Published as Issue No. 53
27 September, 2012
Welcome to those who have recently joined this list.
Message from the Community Gardeners: Organically grown seedlings which began life in the community garden are now growing in home gardens in the area. Local people have each saved a few dollars which would otherwise have been spent at Garden Centres, saving petrol at the same time. Come on a Sunday after 2 pm to get some (for exchange or gold coin), or if you have too many in your garden and want to give some to others.
Another Tool for Conviviality and Connection in Houghton Valley?: This two-weekly community newsletter and more recently the our new Facebook Group Houghton Valley & Hornsey Road Community Project, have made it easier for local people to connect. Another possibility is a website. Jan from View Rd, who describes this as “an idea that has been on my to-do list for some time,” has set up a temporary web page to demonstrate information access from the community to all the happenings in the area. He has also offered to host and maintain the site. [Site not current.] Jan comments “the input and development of the data will depend on what people like and want.” This will include choosing a domain name. Possible uses for the website: working bees, announcements, buy/sell/swap, perhaps the newsletter could be rolled into it. Is a local website a good idea; could it reach more people than the newsletter and allow more interaction than just using Facebook?
More than just Pipe(d) dream?: A while back Ian and Kate of Buckley Rd had a dream that the stream which once flowed through Houghton Valley, piped 60 years ago under the old tip – now playing fields, would be re-claimed. The concept of “lifting the creek” was born; earlier this year it returned temporarily as a 250 metre mown and white-painted strip, a feature of the archaeological dig. This highly ambitious idea, including recreating a wetland, is taking hold and others such as Jenny from Houghton Bay Rd are also thinking about what is possible. She has begun researching other creeks which have been ‘daylighted’ and working on an illustrated story of ‘our’ creek, whose name is lost. Meanwhile Ian has been busy, talking to the city and regional councils and others and is encouraged by the response to date. Once written comment is received from them a public meeting is planned. If you would like to be on a mailing list to be kept information please contact Ian, or Jenny.
Message from Miranda of Hornsey Rd: The vegetable garden in Te Kawakawa Commons Hornsey Road is now ready for planting. It has been established in the spirit of the Commons, where people look after and share each other’s vegetables in communal plots. Te Kawakawa is an organic garden, free of pesticides and chemical sprays. The big garden is for vegetables while the ‘spreaders’ like zucchini are up on the bank behind it. The smaller garden is for herbs. Ring Miranda for more information.
SELL, SWAP OR SHARE
- Message from Barkie from The Esplanade: Free, sealed double glazing unit, glass only, 1350 x 730. Suitable for skylight, window or ‘cloche’. Can drop off.
- Message (repeat) from Ruth from Hornsey Rd: Mature, responsible grandmother offers free of charge babysitting/child minding to Houghton Valley/Hornsey Road parents who would appreciate the opportunity to have an occasional night out. Very happy to meet and discuss at either your home or mine.
Regards
Norman and Grant