Newsletter No. 69

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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

Newsletter No. 68

Published as Issue No. 52

23 September, 2012

This is a special edition to remind everyone about the film evening this Tuesday at 7.30 pm, at the school. The first of monthly film nights this one is centred around urban gardening, sustainable living and community building. Urban Roots is about growing local food and even farming in cities. It is also about the wonderful resilience, imagination and dedication of people. Bring some nibbles and join in for tea / coffee and interesting discussion afterwards.

Regards, Norman and Grant

Newsletter No. 67

Published as Issue No. 51

September 13, 2012

Local Film night, Tuesday September 25 – 7.30 pm: This is the first of a monthly local film night looking at urban gardening, sustainable living and community building. Urban Roots is about growing local food and even farming in cities, resilience, imagination and dedication of people. Great film, coffee and interesting discussion. Venue – Houghton Valley School; more information – Miranda.

Spring is Sprung: As advertised in recent newsletters, three different planting and restoration groups will be busy in the area this weekend, TriG from 2 pm, Saturday and Friends of Buckley Rd and Te Raikaehau Point from 10 am Sunday. Note the Te Raikaehau Point event is two in one, starting with planting of shrubs etc. supplied by the Council followed at 11 am by participation in a rubbish clean-up and sausage sizzle.

Buy/sell/swap/give-away section in the Newsletter?: A number of people responded to this idea – all positively. Some have already provided items for inclusion, see below:

  • ” … a positive initiative – who knows what may happen in the future?”
  • “… yes, having a local/buy/sell/swap/ free-cycle section is a great idea”.
  • ” … great idea – no problem with this list being used as you suggest.”
  • ” … Great idea! Thanks so much for not only keeping this going but looking to make it even more valuable.”
  • ” … Love it! Another thought – if people were heading away and wanted someone to stay in their house to feed pets, water gardens – perhaps someone else has family coming to stay who would like free/cheap accommodation.”
  • “.… to develop the newsletter would be good however not to the point where either it is taken over as a ‘Trade Me’ style thingy and local news and information is lost. Perhaps featuring new services initially which could then be archived under specific heading eg building, garden, cooking, swap/trade etc … need to review what was there periodically.”

The objective is to support local exchange of goods and services. If you wish to include something please (i) limit to 50 words and (ii) include contact details for publication; phone, e-mail, or both. Feedback welcome on this pilot.

Regards Grant and Norman

SHARE/SWAP/TRADE:

  1. 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.
  2. Miranda from Hornsey Rd has copies of ‘Organic NZ’ magazine to share. September/October edition features baby health, the dangers of smart meters, along with articles on food, gardening and communities. If you are not too far away she will deliver for return, say in a week, for the next person.
  3. Judy from View Rd needs a man (or woman!) to fill a hole in a plaster wall – there may be someone local to assist with that for a small fee or swap.
  4. Sunita from Sutherland Rd: Would anyone know where I can buy manure? My garden needs a boost badly.
  5. Norman from View Rd, will be looking to hire a student or two later in the year to help with a major section clearance project.

Newsletter No. 66

Houghton Valley Community Newsletter

30 August, 2012

What’s next for the Houghton Valley Newsletter?: From modest beginnings, as a means to keep a few people in touch about the community garden, the Houghton Valley Newsletter is now distributed to 165 households every two weeks.

To date content has been limited to items of general interest – the upgrade of the Houghton Bay intersection, proposed changes to the bus service, civil defence, reserve restoration working bees, the archaeological dig etc. The only ‘commercial’ information promoted a unit for households for civil defence emergencies.

The objective of this ‘think piece’ is to initiate a discussion about if the newsletter could also be used as a local buy/sell/swap or ‘free cycle’ communications channel. If you want to lease a garage for temporary storage, hire a student over the holidays for a clean up task, sell garden furniture or firewood or give it away – why not do that locally where possible? Another example in an earlier issue was where Miranda of Hornsey Rd was looking for a studio to rent for two days a week.

We believe a number of people would be interested and that it’s worth a trial. Opening up the newsletter in this way will require the development of some guidelines. One requirement could be the initiator should be a local person and the product or service likely to be of interest to local people. One possibility is to include all such information in an attachment so people can choose to look at the information or not.

What do you think? Feedback will be published in the next newsletter, meanwhile if you have a commercial notice you would like published send it in.

A message from Te Raekaihau Coast Care: “Now that the worst of winter is over we will be gathering on the Point to do our planting for this year on Sunday 16 September 10 am – 12 midday. We will also be participating in the annual Wellington-wide coastal cleanup taking place at the same time. Council has planted many more plants in the area we previously planted in to create a coastal shrubland. Large numbers of the plants had died, many went missing so the replacement species are different and hardier. Our planting this time will be to fill in and soften the boundaries between the carpark and the rest of the Point and help create a more natural looking distribution. Council will bring some grubbers to help with the hard pan that exists in some places. Bring along any tools you may find useful.

A recent development for our group has been the partnership we are in the process of creating with the Te Raekaihau Restoration Group, one of the several community groups in Houghton Valley generally, that come together regularly for their various activities. As the Point is part of the same landscape that TRiG are restoring it makes sense to work together and draw upon the local community for ongoing involvement and support as key individuals in our group move on.

The continuation of our group is important and we invite anyone who would like to join us for occasional meetings and activity plans. Your continued support is appreciated. If you would like more information about or be involved with the restoration of the rest of the headland behind and up to the Point you can get more information about TRIG on their Facebook Group. [Now Te Ohu o Te Raekaihau] See you all then.” – Sunita.

Regards Norman and Grant

Newsletter No. 65

Houghton Valley Community Newsletter

16 August, 2012

Message from Sunita of Sutherland Rd: I would like to invite anyone from the South Coast / Houghton Valley area to come to my place at 3 pm on August 25 to hear about the work of the Te Raekaihau Coast Care group (who have been planting natives on Te Raekaihau point) and to discuss ways in which planting groups in the area can work together better. If you would like to come, please email Grant and he will give you the details. Also, we will be planting on the point on 16 September, (10 am – 12 midday), if you want to join us then.

Houghton Valley and Hornsey Rd Community Project – our Facebook Group is growing. To join, go to http://www.facebook.com/groups/119811444753435/ and send a request. You are welcome to become an administrator and provide direct input if you want; it’s a community resource.

From Christine of Buckley Rd: The Houghton Valley Progressive Association has received from the Wellington Region Local Government Review Panel details of four public meetings. These are the opportunity for Wellington residents to tell the Panel what they think about how local and regional governance arrangements can best support their local and regional communities in the future. [No attachment]

From Christine of Buckley Rd: The attached [No attachments] have been received from the Regional Council; the next iteration of the proposed new bus routes and timetable. The council advise they are taking the feedback and we may be in touch again prior to our next meetings in October/November.

Message from Friends of Buckley Rd: Planting this coming Sunday 19 August, 10 am – 12.30 pm near the playing fields and track that runs from Buckley Rd down to the school, so bring your spades and gloves and we’ll see you there (weather permitting).

Houghton Valley School fair: Donations of produce are sought to make preserves to sell at the Houghton Valley School Fair in October. Do you have, or do you know people who have more rhubarb, lemons, mint, feijoas (especially feijoas!), apples, quinces, chillies, tomatoes etc than you know what to do with? We am always keen to receive donations of produce to make into preserves and cordials to sell – no matter how small or large the donation, it is very welcome. Donors are given a jar/bottle of what I make as a thank you! Contact Sarah.

World Famous in Houghton Valley: Houghton Valley PlayCentre presents THE SIXTEENTH ANNUAL GREAT DEBATE. Topic: “That New Zealand Women are the most promiscuous in the world” Thursday 23 August – Doors open 7 pm.

  • Speakers: Hon Annette King, Pinky Agnew, Brent Edwards, Rt. Hon Winston Peters, David Townsend and Patrick Gower.
  • Chair: Duncan Garner and MC Errol Pike.
  • Venue: The Pines, 50 The Esplanade, Houghton Bay

Light Supper provided, prizes and raffles Tickets $20 each. All proceeds to PlayCentre. [No attachment]

Regards, Norman and Grant

Newsletter No. 64

Houghton Valley Community Newsletter

2 August, 2012

Message from Christine Fowler, President, Houghton Valley Progressive Association: The chair of the Wellington Region Local Government Review Panel, Sir Geoffrey Palmer, has circulated an issues paper outlining the key questions the region is facing now and in the future. [No attachment]

Message from Kae Miller Trust and Te Raekaihau Restoration Group: A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between us and the City Council. It recognises the partnership for the purpose of realising the conservation and restoration of the Te Raekaihau Park (the headland that overlooks Princess and Houghton Bays and include the land around the Alice Krebs Lodge). If you would like to view the document email Grant.

Message from Jenny of Houghton Bay Rd: Join us for a planting afternoon near the Alice Krebs Lodge this Saturday, 2 – 4 pm.

Traffic Intersection update: The final plan was received on Monday.

Message from the Community Gardeners: Two years ago, a group of residents started the garden (and this newsletter). The gardeners plan to celebrate on Sunday 12th August. Feel free to join them for a cuppa from 2 pm onwards.

Message from Grant of Hungerford Rd: A (Skype) seminar is being planned with Houghton Valley residents for September. This follows my week in Sydney which included attending workshops where the Houghton Valley PhD project was discussed with philosophers Brian Massumi and Erin Manning (Professors at Université de Montréal) and PhD students from Montreal and Sydney. There was considerable interest in what we are doing in our community and as a result the 2 – 3 hour seminar will involve international students and all Houghton Valley residents interested in participating. Will keep you posted, for more about the PhD project see the Houghton Valley Community project Facebook page.

Regards, Grant and Norman

Newsletter No. 62

Houghton Valley Community Newsletter

5 July, 2012

Message from Brenda (View Rd): Many local people don’t know about the Alice Krebs Lodge overlooking Te Raekaihau Point, and those who have discovered it while walking the headland tracks are unlikely to have seen inside. On Saturday July 14 we celebrate the founding of the View Rd South / Te Raekaihau Park as well as the Lodge built by Kae Miller for us all to enjoy. [Its available for hire]. Come and have a look between 2 and 4 pm, join us for a cup of tea and a look around; the recent energy retrofit includes the latest in underfloor insulation. This is also the opportunity to see the plantings and other work being done by the TRiG Restoration Group and take a walk over the various tracks on the headland. See map below:

Message from Christine (Buckley Rd): A reminder that the next meeting of the Houghton Valley Progressive Association will be held on Sunday 15 July, commencing 4 pm. This will be followed by the AGM, all welcome.

Houghton Valley School fair: “Donations of produce are sought to make preserves to sell at the Houghton Valley School Fair in October. Do you have, or do you know people who have more rhubarb, lemons, mint, feijoas (especially feijoas!), apples, quinces, chillies, tomatoes etc than you know what to do with? I am always keen to receive donations of produce to make into preserves and cordials to sell – no matter how small or large the donation, it is very welcome. Donors are given a jar/bottle of what I make as a thank you!” – Sarah

Message from Estelle, (Buckley Rd): White handmade knitted baby bonnet found along footpath of track on Mt Albert Road last week.

Close to Home: Around 80 organically grown broccoli seedlings which began life in the community garden are now growing in home gardens in Houghton Valley, including a number given to the new local Hornsey Rd garden project – Te Kawakawa Commons. Local people have each saved a few dollars which would otherwise have been spent at Garden Centres, saving petrol at the same time. At the community garden less work has been done over the last three Sunday afternoons as visitors provided the perfect excuse to stop to talk and have a cup of tea 🙂 .

Message from Jenny (Houghton Bay Rd): Next TRiG working bee is near the Alice Krebs Lodge July 7, (2 – 5pm).

Regards, Grant and Norman