The Weekend Lifestyler, September 29th 2023

With Scottish roots

Waipu Highland Pipe Band member Bain McGregor has been involved in playing bagpipes officially since he was nine years old. As a fourth-generation Scottish family member, Bain is proud of his heritage and the history that comes along with it, with many items held at the Waipu Scottish Migration Museum. As a young man, Bain lived in Scotland, where his love for the instrument gained traction and his passion continues today.

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6,820 copies, distributed on Friday to every residential and rural home throughout the district including Whangārei, One Tree Point, Ruakākā, Waipū, Mangawhai, Kaiwaka and Wellsford.

A cup of memories

u by Ann van Engelen

Raising money for Starship Hospital, the Wellsford Golf Club is calling for players who would like to enter the Butch Chadwick Memorial Cup golf competition.

“Butch Chadwick was a Wellsford Golf Club member for many years,” says organiser Martin Worthington.

“He had a lot of input into our club and really gave up his time for others. He passed away two years ago, and last year, we held the inaugural event because I thought it would be nice to put something on for him. I teach the junior players, and Butch was the reason I got involved, he was my inspiration, and when he passed, I wanted to do something for him.”

The Butch Chadwick Memorial Cup is an adult/children’s pairs tournament set

people, including grandkids, daughters, grandparents and friends.

“You don’t need to be experienced. It’s just a fun day out, and we have a non-scoring division where you play and don’t keep the score. You can play five holes if you like.

“This year, a couple are playing in the proper divisions to compete. Last year, we raised a lot of money for Starship, and it was really nice for Butch to be recognised and for us to have his family come out and see how much we appreciated him and all he did for the club.

for Sunday, November 5, at the Wellsford Golf Club.

“Butch was very interested in helping children play golf and worked hard to ensure they had the opportunity to play. To be in the tournament, adults have to pair up with a little person, and we play the Canadian Greensome, which is really cool. I think we’re the only ones who play that way — you both tee off but eventually end up with one ball.

“Because you only play 10 holes, it’s open for anyone to come and join in. That’s something Butch was all about, too. He wanted the club to be open to all

“He was a real pillar of the club, and we love that we now have something fitting to raise funds for charity in his memory. People come from as far away as Rawene and Ruawai, Auckland and beyond.

“Those who don’t normally play but knew Butch came along and had a go. We have lots of prizes thanks to Barfoot and Thompson sponsoring the day. We are very grateful for their support.”

To enter costs $50 a pair for 10 holes and $30 a pair for five holes. Email bcmemorial@outlook.com or text Martin on 021 0273 1704. ¢

p Harley and Ben Wade along with Stu Oldfield and his son Quinn played in last year’s Butch Chadwick Memorial Cup, representing Butch’s love of helping children enjoy golf

“Butch was very interested in helping children play golf and worked hard to ensure they had the opportunity to play”

Historic preservation continues

u by Ann van Engelen

Based next to the Mangawhai Museum, the preservation of the vessel Daring continues to draw community attention, with volunteers joining together, bringing new dimensions to the project.

“Currently, the team’s focussing on the metal work. Rusting’s getting cleaned, put into acid and looked after before being placed back on the ship,” says Mangawhai Daring Trust chair Jim Wintle.

“A chain has been completed and looks great. When we originally removed the covers from the Daring at Yachting Developments Ltd yard at Hobsonville Point, ready to truck her to Mangawhai, we had Recon complete a further laser scan of the boat.

“We shared the resultant cloud point data with naval architects Lomocean, the designers of the cradle that the vessel the Dunn sits on. Craig Looms, Andre and their team have exceeded our expectations of what could be produced from this data.

“A close study of images of similar circa 1860 vessels gave them a greater understanding of missing aspects of the Daring, such as the transom, which was removed by souvenir hunters not long after the vessel emerged from the iron sands of Te Oneone Rangatira beach.

“Our understanding of the Daring has been incredibly enhanced from this work. Craig believes the designer/boat

builder would say, ‘yep, that’s what she’s supposed to look like’.

“World-renowned boat builder Steve Marten became intrigued by the history of 1860s New Zealand she was uncovering and made a model, as Donald McInnes would’ve done originally.

“Using photographs, videos and his boat-building trained eye, he created his own drawing and made a half model in laminated kauri. Every detail has been reconstructed, and videographer Roger Mills filmed the sailing model in action. This footage will be available in the Daring Discovery Centre in the future.

“Since the booklet, A Biography of David Kirkwood by historian Don Armitage was released, two further biographies in the series of the people of the Daring have been released. A Biography of David Hutchison, builder of the Stanley and other vessels by Don Armitage and A Biography of Captain Samuel Phipps, Master of the Daring and other vesseIs by Diana McCurk. All three booklets can be purchased from daring.co.nz.

“We’re excited that a team from the Old Ships Company in Hobart are visiting and creating a documentary film on the Daring. It’ll take a few months to finalise.

We’re looking forward to seeing the story from the vessel being found on Muriwai Beach through to today.

“We’re hoping to attract major sponsors and partners who understand the project and know where we’re heading to provide the support needed. We’re grateful to all who have given generously with their time, sponsorship,

donations, discounted supplies and materials and professional expertise. “Fundraising remains a priority as we head into the most expensive part of the project. Plans and costings for the Daring Discovery Centre to house the Daring are close to being finalised. The final building will be located partly on the land currently occupied by the Daring.” ¢

p The team from the Old Ships Company in Hobart who are creating a documentary film on the Daring

“Old Ships Company in Hobart are visiting and creating a documentary”

New start for museum cafe

u by Ann van Engelen

The new operators of the cafe at the Mangawhai Museum, now called Kōtare Cafe, are excited for new beginnings after living in Mangawhai for three years.

Alex and Shanika Brown have many years of experience in the hospitality industry and are looking forward to supporting local businesses with their cafe opening date set for Friday, October 13.

“We’re regular visitors to the museum with our boys and had known they were looking for an operator for some time,” says Alex.

“We’d always thought of opening a cafe, and Shanika was trying to go back to work after being a stay-at-home mum for the last seven years. I was trying to get out of a career in human resources, and this was a fantastic site and central to the community. It’s a great opportunity for us to have a project together as a family.”

Shanika started working in hospitality on Waiheke Island as a teenager.

“I eventually moved into a managerial role as a trained barista and met Alex in Auckland,” says Shanika.

“In his gap year, Alex started working as a kitchen hand and became a commis chef. He started managing a craft beer bar, and we fell in love over a coffee and pie.

“This was formerly Jessie’s Cafe, and we know how special it was to the community. We’re changing the name for a new beginning and are keeping things local and offering healthy, affordable options alongside new decor, outdoor furniture and a children’s play area.

“Kōtare Cafe will be offering fresh salads and sandwiches made in-house, along with freshly squeezed juices. Our pies and sausage rolls will come from the Cowshed Restaurant, and Little Tart bakery will supply a lot of our baking and slices.

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“We believe in supporting local and are very excited to have a small retail section with honey, oils, jams, sauces and cheese. Ocean Gypsy products will be here, along with Fire Dragon Chillies from Kaikohe.

“We’re partnering with Turning Point Coffee NZ from Whangārei. They are coffee bean geeks and know the origin of the bean and, to us, do the perfect roast and are sustainably focussed with home compostable cups.

“It’s fun building our list of suppliers, and we continue looking for local shelf product suppliers to partner with. We’re

very excited because it’s a total shift from what we are currently doing, and we’re ready for a change.

“Running our own business enables us to have creative control, knowing the more work we put in, the better it becomes. Opening a centrally located cafe makes us a bigger part of the community, and we hope to create a

hub here, and we have great plans for the future.

“We’ll be open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 3pm, with Saturday and Sunday being 10am to 3pm. We’re very excited to start making real connections with the community and providing quality service that comes from the heart.” ¢

p Alex and Shanika Brown are the operators of the new Kōtare Cafe at the Mangawhai Museum

“Opening a centrally located cafe makes us a bigger part of the community”

Preparing for Sweet Louise

u by Ann van Engelen

October is breast cancer awareness month, and Waipu resident Anita Buchan is preparing to host a high tea to support Sweet Louise, a charity helping to support people with breast cancer.

“For those who don’t know, in 2005, Scott Perkins established The Louise Perkins Foundation, named after his wife Louise, who passed away in 2004 after living for 10 years with incurable breast cancer,” says Anita.

“The Sweet Louise charity was launched in 2006 with the vision of improving the quality of life for New Zealanders living with incurable breast cancer. My charity event is a high tea to be held on October 28 and is $25 per person.

“I am supporting Sweet Louise because a few years ago, I saw what they do and really liked their work. I moved to Waipu recently and saw an ad, and it reminded me of what Sweet Louise

does. For me what they pick up where the public system doesn’t help.

“People with breast cancer need help with the small things and, to me, fundraising is a way to help people get the services they need.

“We own the Vintage Table, a business hiring antique tea cups, tea pots and cake stands. Being new to the area, I thought I’d hold my own high tea using our equipment because the antique china ties in with everything. It’s an opportunity to deal with beautiful things and put on a pretty dress, and Harney Teas is supplying the tea, which is wonderful.

“Louise lived with absolute positivity and went about life with cancer as a

small part of living rather than as a main focus of her life. Sweet Louise provides practical, emotional and social support and services for New Zealanders living with incurable breast cancer. They provide the compassion and care people need to live as well as possible, for as long as possible.

“The charity relies entirely on donations and grants to continue its work helping New Zealanders living with incurable breast cancer. All funds raised through the tea parties will help Sweet Louise support women with incurable breast cancer.

“The funds will provide women with specialised, one-to-one care; practical kindness like ready-made meals, home

help and family trips, so women can build precious memories with their children and families.

Sweet Louise is the only charity in New Zealand dedicated to improving the quality of life for Kiwis living with incurable breast cancer. It currently supports more than 780 New Zealanders and their families right across the country.

“My high tea will be held at the Waipu Presbyterian Church hall at 2.15pm on Saturday, October 28. It’s a great opportunity to have fun with friends, sisters, aunts or mums. Please prebuy your tickets for catering purposes by emailing anita@thevintagetable. co.nz.”

p Anita Buchan is excited to be hosting a high tea to support Sweet Louise in late October

p Anita will be using her antique chinaware to create a beautiful setting for her charity event

Bracts of tropical glory

u by Liz Clark

One of the hardiest climbers available, bougainvillaea puts on a spectacular display of flowering bracts during the warmer months, and they’re easy to grow.

Native to regions of South America, this climbing species has been cultivated for several centuries, gracing gardens large and small. Mainly evergreen yearround, the bougainvillaeas will shed leaves in more southern regions of New Zealand during the winter months and enter dormancy until spring. These plants prefer warmer, frost-free areas where they can be at their best when flowering.

Since bougainvillaeas were first introduced to gardens, horticulturalists have developed several cultivars, including dwarf varieties suitable for pots. The plants are now available in

several colours, which include yellow, white, orange and pink. Before planting a bougainvillaea, some planning should be done regarding the location and means of support. Avoid growing these climbers against the side of the house. The strong woody stems and trunk can and will damage a home’s exterior.

The best option to support this vigorously growing climber is a strongly built arbour or pergola that can support the bougainvillaea’s trunk and branches as it matures. Talk to your local council to check if building consent is needed before proceeding. If you’re not into DIY,

talk to a professional about the best option. Alternatively, a stone or concrete wall is another option, but again, ensure your new climber won’t encroach into neighbouring property.

Bougainvillaeas can be planted year-round but will need to be given extra care in the first year to help the plant get its roots established. Choose a site exposed to at least six hours of full sun. These climbers require freedraining, organic-rich soil to be at their best during the flowering season. If the ground is predominantly clay, create a raised mound, then add good-quality soil and compost on top before planting.

Being salt tolerant, bougainvillaea is a perfect choice for sandy soil in coastal gardens. Keep watered during the dry months and feed with regular dressings of organic matter and general fertiliser to prolong flowering.

While they are spectacular bloomers, like roses, bougainvillaeas have thorns, which can cause problems. Always wear strong, thick leather gloves when pruning these types of climbers. Prune lightly in autumn after flowering has finished.

Talk to your local garden centre professional about options for available cultivars. ¢

An impressive show

u by Ann van Engelen

One Tree Point students were involved in their first school performance since 2019 last week, dressing up in character and showing off their many talents to friends and family at Night at the Movies.

“Each class created a performance based around a movie that they had chosen,” says deputy principal Whaea Gemma Bradburn.

“Students were involved in every step of the process, choreography, script writing and costumes.

“One guest, Mary Stevens, wrote that in her 40 years of teaching, she has never seen a school production with

such great enthusiasm and participation from all the children. Night at the Movies was a highly collaborative process.

“The whole staff was involved, right down to our caretaker, who was backstage working the curtain and props. There was a real buzz around the school, and the enjoyment was clearly evident by the smiles on the faces of our students while they performed.”

p Archer, Ben, Arabella and Zoey became Minions for the evening

p Torben and Alessia had fun presenting their version of Shrek

p Aidan and Aria brought a lot of colour to the stage

p Yahvi and Carter were in fine form as the presenters of the night

Industry tips for your new build and renovation

u by Aaron Patterson, Building, Engineering & Design

Wanting to do a renovation, remodel, new deck or new build? These industry tips will help you tackle that project you have been thinking about.

1. Know your budget: Once you have an idea of what you want, get an estimate. Your budget will constrain what you can and can’t do. Get bank preapproval early. Typical costs: bathroom renovation $30,000, kitchen renovation $25,000, extension/new build $4,000m², decks start from $700m².

2. Understand the process: Do you need a building consent or resource consent? If yes, you will need designs, engineering and council fees will be applicable — allow two months for this stage.

3. Design: Find photos online you like. Start with quality 3D concept plans that show every detail and allow for a budget estimate, then cut the cloth to suit.

4. Choose a builder: Post a job a online via Builderscrack or Bark. Engage a builder early on, ensure they’re licensed, get references, a project schedule and proper contract from your builder.

5. Living Situation: During your renovation or new build, you will have sections of your house which are unusable. Make sure you plan for this and schedule with your builder minimal for interruption.

6. Enjoy the journey: Building or renovating is one of the most challenging, stressful, and ultimately, rewarding things

you ever do. Enjoy the journey with a positive frame of mind.

At Building, Engineering & Design, we specialise in optimising bang for your buck for your project. Call us to discuss

your project to arrange for a free quote and assessment. Aaron Patterson, the managing director, is a chartered engineer and licensed building practitioner, with a Master’s in Business Administration. ¢

Virtual minds creating real spaces

u by Andy Bryenton

Letting machines help design homes for human beings could help make

in design.

“Artificial intelligence in the construction industry is here,” says Doug Dockery, chief technology officer at ConstructConnect, a US building solutions leader.

“It has emerged as a technology that is poised to transform our industry. As we enter this next frontier of construction technology, it is essential to understand what artificial intelligence is and how it offers unique solutions.”

The part of AI’s toolkit appealing most to those in construction is what’s known as machine learning, and specifically, deep learning. Think about the advances in AI applications such as Chat GPT and Midjourney, which can create good facsimiles of written language and visual art, respectively.

How does this help an architect, designer or builder? One way comes in the planning stage of a project when there can be a lot of conflicting opinions about what is most important for a design. There is the physical space where a home is to be built, with its own constraints. Then there are the aesthetic choices of the architect and their clients, the needs imposed

by building codes and regulations, the requirements of electricians, heating and ventilation engineers, plumbers and other tradespeople.

These could all conceivably deliver wholly different plans for the same project. Previously, compromising, mediating and coming up with a harmonious final design was a human task. Now, AI can take all the different ideals from a variety of sources and

blend them into a design incorporating the most of each one possible. By letting a machine use deep learning AI applications to amalgamate plans, there’s a distinct possibility of solutions being found which would have eluded human minds, and of course, a machine is unbiased.

In experiments involving setting up the most efficient way to wire and plumb a building, for example, AI came

up with clever ways to build safer, more efficiently and, importantly, for less cost.

That is another field where AI excels in the building trade. Machines that can learn can give very accurate estimates of the total budget needed for a build, especially when factoring in the input of many different professionals. Expect to see more future homes designed with machine assistance in the years to come. ¢

SPRING PLANTING TIME

Need to fill any gaps within your garden? Come have a look at our hedging and specimen trees as well as our ground covers which are great for underplanting. Even if we don’t have what you need we will do our very best to source it for you. We sell: ground covers, climbers, palms, succulents, edibles, shrubs and specimen trees. We also sell landscaping supplies (by the bag or cubic metre, depending on what the product is) black bark, brown mulch, topsoil, compost, garden mix, potting mix, and lime chip.

Autumn is a great time to plant! So come and visit us in our little slice of paradise. Email: breambaygreenworld@gmail.com or phone 0274 952 441.

One Tree Point Road

Tuesday - Saturday 8:30am - 4.30pm

p Architects and designers of the near future will use AI to balance budgets, aesthetics, functionality and regulations when they go to the digital drawing board for their clients

Mother and daughter team Laura and Ellie Larkin are the new owners of Bream Bay GREENWORLD plant nursery.

TO BUILD OR RENOVATE

Ready to roost

u by Amy Fifita

Poultry needs a coop, whether on a lifestyle block or urban-based, for an enriched and secure environment.

Before beginning a backyard coop build, check the bylaws and regulations of the local council. The council will be able to tell you how many chickens are allowed in an urban setting and send an authorised officer to assess the situation if located in town.

Coops come in a range of styles, some compact and others the equivalent of a mansion for chickens. Often, the setting will play a role in determining how elaborate the design is. With larger rural properties, owners can have more chickens and options for a poultry home. Pertinent features for a coop are a decent entrance that a chicken can get through easily, space, perches, nest

boxes and the floors covered with dry material. The outer part should be a fence or enclosure, food, water shelter, space and dry soil for dust baths. Self-engineering a coop will save on the cost of purchasing a pre-built one. Knowing how it has been made is beneficial for later in the future when minor maintenance from wear and tear is needed.

The main materials required are chicken wire, timber for framing, plywood, hinges and some nails. Repurposing unused items is a great option for do-it-yourselfers. Old playhouses or pre-used frames are useful when building a chicken coop. Even pallets can be implemented into the build. For people starting from scratch, free plans are often available online so

poultry owners can craft their own chook habitat.

Those who prefer convenience can buy pre-built coops, but some preparation is required. Kitset ones are also an option for people eager to build but want the materials ready. You will need to consider where it will be located, whether permanent or portable and clear a space for it. ¢

With a proven product designed and fabricated for the marine environment that is our front yard, we are a local business that specialises in building functional outdoor living spaces.

The amazing panels block out the UV and reduce the transfer of heat up to 40% without losing light into your living areas.

Add vertical glazing and/or blinds to further enhance your new space. Based in Bream Bay, we cater to enquiries around Northland and have plenty of clients who are willing to showcase their structures to interested parties.

Get in touch, to find out how we can create a beautiful outdoor room at your place.

p A dry and secure coop is a good environment for hens and allows them to be safe and sheltered

Self-engineering a coop will save on the cost of purchasing a pre-built one

Exposing character floors

u by Andy Bryenton

New Zealand homes are unique in many ways, but one factor which makes classic

war stand out is the beautiful native wood often used for flooring.

At the time, the rimu, kauri and matai used to floor these dwellings were simply commonly available wood. However, for those seeking to restore a vintage home or enhance the features which make it special, exposing and beautifying the knots, grain and contours of this timber is a definitive trend.

Moreover, the character timbers now adding value and style to a classic Kiwi home were, at the time, building materials. Their original owners may not have treated them with much reverence. It’s a big task to restore such cover-ups and reveal the golden, rustic character of the wood beneath, but it’s well worth it.

Polished native wood floors are high on the wish list of people seeking restored bungalows and villas, and they help such homes command excellent prices.

It all begins with sanding and preparation. There are two types of sander. Firstly, the more powerful but less subtle drum sander can strip a half millimetre off the timber surface and even out any inconsistencies that

have developed in the floor boards themselves. A drum sander can take wood back to a timber yard fresh surface, but it may erase characterful aspects of a classic floor some are keen to preserve. If vintage-looking nailhead stains, bespoke, hand-sawn cut marks and other little inconsistencies are your thing, it’s best to use a finishing sander and simply prepare the surface of your floor.

No matter how you sand, you’ll likely need to fill some holes and gaps. Many

vintage floors are nailed directly to the supporting beams below, with no insulation, so they may have moved and separated over the decades. This step is particularly important considering that most modern renovators will also take this time to install underfloor insulation to take the chill off of their new wooden floor finish.

The other big decision to make, which will affect the character of your wooden floor, is whether to use an oil finish, a stain, or a glossy polyurethane coating.

Each style has its fans and detractors, with good and bad points for each. The warmth of a product like Danish Oil suits a floor with a truly rustic look, while the hard gloss of a polyurethane coating can even out little inconsistencies and is easy to keep clean.

p Sanding and restoring classic native timber floors is a rewarding but colossal task; thankfully, there are professionals who can help smooth the way

With Scottish roots

u by Ann van Engelen

Born in 1957, Waipu resident Bain McGregor is the fourth generation of the original Scottish immigrants who left Scotland in the early 1800s with the land clearances.

“Led by the legendary Reverend Norman MacLeod, they first sailed to Nova Scotia — New Scotland, a province of Canada, and then Australia before finally settling in Waipu in 1853,” says Bain.

“My paternal great-grandfather Roderick McGregor was the first local blacksmith in Waipu. When I was four years old, I was diagnosed as an asthmatic, and our doctor suggested I blow on balloons as a lung treatment.

“I chose to blow on the blow stick of my father’s Peter Henderson bagpipes that dad purchased in 1936. When I was nine, he started me off on the pipes with a ‘by ear’ method, known amongst fiddlers in Nova Scotia as the Suzuki method.”

Suzuki was a Japanese violinist who believed that it was beneficial to create an environment of music learning,

which paralleled the linguistic nature of learning a native language. This learning method is part of the reason Bain has a well-known ‘ear’ for tone excellence.

“When I was 10 years old, I progressed to the tuition of Lewis Turrell MBE, who lived in Whangārei. Lewis was a wonderful gentleman who was often feasting on toast and honey when I arrived for my lessons. I suspect that the morning honey might have been a reliable antidote for the previous evening’s partaking.

“I also started playing with my dad in the Waipu band when I was 10 with locals Willy Schultz and Happy Finlayson. Happy’s now 84, and still in the band, and Willy’s living in Auckland. They’re both great musicians.

“I was elected pipe major from 1976 to 1985, and in 1976, joined the Whangārei and County Pipe band where Glenn Hamilton, a high standard solo

player, was the pipe major, followed by Ken McLennan.

“My good ear earned me the role of band tuner from fairly early on. In the 1940s, the Whangārei Pipe Band Committee searched Scotland for a formidable player as a tutor and found Angus MacAulay, who was originally from Benbecula in Uist.

“Angus represented a fine line of tutoring excellence and took over the Whangārei band. He was taught by John McDonald of Inverness, who also taught Don MacLeod. Don was a legendary piper in Scotland and taught lots of New Zealand players from the late 1950s to the late 1960s.

“I was incredibly lucky to have Angus teach me. Angus’s passionate tutoring often required pupils to play up to six piobaireachds in a row, and as a result, I won the gold medal in 1984 at a competition in Hastings. The

“A couple of long flights later, I found myself being greeted by the chief tour guide of the castle, Dave MacLeod”

p With Scottish roots, Bain McGregor classes the bagpipes as an important part of his heritage

p Bain with his late wife Helen and their daughters Briar, Rowan, and Sian

piobaireachd is classical chamber music. The following year, I was in Wellington for another solo contest and applied for a private piper in residence role at Blair Castle, Blair Athol, at a request on behalf of the Duke of Athol.

“A couple of long flights later, I found myself being greeted by the chief tour guide of the castle, Dave MacLeod. I was introduced to my role, which lodged me in a stone building known as the stables. It required me to play at set times in the day for the tour groups coming through the castle.

“To ensure I was kept far away from where the younger girls stayed, my lodging quarters were surrounded by widows. Then three young girls, Fiona, Yvonne and Helen, arrived at the castle to be tour guides.

“Later, the girls invited me and my friend out for a few drinks. That’s when I met Helen, who became my wife. She spoke French and German as well as English.

“My solo playing was positively influenced in Scotland under the tutorship of Jimmy McGregor of Blair

Gowrie Scotland. When I returned to New Zealand after also working for six months as a chauffeur to George Lambie and greenkeeper at the Gleneagles (Queens) golf course in Auchterarder, Helen was by my side. She’d just turned 20.” Bain and Helen married and moved to Waipu.

“Helen and I were blessed with three daughters, Briar, Rowan and Sian, but in 2000, Helen was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her surgery was delayed due to a doctor’s strike, and the cancer progressed quickly. After a brave battle, she passed away in 2003.

“She was so strong. She was my soul mate. Helen was an accomplished French horn and tenor horn player and tenor drummer and played in both the pipe and brass band. She was very involved in the Caledonian Society, worked in the museum, and was often chief piping steward at the Waipu games.

“On the day of her funeral, Waipu turned out to mourn one of their own. The funeral procession stretched from one side of Waipu to the other. Both the brass and pipe bands played Helen

through her final journey through the town in a coffin full of rainbows as she had wanted.

“There were 800 at the funeral, and the Coronation Hall wasn’t big enough. She was only 36 years old and owned the Bream Bay News. When she first came here, she worked for the Crawford family, who owned the Advocate and worked for the Weekend Report.

“Our daughters were 13, 11 and four when we lost Helen. It was such a bombshell. You wonder if you can cope, but then you do. The pipe band family was a massive influence on my wellbeing, and my girls are still with me, they’re such a huge part of their mum, and I love them so much.

“Briar and Rowan learned Highland dancing, which was Helen’s wish, and Rowan has Helen’s theatrical side. Sian played the pipes when she was 11 and was very good but didn’t stay with it. She says I was too hard on her, but she did come to play the tenor drum too.

“We have the Helen McGregor Memorial Trophy each New Year’s Eve before the Waipu Highland Games held

each New Year’s Day. While the town has sadly lost the Gaelic language of its forefathers, it has fiercely held on to many other Celtic traditions displayed proudly each New Year’s Day.

“I love the fact that the pipes are such a wonderful versatile instrument that get played at weddings, funerals and many other events. They can be played solo or with pipe bands and have enough power and volume of their own.

“It’s significant to me that the bagpipes are a part of Scotland, which is my heritage. Waipu is also clearly a part of my heritage. There’s lots of culture from my ancestors that came across in the boats in 1863, which the museum holds. The Waipu Highland Games every New Year’s Day is very Scottish and authentic as well.

“There’s Highland dancing, solo piping, heavy weights and drumming competitions, and we have the Helen McGregor Memorial Medley the night before. People are more than welcome to come and learn with the Northland Caledonian Pipe Band in Whangārei, including children.” ¢

“I love the fact that the pipes are such a wonderful versatile instrument that get played at weddings, funerals and many other events. They can be played solo or with pipe bands and have enough power and volume of their own”

p Admiring the trophy deer antlers during one of his castle visits

p Bain with members of the pipe band at a practice night

p Bain enjoying time with his grandchildren

p The McGregor family enjoyed exploring together on a recent trip to Scotland

A community that gives

u by Amy Fifita

Yvonne Bright from Wellsford Plus has been organising the double event Spring Fiesta Blue September fundraiser at the Wellsford District Community Centre on Saturday, September 30.

“My husband and I moved back from Australia about a decade ago,” says Yvonne. “We have been in the Port Albert area since we came back.”

“I have Bright Laundry, and my husband Chris and his business partner have recently purchased the Old Junction Restaurant and Bar. It will become a Western bar called The Saloon that opens next week.

“When my children were young, I worked full-time, and I didn’t have the time to volunteer. I worked in the financial sector doing banking and accounting. Now that I have the time and opportunity, I am giving back. I am passionate about my family, and am I always someone who loves to help others. Wellsford has a slower pace, and I see us staying here forever.

“I have family in the area; we all migrated here at about the same time. Before we went to Australia, we lived in Warkworth. My mum lives in Wellsford, and we are in Port Albert. I love the small-town friendliness, and everyone knows each other and is willing to help.

Someone drove through the windows of the local pub down the road at night, and the local community, including us, pitched in to clean up the site.

“Hammer Hardware opened up the store that night so we could get materials to board up the wall and make the business secure. This community sticks together, and nothing is expected, but everyone is there to help.

“When a place for me at Wellsford Plus came upon me, I enjoyed being creative and doing the local newsletter.

It would be great if everyone wanted to come to the Blue September fundraiser to support us.

“All profits will be donated. Thirty per cent of the funds are going towards prostate cancer awareness, 35% to the Wellsford Volunteer Firefighting Brigade and 35% towards our local Santa parade.”

The family event costs $5 and is from 5–7pm, and the adults-only evening costs $20 and is from 7.30pm–late with alcohol and local bands Vertigo and Bad Neighbours. Tickets can be

bought at The Nook and Wellsford Hammer Hardware.

“I love giving back to the community, and I adore working with other groups. This year, we are working with the fire station. Previously, we had worked with Lions, the Northern Helping Hands and

many more groups we have collaborated with. It is amazing seeing people unite,” Yvonne said.

The main event sponsors are Pub Charity, Wellsford Plus, Northland Waste, The Nook, Hammer Hardware and Bright Laundry. ¢

p Yvonne Bright says she has always tried to help people and is giving back to the community with the Wellsford Plus fundraiser for Prostate Cancer

“Wellsford has a slower pace, and I see us staying here forever”

PUZZLE TIME

Jumbo crossword

32 Pub (6) 34 Join line (4) 36 make less strict (5)

Sudoku

ACROSS: 1 Stool, 4 From bad to worse, 11 Chaff, 14 Tonic, 15 Smouldering, 16 Asbestos, 19 Opinion, 20 Stuck, 21 Penniless, 24 Whispered, 26 Preach, 27 Pollen, 31 Hoard, 32 Paranoia, 34 Vulnerable, 38 Hilltop, 39 Browse, 40 Images, 41 Flat, 42 Pendant, 45 Tambourine, 50 Nostril, 54 Smug, 55 Warble, 56 Things, 57 Traipse, 60 Dressmaker, 61 Igniting, 62 Skill, 65 Detach, 66 Flinch, 67 Efficient, 72 Touchtype, 73 Wings, 74 Vehicle, 79 Gendarme, 80 Shakespeare, 81 Herbs, 82 Depth, 83 In a state of flux, 84 Still.

DOWN: 2 Troops, 3 Onion, 5 Ramp, 6 Mountie, 7 Abduct, 8 Tire, 9 Wondered, 10 Easily, 11 Chessboard, 12 Acts, 13 Fashion, 17 Moist, 18 Inaccurate, 22 Pedal, 23 Globular, 25 Hurdled, 26 Plateau, 28 Novice, 29 Cobweb, 30 Unseen, 33 Aorta, 35 Extol, 36 Down, 37 Mini, 42 Posed, 43 Nauseate, 44 Teabag, 45 Tablecloth, 46 Meek, 47 Ostrich, 48 Reigns, 49 Night, 51 Oars, 52 Thicken, 53 Insult, 58 Psychopath, 59 Anvil, 63 Snapshot, 64 Mixed, 65 Damaged, 68 Fig leaf, 69 Scampi, 70 Fiasco, 71 Global, 75 Inert, 76 Snap, 77 Skit, 78 Frau.

Insert the missing letters to complete ten words — five across the grid and five down.

than one solution may be possible.