November 14, 2018
School Fair a Great Success
A huge THANK YOU to all those who supported the school fair this year. In spite of the rain, which arrived about 12.15 pm, the attendance was good, and the atmosphere really great. Our new teacher Mr Harland was chosen to kiss the goat this year, we had the usual excellent entertainment from our children and their whanau, delicious food, and exciting stalls and activities.
Financially the result was almost identical to last year, with approximately $27,000 profit made on the day. This is fantastic news for the school’s fundraising kitty, and the money will be used for playground and IT upgrades. It was wonderful to see so many members of the wider community at the fair. A special thank you to Grant and the community gardeners, who ran the ever-successful plant stall – Ngā mihi koutou!
And the community says …
Thank you for saying thank you Houghton Valley School. We’re happy to support the greatest school fair in the southern hemisphere!
A Good Spring for Rain
The heavy rainfall in recent weeks has once more sent pollution into our marine reserve. This was reported in Stuff on October 26.
This happens during heavy rainfall, when the weir diverting the landfill pipe contents to the sewer overflows and sends the surplus into the bay. We have an archaic system and all our stormwater (and fresh stream water) is directed into the landfill leachate pipes.
The article suggests that the sediment is runoff from the developments up the road, but if one thinks about it, our soil is not that colour. This bloom is tainted with iron from the landfill.
The article also talks about the odour as coming from decaying seaweed at the pipe outlet. However the smell often comes out from the stormwater drains around the valley. Have a sniff next time you pass one.
And finally, although the pipe flushing has reduced the frequency of this sort of spill, one can see it isn’t the solution. We need to separate the storm and spring water from the leachate, and preferably recap the fields with clay to prevent good rainwater from percolating down and becoming contaminated.
E-bikes in Houghton Bay
Dave McArthur has interviewed another e-bike user from our community:
Most school days Andrea breezes into the Houghton Valley School on her e-bike to pick up Rim after school, her helmet a little blob of sunshine that can be seen from afar. It could be that a little bit of rivalry between pedal power and battery power starts at this point.
When asked what two words she most associates with “e-bikes”, Andrea says with great enthusiasm, “ Fun, Yeah!” and adds “No problems with parking!”
When asked what two words he most associates with “e-bikes”, Rim says without hesitation “Fast”. Then after some deliberation he drawls in a scathing way, “Unnecessary”. When asked to elaborate, Rim explains he cannot see the point of carting “a big heavy battery” around on a bike. Andrea protests that it is a great help to her when biking up the hills. Rim grudgingly concedes she has a point and flexes his muscles …
Art Studio Sale
Miranda has run out of room in her studio and would love some of her paintings to go to new homes before the new year. Prices will be low and all reasonable offers accepted. (Cash only sales.)
Dates are Saturday 24 Nov 9 am – 12 midday and Sunday 25 Nov 9 am – 12 midday at 56 Hornsey Road. The studio is round the back. You can see her work on her website at: www.mirandamunroart.com (Photo from website.)
Koha Coffee
Thanks again to Andrew for a November catch up at the hall for Koha Coffee. A keen eye might spot Claudia’s gluten free apricot sponge on the table but keen eyes don’t satisfy stomachs!
See you the first Saturday in December.
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