Plimmerton Residents Association Newsletter

Whats new in Plimmerton?

February 2012

Happy new year - all the very best for 2012 from Plimmerton Residents Association
Welcome new residents, and welcome back holiday-making locals gearing up of the new work and school year. This newsletter is published every month by your association to keep you up with what has happened, what is going on now and events to look forward to in our vibrant village. We also have a growing web site www.plimmerton.org.nz which includes a lot more detail about many items in these newsletters. We welcome input, information and ideas from groups or individuals and please contact us if you need help, or can give help. Through our newsletter and web site we can put people in touch with one another and add to everyones enjoyment of living in this special little place plimmertonra@gmail.com

Busy little business for sale in Plimmerton

Looking for a new direction? Want a job working with gorgeous things and gorgeous people? This could be the opportunity youve been looking for! Scene@Plimmerton is on the market. Very reluctantly, for family reasons, Cherie has to put her buzzy business on the market. Scene has a solid and loyal customer base and is first port of call for books, childrens gifts, birthday and anniversary presents and lots more besides. Right in the heart of the village and involved in everything going on, Scene is a great business and lifestyle for the right person. Call Cherie 233 9303 or email plimmertonscene@xtra.co.nz

House to rent in Plimmerton?

A professional working mum with one child is looking for two bedroom place to rent. Shes a very careful tenant with excellent references. Can you help? Call Katrina 027 487 3369 asap or email us at plimmertonra@gmail.com

Dog travelling cage response

Hey! This newsletter really works. Bruno would like to thank the seven families who responded to his mum and dads request to borrow a crate so he could fly away with them on holiday. He had a brilliant holiday on the beaches and in the rivers on the West Coast near Greymouth. Thanks for taking the time to help out at such a busy time of the year.

Earlybird runners!
Plimmerton runners meet every Friday wind, rain, hail, sleet (or even sunshine) at The Big Salami 6.30am. Call Dean 021 424 738

Photo competition time

Its Pauatahanui Inlet photo time again. Visit the inlet soon to plan your winning shots in these categories: scenic impressions, nature, human impact, recreation. There are junior (under 13) and youth (under 18) sections as well as an open section. Check out our web site if you are bursting to get clicking.

Garden help given gaily

Well Gayile actually. She is a gardener who is helping locals with their weeding, pruning and planting. If the old knees are giving you gyp and the weeds are at eye level Gayile is the person to call 027 305 7555 or 233 8604

Strange visitor to our gardens...

Not dodgy blokes in grubby raincoats but odd none the less. Check out our web site www.plimmerton.org.nz to see: A rarely seen scorpion tailed spider which has been identified as a native species. Can anyone tell us what they eat and what eats them? A long tailed cuckoo that flew into a window and sadly died. Can anyone tell us why this solo bird may have been here because the bird that usually hosts it (cuckoos lay their eggs in other birds nests) is the whitehead which is not seen here either. People have heard cuckoo calls in the area. And can anyone enlighten us as to why some Monarch butterflies towards the end of the season hatch with deformities of their wings?

Nature observations for our web sites Nature Diary

We have been told of many locals who have lots of knowledge about the flora and fauna in this area. We would love you to share your insights and observations on our web site in a new section on the web site called Nature Diary. Inspire youngsters to learn more about the natural world. You can send us info anytime to plimmertonra@gmail.com

Civil defence group in your street yet?

A walk through Christchurchs red zone before Christmas has put the heebie-jeebies into local residents who want us to get together in our streets and share information that could save lives. There is a checklist on our web site. While we are enjoying balmy summer weather why not have an informal street group bbq and start talking to your neighbours? Find out what skills and resources are available in your street, who may be alone and who may need help. Build a phone/contact database with work and other numbers plus next of kin for each family. Get all neighbours stashing kits and note who has medical or other practical skills ... and things like boats and portable toilets!. Please let us know how your street meeting goes ... plimmertonra@gmail.com

Eat drink and be crafty fair Saturday ... 28 January, Battle Hill Regional Park
Mana Lions have partnered with the organisers to run this fun charity event with a craft market and artisan foods and drinks. Funds go to The Life Flight Trust, a service any of us may need at any time and well worth our support. For more info contact Dave Black 233 1388

Get in behind!
Puppy socialisation classes start again on Sunday morning 29 January 11 till midday (just a gold coin donation.). Obedience classes start on Tuesday evenings, January 31, at the club and the first term ends 8 weeks later on March 20. You must register, so if you missed registration night call the club 233 0014. Thanks from our community to the club for their great work in training our local canine population. Thanks too for generously letting everyone socialise their dogs in their facilities. And a special bouquet to those who keep the place clean and well groomed ... especially those who remove doggy doos some owners are too lazy to pick up.

Water restrictions
Water restrictions will be in place for some time yet. Times for water use and other useful information are on our web site www.plimmerton.org.nz

ANZAC histories about local families on our web site

Drama, mystery, tragedy, courage...its all there in these family stories researched by Allan Dodson. Go now to www.plimmerton.org.nz to meet the lad from a local Paremata family who went to Plimmerton School and is remembered on the war memorial at Pauatahanui. He was killed at Gallipoli in May 1915. Do you have World War 1 memorabilia from your forebears? Is there a story waiting to be told? Contact Allan plimmertonra@gmail.com

Graffiti busters
Mike Barry and Brian McKeon are doing a great job keeping the detritus of idle youth at bay over the break. If you see these intrepid chaps with their paint pots give them a friendly pat on the back. (Mike and Brian, not the taggers) Ring PCCs hot line 237 5089 any time you spot vandalism or tagging. It will be dealt to.

Christchurch refugees
Thanks to all the generous people in Plimmerton who have hosted Christchurch people for a break from the shake. Everyone there affected by the on-going earthquakes is exhausted from the stress and endless battling with bureaucracy. A local family ask us to particularly thank to Judi and Liz at Aqua Villa for their nurturing of traumatised guests in December. (Unfortunately their restorative visit to Plimmerton coincided with that Saturday evening serenity shattering shake here, shame!)

Big night for Mana Little Theatre at the Oscars!

Well, actually it was the Wellington Theatre Federation Antoinette Awards, but it was still fabulous. MLTs shared/won the best comedy award for My Husbands Nuts with Porirua Little Theatres Stiff. MLT also won best male comedy lead award for Colin Bleasdale ... and best female in a support role for Paulette McIndoe. Well done to director Stephanie Drew for her award and compliments for our little theatre by the sea ... recognition of all the hard work by cast and crew. MLT was also nominated for other awards which is a fantastic achievement. Great stuff MLT ... watch out for their 2012 productions!

Karehana Park progress

A small but rugged team of Karehana bay residents and PCC staff completed the installation of wooden bollards at the Cluny Road entrance to Karehana Park replacing the old fence. This opens up the park and allows access for strollers etc A mowing strip between the bollards will be installed this month. You can keep up with developments and get involved in working bees ... check out our web site.

Plimmerton library proposed change to hours

Brian Anderson, manager city libraries, says, We are looking at shifting the Saturday opening of Plimmerton library to Friday afternoon starting late February. If you want the continued service of a walk-to local library then turn up to change your books on Friday afternoons! Brian is at Porirua Library 237 1532.

First Steps Playgroup

For mums and littlies, every Thursday from 9.45 till 11.45 during term time. Starts 2 February, 6 Ulric Street Plimmerton at the Salvation Army Corps. Phone the office 233 9790

Childrens rugby registration soon

Registration at Paremata for Plimmerton Rugby Football Club for girls and boys rugby, from age three through to under 13 grade, at the clubrooms in Ngati Toa Domain. Tuesday 14 Feb 6-8pm, Saturday 18 Feb 10am-2pm, Saturday 25 Feb 10am-2pm Free mouth guard, free ball, free kids Hurricanes ticket. New players please bring a copy of your birth certificate or passport when you come to register. Cost $45 for one child, $70 for two or $85 for three or more (payments on registration - eftpos, cash or cheque). Call Martin Highgate 237 4175 or 0274 785 358. Check out www.pareplimrugby.co.nz

Style workshop ... with colour ... with style

Saturday 11 February 10.30-3.30pm.Could be your best fashion decision. Book in now for your style or colour analysis. Colour consultations $70 style consultations $60. Phone Lee at Revolve 233 6322 or email lee@revolvefashion.co.nz

Clean fill available

Approx 6 small truckloads of clean dirt and broken concrete available soon for removal. Happy to pay. Call John on 021 476 406 anytime.

Croquet? Ole
On February 11 Plimmerton Croquet Club will host 32 players from the Wellington region in its annual interclub croquet doubles competition. A Spanish theme will see the lawns ringing with Croquet? Ole! when shots of brilliance are played. Lots more on our web site. The clubs Give-it-a-go day on anniversary weekend was a great success attracting new members to the club. You can still join! Contact club captain Tom Berryman 236 8877 tom.berryman@xtra.co.nz

Car boot sales Sundays 12th, 19th, 26th in February

From 8 11am at the Kennel Club, Prosser St, Porirua. Treasure hunters be early. Clean out the basement! $10 a space Call Allan Nichols 234 8415

La Leche League meeting Wednesday 8 February10 11.30am

Titled Breastfeeding: the extra ordinary for mums and babies this meeting is for all pregnant and breastfeeding women. Meetings are free with koha to cover costs at the supper room at Plimmerton Pavilion.

Newsletter delivery
We are working on a process to avoid delivering hard copies of the newsletter to those on our email list. People tell us that they pass on the extra paper copy to friends who enjoy Plimmerton but who are not lucky enough to live in the distribution area. Lots of people from other areas around request the newsletter so please pass it on or leave it at the Big Salami so someone else can catch up with whats happening here.

Motuhara Bank working bees first Saturday of each month

But this month there is a swarm of bees scheduled ... on Saturdays 4 and 11 February. Email Linda Kerkmeester if you want to get involved linda.k@xtra.co.nzThanks to those who helped in December ... Lynette, Anna-Marie, Luke and Julie ... for their mammoth weeding efforts. The focus on this month is the top half of the bank and Linda reminds helpers to work from the bottom up towards the slope ... its safer that way.

Pedal power
Pedal power one...piano lessons, beginners to advanced ...Carole 233 9455 Pedal power two...cycle hire, text 021 234 4980 or call in to Macks Tracks on the station and talk to Gerald ... $25 for half a half day hire.

Kidz & Youth @ St Andrews

St Andrews tell us that they have an awesome youth worker, Glen Williams, this year which allows them to offer a great programme for older kids in our area. The year kicks off with a Back to School bbq with entertainment on Saturday 4 February. Sunday school starts on 5 February at 9.30am with two groups, one for 3-8 year olds and a new one for 9-12 year olds. Check out their window or Facebook page or our web site for all the details.

PRA meetings

last Monday every month at the fire station 7.30pm All residents are welcome to attend meetings which are held at the fire station. If you have issues to discuss or ideas to put forward please email us first so we can make time for you on the agenda, plimmertonra@gmail.com

Pauatahanui pathway wins award for Rotary Club

Rotary Club of Plimmerton took out the Recreation Volunteers Award at the Encore Awards for its efforts in creating Te Ara Piko, the Pauatahanui Pathway. People can now meander around the inlet appreciating its natural attributes en route. The club campaigned for years to get the council to include the pathway in its long term plan. It partnered with the council to bring its vision to fruition. Club members promoted the pathway, organised plantings, and established their own nursery. Well done those people for their perseverance and determination ... and thanks from all of us who enjoy exploring this beautiful inlet.

Village people
A new section on our web site introduces you to some of the distinguished, talented and interesting people in our community.

This month we are adding Professor Colleen Ward who was awarded the Te Rangi Hiroa Medal by the Royal Society of New Zealand for her intercultural research work, Dr Kelvin Berryman geologist with GNS who was recognised in the new years honours for his work on the Christchurch earthquakes, and man-about-village and celebrity of letters and notes, Sol Weinstein. If you have suggestions about people we should profile wed love to hear from you plimmertonra@gmail.com

Strengthen your relationship

Enrol now in the marriage course at St Barnabas Church starting 7pm Tuesday 14 February. This 8 week course covers all aspects of relationships (see our web site for details). Ann or David 234 8634, Yvonne or Euan 234 7940 or the office 233 8572

Burn the Lazy Boy and get those joints moving

Rip into 2012 with more energy and an abundance of health. Deidre Lee invites us to experience pilates or yoga before we join classes which are held most days. All the times are on our web site. Book yourself in at deidre-lee@purebalance.co.nz

Mana U3A ... keep the brain in top form, tackle interests youve never had time for
University of the third Age is an international organisation providing a learning structure for those in the older age group who want to learn for the fun of it. The Mana group has 181 members who participate in individual study groups covering subjects from art galleries to geology. They also enjoy lunches with great speakers and its just $10 a year for an individual. Call the secretary Ross Williamson rosswilliamson@xtra.co.nz Or call 233 1118. More info at www.pimmerton.org.nz

Jazz @ Vella
Crosskeys are playing at the Vella Cafe every second Sunday of the month starting on 12 February at 4pm. Get in early, youll need to book, last time the place was humming. Jill Leighton sings jazz standards backed by Tony Whincup on bass, Paul Goodhead on guitar, Colin Bleasdale on drums and Brian James on saxophone. Chill out with great food cooked by a world famous Plimmerton chef, cool music and excellent coffee, all hosted by the lovely Trudi @ Vella.

Men wanted for auditions ... lots of roles for teenagers and chaps
Sunday 29 January at 7.30pm at Mana Little Theatre ... Once on Chunuk Bair Maurice Shadbolts powerful New Zealand play is set in 1915 and tells of the Wellington Regiment at Gallipoli in World War 1. On August 18 1915 the regiment took and held Chunuk Bair, one of the Turkish hills. The ensuing action is remembered as one of the most horrific episodes of modern war. The play is a classic and filled with humour, drama and tragedy. The season will run 1828 April. For further info call 237 8233 or email twinskiers@xtra.co.nz

Our website: www.plimmerton.org.nz and our email: plimmertonra@gmail.com

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