Published as Issue No. 61
30 January, 2013
Here is the first 2013 issue of the two-weekly community newsletter which goes to 170 households in and around Houghton Valley. It is compiled by Grant and Norman although much is written by others who provide information about activities of local interest – all contributions are welcomed.
In order to give more notice about events on a coming weekend mail-out has been brought forward to Wednesdays, around 7 pm. Please pass the newsletter on to others who may be interested or provide details so we can add them to the mailing list.
Leachate in Houghton Bay: People concerned about this have arranged to meet with the City Council to present ideas about leachate going onto the beach from the old landfill. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 13 February from 3.30 – 4.30 pm and will be held in Committee Room 2 on the ground floor at WCC Offices in Wakefield Street.
World famous in South Wellington: For the 2012 issue of its magazine Colin Feslier of the Wellington Southern Bays Historical Society, wrote an article about Houghton Valley (not attached). The magazine is held in the Island Bay and Wellington Central libraries. The Society’s collection of documents, photos etc is held at the Island Bay Community Centre and open to the public on Friday’s between 10 am and 2 pm.
Houghton Valley Creek Walk: An email from Jenny of Houghton Bay Road asked:
“I was wondering who would be interested in doing a creek walk one evening in February to share everything we all know about the creek and the dump drainage? I thought we could arrange to meet at the top and work our way down to below the playground or right to the beach, exploring all the side streams, dump pipes etc.
We would share what we know about the history and could also share our ideas as to what we would like “lifting the creek” to be, with the objective of coming up with a shared vision.. At this stage we would not be worrying about the details of how it could be achieved, but what we would like to see eventually.”
So, on Friday 8 February there will be an evening walk to discover Houghton Valley’s (very hidden!) waterways. Meet at 7 pm at the top of Sinclair Park by the old slide, the source of the original creek. The plan is to make our way down the valley following the line of the creek as closely as possible exploring tributaries and sharing knowledge about its history, perhaps finishing at the beach. Ideas will be shared about “Lifting the Creek” Wear appropriate shoes and clothing for scrambling and bring torches for peering down pipes and something for a shared supper. For further information contact Jenny of Houghton Bay Rd.
First 2013 local film night: The first film will be shown on Tuesday 12 February at 7.30 pm at Houghton Valley School. (Please note change of night from Wednesday to Tuesday for a couple of screenings.) Queen of the Sun- What Are the Bees Telling Us? is a look at the global bee crisis. Michael Pollan and Vandana Shiva are featured, followed by coffee, cake and conversation. Further information contact Miranda.
Te Kawakawa Commons: Working bee on Sunday 10 February, 10 am start. Help weed, cut back vines and plant more natives. Excellent company and morning tea provided. Bring along some seedlings/seeds as the vegetable garden’s soil is improving day by day and growing some truly tasty produce. Further information contact Miranda.
On the buses: Christine, chair of the Houghton Valley Progressive Association and Linda from View Rd have been keeping us up to date with their efforts to ensure the present Routes 22 and 23 survive the Regional Council’s major review of routes. Councillor Daran Ponter has reported the design of the new system has now been confirmed with a copy of the final decision available at http://www.gw.govt.nz/assets/
Archaeological dig: Due to on-going interest in what was found, and learned last February a family-friendly gathering is being planned to report back on what was found. This will probably be late in February on a weekend. Date, place and time to be advised in the next newsletter.
Graffiti voucher: As promised in the last newsletter a voucher is attached which can be printed off and taken to Resene to get paint that will deal with any graffiti problems. (no attachment)
Regards, Grant and Norman