We have a maximum of 60 places. So please get your team together and book. To confirm your place email us.

Houghton Valley Progressive Association: The quarterly meeting of the HVPA was held on Sunday. News from the meeting to follow in a later issue of the newsletter, minutes from the last meeting/AGM are attached. [No attachment] It is interesting to note the Council is currently putting effort into helping similar Associations in our much larger neighbouring suburbs of Island Bay and Kilbirnie while we just keep on keeping on.

Koha Coffee: It was only a matter of time before quality coffee found the valley! The hall has hosted two coffee mornings so far and keep your eyes open for the next offer.  Shaun Peterson kindly donated a Wega espresso machine and Ross, Jan and Ella are providing barista experience. Eric Heycoop at Emporio coffee stepped in when we needed a second filter handle and donated one. So, coffee with table tennis on the side and blues piano if Ella’s in town.

Norman and contributors

Published as Issue No. 137

September 29, 2015

As Spring arrives Houghton Valley emerges from hibernation, this issues reads like a ‘What’s On’ diary.

Koffie by Koha: Join locals for Coffee this Saturday at Community Hall 11 am to 12 midday. General agreement last time was the coffee and baristas were the best in Houghton Bay (to be fair the only coffee in Houghton Bay!)  Bring spare change for a real treat. This time, as well as the table tennis table, there will be a swap and share table, so small items like a book or veggies to be either swapped or shared would be great.

Book exchange: There is the beginning of a book exchange set up in the hall foyer. If you have any you would like to donate to the library, bring them along on Saturday.

Singing Group: The Wednesday night Singing Group got off to a soaring start with six people turning up to, well, sing. The group meets again this coming Wednesday, 30 September at 7.30 pm.  All welcome. They will meet every two weeks.  Contact Miranda, the hall coordinator, for more information.

Houghton Valley School Fair, Saturday October 31, 10 am – 2 pm: This year’s school fair promises to be an exciting community event for Houghton Valley. As well as old favourites such as plants, crafts, toys, books, clothes, silent auction and heaps of games and activities, we will have an extended food court, with the addition of Mexican and French food. Look out for some celebrity surprises on stage as well! If anyone has good quality toys, books or clothes to donate we would be very appreciative. Also plants, vouchers or new or top quality goods for our silent auction, handicrafts, preserves, jams and so on are all welcome. This is our major annual fundraiser, and enables us to buy necessary ‘extras’ such as upgrading our playground, investing in new technology and buying sports equipment. Most of all, it is a chance for the school community and the local community to get together and have a lovely day out in our beautiful valley. Please join us. For further details contact Karen.

Houghton valley Progressive Association: Ken advises Manjeet Kaur from the Council has asked for feedback on the naming of the cul-de-sac just above the Hall. The community was originally consulted in April and there were several suggestions which were then subjected to the ‘no duplication’ criteria that are used. Manjeet writes;

“A letter has been sent to the residents to seek their views on the proposed name for the access way. Iwi were asked for their suggestions and they have suggested the name Pari Tai. This Pari Tai speaks of a point on a cliff overlooking a tidal area. This name is not historical but is about connection to place. We have confirmed with the Regional Council that the name Pari Tai could be used as it is not currently being used in the Wellington region. We would appreciate views on the proposal.”

The access way would be called Pari Tai Way. Those who live nearby have also been asked. Ken is happy to collate a reply but you need to get back to him by Saturday night so he can get it to the council meeting.

Next meeting: The next meeting of the Houghton Valley Progressive Association will be at the hall on Sunday, 11 October at 4 pm with a draft agenda to go out a week before to all those interested. Contact Ken.

Fundraiser: The school has produced some nice calico bags to reduce the use of plastic shopping bags, to celebrate our lovely part of the world, and as a fundraiser for the school. They are printed ‘Houghton Valley’ so might appeal to the local community too. They are priced at $5 each, and can be ordered by contacting Joanna.

Norman and contributors

Published as Issue No. 136

September 15, 2015

New Singing group: several locals are interested in singing together on Wednesday nights at the community hall. Jenny, an experienced community choir singer, will direct the group. The group’s first practice will be tomorrow Wednesday 16 September at 7.30 pm at the Community Hall. Come along or register your interest by emailing Miranda (hall manager), who comments – “Don’t worry if you think you can’t sing (not many of us can!), it’s about having fun and enjoying music.”

Saturday morning coffee: coffee at the hall is set to become a regular feature of Valley life after people were heard singing the praises of our very own baristas Ross and Jan last Saturday.  And the coffee was pretty good too! Thanks also to Ella for the beautiful music and Grant and Ken for joining halltables to make a pretty good impression of a table tennis table. The next coffee morning is planned for the first Saturday morning in October. More information will be in the next newsletter.

Lamb on the Run: so many opportunities for bad puns, so little space. Houghton Valley’s community network, Facebook Group and all, was put to use in the last couple of days when a lamb and mother were found in Hungerford Rd. Word went out and the newly acquired pets, which had gone missing within a day of arriving in the ‘hood, were re-united with their owners and Baaaaa-ck at home.

Norman and contributors

Published as Issue No. 135

September 1, 2015

Community singing: Miranda of Hornsey Rd, inspired by a great experience at the Wellington community choirs event at the weekend, advises there are already a few people interested in becoming part of a local singing group in the community hall but they are in need of a director. If you feel you could lead the group or you just want to sing please contact Miranda.

Fundraising at the Pines: On Sunday, 9 August Friends of Houghton Valley (FoHV) held a fun event at the Pines with more than 140 people enjoying afternoon tea and a variety of music and dance performances. Coral of Houghton Bay Rd says FoHV are fund-raising to pay for a judicial review of Wellington City Council’s (WCC) decision to grant a non-notified resource consent for a subdivision of 13 houses on 5000m² at 215 Houghton Bay Rd on the boundary of the Te Raekaihau Reserve.

“The subdivision plans show that the site, which is clearly visible when travelling around the coast from the West, will be used by 69 people in double storied, three and four bedroom houses. Before consenting this resource consent application WCC had put it ‘on hold’ for a year and, even after receiving much public interest in it, chose to ignore the community’s preference to have it notified. We are very disappointed that this application was not publicly notified.

There is no other area in Houghton Valley, or on the South Coast, where this kind of intensive housing has been built. Wellington’s South Coast is acknowledged in Wellington’s Regional Policy statement as having an effect on the wider character of the region. Aesthetic values of the coastal character include its memorability and naturalness. The density of the proposed housing on this site, which is not a ‘growth zone’, will unequivocally change the environment and character of the South Coast.”

Norman and contributors

Published as Issue No. 134

August 18, 2015

PlayCentre fund raiser: Houghton Valley Playcentre are having a debate as a fund-raiser on Thursday, 27 August at The Pines, an event well supported by local people in the past 19 years.

Cat and Bird in Same Room: Well, cat and bird experts actually. Kate from View Rd answers questions about her research on the secret lives of HoughtonValley cats. Waiting in the (ahem) wings to give his presentation is local bird-man Peter from Hornsey Rd. It can be reported they ate together at the pot luck dinner with nary a peck or scratch.

Voting with Their Wings: Jenny from Houghton Bay Rd comments that while Council may not approve of karo as being endemic to Wellington, the tui love it. “They are flocking back in great numbers to the lower valley. Also, three weeks ago I thought I heard an early tui in my garden which turned out to be a female bellbird! It flew across to the Buckley Road Reserve and sang there for a few days.”

Guardians of the Bays: This citizens group formed to oppose the extension of Wellington Airport has its meeting/annual meeting this Thursday 20 August at 7 pm in the  Hataitai Bowling Club. Their new website is www.guardiansofthebays.org.nz where you can subscribe to follow any updates, including meeting events.

Norman and contributors