Newspaper Article 1988 – Greater Hastings founder dies, 89

Greater Hastings founder dies, 89

By NORM DAKEN

One of the greatest promoters of Hastings, 89-year-old Mr Harry Poppelwell, died early today.

Mr Poppelwell, founder of Greater Hastings, the annual Blossom Festival, the Highland Games and Fantasyland, helped put the city on the map as the fruitbowl of New Zealand.

His 60-year crusade was recognised with an MBE award in the 1971 New Year honours.

Mr Poppelwell was born and educated in Hastings, where he spent all his life.

After leaving school he worked in an office for a short time before moving into the drapery business and working for the Hastings firm Roach Brothers.

He later joined a menswear firm and remained there until he founded his own business in 1926. That business expanded to include four shops.

The original shop in Russell St closed earlier this year. Only a shop in Havelock North now retains the family name.

Mr Poppelwell was deeply involved with sport and the theatre and entertainment.

He played in the Hastings Ross Shield rugby team in 1912 and he was the oldest surviving player at a reunion four years ago.

As a youth he sang in the First World War fundraising “shilling pop concerts” in Hastings and soon after the war, took a lead role as a young English toff, with a professional company formed to promote a Hastings-penned light opera Marama. The company toured New Zealand.

The tour opened his eyes to amenities in other centres and Mr Poppelwell returned home determined Hastings should not remain a dull, featureless inland town.

He became deeply involved in promoting hockey, becoming a Hawke’s Bay representative player as well as administrator.

He was a keen rugby promoter and became closely associated with swimming and diving, holding many positions during a 49-year period seeing the formation of the Heretaunga Swimming and Lifesaving Club and developing a strong interest in Waimarama.

Work at his shop became almost a means to an end with his dedicated target of a brighter city of Hastings, continuing through the Second World War years with Patriotic Society concerts and fundraising projects.

In 1950 his push for Hastings promotions triggered the formation of Greater Hastings, the annual blossom parades, the annual Highland Games and the formation of Fantasyland. He deeply regretted the end of the blossom festival in the late 1960s.

His wife Janet, who died six months ago after 53 years of marriage, was fully supportive of his work.

Mr Poppelwell is survived by his four sons, Gordon, John, David and Michael.

His funeral is to be held on Wednesday.

Photo caption – Mr Poppelwell