Published as Issue No. 60
20 December, 2012
Welcome to the new members. We now have 171 people / families on the list.
An ice cream shop temporarily returned to Houghton Valley this week when Brian and Benje from View Rd decided to celebrate the end of the working year. Ice cream stall: (no photo)
Message from Brenda of View Rd South: The Kae Miller Trust is delighted with the new tree plantings this year around the Alice Kreb Lodge and the park. Well done to the TRIG group – Kae Miller would have been very happy. The lodge has been regularly used this year and bookings are coming in for next year. As well with the work being done now on the tracks by W.C.C. the park is developing and a great place for walks. Merry Christmas and the best 2013 to all. Brenda, caretaker Alice Krebs Lodge.
Message from Peter of Hornsey Rd. Banded Birds: There have been a large number of birds banded in the area over the last 10 years. This includes Houghton Bay, Houghton Valley School and Hornsey Rd as well as further afield at the Wellington Zoo and Island Bay. If you find a dead bird could you please let me know or report it on the DOC website @ http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/birds/bird-banding/reporting-a-bird-band/. (link not current) Even better, if you have the chance to record the band number on a live bird I would also love to get that information. The information we need is date of its demise, or of finding it, the location and if possible the cause of death. If possible I am happy to collect any birds as I can often find out more information by a close inspection. We have had a number of recoveries recently from this area including birds hitting windows, having fatal road accidents, collected by a cat as well as the commonest “just found dead”, or in one case, it fell out of a tree. Every report is valuable and adds more information to the data base. Thanks Peter
Message from Dave of Houghton Bay Rd: Here is a photo of Hugh waterproofing the Houghton Valley hall roof. Thanks Hugh! We all seem to lead such busy lives now that it can be hard to imagine the generosity of the Sinclair family in bequeathing us the land and how the hall was built by a large contribution of labour and money from local people. Over the decades the hall has had many uses. Who knows what wonderful uses our children will find for this community asset?
Message Miranda of Hornsey Rd: Christmas on Te Kawakawa Commons. All are welcome to join neighbours for cake and drinks up on the Commons on Christmas Day from early afternoon.
Message from Emma Titcombe, City Safety Advisor (WCC): Attached is a flyer that gives information on how to remove graffiti and a voucher for free and/or discounted paint at Resene to help paint out graffiti/tagging. Any questions around graffiti do not hesitate to contact me. Thanks.
That’s all folks for 2012. We are going to take a short break. The next issue will appear on Wednesday 30 January (issues will be sent out on Wednesdays from now on). As a community a lot has been achieved this year. Here is a brief list of accomplishments: Archaeological Dig; Arts and Writing group; Bird banding; Film evenings; Ice Cream stall; Chook house, Seedling exchange and upgraded Lizard Sanctuary at the Community Garden; Local bus timetable review; New Traffic Intersection; Plantings by six different groups; Play Centre Anniversary; Te Kawakawa Commons; Track names and track upgrade in View Rd / Te Raekaihau Park. So congratulations to everybody for making our community a better place to live in.
Local Exchange:
Holiday Visitors Overflow?: Separate sleep-out with own bathroom/shower and double bed; also second carpeted room, could supply blow up double mattress. View Rd.