InterestGroups

November 2020

Urban Explorers
Urban Explorers enjoyed our walks last month in the Southern Quadrant of the central city with Graeme. Most of us no idea of the progress that has been made in that area and learnt a great deal from Graeme’s knowledge of the inner city. This month we are exploring the Northwood/Styx Mill area. Ngaire

Scribes
We were pleased to have two new folk join us on Monday and we had a very pleasant session with lots of laughs. We decided that 7th December will be our last for the year and we will meet up again after ‘the silly season’ in February.

Family history group
A few of the family history group met on 3rd November spending time looking at one member’s variety of family trees and it was interesting to see the differing layouts and presentations of ancestral records. Another member shared with us a real gem – the transcription of notes kept by a well travelled Victorian great grandfather; his records of school life were hair raising to say the least! We are a small but enthusiastic group of amateur genealogists who enjoy their researching.
Carole and Julia

Cycling Group
Cycling trip to Twizel 3-5 October
Cecelia, Christine, Roger and I joined Russell & Jill at their Twizel house for a weekend getaway. We cycled part of the Alps to Ocean cycleway around Lake Ohau and Lake Pukaki on separate days. It was great being in different surroundings and the views were spectacular especially as there had been snow 5 days earlier. Luckily we cycled the Lake Ohau section the day before the terrible fire that devastated the Ohau village and surrounding area. We hope to do this again maybe in late March. Our thanks to Jill & Russell for their hospitality and showing us around the Twizel area. Cycling Group October ride
This month we rode out to Lincoln on the Little River rail trail from Marshs Road. It turned out to be a glorious morning with a NE wind to help us on the way. We stopped at The Lincoln Pantry for refreshments then headed back into a stiff breeze.
Next month we will meet in Hagley Park and ride to Northlands on the Northern Line beside the railway tracks then onto the Papanui Parallel cycleway to Bealey Ave and back to Hagley Park.
Our group meets on the last Friday of the month. New members are always welcome.

Quarry Group
The Quarry group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 10.00 am at the coffee cart next to the Quarryman’s house. We usually work for an hour and a half to two hours, depending on the task and the weather. Our latest visit was on 5 November, which was a hot day but the ranger, Nigel, found us a shady spot near the carpark, where we removed the growth around young plants. Although we take our own tools, Nigel does supply good gear if we need it.
We would love some new members to join our small group as there is a need for volunteers to help with the upkeep of the quarry. Lynne

Old English

October 2020

Cycling Group
September Ride
Our group meets on the last Friday of the month. New members are always welcome.
This month we travelled out to Woodend Beach and biked along the Tutaepatu Trail to Waikuku and then back to Pegasus town for lunch. There were 9 of us enjoying a beautiful day and a very relaxed trip away from traffic.
Next month we will ride from Halswell to Lincoln on the cycleway
Mary

Family History group
The Family History group is a small but enthusiastic group with each member intent on finding out something of their forebears. We meet on the first Tuesday of each month; the November meeting will be held on Tuesday 3rd November in competition with the Melbourne Cup and the US elections!
This month two members were present, and time was spent searching on various computer sites.
Carole and Julia

History Group
We are nearing the end of our current online course “History and Spread of the English Language”. It has been a fascinating journey from Old English to English in Society. Our next Unit 9 covers political correctness, catch phrases, slogans, graffiti, slang, proverbs, idioms, and clichés. One more to go and then the group will be deciding on our next course for 2021.

Urban Explorers October Outing
The group is exploring the South Quadrant of the central city with Graeme this month. It will be an interesting blend of the past and new, exciting future for this ever changing area.
Ngaire

August 2020

Travel Group
Had a mini break to finish the year in style. While the weather was disappointing the food at Mosaic was delicious. Hopefully 2021 will see longer travel opportunities.
Karen and Grant

Theatre Appreciation
Our group has now commenced and will be meeting on the fourth Thursday of the month (next: August 27th) at 1.15pm in the Halswell Hub, cnr Sparks and Halswell Roads. Looking ahead we shall probably make up a party to attend Cas’n’ova’s production of ‘Good Grief’ early in October. Those who might be interested can look up their website for dates and we can make a decision at our August meeting. Discount for bookings of 10 or more.

Urban Explorers
Urban Explorers have welcomed 5 new members in the past month. We are planning a seaside amble for August from New Brighton up to Waimari beach with a number of interesting facts about the general area.

Scrabble Group
The Scrabble group has grown this year. It is great to have new players bringing new voices and opinions to our wide-ranging discussions. We can take two or three more players if you feel inclined to join us on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 1.30pm. We play at the houses of those of us who have the space (and enough chairs) to accommodate us.

Scribes
We continue to meet in Halswell Library at 1 o’clock on the first Monday of the month. We have a lot of fun and always are happy to welcome newcomers to join or just in or just pop in to see what we do, no pressure.

Family history group
This month’s discussion was ‘Searching Parish Records’ mainly in Australia but also in general. Members shared the sites and/or methods they have found to be of use. Members then shared how their research was developing. Following this we spent some time looking at old photos. This raised some good laughs as well as comments on the fashions of the days and the ‘looks’ of the subjects in their posed settings. It certainly showed the benefits of having labelled and/or dated photos but why do the recorders only use nicknames? We had no answer for that but many suggestions.
We meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 1.30pm. Anyone is welcome to attend.

Quarry Group
Following Covid-19 and then several wet Thursdays we are hoping for future fine days so that we can continue our work releasing young plants and trimming foliage on the tracks. We welcome more assistance. We meet on the first Thursday of the month at 10.00 am at the Quarryman’s house for one and half hours.

Cycling
Our group meets on the last Friday of the month. We had our first ride since Lockdown last week with a trip into town from Halswell on the Quarryman’s Trail. It was great to get together after so long. We have lots of different rides planned for the coming months. Our next ride at the end of August will be on Old Tai Tapu Rd to The Store for a coffee and back. New members are very welcome.

Ferrymead Heritage Garden Group
One of our interest groups maintains the Cob Cottage and Church gardens at Ferrymead. Members turn up on the 1st Thursday of the month at 10:00am to enjoy the company of others while keeping the area tidy, weeding, planting, raking leaves and cropping seasonable vegetables. If you enjoy gardening and like to be involved in a community activity, then you are very welcome to join this team.

A report of the recent popular Ferrymead Night Market which is held on the 1st Saturday of the month, $2 gold coin entry.

“I was at Curragh House for the Night Market last Saturday, the first since the “lockdown” in March. The Park was heaving, the car parks were full, Curragh house was packed to the gunnels. I was on duty in the dining room in Edwardian costume. Boiling the kettle on the coal range, running a continuous teapot, serving cups of tea, food was available to be bought in our kitchen. Our volunteers do a sterling job baking up a storm and selling their scrumptious food very cheaply – fund-raising. For the first time we had a “white elephant” stall in the school room. Plus, for the first time we had a licence to have a bar in the Park – I think that may have been an attraction for more than a few.

To be honest I think the management were overwhelmed with the numbers on a cold night. We had five open fires roaring. I forgot how messy they are to be lit and grates cleaned out and they consume so much firewood. Certainly, it takes you back in time and brought back some long lost memories.

Book Group Blog

August “Golden Hill” by Francis Spufford
Richard Smith arrives in New York in 1746 from England with a bank draft of £1,000, a fortune. The novel is written in 18th Century style, very descriptive and wordy. The character of Richard behaves in a deliberately secretive manner so there is much gossip as to why he is there and who he really is. The end is somewhat of an anti-climax, but a good meander through that time period.

July: “The Language of Flowers” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
The life of an abandoned baby destined to spend her childhood in numerous foster homes, unable to recognise the complexities of human relationships – sabotaging efforts of those who mean to help her. Her salvation comes through her passion for flowers and their meanings.

June: “I Do Not Come to you by Chance” by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani
An expose of the greed and stupidity of those who are duped by the known treacherous world of the “Nigerian scam”. An expose of the perpetrators who are initially driven by hopelessness and poverty, but soon realise the riches to be had in finding gullible “victims”.

May: “Old Filth” by Jane Gardam – an acronym for “Failed in London try Hong Kong” – refers to Sir Edward Feathers, a retired Judge, once a Raj orphan, renowned for his legal expertise and long career of note, who moved back to the UK, a lonely man unknown and living in isolation. He returned to his birthplace Malaya where he felt at home the most. – A poignant, fascinating tale of colonial years gone by governed by expectations and duty, a life half fulfilled.

Our April Book was “How To Be An American Housewife”. Not as silly as the title suggests. The story winds around cultural differences and the introduction of a manual for Japanese War Brides, who met and married American GIs in Japan, and returned to live in an imagine utopia in the United States post war.
Another fascinating insight into another world, that I personally never gave a thought to. It was both irritating – the main character stuck resolutely to her Japanese upbringing, and sad that she had such a lonely life in America. There was an upside – a story narrated through the daughter’s eyes when she made a journey back to Japan to meet her family, as her mother was too ill to go.

Ferrymead Blog

August 9th
Super turnout yesterday, Alison, Sandra (newbies), Jill, Sue, Mary and me. We weeded and tidied up, it’s amazing how much stuff went into the sheep bags. I think I am keeping the rabbits at bay with my potent cayenne pepper and garlic concoction. The broad beans, brassicas and poppies have survived, as have the camellias. And the last remaining rose that was outside the church, against all odds, has new greenery on it, so it obviously loves the warm little corner it now as. It was touch and go as to whether it would survive. Although not spring as yet, green shoots are popping up everywhere. Mary brought along some rhizomes to plant, it will be a surprise to see what flowers!!

Alison attacked the rose trimming and with plenty of encouragement from all of us she finished pruning – and it looked good.

With the departure of Jason Harris (Manager) and his daughter Madison there is a renewed vigour from the office management, especially with the return of Rebecca. I am again back on the email distribution list for the Ferrymead Heritage Park so shall forward the newsletters to you. You can get a feel we are but a small, but much appreciated, cog in the bigger wheel of the park. We continue to receive many compliments about our garden work.

And, a bonus, Josh, on talking to Council staff re the great piles of mulch we can see across the road from the park. We are allowed to help ourselves (I mean for Park use), so rather than get a trailer, I am suggesting fill a few bags as and when needed.

We have generally agreed that miniature, evergreen azaleas would look great where the grotty buxus hedge used to be. They are more suited to the dappled environment. I think I have found a “cheapie” place for same.

* Next month I think we are ready to plant more vegies. Maybe potatoes, bit early for tomatoes and perhaps more corn. Carrots would look good, but Peter Rabbit may think the same, but will spray with my concoction. So we are trucking along ever so nicely, many thanks for your continued support.
* I’ve got heaps of seeds I have collected from the Zinnia and Echinacea, and others, so will sprinkle these and see what pops up.
* All seeds and propagation welcome. There are plenty of other bits of garden around the park that could do with a bit of brightening up.

Last Thursday, (2 May) we were the lucky recipients of a bonus. It was Toddler Thursday, which means the day was especially for babies, their Mums and Dads and their Grandmas and Grandads. It was a warm and glorious day. We had quite an audience, all keen to know who we were and what we were doing. With much admiration for our gardens and our work. We are approaching a winter garden now. Four of us, Ros, Mary, Maureen and me weeded and tidied the garden. Tomatoes and potatoes were harvested. Further horse poo was acquired from our favourite Riding School up the valley, this was dug in and winter greens planted, to be dug in for soil nutrients. I popped down later to work on the restoration of the garden that was damaged by ARA students who were painting nearby recently. God help their future clients!

Garden planning is still fermenting in our minds, while we decide what can  we planted in the church gardens. Bearing in mind it is a wedding venue so the focus is on creating a background of colourful, flowering plants that are hardy and drought resistant, and essentially need little care, and of course, rabbit proof.

2018: The winter garden produced cold weather and weeds but we persevered weeding and tidying, and in autumn we raked leaves and planted seedlings. Our broccoli heads were very much admired as was our rhubarb and silverbeet. The rotted horse poo – acquired from a local riding school – certainly did the trick. Chicken wire is protecting the strawberries, the birds were just too vigorous, they loved the pea straw. And I think we are winning against the never-ending rabbits. Sprinkling blood and bone around the perimeter seems to be the trick, plus continuing to establish plants that the rabbits do not seem to have an appetite for!

Miraculously we have discovered a long forgotten pile of crusher dust at the Heritage Park which had disappeared under a mat of weeds. This will be dispersed over the cob cottage paths forthwith. Spring has sprung, our flower plants are growing ferociously. I watered all of the cob cottage garden and church garden weekly during early summer. The ground was dry as a bone.

We would welcome further members to this very worthwhile group. As always lots of chat, fun and laughter, and a cuppa with cake/biccie.

Recent Cycle Rides

January 2021:
This month we met near PMH and biked out to Ferrymead following the river on bike tracks or quiet roads. There were 10 keen riders and we all enjoyed getting together after the summer break. The weather was cloudy with a SW breeze but luckily no rain. Some of our group biked from Halswell/Aidanfield. Our next ride at the end of February will be from Ferrymead to Sumner.

We meet on the last Friday of the month and new members are welcome to join us.

November:
Well a very keen group of 7 ventured to Bottle Lake Forest Park last Friday for an adventure. Well……..

We cycled along the edge of the forest for about 6 km and then found a convenient cafe. The weather was overcast but not really cold. The return showed all the type of tracks through the trees which opened a few eyes to the attraction of this.
To quote ‘we must have an open mind to different experiences’ Hahaha.

September:
Great location, new, interesting, area and good group.
For those not there. We met at the Halswell bowling club and car shared to Woodend Beach where the trail commences through to Waikuku. We rode this first and came to the Ashley River Lagoon. A lovely view and bird watching site.
We rode back along the same track but diverted to Pegasus where we stopped for a light lunch. Then biked back to cars and returned home.

August:
We went via the Quarry trail the whole way into the city to have coffee. We returned via our previous route thru Addington and cycle way alongside the Motorway, Wigram and back to Halswell.

July:
Nine members arrived for our trip. In very foggy and misty conditions we commenced our ride and proceeded to the Raspberry Cafe just off the Old Taitapu Road. 43 Minutes, as predicted by Mary, for the outward trip. Lovely warm welcome at the Cafe and after a coffee break a return into a slight headwind.
I think the continuous nature of the ride had its effect, as opposed to many rides which have a stop start component. Thereby having the ‘sore bum’ effect.
Great to see so many.

June:
Marshes Road Prebbleton, outside Texture Plants. 10am start. Tracking thru to Lincoln. 90% on cycleways.

May:
We will start from the car parking area opposite the Princess Margaret Hospital and we will cycle thru to Ferrymead for coffee.
10am. The Forecast is good.

April :
As you are aware, the last ride was changed to last Monday to allow you all to plan around the National memorial.
Well, Monday was the most beautiful morning and the fear over parking was confirmed. However we set off at a leisurely pace through the suburban streets to Linwood Avenue and then after a trip along the boulevard we were taken off road by the front cyclist, along a track none of us had ever seen. A lovely stop at Ferrymead, coffee and a view over the estuary. Another leisurely ride back to town and all under two hours.

March : Postponed
Ride this Friday starts at Worcester Street, Latimer Street end . Parking is interesting. We will follow the ride through the eastern suburbs to Linwood avenue and out to Ferrymead for a coffee and return.
It is not a long ride but an interesting addition to the city’s Cycleways..

February : From Hagley Park to Northlands and return. Pleasant. All most all off road cycle lanes using a circular route.

January: No.2. : Lovely intricate route from Rose Street, Hoon Hay to The Tannery, great coffee and return via totally different route.

January : No.1. : Lincoln to Motukarara. This was a stiff ride with a pleasant break for a picnic lunch at Motukarara, visit to local interest places. 32Kms.

2018
December: From Marshes Road to Lincoln. A ride along rural cycle lanes which is very smooth and encourages some to stretch their legs, great coffee.

November: Nice ride in fresh conditions from Ferrymead Carpark to Scarborough for coffee at Scarborough Fare. Back wind home.

October : Retreat Road to Brighton( clocktower cafe) Pleasant ride through the red zone along cycling tracks with minimum roadway usage.

January 2019 Heritage Park

Ferrymead Heritage Park report

* After the recent storm I should imagine there will be tidying up to do. Our strategies for the bunnies seems to be working. It is quite clear that they don’t touch what they don’t like, ie prickly leaves, tomatoes – which are thriving – buttercup pumpkin, rhubarb, potatoes, raspberries and marigolds. I continue to sprinkle a little blood and bone …..
* The church garden is looking a little sick as are the gardens around the picket fence. They look rather bare, whether plants have died or been eaten is a mystery. I have been waiting a year for the hedge in front of the church to grow so we can attempt to level it, and lo and behold, some idiot has trimmed it at the different levels, instead of levelling it off – beggars belief …..
* I think we have to give some thought to planting more hardy plants around the church. The roses don’t do that well because they get little sun and the two in front of the church are barely alive – it was pointed out to me they live in an almighty cold vortex, which doesn’t help. So put your thinking caps on please, any ideas on hardy plants. I find self sown plants all over my garden and have transplanted many plants from this source, ie Solomon Seal, ferns, marigolds, daisies, Mabel Island Lily, and I have transplanted veggies and strawberries, surplus to requirements, as some of you have also done. I have grown some hydrangea cuttings that are ready for planting, plus I am trying to grow some wisteria and jasmine cuttings.
Anyone else with green fingers that can grow some cuttings from hardy plants in your garden, or know anyone with host as that need splitting up, or anything hardy that can be split – all welcome!!

The very excellent news is: Justin told me that lots of people are stopping at the cob cottage garden and make positive comments, the park management is exceptionally happy with our progress, and at the recent U3A Co-coordinators Meeting this morning it was noted that our super duper work promotes the values of U3A by taking part in a community service. So pat yourselves on the back folks!

We would love more people to help out, weeding, planting, raking, chatting and a lot of laughs is the order of the day – 1-2 hours a month.

Diane Campbell

January 2019 cycle from Lincoln to Motukarara

Well as you may remember last Thursday was a warm day with a little breeze.

The intrepid three, Sue, Diane and myself, took off from Lincoln and had a leisurely ride along the rail trail to Motukarara. The first part is through Lincoln village and promised much. Then we met the newer part which is loose gravel and gravel country road, not the easiest however we mastered that. Then along sealed River Road until we met the old rail trail itself and this is easy riding. Flat open country. Lunch was on the verge under trees near Motukarara. Sue then took us to the old railway siding office and we took in the sites and sounds of the area.
A very easy ride home with a back wind most of the way.

Total distance was 32.32kms. Probably close to the limit for a comfortable day. However I did spend a relaxing afternoon as I know the others did too.

I will let you know the next ride, which should be in the first week of February, very soon. It will be around the Ferrymead area I think.

March 2018 Ferrymead Historic Park group

The Ferrymead Heritage Park Interest group kicked off prior to Christmas.
It has been a productive but slow few months since then. The park initially advised us we had a small budget, this became zero. Staff are very helpful and friendly but they run the park on the smell of an oily rag.
Our aim, having adopted the cob cottage and church garden, is to brighten these areas with more colour. The cob cottage garden is undone. The church garden also needs a boost. The plan is to produce, as near as possible, a colonial type cottage garden with the emphasis on vegetables. The early settlers also liked their flowers, it reminded them of home. Since losing our small budget I now have to rethink the original plans.
Members have kindly agreed to propagate plants and seeds. It would be good if we could produce a garden all year round so the expertise of all our members is needed. We have taken the turf off to create paths. We laboured to bring back rotted horse manure from the local riding school. We now need to install garden borders before digging over the compost, then planting.
I am slowly acquiring a collection of donated tools which can be stashed in a lock up at the park, it saves having to take our own each time. I am still looking for donations of garden forks and spades, a soft yard broom, any secateurs, small garden forks, small hearth broom and shovel, and most wanted a large hessian potato sack in which to store these items.
Diane Campbell