The Fringe for March 2021

ISSUE 201, MARCH 2021

community news, issues, arts, people, events

contents

11 Heritage values of Titirangi landmark recognised .................................3 Titirangi RSA ‘museum dream’ comes true ...........................................4 Manukau Harbour water quality: update ..............................................5 Keeping it Local: Igniting minds through music.....................................6 Sustainable solutions: Taking action to reduce waste ...........................7 Titirangi Festival of Music ............................................................8 – 11 Places to go: Events listing ..........................................................12 – 13 At the libraries; Forever in the Wind ...................................................14 EcoWest Fest returns for its 10th year ................................................15 Bandstanding: Arjuna Oakes in his own words....................................16

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On Stage: Titirangi Theatre news ........................................................17 Art and about with Naomi McCleary ............................................. 18-19 The Trusts moves to offer a living wage ..............................................19 Moth plant still invasive in the Whau; Weather by the moon ............20 Naturally West: Dragonflies and damselflies .......................................21

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Live @ the lounge................................................................................22 Advertisers’ Directory ..........................................................................23

On our Cover: Flamingo Pier have been wowing dance parties in the UK and New Zealand and now they bring their skills to Titirangi Festival of Music’s Saturday night Jungle Boogie, alongside Frank Booker, Sandy Mill and Samson Live.

21,000 copies delivered free to letter boxes, post boxes, libraries and selected outlets throughout Titirangi, Glen Eden, Green Bay, New Lynn, Kelston, Konini, Wood Bay, French Bay, South Titirangi, Waima, Woodlands Park, Laingholm, Parau, Cornwallis, Huia and Oratia.

WIN

The Fringe has a double pass to the Flicks movie, The Father (coming up in April) to give away.

To go in the draw to win write your name, address and phone number on the back of an envelope, along with the name of one of the stars (see page 13) and post it to: Fringe Father Competition, PO Box 60-469, Titirangi, Auckland 0642 to reach us by March 12, or you can email your answer and contact details to info@fringemedia.co.nz (with Father Competition in the subject line).

Published by: Fringe Media Ltd, PO Box 60-469, Titirangi, Auckland 0642

Editor: Bevis England 817 8024, 027 494 0700 bevis@fringemedia.co.nz

Adver�sing:

info@fringemedia.co.nz

It’s Our Place!

Features: Moira Kennedy

Community organisations, sports clubs, craft clubs and other non-commercial organisations are welcome to post their news and updates on The Fringe’s web site, FREE.

021 723 153 moira@fringemedia.co.nz

Email your updates and information to info@fringemedia.co.nz See Our Place at www.fringemedia.co.nz

Every issue of The Fringe (and the Titirangi Tatler before it) since April 2011 is on-line at www.fringemedia.co.nz. Like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ FringeWest) to hear when each issue is available and get other updates.

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The Fringe MARCH 2021

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Writers and contributors: David Thiele, Naomi McCleary, Susannah Bridges, Fiona Drummond, Michael Andrew, Zoe Hawkins and Kerry Engelbrecht.

Advertising deadline for April 2021: March 12.

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our place

Heritage values of Titirangi landmark formally recognised Heritage New Zealand Pouhere New Zealand’s natural and cultural Taonga has added the former past.

Hotel Titirangi (Lopdell House), In 1930, the five-storey Hotel Te Uru Gallery and the ‘Treasure Titirangi was added and promoted House’ to the New Zealand as an international-quality Heritage List Rārangi Kōrero as destination. Catering for an a Category 1 historic place – the anticipated upsurge in motorised highest category possible. tourism, this landmark building was This listing formally recognises designed by W. S. R. Bloomfield, the special heritage values of this probably the first person of Māori historic landmark and has been descent to train as a Western-style welcomed by Lopdell Trust, which architect. manages the complex and initially “The hotel’s Spanish Mission nominated it as an historic place. design and luxurious appointment “It has been a long journey for the The stairwell in the refurbished Lopdell House. Photo: Bevis England. reflected the influence of North Trust (and our Auckland Council partners) to rescue and refurbish Hotel American resorts and featured extensive views of the Manukau Titirangi/Lopdell House and to oversee the design and construction of Harbour and surrounding bush. Like many businesses at the time, Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery,” says Trust member Jeff Wells. however, both the hotel and museum ventures struggled during the “The local and wider community has enthusiastically adopted the Depression in the 1930s,” says Martin. facilities offered and the western end of the village now has a new The complex housed the main state facility for educating deaf vibrancy. This listing should further spread the word on what the children in the North Island (from 1942) before becoming the country’s Lopdell Precinct is all about, and its importance for its landmark and first live-in teacher training facility in 1960. other visual design qualities.”

An important community facility since the 1980s, the significance “Functioning as a major hub for the arts community in West Auckland of the precinct was enhanced by conservation of the pre-existing since 1986, it also has special value for the extent and depth of its structures and the addition of the modern Te Uru Gallery (2012-2014). community associations,” says Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Both projects were undertaken by Mitchell and Stout Architects, and Senior Heritage Assessment Advisor, Martin Jones. received National Awards from the New Zealand Institute of Architects “Incorporating the classically-influenced Treasure House – built as a in 2015. museum in 1926 – and the Spanish Mission-style Hotel Titirangi, built Further information about the history and significance of the area in 1930, the place is historically important for reasons that include its can be accessed at https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/9823 associations with the development of tourism in early 20th century New Zealand, particularly Auckland’s Waitākere Ranges,” says Martin.

Prior to European arrival, the area was home to Te Kawerau ā Maki and other peoples.

“Although forests in the Waitākere Ranges were extensively felled by colonial timber businesses in the 1800s, moves to conserve New Zealand bush subsequently emerged as part of a wider appreciation of the country’s natural and cultural past,” Martin says.

Following the creation of numerous scenic and other reserves in the area – some donated by wealthy engineer and local businessman Henry Atkinson (1838-1921) – Titirangi became a significant tourist destination on the fringes of Auckland.

In 1926, visitor attractions increased with the construction of the Treasure House designed by architect Reginald B. Hammond – a small, single-storey museum, exhibiting a major kauri gum collection, Māori taonga and other artefacts collated by Dargaville jeweller Frank Peat, who had spent more than two decades collecting artefacts linked with

Linda Cooper Linda Cooper Linda Cooper

Councillor for Waitākere Councillor for Waitākere Councillor for Waitākere feel free to Please feelPlease free contact me with Please feel to free to contact me with contact me with issuesissues or ideas or ideas issues or ideas

021 629 533 021 629 021533 629 533 linda.cooper@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz linda.cooper@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz linda.cooper@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

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our place

Titirangi RSA ‘museum dream’ comes true Cartons full of treasures from “The main dawn service had times past from old local soldiers always been in town and we went and their families, have found to Bob Harvey who was then new life in a museum due to mayor of Waitākere City to see if open in the Titirangi RSA this he could help us get a local one month. going. He just told us to get on The curated space has been with it, so we did. a long-time dream of welfare “We’re the only RSA in New officer, Matt McMillan who says Zealand that fires real cannons the local club has for years had at the dawn service. We’ve been pictures and articles spread from doing that for about seven years one wall to another, and while now. The week before ANZAC there was always talk about Day we have a day out for local setting up a museum, the idea community groups when we do “didn’t really grow legs until a special firing for them with two Covid-19 came along. cannons.”

“A group of us were sitting The aim of the cannon firing around talking and then went is to recreate the atmosphere of through boxes of stuff to see just Titirangi RSA’s welfare officer and museum curator, Matt McMillan: talking World War One and the earlier what we had. There was a lot about history, not war. firing alerts the community near of memorabilia from the Māori Wars in the 1840s to present day the cemetery that there will be extra noise on ANZAC Day, just before deployments, memorabilia from local soldiers telling stories of local 6am and again just before the service finishes. The cannon are owned Titirangi families,” he says. by clubs and borrowed for use on ANZAC Day. “Ninety per cent of the material had been donated to the RSA and I “At the first local dawn parade, we were shocked when about 300had a tremendous number of things from old chaps from World War 400 people turned up. Now it’s 3,000-4,000,” Matt says.

One onwards – photos, medals, weapons, you name it. They really “ANZAC Day commemorations are now bigger than ever with a lot needed to be displayed correctly and now they will be.” of interest from school children and young service personnel who turn Matt says Titirangi RSA is a real family club and while many of the old up with their families. There’s also another parade at 11am at the soldiers are gone, their families are still in the area.

Titirangi War Memorial Hall, and a lot of people come to the club after “When we open the museum they’ll be able to see a lot of material that, to pay their respects to those who’ve passed and also to younger from people who pioneered this area and we’re confident we’ll see personnel in the scouts, cadets, the armed services. a lot of visitors interested in the amazing things here. We talk about “It’s all about community, a huge family day with food for the children history here, not war and there are some terrific exhibits. first and then later, the adults. There might be entertainment, singing, “As it is, it’s not unusual for people to come in asking where their guitar playing. We’d have well over 1,000 people through this little club family members are buried, from way back. We have a huge amount of – children, service people, cadets, fire, police, ambulance personnel. data, lots of references I can go through to see where their ancestors “I can’t emphasise enough that this is a family club. While we are served and what battalion they were in.” an RSA first and foremost, the days of old fellas on the turps are gone.

Matt says that while the museum will open this month (there is an Anyone can come in have a meal, bring their families, have a soft drink, open day from 11am on Saturday March 13), the club is expecting a a beer or wine perhaps, play darts or have a game of pool,” Matt says. great deal of interest in it on ANZAC Day, the busiest day of the year for “A lot of people think RSAs were built as booze barns but that’s not RSAs throughout the country. so. They were built for looking after the wellbeing of widows and other The doors to the club open early with perhaps a tot of something family members of those who served in the forces. The concept goes before the gathering heads to Waikumete Cemetery for the dawn back to World War One with welfare schemes really getting set up in service, a commemoration that begins with a pre-dawn march by WWII.” returned service personnel.

The Titirangi RSA museum will be officially opened on Saturday Matt says he is the only survivor who started the Waikumete parade, March 13 at 11am followed by a public open day. working alongside people from Glen Eden RSA 21 years ago.

– Moira Kennedy

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The Fringe MARCH 2021

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our place

Manukau Harbour water quality: update Water quality at Titirangi’s local beaches has long been a problem and a Council/Watercare investigation into the issue, delayed by Covid19, finally got underway in the second half of 2020.

According to Nick Vigar, Auckland Council’s Safeswim programme manager, the now complete investigation shows that a combination of problems with the network and connections on private property is causing the problems at Titirangi Beach, French Bay and Wood Bay. “Public asset investigations and private property investigations have been completed at all three sites by Healthy Waters and Watercare. Public asset investigations evaluate the condition of public stormwater and wastewater assets using techniques such as CCTV, smoke testing and dye testing while private property investigations check commercial and residential private drainage pipes and connections.

He says there were minor issues identified with the networks, including a damaged manhole chamber and a damaged pipe due to a tomo. These issues will be repaired by the relevant network owner.

Additionally, issues were found on private properties.

“During private property inspections the primary issues identified were downpipes plumbed into gully traps, low gully traps (stormwater entering the wastewater network) and a few damaged private laterals.

Compliance is working with residents to get these issues repaired.”

Once these are complete, testing will be repeated to determine if the issues are resolved or if there is another cause of the pollution.

“The next step is outlet screening at the beaches where samples are taken at the Safeswim site from stormwater outlets. The aim of this sampling is to confirm that the more intense investigations have improved water quality. This stage takes approximately six months,” says Nick.

Have your say on Auckland’s 10-year Recovery Budget 2021-2031

If the results of these tests are satisfactory there should be fewer ‘red’ days (the Safeswim icon indicating there is a high risk of illness from swimming) keeping swimmers out of the water at French Bay and the long term health alerts can be removed from Titirangi Beach and Wood Bay, meaning that residents can return to using these beautiful places for swimming and water sports.

Find out about the Safe Networks Programme at www.aucklandcouncil. govt.nz and check the latest water quality info on www.safeswim.org. nz. For updates on Titirangi Beach, join the Facebook group Operation Titirangi Beach.

French Bay Yacht Club supports improving local water quality and has committed to the Clean Regattas programme run by the international organisation Sailors for the Sea as a first step. The club’s February regatta attracted 50 boats from around Auckland and around 80 people took part.

The club introduced a waste sorting system, reduced single use plastic significantly, and food scraps were delivered to a flock of local chickens.

The club’s approach to sustainability is shown in other ways as well: it encourages members to purchase second-hand boats and gear, employs young local sailors to teach the next generation, and encourages people to ‘sail local’ rather than driving across town. To find out more about the club’s programme visit www.frenchbay.org.nz. Photo by Brent Withers.

AK HAVE YOUR SAY

We want to recover from the impact of COVID-19 and support growth in our communities and our region.

Go to akhaveyoursay.nz/recoverybudget to find out more and give Auckland Council your feedback between 22 February and 22 March.

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keeping it local

Igniting minds through music The Fringe wants to help our businesses and community groups and makes space on these pages available for current advertisers and non-commercial organisations, at no charge.

To be included in our next issue, email info@fringemedia. co.nz before March 12.

The bright new orange and blue signage at 406 Titirangi Road in the Village indicates that MusoMinds has taken up residence.

The company is the lifelong dream of founder Patrick Dwyer, a registered teacher for over 20 years. Patrick, a Westie and father of two young boys, returned home from Singapore, due to Covid19, where he was the Regional Lead of Juilliard Performing Arts for Southeast Asia.

“At MusoMinds, we're on a mission to ignite minds through the power of music,” says Patrick. “We aim to empower young minds while elevating their wellbeing in six attributes: self-confidence, creativity and innovation, self-expression, empathy and compassion, mind-body connection, and cultural awareness,” says Patrick.

The company offers a holistic approach to music education by embedding specific competencies into teaching and learning. “We use artificial intelligence, audio sensory technology and virtual reality to instil a habit of continuous learning that is entertaining and experiential,” says Patrick. “Our approach ignites the whole mind and integrates literacy and numeracy skills into each session, meaning skills developed from learning music cross over to improving reading and maths.

“Like parents, we genuinely care about a child's

education. Our passion for teaching using innovative approaches, successfully used overseas, means that Kiwi kids can now also benefit from such research. We bring over 20 years of music teaching experience in New Zealand and internationally, having been trained at the worldrenowned Juilliard School in New York.

“Seeing minds grow as a result of effective teaching, where children experience the joy that performing music brings, is what MusoMinds is all about.”

Musominds offers guitar and keyboard lessons – both following selected curriculum pathways – in groups or individually. It also runs the KinderMinds programme for children aged 18 months to 4 years, stimulating the auditory and kinesthetic senses of early childhood minds through movement, rhythm and rhyme. In MusoMakers sessions, children learn theory, song writing, film scoring and much more. Help with NCEA, IB, IGCSE and CIE is also an option within such programmes.

For a limited time, Musominds is offering free trial sessions, so children and parents can experience the fun approach first-hand without having to commit to lessons first.

Visit www.musominds.com, ring (09) 972 4153 or email admin@musominds.com to book your free trial.

We need a council that understands the basics Auckland Council and its CCO’s are now publicising their draft budgets and long-term plans.

Mostly these involve huge price rises, justified by unprecedented growth and panicked responses to supposed crises. But these justifications ignore the failures and shortcomings resulting from the decade-long Supercity experiment.

Amalgamation was supposed to answer all our problems and growth was supposed to deliver economic stability but Council is more indebted than ever, and infrastructure and core services are bursting at the seams. Council’s response to this is even more growth and higher rates.

Council grabs every opportunity to advocate for higher rates and more of them. The 3.5% ‘general rate’ increase which resulted from an emergency budget and unprecedented 34,000 public submissions, has come and gone like a flash in the pan. Council’s draft budgets now propose that existing ‘targeted rate’ charges be increased, and that they stay in place for a longer term. It is also proposed that new targeted rates are established to fund Council activities which were historically covered by general rates.

Already the Waitākere Ranges ‘septic tank pump-out’ targeted rate has increase from $195 to $290 a year. Watercare is looking to significantly increase its income over the next 10 years and Auckland Transport has indicated needing an extra $8.9 billion within the same period.

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The Fringe MARCH 2021

But nowhere in the draft documents does Council suggest how ratepayers are going to find this extra money. To the contrary, Council’s draft long-term plans focus on reducing activity (to lower carbon emissions).

Closing Glenbrook steel mill, reducing private rural animal numbers by 15% and removing all animals from regional farm parks are some of the suggested ways residents and ratepayers could help achieve this. (It is important to note that Councils’ rural areas make it one of the country’s biggest rural councils and these areas contribute significant revenue to Council’s coffers.)

No Council documents offer insight into how people will bridge the gap between increased public charges and decreased private income.

Council is setting fire to its candle at both ends, with little consideration of residents and ratepayers caught in the middle, other than espousing electrification. But again, Council’s planning fails to identify and quantify what is practically required to achieve even this goal. Electric cars still require roads, parking, and most importantly fuel. Auckland needs more than a token charging station at each shopping centre. We need more grid capacity and underground wires, so the supply is more resilient.

We need a council which is getting to grips with the basics, being effective and cost efficient. That’s what will best deliver a resilient future for our communities.

– Ken Turner WestWards

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sustainable solutions with fiona drummond

Taking action to reduce waste If you neglected to make any new year’s resolutions, you can still commit to reducing your footprint on our fragile planet. From composting to choosing better products to restarting your soft plastic recycling, there are many actions that can help create a more sustainable community.

Compost Collective workshops in March

These free workshops supported by Auckland Council and delivered by the Compost Collective are highly recommended. They offer an introduction to the three basic composting systems that can be used in the home and garden; traditional composting bins, worm farms and bokashi buckets. Confirmed registered participants will receive a $40 discount toward the purchase of a composting system following the workshop.

Workshops are planned at Laingholm Village Hall – Saturday, March 6, 10-12pm, with Judy; the Vegan Festival, Corban Estate, Henderson – Sunday, March 7, 10am-4pm, with Pip (including a Bokashi Talk at 11am. a Worm farm Talk at 1pm and a Compost Talk at 2.30pm); and the Kowhai Room, Ecomatters, 1 Olympic Place, New Lynn – Monday, March 22, 6.30-8pm, with Judy.

Bookings can be made online at www.compostcollective.org.nz/ events-calendar/

Eco friendly businesses to support

With the move to Waste Free 2040, both established businesses and start ups are addressing product stewardship or providing packaging products that can be composted at home. A couple of examples are Mrs Rogers and Good Change.

Mrs Rogers herbs, spices and condiments A wide selection of products from the small family-owned Avondale business Mrs Rogers are now available in plant-based homecompostable packaging, using films from sustainably-sourced wood pulp and GM-Free corn sources. They also include a biodegradable and reusable wooden clip to replace the zip-lock.

Mrs Roger herbs and spices also come in an Eco Pack which is both economical and eco-friendly. The box is made in New Zealand from unbleached PEFC, certified responsible board, printed with soy-based inks. It is recyclable and biodegradable. The bag inside is also home compostable. For more information visit https://mrsrogers.co.nz/.

Good Change 100% compostable dish cloths and reusable bamboo eco wipes Good Change bacteria-fighting compostable dish cloths were

developed in Tauranga. Made from all-natural materials to last up to nine months, they’re absorbent, easily washable, dry quickly, and can be used again and again. When it’s time for a change just compost them in the garden. The natural wood pulp and cotton fibres in the cloths are more hygienic than a slow-to-dry sponge meaning less bacteria build-up – and no more nasty dish cloth smells – and they won’t release micro plastics into the waterways. To clean, just pop on the top rack of your dishwasher or machine wash.

And as well as being good for the environment, for every pack of eco cloths sold, Good Change will donate a month of safe drinking water to a family in Cambodia.

Recently Good Change launched reusable bamboo Eco Wipes which can be used anywhere you would normally use paper towels or chux cloths. These wipes can be used on all surfaces, for cleaning and wiping food spills, windows, drying wet hands, kitchen and bathroom and general cleaning. They can be washed up to 75 times before composting them in your garden, reducing your household waste to landfill.

These cloths and the bamboo wipes can be found at Titirangi SuperValue, at Refill Nation (opening soon in the Village), and at New World in Green Bay and New Lynn, or you can purchase online at https://goodchangestore.com/collections/all

Soft plastic recycling

Soft plastic packaging is still being accepted for recycling at a number of venues around West Auckland. Participating supermarkets include Countdown in New Lynn, Lincoln Road and Lynfield as well as New World and Huckleberry in New Lynn. Visit https://www.recycling.kiwi. nz/store-locator for a full list of recycling locations.

Vegan Food Festival at Henderson

The Food Truck Collective will host its annual Vegan Food Festival on March 7 at Corban Estate Arts Centre, Henderson. There will be a wide selection of food trucks and stalls, an eco marketplace, live entertainment and activities for the whole family.

Auckland Go Green Expo 2021

On Saturday March 27 and Sunday March 28 one of New Zealand’s largest green and sustainable lifestyle shows will open from 10:00am at ASB Showgrounds. The show features eco home/building, food and beverages, advisory services, supplements, organic products, health and wellness, beauty and personal care, household products, pet products, gardening, grocery and more.

Resource Management Act reform a big deal for the Waitākere Ranges The planned reforms of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) contain an alphabet soup of acronyms for various laws.

Some already exist and some will be created as part of the reform process. Here are a few that you may like to become familiar with: NBA - Natural and Built Environments Act SPA – Strategic Planning Act CCA – Climate Change Adaptation Act WRHAA – Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act (2008) The RMA will be replaced by three new pieces of legislation.

The Natural and Built Environments Act (NBA) is the core piece of the new legislation. Its aim will be to promote positive outcomes for both natural and built environments, and to set environmental standards.

The Strategic Planning Act (SPA) will require the development of long term plans for each region. Regional authorities will need to identify areas suitable for development, areas requiring protection and improvement, areas needing new infrastructure, and areas vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters.

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The Climate Change Adaptation Act (CCA) will support New Zealand’s response to climate change.

The first two acts have particular significance for us out West. The Waitākere Ranges are protected by the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act (WHRAA), a locally focused law which “consenting authorities” have to take into account when considering resource consent applications. Where the WHRAA conflicts with the RMA, the rules of the RMA take precedence. I will be keeping a close eye on the reform of the RMA, to make sure the Waitākere Ranges retain their protection.

The reform process starts this year with draft “in principle” legislation for the NBA. There will be an opportunity for public comment on the draft through a special select committee process.

After that, the full legislation will go through the standard parliamentary process for law, so there will be a second opportunity for public input. At that point I will hold public meetings to get your feedback on the proposed reforms.

– Deborah Russell, MP for New Lynn

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titirangi festival of music: march 26 – 27

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The Fringe NOVEMBER MARCH 20212020

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titirangi festival of music: march 26 – 27

Free Music at Titirangi Festival As well as the programme of ticketed concerts and events, Titirangi Festival of Music has a free art and music programme for everyone to enjoy kicking off with the Open Mic night at Titirangi RSA, a regular feature of Village entertainment for over 11 years, on Friday, March 26, 8-11.30pm.

For those who are unable to get tickets for Hollie Smith and Arjuna Oakes or just want a pre or post gig drink, ‘The Club’ is the place to be.

You could be surprised at the level of talent that turns up each month: Jimi Kara, Cat Tunks, Maggie Cocco, The Groovediggers, SoulSista Aotearoa, Tony Painting, Dave Alley and even Aldous Harding, who Sweet spot rocking the RSA at a recent Open Mic night. popped in on her night off, are among the many world-class artists who have joined local up and comers over the years.

As house band member Paul O’Brien says, “Some nights you could be enjoying something a bit mellow then suddenly BOOOOM! …. the whole place is rocking! You don’t know what to expect!” The house band – Stephen Rose (one of the best harmonica players in New Zealand and singer) working the desk, Rod Redgrave on bass, Justin Rimmer on drums and Paul O’Brien on guitar – are there to back the musicians and there’s a full backline of PA, drums, bass rig and two guitar amps to cover most bands’ needs.

A highlight of this special TFM Open Mic night will be an appearance by new local band The Sunnylaw Social Club. If you want to play or sing please bring your own instrument and lead, mic, or drum sticks. (You don’t have to be a RSA member to come to the Open Mic.) https://www.facebook.com/TitirangiOpenMic

Jungle-inspired mask and instrument making with Iona and the team will happen in the learning centre, lower floor, Te Uru, 12 till 4pm.

Over the afternoon, children (of all ages) will have loads of fun creating jungleinspired art and luminous face and body painting (arrive early to have a choice of materials) before getting funky and showing off their awesome creations at The Junior Jungle Boogie in the Titirangi War Memorial Hall from 4-5pm with DJ Sandy Mill (right). There’ll be spot prizes for the best dressed and best dancers, thanks to Kala Ukuleles.

Proud to be Gold Sponsors of the Titirangi Festival of Music 2021

Te Uru will be organising their popular family activity trail again this year, operating all day on Saturday, March 27.

African instrument Workshop This event is hosted by Titirangi Primary School, 10-11:15am. Arrive promptly to enjoy drumming and Marimba with Fraser Bruce (left) from the Rhythm Centre. No booking required.

423 Titirangi Rd Tel: 817 8011

In the heart of the village

4 0 2 a Titirangi Road, Titirangi Village P h : 09 817- 9937 w w w.toni c spa.c o.nz

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titirangi festival of music: march 26 – 27

Free Music at Titirangi Festival Titirangi Library The Titirangi Library, next to the Titirangi War Memorial Hall, will again be running an entertaining programme of free music, craft activities and giant games.

Grab a bean bag and listen to some of Titirangi’s local talent: Two Hearts, strings and Sings, the ‘Everybody sings’ choir and more..

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PROUD TO BE A FRIEND OF THE FESTIVAL Once again on Sat 27th we’ll have a stage set up outside our Titirangi office, so come by and hang out in our Chillout Zone and listen to some of our talented local musicians.

Titirangi Village will come alive with music from 12 noon on the 27th with stage and street performers in a number of locations.

In The Courtyard, a specially created garden space in front of Ray White Titirangi there will be performances from Mhara Marimbas, Jo Kelsey with Dylan Kaye, Luke Hurley, Maggie Cocco and more.

Our local offices 406 Titirangi Road | 8178066 522 Blockhouse Bay Road | 8275999

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Te Uru gallery concert with Kingsley Spargo Saturday, March 27, 2pm; No booking required (but arrive early to assure a seat).

Kingsley Spargo responds to Jenny Gillam and Eugene Hansen's work The Thrum of the Tide with an immersive soundscape inspired by the story of Te Ana Ru, Whatipū’s 'ballroom cave'. His live performance reimagines the cave's relationship with humans through an array of musical, natural and electronic sounds. A renowned musician, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Spargo's work as sound artist includes collaborations with Witi Ihimaera, Courtney Sina Meredith, Black Grace and Auckland Theatre Company. He is half of electroacoustic duo Alargo with Alan Brown whose music is available on streaming services. https://www.teuru.org.nz/index.cfm/whats-on/calendar/the-thrumof-the-tide/

LICENSED UNDER THE REA 2008 MREINZ

Iti Wine Bar – Special Festival session.

DJs and other musical performers will entertain all afternoon until 6pm.

Proudly Supporting our Local Community The merged practices of Thomas & Co Lawyers Ltd and Titirangi Law Centre are proud to continue their sponsorship of the Titirangi Festival of Music.

Ray Ganda and Don Thomas have years of experience working in the Titirangi and New Lynn areas and are committed to the community.

We can help you with: PROPERTY: Residential Property, Commercial Property, Leases, Subdivisions BUSINESS: Business Sales, Purchase, Company Incorporation, Partnerships, Leases, Employment PERSONAL: Trusts, Wills, Matrimonial, Relationship Property, Family, Parenting, Custody, Powers of Attorney

TITIRANGI LAW CENTRE

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The Fringe MARCH 2021

2nd Floor, 3 Totara Avenue, New Lynn (09) 827 5907 www.thomas.co.nz

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titirangi festival of music: march 26 – 27

The Local Sounds Stage (in front of Glovers Real Estate) will operate again from 1pm to 6pm. The young musicians being featured are among the West’s best.

Avondale College jazz music combos will showcase the latest crop of great young musicians from the Performing Arts Academy.

Toby and the Rest will bring a repertoire and flair that belies their young age. This band will definitely impress with the way they take jazz classics and make them their own.

TFM is very fortunate to have Smokefree-Rockquest 2020 winners Ben and Brody bring their stunning harmonies together with Indi B and the distinctive and hard-hitting Indie-pop band Flaxxies – channeling the energy of iconic NZ bands of the 70s and 80s.

Closing the Local Sounds stage will be Bridges (upper left) with a new sound of pop melodies soaked in atmospheric guitars and driving rhythms and Gretel (lower left). With a voice that transcends her years, Gretel’s vocal delivery and melodies lay lush on top of beats and grooves that evoke smooth summer vibes.

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Proud to be part of the Titirangi community and support the Titirangi Festival of Music 2021

406 Titirangi Road • 09 816 8837 titirangi festival of music: sponsors

The Fringe MARCH 2021

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places to go

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN IN THE WEST...

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February 27, Summer Jazz with Toby and the Rest and guests, BBQ (BYO), and fireside jam (bring your instruments); Davy’s Cottage, Davies Bay, Titirangi; music starts at 6pm; Tickets $15/$10 from eventfinda.co.nz and on gate (cash sales only).

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February 28, Titirangi Village Market: art, craft, produce and music; Titirangi War Memorial Hall; 10am-2pm. Contact Tess on tvm. manager@gmail.com or phone 022 631 9436.

9, Flicks presents a Seaweek Special, a 75-minute programme of films celebrating our oceans including Plastic Ocean, Bottle, Coastal Waters and Niugini-Islands of Eden followed by a Q&A from the film-maker Robin Kewell; Seminar Room, Lopdell House, 418 Titirangi Road; 10.30am, 6pm and 8.15pm; free.

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march – 14, Bruce Connew: A Vocabulary, an abstract, narrative selection of images by photographer and artist Bruce Connew related to the many memorials and gravestones of Aotearoa’s colonial wars; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 8070.

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– 14, Sang Sool Shim and Keum Sun Lee present Forever in the Wind, a ceramic exhibition; West Coast Gallery, Seaview Road, Piha Phone 812-8029 www.westcoastgallery.co.nz.

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– 21, South + West, a retrospective by Terry Prince; Upstairs Gallery, Lopdell House, 418 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 4278.

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Readers:

– April 4, Edith and George: in our sea of islands: Initially shown at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery, Wellington (2019), this exhibition by Edith Amituanai and George Crummer (two photographers 100 years apart) is recontextualised in the Homestead Galleries; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson. Phone 838 4455.

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Do you have an upcoming event you’d like listed in The Fringe? Send the details, including a contact person and number, to info@ fringemedia.co.nz.

While we take care to ensure listings are correct, errors may occur. Check with the contact person wherever possible.

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9, West Auckland Historical Society Family History Group meeting; Henderson Central Library West Auckland Research Centre; 10-11.30am. Phone Gary Snow 832 5098, 021 618 434 or email gary@ snofam.co.nz.

w – May 30, Fading to the sky, works by Steve Carr and Christian Lamont; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 8070.

– May 30, Ka mua, ka muri, Shannon Te Ao explores experiences of time, history and song; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 8070

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6, The Thrum of the Tide, artist talk and tour delving into the story of Te Ana Ru, a sea cave known as ‘the ballroom cave’ at Whatipū; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road; 2pm. Phone 817 8070

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6 – May 23, Wayward works, a solo exhibition by local illustrator Anna Crichton; Learning Centre Gallery, Te Uru, 420 Titirnagi Road.

Phone 817 8070.

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6 – May 23, How should we talk to one another? Ana Iti (Te Rarawa) presents an exhibition that looks at the writing of Māori woman authors, and the journey of language learning; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road. Phone 817 8070.

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7, Pony Rides, Huia Road Horse Club; 436B Huia Road, Laingholm; 3-4pm; $5 per child per ride. Phone 027 499 1732.

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11, 18, 25 and April 1, Four-week Practical Psychology Adult Education Course; Seminar Room, Lopdell House, 418 Titirangi Road; 7-8pm; Limit of 10 students. Contact Jonathon Harper on 027 413 6299.

12, Ladies’ Probus Club, fellowship, fun, speakers, and a monthly day trip; St John’s Hall, Te Atatū South; 9.45am-Noon. Phone Betty 09 832 0484.

12, West Auckland Men’s Rebus Club, guest speaker and morning tea; Friendship Hall, 3063 Great North Road, New Lynn; 10am-12noon.

Phone Laurie 820 2234.

13, The Thrum of the Tide, a dance performance by Michael Parmenter and Claire O’Neil with stories by Sir Bob Harvey and Rewi Spraggon; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road; 4.30pm; $5 – $15, bookings at www.aad.co.nz. Phone 817 8070.

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13, New Moon Folk Ball, honouring the tradition of social dance associated with the Whatipū ‘ballroom cave’, with master-of-dance Michael Parmenter; Titirangi War Memorial Hall, 500 South Titirangi Road; 6.30pm; $18 – $25, bookings at www.aaf.co.nz. Phone 817 8070.

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13, Titirangi Folk Music Club presents High, Wide and Handsome, floor singers in the first half; Titirangi Beach Hall, bottom of Titirangi Beach Road; 8pm; $12, $8 for members, under 18 free. www. titirangilivemusic.co.nz or text Cathy on 021 207 7289.

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w 14, Girls on Top, with Jan Elliott, Gin & Kronic, Maggie Cocco and Tracey O’Neill; Titirangi RSA, 502 South Titirangi Road; 3-6pm; free.

15, Henderson Falls Combined Friendship Club – fun, friendship and fellowship with monthly speakers and frequent outings; Henderson Bowling Club, 2/20 Alderman Drive, Henderson; 10am-noon. Contact Fern 416 0004 or 027 472 0378.

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16, SeniorNet West Auckland, speaker, morning tea and chatting about computers; Kelston Community Centre; 10am. Phone June 021 179 3635.

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Piha RSA presents:

Summer Chill-Out Sessions at the “RA” Every Saturday in March March 6, 4pm: The Daggs March 13, 4pm: Blind Culture March 20, 4pm: Toby and the Rest March 27, 4pm: Josh Poretti

3 Beach Valley Road, Piha | Ph: 09 812 8138 / Mobile: 0277 170 963 | Email: piharsa@xtra.co.nz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rsa.piha.9 | Website: https://rsapiha.co.nz/

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The Fringe MARCH 2021

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places to go

april

18, Waitakere Forest & Bird AGM and project updates from Ark in the Park, Habitat te Henga, Matuku Reserve, Orangahina-Harbourview, Tai Haruru and more; Kelston Community Centre, corner Awaroa and Great North Roads; 7.30pm; koha appreciated. Phone Liz 0274 762732 or email lizanstey@hotmail.com.

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23, Titirangi U3A – meet interesting people 60-years and older; West Lynn Garden, 73 Parker Avenue, New Lynn; 1.30pm. Contact 818 8890, 027 699 5480 or heathertanguay@slingshot.co.nz.

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26, Glen Eden Combined Probus Club welcomes retirees for morning tea and guest speakers; Ceramco Park Function Centre, 120 Glendale Road, Kaurilands; 9.45am. Phone Brian Holt 838 5857

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27, Mini Fair; Iona Church, 38 Donavan Street Blockhouse Bay; 8am till noon wet or fine.

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27, The Thrum of the Tide, gallery concert with Kingsley Spargo; Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road; 2pm; free.

Phone 817 8070.

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28, Titirangi Village Market: art, craft, produce and music; Titirangi War Memorial Hall; 10am-2pm. Contact Tess on tvm.manager@gmail.com or phone 022 631 9436.

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April 4, Pony Rides, Huia Road Horse Club; 436B Huia Road, Laingholm; 3-4pm; $5 per child per ride. Phone 027 499 1732.

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WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN IN THE WEST...

17, Waitakere Grey Power General meeting with guest speaker Professor Boyd Swinburn, Professor of Nutrition at Auckland University Medical School; Te Atatu South Community Centre, 247 Edmonton Rd, Te Atatu South; 1.30pm. Phone 838 5207.

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April 9, West Auckland Men’s Rebus Club, guest speaker and morning tea; Friendship Hall, 3063 Great North Road, New Lynn; 10am-12noon. Phone Laurie 820 2234.

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April 9, Ladies’ Probus Club, fellowship, fun, speakers, and a monthly day trip; St John’s Hall, Te Atatū South; 9.45am-Noon. Phone Betty 09 832 0484.

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April 9, Flicks presents The Father (M) starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman; Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell Hosue, 418 Titirangi Road; 10.30am, 6pm and 8.15pm; Tickets $15/$12/$10 from eventfinda.co.nz or text bookings to 0210 222 5558.

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April 10, Titirangi Folk Music Club presents Cajynx, floor singers in the first half; Titirangi Beach Hall, bottom of Titirangi Beach Road; 8pm; $12, $8 for members, under 18 free. www.titirangilivemusic.co.nz or text Cathy on 021 207 7289.

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There is so much happening in and around our community, including many weekly events, that we can’t fit everything into these listings. To find out more about whatever you are interested in, visit:

www.fringemedia.co.nz/ourplace

l WHERE IT’S AT: • Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson; 10am-4.30pm daily. 838 4455, www.ceac.org.nz.

• EcoMatters Environment Trust, 1 Olympic Place, New Lynn; Wednesday – Sunday, 10am-2pm. 826 4276, info@ecomatters. org.nz.

• Flicks cinema, Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell House. 818 2489, www. flickscinema.weebly.com.

• Kelston Community Centre, corner of Awaroa and Great North Roads, Kelston.

• McCahon House Museum, 67 Otitori Bay Road, Titirangi;

Wednesday – Sunday, 1-4pm, except public holidays. 817 6148, mccahon@mccahonhouse.org.nz.

• Playhouse Theatre, 15 Glendale Road, Glen Eden. 818 5751.

• Te Toi Uku – Clay Works, 8 Ambrico Place, New Lynn; Tuesday

–Friday, 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-3pm. Phone 827 7349, www. portageceramicstrust.org.nz.

WAITĀKERE RANGES LOCAL BOARD AND WHAU LOCAL BOARD PRESENT

THE hidden STORIES OF THE WEST West Auckland Heritage Conference 2021 Sunday 11 April, 10am – 3pm Titirangi War Memorial Hall Tickets $20 + booking fee including lunch

Did you know one man was buried three times at Waikumete Cemetery?

Or that the puzzle of the buried dancefloor in the Whatipu Caves is still inspiring artists?

What’s the Tale of the Great Whale?

A whole day of sharing secrets – speakers include Robin Taua-Gordon, Sandra Coney, Sir Bob Harvey, Andrew Clifford, Rosemary Dean and many others.

Register now and for more information visit: westheritageconference.nz call 09 813 9150 or email sharon.davies@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

• Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery, 420 Titirangi Road,

Titirangi; Tuesday – Sunday, 10am-4.30pm. 817 8087, info@teuru. org.nz.

• Titirangi Theatre, Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell House; Titirangi. 817 5812, infoline 817 5951, www.titirangitheatre.co.nz.

• Upstairs Gallery, Level 1, Lopdell House, 418 Titirangi Road;

Tuesday – Sunday, 10am-4pm, except public holidays. 817 4278, www.upstairs.org.nz.

• West Coast Gallery, Seaview Road, Piha; Thursday/Friday, 11am-3pm; Saturday/Sunday, 10am-4pm. 812 8029, www. westcoastgallery.co.nz.

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Trampers performing at cave mouth, Whatipu, 1895.

Photographer: Percy Trenwith. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, JTD-18E-00791.

The Fringe MARCH 2021

13

places to go

At the Libraries

Forever in the Wind

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN IN THE WEST...

Titirangi Library is starting two new adult groups in March, giving like-minded community members a chance to meet, learn, share and connect.

Titirangi Creatives – Would you like some artistic motivation? Want to grow your art practice amongst like-minded people? Each month members will meet to share work done on a theme to gain some insights and share ideas about how to take it further. There’ll be a new theme each month. You don’t have to be an expert as this is a class to grow in. All creative people (painters, sculptors, paper artists, even musicians and poets) of all ages and levels of experience are welcome.

For the first meeting bring along some work to discuss and members will introduce each other. Friday, March 12, 11am-12pm.

Crafters for charity – Do you love creating and would like to ‘make with a purpose’? The library collects for several charities, from Women’s Refuge to the SPCA and would welcome knitters, sewers or other types of crafters willing to donate their handmade goods to those in need. The library has patterns and some materials to get you started or bring your own. Join like-minded people, make new friends, and learn new skills. The group will meet on the last Tuesday of the month, starting on March 30, 11am-12pm.

Flyers with more information about both groups are available at the library.

Do you have an idea for a community group but don’t want to hold meetings in your own home? Have a chat to the library as it may be able to help.

Auckland Libraries offer a monthly book delivery service to those unable to visit the library. Library staff collect books based on preferences, and a volunteer delivers them to your home. If you know of anyone who could benefit from this service, don’t hesitate to contact the library on 817 0011.

March is Pasifika month and Glen Eden Library is celebrating by hosting a number of events.

Tuvaluan Ili (fan) craft activity – Wednesday, March 3, 12pm.

Pasifika Rhymetime – Thursday, March 11, 10.30am-11am.

Pare (flower garland) making with Monty – Wednesday, March 17, 3.30-4.30pm.

Pasifika Storytime – Wednesday, March 24, 10.30-11am.

The Library’s regular programmes include Rhymetime (Thursdays, 10:30-11:00am), Wriggle and Rhyme (Fridays, 11-11:30am) and Lego Club (Saturdays, 2.30-3.30pm).

Every Wednesday, 1-3pm, Whau Ace Adult and Community Education offer free support and advice at their Job Café in the library. The dropin session covers preparing a CV, career guidance, job search, online job applications, and cover letters. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided.

Glen Eden Library’s Book Chat group meets on Wednesday March 3, FRINGEADLTD.pdf 1 meeting 15/11/16 room.

16:33 10.30-11.30am, in the library’s Everyone is welcome to attend and share what they’ve been reading.

The West Coast Gallery, Piha, is honoured to be hosting a retrospective exhibition, Forever in the Wind, featuring some of the most breathtaking outdoor and indoor pottery and ceramics created by Sang Sool Shim and Keum Sun Lee over the past two decades. The exhibition runs until March 14.

The extraordinary artworks were assembled by Keum Sun Lee after the passing of her husband Sang Sool Shim in 2020 and reflect their collaborative creativity. They represent a ceramic legacy which will live on in the hearts of many New Zealanders.

Lee has also gifted Whisper of Nature, the exquisite outdoor sculpture now installed on the gallery lawn, to the West Coast Sang Sool Shim and Keum Sun Lee Gallery in recognition of the in their studio. Photo by Rusty Scott. cherished association they and the gallery have had over many years.

Shim, a Korean Grand Master 9th Dan of Taekwondo, moved from Korea to New Zealand in 1986 to teach martial arts. Lee, who has a PhD in Public Administration, met Shim in 1997 when she was visiting New Zealand as a representative of the Korean Labour Department.

Subsequently they returned to Korea and Shim spent time studying pottery before the couple returned to New Zealand to make a home where he could pursue his art. They moved to West Auckland and established their home and studio on the edge of the Waitakere Ranges in 2001.

Shim has been recorded as saying they used to do a lot together.

However, one day Lee said to Shim, “you go off fishing by yourself and I’ll stay home”, which he felt was a strange comment from her. When he arrived home, he found that Lee had been drawing on the pot that he was making and so started an inspired working partnership.

They were influenced by, and experimented with, the historic forms and techniques of 10th and 15th century Korean pottery. Shim created the ceramic forms either by hand or on a wheel and Lee decorated the exterior surfaces using the traditional Korean methods of Sanggam (intaglio) and Bakji (sgraffito) – delicate free-hand surface carving and engraving – which were then meticulously painted and inlaid with glazes of vibrant contemporary colours.

Over the years, Shim and Lee have had many successful exhibitions and won international awards in Korea, Croatia and Austria. Their collaborative works are included in the Austrian Museum and Portage Trust New Zealand Collections. They were selected many times as finalists in the Portage Ceramic Awards and won the Premier Award, New Zealand’s most prestigious pottery prize, in December 2018.

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The Fringe MARCH 2021

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things to do

EcoFest West returns for its 10th year • Support Māori business at Te Mākete, a market held every month at Hoani Waititi Marae. Enjoy live entertainment, modern and traditional Māori cuisine and artists.

New to the festival is the EcoFest West Speaker Series 2021: Ngā Karanga o Ngā Wāhine Toa. A collection of live events and webinars, the Speaker Series offers an opportunity to hear from four wāhine toa, (women leaders), as they reflect on 2020. Whether present at the live event at EcoHub in New Lynn, or watching the live Zoom webinar, visitors will hear from Dee West, Dr. Nicole van der Laak, Dr. Karlo Mila and Robin Taua-Gordon, all of whom have been active in sustainability, science, environmentalism, and carbon divestment.

Other events to watch out for include: • WAIKUMETE STREAM CLEAN UP; Wednesday, March 24, 9am-12pm; 72 Savoy Road, Glen Eden.

• NIGHT WALKS WITH NATURE - ZIG ZAG TRACK; Thursday, March 25, 7-9pm; Zig Zag Track, 104 Park Road, Titirangi.

• MILAN RESERVE NATURE WALK; Saturday, March 27, 2-3pm; Milan Reserve, Milan Drive, Glen Eden.

• THE ART OF FORAGING; Saturday and Sunday, April 3 – 4, 10am-1pm and 2-5pm; Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School, 5 Helios Place, Titirangi.

• MYRTLE RUST AND OUR NGAHERE; Saturday, April 10, 2-4pm; Te Uru Learning Centre, 420 Titirangi Road, Titirangi.

For full details of all EcoFest West events, visit www.ecofest.org.nz.

EcoFest West is brought to you by EcoMatters Environment Trust, with events hosted by a range of organisations, generously supported by the Henderson-Massey, Waitākere Ranges, and Whau local boards.

for els s t v en rt le v E le a all

EcoFest West ecofest .org.nz

Bikes Kai

20 MARCH-18 APRIL

Nature Arts

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The Fringe MARCH 2021

15

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN IN THE WEST...

EcoFest West 2021 is on its way!

This annual community festival, now in its tenth year, runs from March 20 to April 18 and celebrates our environment by sharing practical ideas to make sustainable living easy, for a better future.

Organised by EcoMatters Environment Trust, EcoFest West is Auckland's biggest environmental festival and features more than 120 events hosted by a range of organisations.

EcoMatters Environment Trust's CEO, Damon Birchfield, says, "This year’s programme includes interactive workshops to deepen your connection with nature, community events that celebrate and restore our natural environment, and experiences that share ways to live more sustainably in our neighbourhoods.”

Event categories include Waka Hourua/Clean Transport, Kīnaki Kai Reka/Foodies’ Fix, Te Whaihanga/Makers’ Mayhem, Torohē Nuku/ Explore Nature and Mauri Noho/Conscious Living. Most events are free or low-cost and whānau friendly. Many events will also be available at any Covid-19 alert level through webinars and other digital options.

Festival highlights include: • Explore the coastal scenery from Green Bay to Blockhouse Bay with Stephen Thorpe from iNaturalist.

• Join the Growspace Seminar, a presentation of a permaculture design for an urban park with Baptiste Natali.

• Get the kids involved and learn to make your own mini worm farm.

• Take part in the Twin Streams and Tapas Ride, along the Henderson Creek and the Oratia Stream paths to Bodega Eatery.

bandstanding: music in the west with susannah bridges

‘... you just hope that your music hits people ...’

Arjuna Oakes has come a long way since busking at the first ever Titirangi Festival of Music. “I can still remember being there when I was six. I’m pretty sure the drummer boy on the poster, drawn by the late great John Green, was modelled after me.”

Now based in Wellington and an accomplished and award-winning musician, performer and educator, Arjuna’s plate is piled with projects, upcoming releases and performances.

The Fringe asked this fast-rising star to tell us about himself ...

“My love for music started at a very young age. There was music playing constantly when I was little, and my folks both play guitar. I started singing as soon as I could talk, and started learning the piano at seven. The performance opportunities I was afforded as a kid (talent shows and piano recitals) really solidified my love for performing.

“Throughout high school I was writing songs and I think it was then that I realised I wanted to be a composer as well as a performer. I had some incredible music teachers who really encouraged and challenged me musically, and my family were all incredibly supportive too. I was always encouraged to work hard. Growing up in Titirangi was very creatively stimulating; there are so many artists that live here. I remember I was always encouraged to play and explore my creativity. I was a curious child and this curiosity persisted and made me make the foolish choice of pursuing music as a career!

“I studied at Auckland University for two years, and during that time learnt what kind of musician I wanted to be and how to balance technical and intuitive elements to create music that really elicited an emotional response. I think the most valuable thing that I got out of studying at Auckland was the relationships I made with other young musicians. Towards the end of my first year there I joined a band called The Shambles that already had an established fan base, and ended up touring nationally with them for the next year and a half. I had so many incredible experiences playing in that band, and it motivated me to move down to Wellington and pursue releasing my own material.

“Not long after moving, I was put in touch with Jeremy Morris who runs Rain and Shine Records. He has helped me release all of my music to date. I have also played and collaborated with some incredible musicians – there is no lack of creativity down here.

“I have a fantastic band in Wellington that I perform with and take on the road with me. There’s Jo Jenkins on guitar, James Macwan on trumpet and percussion, Harrison Sholes on bass and Sam Notman on drums. Since I’ve moved to Wellington I have pretty much exclusively played and recorded with this band. The members are all amazing

musicians, and I really encourage them to be creative and collaborative.

“I’m currently working on multiple projects at once which can be pretty hectic at times, but also stimulates me.

I’ve just finished a project with my good friend Callum Mower (aka Serebii). We’ve released our first single Reset, and the full EP should be coming in the next couple of months. I’m putting the finishing touches on my EP Recovery Pt.2. (Recovery Pt.1 was released in November last year). It should be released around the middle of the year, and will also be pressed and released on vinyl with Part 1. I’m also working on an array of other collaborative projects, and writing another album. These projects are incredibly special because they all offer me new worlds to explore and allow me to develop and change my approach from project to project.

“I was lucky enough to receive an award from the Arts Foundation last year, just before the first lockdown (well timed!). The award came with a year-long mentorship with any of their alumni, so I have been working with composer John Psathas which has been hugely rewarding.

“Just recently I was included in BBC radio host Gilles Peterson’s best of 2020 list, which I was pumped about because he has helped discover some of my favourite artists such as Jordan Rakei and Tom Misch. I feel honoured to have received this kind of recognition: you just hope that your music hits people on a genuine human level and this praise does seem like confirmation that it does.

“I would describe my music as a melting pot of ideas, genres and influences. I will always start my writing process with an idea at the piano, and over time I will find lyrics that will shape the thematic material of the song. I think it’s important that the music always comes before lyrics, because for me music conveys the emotion and lyrics are just adding specifics.

“The favourite part of performing with my current band is this thing that happens at all our gigs – when we become really comfortable on stage and we are all just going for it, scrunching up our faces, shouting “yeah” enthusiastically when someone improvises a dope musical moment. You’ll see what I mean if you come see us at TFM. “We are so looking forward to opening for Hollie Smith. She is one of my favourite Kiwi artists. Having grown up in Titirangi and being in and around TFM since its inception, it feels like a full circle moment to be playing this concert.”

Catch Arjuna Oakes with his band, direct from Wellington in concert with one of New Zealand’s finest R’n’B, Hollie Smith. Friday March 27, 8pm, Doors open at 7pm. For tickets visit www.titirangifestival.co.nz https://www.instagram.com/arjunaoakes/?hl=en

You Shop We Deliver

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Titirangi Supermarket 429 Titirangi Rd, Auckland, 0604

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The Fringe MARCH 2021

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on stage A new year, new beginnings, new hope…

After managing to get only two plays away last year, we are hoping for a full programme in 2021.

We start with The Plague, a play by Neil Bartlett from the book by Albert Camus. The timing might be a little askew, but it is appropriate. The director, Dr Lilicherie McGregor, is new to our theatre but comes highly recommended and very experienced. She has taught theatre at Mt Albert Grammar School for many years, and, in a past life, toured India with a Shakespeare production. That takes some internal fortitude!

She says of The Plague, “The play is a compelling adaptation of Albert Camus’ novel La Peste written in 1947, and inspired by his time in the French Resistance and living through the German occupation of France in World War II. Using Camus’ words and five actors, Neil Bartlett adapted the story for the stage in 2017 after Trump’s election win.

The characters navigate a world of growing confusion and high stakes with Bartlett exploring human nature and the diversity of reactions to the unfolding crisis. Sound familiar?

This is a play for the times with the UK’s The Guardian describing it as “ingenious”. As we watch this now in 2021 it will be hard not to recognise the year that was played out. This play will leave you with feelings of humour, compassion, wonder and hope.

Lilicherie adds, “The Plague was a sell-out success in London in 2017 and a re-run in 2018 was also a sell-out because people could not get tickets to the first production. After the Covid lockdown in 2020, the BBC also ran it as a radio play on Radio 4.”

The Plague opens at the theatre in Lopdell House on March 16 and runs until March 27. Bookings can be made online at www. titirangitheatre.co.nz And, as is the case in all theatre companies, we start looking ahead to the next production before the current one even hits the stage.

The Farm, by New Zealand playwright David Geary, is a hilarious story of a farmer and his wife about to lose the family farm and probably their marriage until a couple of lycra-clad Russian cycling tourists collide with a run-away steer and find themselves having an unscheduled kiwi “farm-stay”…..

There will be a read-through cum meet-the-director, Kerynn Walsh on Monday, March 22 at 7.30pm in The Treasure House.

Come and have a chat, see who else might be auditioning, and have a bit of fun.

Auditions for The Farm will be held in the theatre in Lopdell House on Sunday, March 28 at 2pm. For more information phone Kerynn on 021 665 860 or email kerynnnz@gmail.com The season for The Farm runs from June 8-19, 2021. The cast comprises a husband and wife in their 40s-50s, and a couple in their 30s.

We are delighted that our wardrobe is open again for all your fancy dress needs. Wednesday 4-6pm, Friday 5-7pm, and Saturdays 10am to midday.

Please don’t forget to keep an eye on our website www. titirangitheatre.co.nz for upcoming events, plays, auditions, stories and pictures.

– Phoebe Falconer

Local walking and cycling links are important

Kia ora te whānau ō Waitākere. As I capital fund we had been saving. write this column we have entered Focus also shifted to upgrading tracks another Covid lockdown. We hope in response to kauri dieback and to you are keeping safe. One of the fighting track closures and sales of the features of the previous lockdowns land in Glen Eden that provide links. was people’s re-discovery of the This year we have managed to get local walks and links our area is funds back into the Greenways work blessed with. programme. This includes detailed One of the reasons I ran for the board planning for links from 300 West with Future West was the commitment Coast Road into Glen Eden, between to delivering more of these local links.

Clayburn Reserve and Rangeview Waitakere Ranges Local Board was The Waitākere Ranges Local Board Future West team are (left to Road and from Glendale Road to one of the early adopters of plans to right) Mark Allen, Saffron Toms, Sandra Coney and Greg Presland.

Verdale Circle. We have also been deliver Greenways. Local walking and cycling links are important. They pushing planning for a link between Sunnyvale and Glen Eden along the connect communities, provide recreation and dog-walking opportunities rail line eventually joining the New Lynn to Avondale link that is being built. and, probably most importantly, offrer alternatives to car travel. They are We had wanted to continue work on the link from Savoy Road through a critical part of our climate change work, decreasing carbon emissions the park to the Glen Eden town centre but the cost was too high at this and traffic congestion. time. We looked for a different approach and were successful in getting a Our plan was adopted in 2017 after consultation and contains many grant from the Te Waka Kotahi Innovating Streets programme to pilot a link proposals including links between town centres, along the foothills and along Captain Scott Road to be installed later this year. along the rail line. (You can see it online at Auckland Council’s website if We continue to advocate for walkways when development plans come you want to see the maps). It takes into account already formed tracks and our way and we are also working to clear our roadsides and footpaths connections to neighbouring local board’s current and planned walks and and improve the roadside mowing so kids can walk to the bus stop and cycleways like the Te Whau Pathway, the rail corridor paths and Project neighbours can meet. We need more people to report problem areas. Call Twin Streams.

301 0101 or visit Council’s Report a Problem website.

We have had paths installed along West We are making progress.but there is more to Coast Road and new bridges and path upgrades do and we will keep pushing. Ka kite anō. in our parks but our work has been hard hit by – Mark Allen Covid-19 budget cuts. We lost the transport Advertisement

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art & about with naomi mccleary

Time Passing

Derek Challis in his Te Henga garden.

In mid-January my friend of 48 years, Derek Challis died. He was 90 years old. I attended his 90th birthday last October; a wonderful day of circling conversations with so many people his life had touched; but it was clear to me that the fire was burning low and that the end was near. Derek was apparently amused that he had attended his own wake!

Derek and his wife Ellynne had lived in a rain-forest paradise at Te Henga for over 40 years where he had crafted wonderful gardens that bordered and penetrated the edges of the native bush he so loved. Their home was a simple one, but it enclosed a treasury of books, paintings and ceramics, much of it acquired through personal friendships with writers and artists.

The Challis’s hospitality was legendary.

So who was Derek Challis? I want to celebrate the life of a man who achieved so much in his own right; a sailor, teacher, scientist, raconteur and gardener. But Derek’s life was part of a larger narrative arc. He was the son, born out of wedlock to Iris Wilkinson (aka Robin Hyde).

His early years were undoubtably marked by what was, in the conservative 1930s, a very fraught start in life.

Although Derek was fostered for most of his first 8 years, he was in no way an abandoned child. His mother was faced with earning a living as a writer/journalist while constantly battling both physical and mental ill-health.

Her final voyage, begun in 1938 through war-torn China to the UK, was intended to be a breakthrough into the international literary world and the novel that came out of her travels, Dragon Rampart, was well-received.

But on the brink of World War II illness and destitution overwhelmed her and she took her own life.

So many people start their journey in unusual circumstances and their experiences settle into a chapter in their life story. As Robin Hyde’s stature in our literary history grew through the decades, so did interest in every detail of her life, not just for the sheer quality of her writing, but for her struggle as a woman

writer. It is a story of brilliance and of tragedy.

As academics and writers have beaten a path to Derek’s door, he has had to keep his part of the history alive. He has always been gracious about this; always adamant that he was loved and well-cared for; but I think it may have been both a joy and a burden.

As the custodian of all Robin Hyde’s ephemera; letters and unpublished work, he, along with Ellynne, has also been a fierce protector of accuracy in examining her legacy. Most have been respectful but not all. This culminated in the publication in 2002 of The Book of Iris: A Life of Robin Hyde. An incomplete biography by Gloria Rawlinson was taken over by Derek and researched and largely re-written by him. A monumental undertaking, it stands as the definitive narrative of her life and was a finalist in the 2003 Montana NZ Book Awards.

But here’s the other Derek Challis. He joined the navy at 15 and spent eight years at sea. I don’t know much about that – but I first met him on a hot summer’s day in Kawakawa in 1973 where he was building a kauri timber yacht, the first of four boats he owned. A lifetime of sailing the beautiful Northland waters was a passion. He was teaching biology at the Bay of Islands College, subsequent to a university career starting with a degree in philosophy and then a master’s in zoology and work alongside Morton and Miller on the definitive NZ Seashore. This is also when I was introduced to Derek the raconteur, the story teller with tales to tell and a great sense of theatre.

The return to Auckland and Te Henga saw him working as a scientist in water treatment, but I see the creation of the ‘magic garden’ and home as his great work of art through those years.

Robin Hyde has two grandsons and five great grandchildren; but with Derek’s passing the last visceral link with her is broken. The fascination continues; perhaps expressed by a beautiful new publication Shining Land: Looking for Robin Hyde by Paula Morris with photographs by Haru Sameshima, also long-listed for this year’s Ockham Book Awards.

Derek lived to see this book, and delight in it.

I recall Derek saying quite recently that he thought his mother’s poetry was among her best work. I concur. The beautiful poem reproduced on page 19, written when he was five, graced his 90th birthday invitation.

My thanks to Ellynne Challis for generously sharing her memories and for permission to print Bluecap.

Your local MP Dr Deborah Russell MP for New Lynn New Lynn Electorate Office 09 820 6245 newlynn.mp@parliament.govt.nz 1885 Great North Rd, Avondale, Auckland

213 – 215 Woodlands Park Road, Titirangi, Auckland 0604 Phone: 09 817 8495 or 09 817 6188 www.kenturnermotors.co.nz

Authorised by Deborah Russell MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

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BLUECAP We who grew tall go stumbling, blind and angered, Dazed with the sting and swarming of the hive.

Bluecap serenely leads his troops at mountains, Bluecap smiles down the fiercest eyes alive.

Bluecap is half-past five.

Bluecap’s toy sword is grave and bright, not eager For bloodshed. Bluecap loves the courteous foe.

The rules of battle summon each to combat Armed cap-a-pie with redskin plumes and bow...

Wars are waged better so.

And although he win the world this afternoon Or lose a crown to-morrow, the intent Of life’s large humours is most kindly to him, The fairy horses clatter past his tent For frolic, not for punishment.

God’s little horses, God’s secure brown castle Hid in the gorse, and snugly thatched with fern, Love him so well. Salvoes of seeds salute him From popping pods. The grasses smile, in turn Caress and tease him. No one whispers here, ‘Bluecap has life to learn.’

Fear not that from the tawny screen of willows Fate may peer forth, and slay him with her look.

Time is only the ripple of the summer’s grasses, Death is only the mayfly on the summer’s brook, Hate is only a tale.... a tale in Bluecap’s book.

Derek Challis aged 5.

The Trusts moves to offer a living wage Works by Sang Sool Shim and Keum Sun Lee are on display at West Coast Gallery, Piha until March 14. The exhibition (Forever in the Wind) includes the outdoor sculpture Whisper of Nature (right) which Lee has gifted to the Gallery, along with a number of their iconic ceramic works.

One of West Auckland’s largest employers, the Trusts are to move its entire workforce to a living wage, benefiting more than 305 staff across the organisation’s 35 retail stores, hospitality venues and hotels.

The first stage will take effect in April 2021 and will see a new minimum wage rate of $20.75 per hour (75 cents above the government’s new minimum wage level) with all waged employees who currently earn above the minimum wage also receiving an increase of $1.35 per hour.

Linda Cooper, president of the Waitakere Licensing Trust says the move will set a new standard for the hospitality industry.

“We want the Trusts to continue to be a great place to work, and we believe the decision to move to a living wage further strengthens our commitment to our team and to the West Auckland community we serve,” she says.

Both the Portage and Waitakere Licensing Trusts have committed to adopting a full living wage by April 2023. They will review financial performance at the end of the 2021 calendar year and may consider moving to this level earlier if there is the ability to do so.

Pam Nuttall, president of the Portage Licensing Trust says the move will go some way to recognise the contribution of their staff to the success of the organisation. “This is an important milestone for the Trusts. We believe paying a living wage is just one way we can thank our team for their hard work,” she says.

Trusts CEO Allan Pollard says the Trusts team is focused on lifting its performance in the coming months and years. “Our focus is on becoming a high performing business that delivers value and support back to West Auckland. To do that, we are working hard to better manage our costs and lift our sales and service performance, so we can continue to deliver important initiatives like this for the community and our people,” he says.

Photos by Rusty Scott.

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our place

Moth plant still most invasive in the Whau The Whau River Catchment Trust’s Japanese honeysuckle and biodiversity survey is already underway tradescantia are other introduced for this year. Last year locals contributed plants that are increasing within the more than 1650 observations which Whau, whereas kahili ginger and were photographed and downloaded common pampas are on a reducing onto the iNaturalist app. trend.

The annual biodiversity survey has “Of the native New Zealand plants been running since 2016 and aims to observed from 2016 to 2020, the achieve an accurate picture on what cabbage tree (ti kouka) has been in the plants and wildlife live within the top 10 for most of the time and last catchment area. year it was the second most identified “So far, the data collected has provided plant,” says Justine. us with some interesting findings,” says “Karo (a small pittosporum shrub) the Trust’s Justine Newnham. and mānuka observations have been “As animals, birds, insects and reptiles increasing too over the years. In 2018 can move too quickly to be photographed, Each moth plant seed pod releases 250 to 1000 seeds. karo was the most observed plant and it’s no surprise that plants are the main species identified. appeared in the top three plants for 2020 with mānuka and karamū “Of all the plants observed, the top species recorded (from 2016 to also in the top 10.”

2020) have varied only slightly with the moth plant the most common Justine says that the data collected has been very useful establishing invasive plant species recorded overall in the past two years.” areas where weeds are a significant issue. “It’s a great tool to It’s one of Auckland’s most noxious plants: a woody vine that can distinguish where the weeds are thriving and where they continue to grow up to eight meters high, has sticky white sap, smothers native flourish year after year. We can find out if we’re successful with our war vegetation and produces large choko-like seed pods that dry and split, on weeds, or if we’re failing. releasing 250 to 1000 parachute-like seeds per pod.

“We’re finding many parks with lots of weeds and the accurate In 2017 the most identified plant was the wonga wonga vine that information we’re getting via the app will be very useful to present to forms dense layers in the low canopy and stops native plant seedlings Council to see if we can get something done about it. developing. 2016 saw woolly nightshade top the sightings survey.

“The iNaturalist app collects photo images in real time and place, Also known as tobacco weed, flannel leaf or the kerosene plant, this records the GPS location of the image and presents the waypoint on a pest can grow to four metres inhibiting native vegetation and causing map. The more photos of wildlife downloaded onto the app or website, skin irritations and respiratory problems. Both of these plants are the more accurate the picture of what lives within the Whau River introduced species.

Catchment area will be.”

Justine says she’s looking for more people to get involved this year.

“Do you think you’ve seen more invasive species than those identified on the iNaturalist website, or have you spotted more natives in your local area than the cabbage tree?

“If so please contact us. We need all the help we can get for the benefit of our environment.”

Short workshops on how to use the iNaturalist app are available.

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GLEN EDEN

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March could be wetter than average, cloudier, and although overall temperatures are average, the nights may feel a bit warmer.

Just after the hottest day, an overnight downpour on the 13th may cause flooding, followed by the month’s heaviest rainfall a week later. The last week has the best weather.

Atmospheric pressures should average about 1016mbs, with winds averaging southwesterly.

For fishermen, the highest tides may be on the 1st and 30th. The best fishing bite-times in the west are at noon on the 11th-14th, and 26th-29th. Chances are also good for evenings on the 4th -6th, and 19th-22nd.

For gardeners, pruning is best on the 9th-12th (waning moon descending), and sowing is best on the 23rd-28th (waxing moon ascending). To avoid crop water-logging, and for longer shelf-life, harvest on neap tide days, the 8th and 23rd.

Allow 24 hour error for all forecasting. For future weather for any date, visit www.predictweather.com. © Ken Ring 2021.

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naturally west with fiona drummond

Dragonflies and damselflies are sunlovers too Dragonflies and damselflies love The blue damselfly or Kēkēwai being near water and embrace is half the size of the bush giants ponds (and swimming pools) as at up to 45mm in length but is in acceptable browsing habitats. fact our largest native damselfly.

One we often see is the Bush The male is easily distinguishable Giant Dragonfly. They can be as being our only blue odonate, long as 130mm, with the females however the female of the species slightly larger than the males. While is more green than blue. Unlike a large insect by our standards, dragonflies they hold their wings fossil dragonflies have been found folded up, rather than open, when with a wingspan of 60cm. Imagine stationary. what they devoured!

Damselflies can change the Due to their size, giants can be colour of their body to help in a bit intimidating if they decide to thermoregulation, going darker hover your way, particularly if you to receive more warmth. It is are in sunbathing mode. reported that most of their brain To breed, a female chooses a power is devoted to processing damp gully where she lays her images through their large eyes. eggs in the soil. As the larvae grow There are in fact eight species and develop they enlarge their of commonly observed dragonflies burrow to a diameter of about and six damselflies in New Zealand. three centimetres, often building Dragonflies are ancient, dating a raised wall around the lip. back 320 million years. About 270 The Māori name for the giant million years ago, the group split is Kapokapowai which means into the true dragonflies and the “water snatcher”, referring to damselflies. the way in which the dragonfly The edges of wetlands are good larvae feeds. The larvae can live places to see these insects as they for up to five years in the banks of like shallow water, with a rich mix rivers and streams and have long Kēkēwai, a male blue damselfly (top) and Kapokapowai, the giant bush of vegetation, including rushes dragonfly. Photo credit: Department of Conservation. extendable jaws which they shoot and aquatic weeds. out to capture prey.

The warm months of summer to mid-autumn are peak times for Adult dragonflies, which often have quite short lifespans, use their seeing them in flight. They have the unique ability to fly up and down, exceptional flying skills to feed on flying insects. Their large eyes take backwards and forwards, side to side and hover in mid air. They are also up most of their head and give them the ability to see in every direction fast fliers with exceptional acceleration: covering 15 metres in less than except directly backwards. a second from a standing start.

They catch their prey by grabbing it with their feet and devour it with The trick to spotting dragonflies is patience. Choose a likely location powerful jaws. They can capture hundreds of mosquitoes in a single by a wetland, river or pond, then watch and wait. Or you could attract day making them a useful insect to have around. them to your garden by creating a pond. Make sure there is plenty Unlike the giants, the lifecycle of damselflies (and some other of sunshine on the pond, and shelter from the prevailing winds. The dragonflies) starts in the water, firstly as an egg and then, while still pond should be shallow at one end and a depth of a metre is plenty. waterborne at naiad stage, they shed a series of exoskeletons until they Rainwater or stream water is best. reach maturity and shed for the last time, beginning life as a terrestrial The right planting is also important. Ideal plants include tall-stemmed odonate. Odonata (the common name for this insect group) means plants such as rushes, sedges and small shrubs such as twigged tree ‘toothed ones’ in Greek. Although they don’t actually have teeth, they daisy and salt marsh ribbonwood; floating plants like red pondweed do have amazing gnashers for consuming their food and can give your and swamp buttercup; and oxygenating plants like water milfoils and toe a good nip in its naiad stage. the submerged charophyte species (stonewort).

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live @ the lounge

‘Who’s telling this story?’

Yeah, Gidday. Lizard here.

It was 20 years ago, to the day actually, that my father went to that great pub in the sky where it’s always your shout but there’s never a need to pay. To tell the truth, quite like when he was above ground. I’ve never known anyone's lumbago to play up so fortuitously when it’s their round.

Still, I guess he did his best raising seven of us. In actual fact, there were 12 of us but my brothers and I never counted our sisters. I was the second to oldest boy but the fifth youngest child.

All us boys and Suzanna, because she was almost a boy, would always hang out. We even all slept in the same room.

We had two sets of bunks and a huge bed that slept four, or seven if there was thunder and lightning.

Mum did all the talking but it was Dad that we listened out for. We had to all go to bed at the same time. We’d try to be very quiet until, almost always, smelly bum Billy would let one rip. This would give us the giggles which would end in a game of ’smack someone hard in the head’ in the dark.

Big Frank was the most dangerous because he had really long arms and Brian always cried. Even if he wasn’t hit.

Suddenly, the light would go on and seven little heads would pop up from our beds like meerkats. Dad’s huge silhouette would just stand there in the doorway. It seemed like for hours. When the light went off we were all too scared to make a sound because it felt like he might still be in the room.

I remember visiting Dad only a few days before we lost him. He was still living with Mum below Uncle and Aunty Lizard's two storey house on Godley Road. He told me about the time when he piled us kids into the bus and took us all to the flicks in the city – "to give your poor Mum a break.”

I remember we were allowed a choc-dipped ice cream each but had to share a packet of Jaffas. I’d always suck off the orange bit, then crunch the white stuff that had the chocolate inside.

“Who's telling this story?"

He went on to say the movie we watched was Mary Poppins because he recalled on the next afternoon while he was looking out the downstairs kitchen window, waiting for the jug to boil, one of his kids dropped down from the

ITera

second storey roof with an umbrella above his head. He couldn’t tell which kid it was but guessed it was probably me. Then to his horror three more shot down all holding umbrellas. Then of course, last as usual, Suzanna.

He said he whipped outside but could only catch me. It was all coming back to me. He'd caught me by my collar because I was laughing so much. All the others came back to own up and Dad was really mad. I could tell we were in for one of his lectures.

"Why would you jump after your stupid brothers when you could tell the umbrella was useless? You could have broken your neck,” he yelled into my deaf ears.

“I thought they were doing it wrong,” I said.

Then he asked why my little sister also tried and she didn’t even have a bloody umbrella!

He said that Suzanna said, if she didn’t jump everyone would think she was a sissy.

“She always had a lot of guts that little sister of yours,” he said, with a wink.

“She still does Dad,” I said.

“I’ve mowed the lawns but if it’s not too much trouble, could you pop by tomorrow and do the edges? Me lumbago’s acting up a bit.”

“Sure thing Dad. No worries.”

The other day I was looking out the caravan window, waiting for the jug to boil, when I spied out the corner of my eye, Lizard Juniors youngest, Syd, nicking the front wheels off his Great Granddad's old lawn mower.

“Whatcha need them for?" I asked.

“We’re making a cart Granddad. We’re going down Laingholm hill. Wanna give us a hand?”

I said I’d be out in a minute and told them they’d have to watch out for cars ’cos some of those Laingholm hillbillies really zoom by.

It’s funny being a father and a grandfather because you still feel like your father's child.

As Mopey Jesus said once, “the cause of death is birth.”

Be careful out there but remember to have a bit of silly fun too.

Later, Lizard.

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