Playground noise marred Anzac service

Is there any reason why, out of respect, the playground at Windsor Reserve cannot be closed during the 11am Anzac Day service?

This Anzac Day, the playground was busier than ever and the squealing and shrieking spoiled any solemnity during the service. On the Windsor Reserve side of the war memorial, it was impossible to hear the music, let alone the speaker. This completely took away the atmosphere of respect and contemplation.

On the other side, the speaker could be heard through the loudspeakers, but the noise from the playground could still be heard.

At a dawn service, it is the absolute silence in the darkness that stirs emotions. While the 11am service is in daylight and there may be a different crowd, it is still a service of respect and honour.

Due to the proximity of the war memorial to the playground, this will be an annual problem unless the playground is closed just for those few hours. Surely that is not such a great sacrifice?

Janine Leighton

Thanks to NSRC for spread on Jimmy Owen

I would like to thank the North Shore Rugby Club for giving my father, Jimmy Owen, a two-page spread in their fine 150th anniversary publication.

Although he died many years ago, my father loved the club and his beloved De- vonport. I knew Jim Eagles had contacted my son Matthew for some information, but didn’t know if it would be included.

So a heartfelt thank you. You warmed the heart of a lifetime Devonport resident.

Mary Williamson

Where is the case for raised crossings?

I read in the Flagstaff that Auckland Transport, as part of its unwanted further upgrade to Devonport’s roads, is now going to install further raised pedestrian crossings – including outside the Vic.

One wonders about the intelligence of these people.

The streets of Devonport have already been ‘traffic calmed’ with a speed limit of 30km/h. So where is the justification of spending the better part of a quarter of a million dollars of ratepayers’ money on these crossings, with the devastation this is going to cause to the already struggling Devonport businesses?

Bob Jenner

Median strip will rain on village parades

Quite apart from anything else, the idea of a raised centre strip down Victoria Rd in Devonport’s town centre will completely ruin longstanding events such as the Christmas

Parade and the annual Anzac Parade, both well attended, much loved and important events.

M J Armstrong

Flagstaff slip inspires Vlad jokes

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban today expressed his dismay at the news – recently revealed exclusively in The Devonport Flagstaff – that the 2023 World Athletics Champs was moving from Budapest to Bucharest, capital of neighbouring country Romania.

“While I appreciate these things sometimes happen, I would have preferred officials to have informed me directly, rather than releasing this story to the Devonport Flagstaff,” Orban said. “It’s taken quite a bit of organising, so we are a bit disappointed.”

However, the Prime Minister of Romania, Vlad The Impaler, was delighted at the news, stating, “This is a big win for Romania. We are particularly looking forward to having Devonport favourites Jacko Gill and Eliza McCartney to stay in our beautiful capital city, Bucharest.”

Mr Impaler went on to say, “I’m personally looking forward to the field events, and I have a special place in my heart for the javelin.”

Mr Impaler is several hundred years old.

Michael Cranna

Editor’s reply: Yes, the heading on our 21 April issue did mistakenly refer to Bucharest instead of Budapest as the host for the World Athletics Championships. The error is regretted.