Waiwhare Wire 1990 01

June 1990

Waiwhare Wire.

“What’s this?” you may ask, “More junk mail?” Well no, it’s the latest edition of our community mag, the ‘Wire’.
It’s been some time since this regular epistle has seen the circulation rounds, so hopefully it will be a welcome edition to your pile of useless information.
Putting this issue together makes me realise that, even though we live some distance from a service centre (sorry, I mean a town) that over the past few years we have built up quite a large number of activities that we can participate in during our spare time.
It’s really good to see Playcentre rolling along so well (not that this is a spare time activity, more of a full time one for some. That’s why I’ve heard rumours that Dickie Maxwell has been approached to consider coming to visit the place), but also Squash, Pony Club, social mixing at The Club, Cricket, Trial Bike riding, mixing at The Club, Badminton, Craft Group, at The Club, Sports Day, Duck Shooting practice, The Club.
But what I’m trying to say with all this is that it’s really great to see you guys out there getting out and organising these activities for us all. Your efforts mean that the community benefits, not only by getting and enjoying some form of activity that we all can participate in during our spare time, but also it makes us, as a community, strong, friendly and healthy. To all you organisers and helpers out there, good on you. You are helping to make our community an enjoyable place to live in.

Jenny and Dean Stairmand, Congratulations on the birth of Megan and Naomi. Jenny, you really are a clever little person; managing to produce one is a feat in it self but two? Well done. Dean …. well what can we say, you’re well out numbered now. Just keep on hanging in there.

Des and Rina Henare have left Waiwhare and are now living in Dunedin. Des is actually a ‘Dunedin-ite’ so I guess he’ll be happy being back in the family fold again.

VIDEO MOVIES

are available for hire from Kevin and Suzanne at the Otamauri School House
Phone Otamauri 896

Hours (Initially) Mon-Wed-Fri   9a.m – 7p.m.
Tues-Thurs-Sat   9a.m. – Midday

$3 each movie for 1 night
$4 each movie for 2 nights
$5 each movie for 3 nights

We also provide a video headcleaning Service

OTAMAURI PLAYCENTRE

By now most of you will have noticed Playcentre’s new addition to its outdoor play area. The Fort was constructed for us by the N.Z. Army Field Engineers Support Squadron (Linton) and materials were provided by funds raised through the community and a grant from the Hilary [Hillary] Commission.

By various means of negotiation (begging, pleading and bribery) we were able to obtain $4000.00 worth of materials for under $3000.00. We would like to thank the following businesses and families for their donations and discounts for materials: BRIDGEMAN BUILDING SUPPLIES, SMITH TIMBER, H.B. FARMERS TRANSPORT, FRASER SHINGLE, N.Z. STEEL AND TUBE, STEEL FORT ENGINEERING (P.N.), Chris and Roger Dunn, The Burnside Family, Kay Family, Ward Family, Croads and the many others involved in one way or another. A special thank you to Mary and Ian Paton for providing accommodation for the soldiers at the Squash Club.

The soldiers passed on their thanks to the mothers for morning, afternoon teas and dinners, judging by their contented faces and bulging waistlines it went down a real treat. The Fathers turned on a ‘shout’ for the troops on completion of the project, some Dads showing their appreciation to 4 o’clock the next morning!!!

The Fort consists of two steps that lead up to a platform that acts as a take off for a slide on one side and a bridge (wobbly walk) leading to the top floor of a two storey playing platform. Judging by the seething mass of little bodies on it every Playcentre session it’s a definite ‘thumbs up’ from the children.

Our sessions run on Tuesday mornings from 9.30a.m. – 12.00. Please feel free to call in for a chat and a look, as in addition to our Fort we have also had some remodelling done, thanks to builder Dave Holloway who has pulled down a couple of walls to provide space for a paint preparation area and sink. We have also had a hot water cylinder connected (required by the new Ministry of Education, and paid for by them, as part of the new Child Health regulations).

THANKS AGAIN – OTAMAURI PLAYCENTRE

[Crossword]

WAIWHARE CRAFT GROUP

An enthusiastic group of ‘crafty’ people have been getting together since April, meeting weekly on Wednesday evenings at the home of Gill Simons; so establishing the ‘Waiwhare Craft Group’.
The aim of the group is to help and encourage both experienced and beginners alike. We are working mainly on cross stitch and patchwork at present, but with many talented people among us whose skills can be passed on, we plan to introduce exciting new crafts in time.
Our first workshop on ‘Victorian Workboxes’ was held at Waiwhare school and run by Beth Lunt from Takapau. At the end of a very pleasant and productive day, 16 exquisite work boxes were proudly taken home, many needing only finishing touches to complete. A sincere thank you to all the wonderful Dads who spent that day with their children. We look forward to our next workshop which is planned for September on ‘Christmas Decorations’.
If there is anything in particular you would like to learn or if interested in joining us weekly or for workshops please contact Gill Barnett ph. 445 or myself ph. 844
Carol Ayres

SCOUTS AND CUBS [Rata Olsen]
Our Scout and Cub Group has been going very well this past year, comprising mostly of boys from the Waiwhare district; involving them in plenty of fun activities such as :
Badge work – swimming and athletics at Raukawa.
Camping at Connors’ River – compass work and abseiling.
Maori Tanga work at Omahu.
Cycle Trek from Ohiti Road to the Puketapu Domain.
The programme for the rest of the year proves to be just as exciting, starting with Rifle Shooting and Open Fire Cooking etc. at Raukawa ; a group booking to the Scout and Cub Gang Show Concert in Hastings in August ; First Aid Badge work at St. Johns in September ; Scout Camp in October at Lake Tutira, including fishing and a day visit by the Cubs ; Water Skiing and Water Safety skills for Scouts in November and a Camp Holiday for Cubs, venue yet to be decided ; ending with a Christmas Party at Balls Clearing, Puketitiri, barbeque lunch followed by a walk through the bush.
We are lucky to have this Group as it is a unique group and is run by good keen leaders. Other country children have to join Lone Scouts and Cubs. We meet once a month; if anyone is interested or needs further information please contact: Jane Fountaine OAR 448 or Keren Wallace OAR 407.

FOR SALE: Large ripe kiwifruit suitable for jam making – bushel box at $5.00 – contact Kirsty Hill ph. 435. Ready now! Good eating quality as well. Will deliver.

On Saturday 2nd June, the Hawkes Bay Motor Cycle Club hosted the 7th round of the North Island Trials Championships. As the event holds national status, riders came from all over N.Z. to compete. Points from this round go towards the total, after 12 rounds, and a winner is found in the 3 grades – expert, intermediate and clubman. Saturdays trial was split into 12 sections with each rider doing 4 laps. Each section is split into the 3 grades, from the seemingly impossible rock steps, logs and hill climbs of the expert riders down to the easier clubmen lines for younger riders, the lesser experienced or those just wanting an enjoyable days ride without breaking their neck or machine.

The winner of the trial is the rider who incurs the least penalty points. Penalty points are gained when the rider places a foot on the ground, called a ‘foot’ or ‘dab’, with a maximum of 3 ‘dabs’ given providing the bike is travelling in a forward direction, or 5 penalty points given if a foot is placed on the ground while the bike has stopped, or if the rider crashes. As those who watched the event saw, some of the riders can stop, balance, reverse and hop either the front or back wheel around without putting a foot on the ground.

Some of the machines are not usually seen except for this particular sport e.g. Fantic and Beta which are Italian bikes while Montesa is a Spanish and Japanese hybrid as Honda owns the Montesa factory. Most machines are 2 stroke of 200-260cc and the cost between $500.00 – $7000.00 for the latest models. The exception was the red and white 4 stroke Honda costing about $13,000.00. This bike was hand built at the Honda racing Corporation (same place as the grand prix cars and bikes), I guess only the rider who owns it can say if it is worth it. The current owner is the father of the N.Z. Trials champion, Stefan Merriman, who is in Europe at the moment contesting the World Champs. The son is only 16!!!

I would like to thank the following people for helping with this event and making it a success: David and Linda Ward for the use of their property and caravan, Chris Dunn, Martin Jones, Andrew Ward and Malcolm Robertson for observing the riders (scoring the riders) and the local people for showing an interest in the days event. Also thanks to the Playcentre ladies for the hot soup (yummy).

Winner of the day was 15 year old James Lawton from Wellington riding the no. 10 Fantic with the local, Warren Laugeson [Laugesen] (16 from H.B. Club), no. 13 Fantic in 3rd. H.B. rider Nigel Reid, no. 29 Beta, won the Intermediate with myself coming in 4th.

Trials is a cheap and virtually injury free motorcycling sport in which young riders can learn riding techniques that are unique to trials, from basic balancing and turning to trick riding e.g. nose wheelies, hopping and bouncing etc. It is great for riding confidence and self discipline. If anybody is interested in learning more about trials please contact me as I can provide you with videos on riding techniques, training and world champion riders doing their trick riding. The H.B. Motor Cycle Club caters from the very young to grey beards (over 35’s). It’s a great family sport too, as we have ladies competing as well.

Cheers – Craig Guy ph. OAR 825

[Original story]

Relax men …. no longer do we need to go around protecting our ankles. Dave is leaving the area. From now on we do not need to bend double every time he appears, but the rarer species of trees that grow around the area , may actually survive from being cut down ; and some of our wives need no longer make their way down to the corner sign post in order to retrieve the top half of their washing lines.
Yes, Dave, we are really going to miss Gail, Nathan and Amy but we would still like to wish you and your family all the best and much success in your new position at Maraetotara.

I’ve heard a few grumbles coming from the boys down at the Willowford cottage. Apparently their T.V. reception is not too good and ‘Peachy [Peachey]’ becomes a little upset when the ‘Big Time Wrestling’ programme comes on. Perhaps it would be an idea to help Dave out by organising a live wrestling show. Are there any well built ladies in the district that could help Dave out?

The Social Club’s A.G.M. was held last Wednesday evening and a new committee has been voted to continue on where the old committee have left off. On behalf of us all, I would like to thank the members of the outgoing committee for their dedication and for providing such good service to us all. The members of the new committee are –
Simon Robinson
Paul Bryant
Keith (Now I’ll never get home) Sparkes
Graeme Fountaine
Uncle Arthur – alias Mike Barnett
Dave (I’ve got to be home early to watch the wrestling) Peachy
John Weir
Good luck, Gentlemen, for the on coming year. Our sympathies go to your wives.

Malcolm’s been walking around a little lop sided lately. Apparently, some devious person shaved off one of his eyebrows while he was asleep. The person concerned has been lying pretty low lately. I wonder why?

WAIWHARE SPORTS DAY
Waiwhare Sports Day was held on the 24th of February, and the day dawned brilliantly fine, not that it helped the headache from the night before. After a few last minute hitches we were all organised for what we hoped would be a great day for the young and old.
The kids events got under way on time and it was great to see so many competing, and the way they listened to the judges and people organising the events ; it helped a great deal to make things run smoothly.
The adults events were running a little late, but with a little bit of juggling we managed to get by. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those people who helped out, without you we wouldn’t have a Sports Day, thank you.
Well, from all the reports the committee has had, I think it was a success. The two new events (Golf Putting and The Home Brew Tent) were very popular and it would be great to have a few more new ideas for next year, so how about putting your thinking caps on.
That’s enough rambling from me, just one other thing, thanks for coming along everyone, hope you all enjoyed yourselves.
JONESY

I would imagine we all must have had some anxious moments a couple of weeks ago when the strong wind decided to pay us a visit. Some of us would have had more anxious moments than others as these photos of Chris’s house may show.
That strong wind really gave Alan Clarke some problems. It’s blown his beard off!! If anyone has seen it caught on a fence somewhere, Alan would like it back.

Because of the heavier commitment to school of late, Sue and I can no longer warrant using school time to put the ‘Wire’ together. Carol Ayres has been helping me with this issue, but from now on the Wire will need to be a spare time activity (for me anyway). A suggestion has been made about having a team of people to work on the ‘mag’. This sounds a sensible idea and am asking that if anyone is interested in helping Carol and me out we would be really grateful.
Duties will include – Preparing the document for photocopying. That is, arranging the articles, illustrations etc so that they fit on the page properly.
Writing up snippets of news, comments etc and approaching people in the community for contributions to the mag.
Photocopying and stapling the pages together ready for distribution.
If you would like to help us, please let Carol know. Hopefully we may see the Wire more often from now on. We’ve already had a helpful offer from Jenny Stairmand, but due to her new ‘situation’ finding spare time may be a little difficult at present. We have not forgotten you Jenny and thanks for your offer of help. Please let us know if you are available to help. You know, when Dean decides to give up farming and become a House Father.

COMMUNITY COMMENT.

NEW ARRIVALS IN WAIWHARE DISTRICT

Jean and John Redman moved into the district last July from Kent, England. They have now set up an archery and Bowhunting Centre and expect bowhunters from the USA, Australia and Europe to be their main guests. Jean and John have been taking a number of children from the Waiwhare School on archery instruction and if continued interest by both children and adults is forthcoming they will form a club at their homestead. Available are such disciplines as Target Archery, Field Archery (simulated bowhunting), Clout (long distance archery) and Roving Archery.

The Redmans started a security consultancy in England which specialises in the protection of people and business assets, including the protection of computer information. The company, Redman Associates Limited, is now run by Jean’s brother and is one of the best known in Europe for providing quality anti-terrorist measures.

Jean was born in London, just off the Old Kent Road, and worked as a company administrator and Company Secretary until she married John and they formed Redman Associates.

John was born in Plymouth in South West England and joined the army as a boy at age 15 years. He served for 22 years as a paratrooper and Special Forces soldier and visited many countries in the world.

Jean and John took up archery in 1985 as a way of relaxation from the pressure of business. It became so much a major sport in their lives that they decided to apply to emigrate to New Zealand in order to set up their present archery business. Fortunately the New Zealand Government thought it would be a good idea and encourage tourists to spend their American Dollars, English Pounds, Japanese Yen etc here in this beautiful country. Permission for the Redmans to emigrate took only four months ! However, they say that if everything had gone ahead as quickly as that it would have been fantastic, but things were, and still sometimes are, bogged down in a sea of bureaucracy and red tape.

Both Jean and John have made many friends in the Waiwhare district and have been astounded by the way in which they were welcomed into the community by most existing residents. They hope to be at “Tiroroa” on the Glenross Road for many, many years to come.