Plimmerton Residents Association Newsletter

Whats new in Plimmerton?

November 2011

Open Day in the Park

Saturday 19th November 10am to 12.30pm The hard working team who are looking at the future of Karehana Park invite us all to an open day so we can see the ideas that the recent survey and planning have generated. Come along and see the options for redeveloping the park. There will be visual displays of options and people on hand to talk you through the ideas that came out of the recent survey, say the team Allan, Andrew, Bill, Dave, Jinny, Kris, Roger, Sandy and Trina. (Alternate wet day Saturday 26th November) Porirua city councils Parks and Reserves team and PRA members will be there to get your feedback so favoured options can be costed for implementation. To view options check out our web site www.plimmerton.org.nz/karehanapark/

Plimmerton seat design wins silver medal at Designers Institute Awards!

Our prize winning seat (pictured) Matau was entered for the New Zealand Design Awards and won a prestigious silver medal. Congratulations to Massey University School of Industrial design tutor Chris Jackson and the group of students who designed the seats. Chris emailed us to say, Further good news for the Plimmerton community and a stamp of approval to say we did a good job! You can see more on our web site www.plimmerton.org.nz

Plimmertons past on show at our railway station

A twenty minute electronic display of historic photos from 1885 is now on show at the station. This is an evolving story and new sections will be added as photos are sourced. Project manager Allan Dodson is still looking for photos from the 1950s onward and particularly anything showing the Plimmerton pavilion before 1954 and defence works on the beaches during the war years. Please contact plimmertonra@gamil.com or call Allan 233 1087

Please report sightings of the endangered Shore Plovers

DOC would like us to report all sightings of this important population of rare birds. A dozen or so of the group of 31 on Mana have begun coming to and fro to unknown locations on the mainland where they are at great risk from predators. Keep away from the birds but if you see them please report the number of birds seen, time of day, location (gps co ords if you can) and if you can see their leg bands (left top and bottom then right top and bottom) that would be helpful to those protecting the birds. Email ShorePlover@doc.govt.nz

Christmas gifts with a Plimmerton flavour

All your gift giving problems are solved! Taffy Parrys ever popular photographic book Tommy Tuis Journey is available from Revolve/Phejoa Design (the gift shop opp the fire station) and at $25 it makes an ideal gift (and it fits into an A4 envelope for posting) Taffy tells us that he is creating a range for Christmas cards featuring spectacular images of our local scenery and these will be for sale at Revolve/Phejoa very soon. Taffys new book The Quarrymans son is currently being published and will be available from Amazon. Pop into the store and find out more ... and see the other creative and quirky gift items they have in store for Christmas.

Give old money new value

Take all your old, obsolete and foreign coins to any Resene Colour Shop or New World Supermarket and pop them in the special boxes there. The Lions club of New Zealand has organised this project to help young people through Heads up for kids. Collection was originally just for two months but response is so positive that it is now ongoing. To date over 8.5 tonnes of coins worth $200,000 have been collected. They aim to collect $1 million (the Reserve Bank estimates that $116 million in coins and notes is still stashed away in drawers and cupboards around New Zealand.) Please have a fossick around and drop a bag of old coins and notes into these stores and help this fantastic cause. Enquiries to Bob 915 0408 or Euan 021 843 825

Bellyful of good food

Bellyful is a nation-wide charity that provides food to families with newborns or when illness strikes. They have held two cookathons at St Andrews to prepare frozen meals for delivery to families in this area. Cherie at Scene@Plimmerton is collecting non perishable items for the next cookathon. Please donate an item or two if you can. They need dried instant lasagne sheets, dried Diamond macaroni elbow pasta, jars of Raguletto bolognaise sauce, plain flour and olive oil. Find out how you can be involved, contact Tracie tracie.lane@bellyful.org.nz

Topor wins medal in Dine Out Peoples Choice Award

Our local Polish restaurant has another feather in its cap. It was awarded the bronze medal in the recent awards which looked at 6,200 restaurants nationwide and came up with a final list of 24. Congratulations to Stefan and his team. This is a huge achievement. Watch out for Topors summertime attraction, coming soon ... Polish Hotdog Sundays.

Cupcake afternoons at Cafe Vella

Tuesdays 3.00-4.40pm Come up with the best creative cupcake idea of the week youll see it made and enjoy a complementary afternoon tea! For an after school sweet treat, a special ladies afternoon tea, a business meeting with flair get down to cupcake afternoon.

Plimmerton welcomes Rugby World Cup visitors with warm hospitality

Tourists poured into this area during the World cup and locals have made a huge effort to accommodate and welcome them here. Helen Chipper of Moana Lodge helped to find accommodation for more than 70 international visitors. Members of the hospitality industry would like us to send a huge thank you to Helen for all her time and efforts to place visitors looking for homestay accommodation. She is a great host ambassador for our country. they say.

Put these in your diary today ... Jazz and other stuff - Friday 25th November at 8pm
Mana Little Theatre presents an evening of entertainment from local award winning musician Kevin Clark, and his musical partner of 40 years, Fran Barton with Rowan Clark on bass and drummer John Rae. Phone MLT 233 1127 for bookings.

Inspire, uplift, delight - Sunday 6th November, 9am to 5pm

No, this is not a plug for wired underwear - Plimmerton photographer Johanna Lowe invites you to her final exhibition open day in the PureBalance studio Unit 6, 2-4 Northpoint Street, Plimmerton Estate. Fabulous local scenes ... and ten percent goes to the ME/CFS support group.

Rail EX Model Train Show

NZ Kennel Club Prosser Street Porirua, Saturday 5th November 10am-5pm and Sunday 6th November 10am-4pm. Organised by local model railway clubs. Adults $7 children $3 or a whole family $15. www.railex.org.nz

Night in Rio - 12th November from 8pm

In Plimmerton Pavilion with Clube de Choro playing Brazilian music so you can shake your tail feathers. Just $25 per person, non alcoholic drinks and snacks provided, bring your own wine etc. Dress to impress ... and put on your dancing shoes. Contact http://wn-kindergarten.org.nz/ or call 233-1027. A fund raiser for Plimmerton Kindergarten.

Lamb and Calf Day - Pauatahanui School 5th November from 10am
The wonderful kid-made signs are all over inviting us to share in this iconic community event. Dont miss this genuine Kiwi experience ... take the whole family.

Carols by the beach - Saturday 10th December at Plimmerton Primary School

Starting in the afternoon with a top line up of local talent to keep you entertained into the evening. Live bands, bouncy castle, stalls, food and beverages for sale. Heaps of fun for the whole family ... and its free! Any talented face painters who can do an hour stint between 3.00pm and 7.30pm are invited to call Lesley Fairbairn 233 1247. General enquires to baz.debz@xtra.co.nz

Mana Little theatre

My Husbands Nuts runs until 12th November at. Much hilarity ensured. www.manalittletheatre.org for details and tickets.

Inlet spring clean coming up - Sunday 20th November

Guardians of Pauatahanui Inlet and Keep Porirua beautiful are cleaning up the inlet again and would welcome help from Plimmertonians. Meet at Browns Bay at 11am and enjoy a sausage sizzle with other helpers afterwards. This is always a fun family day out and an excellent way to reinforce environmental values with children. More info on their web site www.gopi.org.nz

Paremata School Gala 29th October from 11am to 3pm

Featuring all the gala favourites plus a petting zoo, an international food hall and a performance from the Retro Divas ... sounds like a fun day.

Car Boot Sales

The Rotary Club of Plimmerton is holding car boot sales on Sunday mornings through December, January and February from 8 to 11am at the NZ Kennel Club car park in Prosser Street Porirua. Great opportunities for buyers and sellers. They suggest people rent a space to sell crafts, plants, used goods, and recycle excess summer gear like bikes and camping kit etc Boot spaces are just $10 and larger spaces, where people could have trucks or gazebos, are $20. Starting Sunday 4, 11 and 18 and December and on 8, 15, 29 January and 5, 12, 19 and 26 February 2012. Bookings essential please email nichols@xtra.co.nz

Pauatahanui School Annual Plant sale

Sunday 30th October 9-5pm at the school Most plants just $3 - $4 including natives, herbs, veggies, fruit, perennials, shrubs. Call Jenny Pyatt 529-4983 if you need to know more.

Plimmerton happenings ... Restoration work honoured

Plimmerton volunteers who helped in the restoration of its railway station were honoured by the Rail Heritage Trust of NZ. Eight months and 2,000 hours of volunteer labour hours went into stripping and restoring the station. A bronze plaque now hangs on the wall with a framed citation in the station store, Macs Tracks.

Summer time tips from our fire chief

Carl Mills reminds us, Check your barbecue connections before you decide to fire the barbie up. They should be tight and safe. Karl tells us that they are welcoming three new prospective fire fighting recruits. But if you are still keen and can respond during week days we would love to talk to you. Email Plimmerton@fire.org.nz or drop in to the station to meet the friendly team any Wednesday from 7.15pm.

Vicar slips collar!

Everybodys favourite vicar is leaving us to become the bishops chaplain for Hawkes Bay. Jenny Dawson had an offer too good to refuse and leaves after seven years in the Pauatahanui parish which incorporates 10 congregations in four churches. Jenny says I love the people, the atmosphere and the strength in this parish, its very buzzy. Porirua is an incredible city its like the way the world should be in terms of the mix of people. Jenny, we will miss you good luck.

Plimmerton student wins youth award

Congratulations to Morgan Evans, and his family, for his recent Porirua Youth Award for academic achievement. Morgan has been top scholar in his year at Aotea College for the past four years and has also represented the school in the first XV rugby team and first XI cricket team. He has had major roles in school productions and been a youth MP. Porirua is a fascinating place to be educated and gain life experience, he says. Its easy to just kick back and theres so much talent and ability out there that isnt used. Students should strive to be the best they can be. Morgan plans to use his prize money to pay for his law text books at uni next year.

Try something new ... Twilight bowls competition starts 1 November on Tuesdays 6.15 to 7.30pm
Form your own triples teams and contact Rachel 233 9600 More news from the club on our web site.

Archery Have-a-go Saturdays 19th November and 10th December

Have a-go Saturdays (two sessions) from 10am to midday. Expert supervision, equipment provided. Come to Mana Archery Club, Plimmerton Domain, its free and anyone over 11 is welcome. Please register with our coaching coordinator to book your place. coaching.manarchery@gmail.com And check out their facebook page (no log in needed) http://www.facebook.com/ManaArcheryClub

On yer bike! Plimmerton Cycle Hire

From Macks Tracks on Plimmerton railway station. plimmertoncyclehire@gamil.com Just $25 for half day hire. Mon 9am-3pm, Tues-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm Call Gerald 233 8555 or 021 234 4980

PureBalance ... new term starting on Tuesday 25 October

All the days, times and classes available are on our web site. The cost for 8 weeks between now and Christmas is $120. Call Deidre-Lee 027207 6588

Croquet dokey
Lots of news from our busy croquet club including stunning achievements by Kelvin Watson and Graeme Fisher who have benefitted from coach Wendy Betteridges programme. Check out www.plimmerton.org.nz for all the details. Call Tom Berryman 236 8877

Artful kids - Tuesdays after school in Plimmerton

Release the artists within ... and get the kids to make all the Xmas presents this year! Call tutor Rachel Benefield 021 234 0949 to enrol your kids today. See the group in action and some of their great efforts on our web site.

Outdoor sketching group

Fridays at 10am, check the map at the clubrooms before embarking outdoors to sketch. Bring your morning tea and meet at the clubrooms if its wet. Call the friendly tutor Stuart 027 644 5713 or Denise 233 2014 to find out more.

Useful info ... Housesitters

We can put you in touch with mature sensible women who are offering to care for your house, pets and plants during the next few months. Call Helen 027 473 3116 or Sandra 233 1367 for contacts and references.

First steps community playgroup

At the Salvation Army in Ulric Street on Thursday mornings during term time from 9.45 to 11.45. Call the church office for more info 233 9790.

Burglaries and thefts in recent weeks

Be alert! Two or more blokes with a vehicle have been actively stealing here in broad daylight heavy pots and yuccas, a large coffee table from Macs Slabs Outdoor Furniture, signage and personal items from properties around Plimmerton. They may dress like legitimate trades people and have a vehicle with generic signage. Report all suspicious people and vehicles to our local constable 233 9780.

Help with a smile

Need a hand with ironing, shopping, pet care, filing, or other household chores? If you bend down with a creak and think you might not get up again this week then call Kim ... she will happily help you with a one off task or as a regular thing. Just $25 an hour. You can reach Kim on 022 024 7622

Gallipoli veteran honoured

Check out our website www.plimmerton.org.nz/Anzac-stories/ Burial at sea tells the story of HPJ Childs. The current 2011 Head Prefect of Wellington College honours the 1911 Head Prefect at the Lone Pine Memorial in Gallipoli. Another in Allan Dodsons poignant stories Plimmerton soldiers in World War One.

Porirua Harbour Living Waters documentary

Pauatahanui Inlet Community Trust invites us to watch the latest episode of their ongoing Living Waters series. This month we look at the effect of landscape modification in our rural catchment and its effect on the sediment in the harbour. http://living watersdoco.co.nz/episodes/10

Italian/Kiwi gelato here now at the Big Salami

Carrello del Gelato 99% fat free and totally dairy free with the best and freshest Kiwi and Italian ingredients just $4.50 for a 125ml tub.

Turkish delights ... by the Paremata bridge

Enthusiastic supporters of this local business tell us that Sofra Cafe make takeaways with a difference - healthy food, fresh every day with top quality produce and no oil. Try their wide range of kebabs, doners and iskenders (on rice) and traditional desserts like baklava and Turkish delight. Youll find them just this side of the Paremata Bridge.

Wanted to buy
Conservatory existing, old or kitset. Reg. Master Builder can remove if necessary. plimmertonra@gmail.com

Speeding drivers
The school holidays have brought a rash of spotty speeding drivers out on our roads. If you see hoons careering along the waterfront or down Motuhara, tell them to slow down and, if they dont, report them on the Police web site. It only takes a couple of minutes and you will be curbing a menace to other motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. We all have the right to use our roads in safety.

Security information for people on our email list

Please get yourselves onto our email list today so we can keep you up to date with Police, community and civil defence information. This list is used only for PRA communications with you. The information is not shared with anyone else and is kept totally confidential. A full privacy statement can be found on our web site. Take 10 seconds now to email your name and contact details to plimmertonra@gmail.com

YOU need to be on our email database!

Dont delay email today plimmertonra@gmail.com

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