3 minute read
Devonport News
By Katherine Downs Devonport Business Improvement District Manager Shining a light on Devonport’s heritage
Katherine Downs.
We are currently showing off some of our best assets in Devonport village with a stunning light display. Highlighting our heritage buildings, the lights went on with a huge cheer at the conclusion of our day of Puanga Matariki celebrations on June 25th. They’ve been lighting up our lives ever since.
Our buildings have special significance in Auckland’s urban landscape, as a uniquely concentrated collection of Edwardian and Victorian beauties with a sprinkle of Art Deco. As locals, we tend to take them for granted as we rush to the pharmacy and dash to grab takeaways, but the lights have reminded us all just how special and beautiful they are. Hopefully you have or will take the opportunity to come down to Devonport before July 10th, have an evening stroll through the village and stay for dinner to enjoy the ambience.
Alternatively, do our Heritage Audio Tour during the day at any time of the year. Listen to character-filled anecdotes of music so loud that it blew the fuses at The Esplanade, monkeys in the village, and raucous kids bringing the movies to a grinding halt at The Vic. It's a fantastically entertaining way to explore Devonport, is very easy to access and can be enjoyed at your own pace. Simply go to www.devonport.co.nz on your phone, scroll down, pop your headphones on and hit play! Couldn't be easier.
Scattered throughout the interiors of our boutique stores are reminders of its rich history. Vic Road Wine Bar and Cellar has made a feature of the wooden shelving from its decades as Thompson’s Shoes. It’s well worth a stop to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the superbly curated wine collection paired with gourmet small bites. Perfect for a wintery afternoon.
Or duck into The Patriot for a pint and relax in a cosy nook that housed the bank vault during its former life as the local branch of the Bank of New Zealand. Check out their weekly Tuesday Quiz Night, Live Comedy Night on the first Saturday of the month and Live Music on the second Saturday of the month.
Prefer ice cream? The Vic's hand-rolled ice creams are the icing on the cake of their heritage cinema experience. Personally, a choc-dipped boysenberry ice cream makes every movie a 10/10 for me! A must-see in July is ‘The Phantom of the Open’, the true story of Maurice Flitcroft, a crane operator from Barrow-in-Furness who qualified for the 1976 British Open, despite never before playing a round of golf.
The heritage buildings in the main street of Devonport will be lit up daily 5:30pm - 10:00pm. Final night, Sunday July 10th - a sight not to be missed!
Devonport is YOUR seaside escape www.devonport.co.nz
By Justine Kinsella, Marketing & Activations Manager
Devonport Community House
Justine Kinsella.
We're so excited to bring you our Matariki family fun day in July!
– Fun for the whole family from 1pm-4pm on Saturday 2nd July. We have Nanogirl slime-making (make and then see your slime glow in our special Matariki dark room!), face painting, giant star colouring and more. Don't miss out!
We have an amazing July school holiday programme lined up so book fast as there are limited places available. For further details including the link to book, head to our website www.devonportcomhouse.com
Don't forget to check out our timetable for classes and workshops. There's something for everyone! We'd also love to speak with you if you're thinking about starting your own class, activity or club. We have the space and facilities available down on the peninsula to bring your ideas to life. Come and chat with us any time!
