Plimmerton Residents’ Association Newsletter What’s new in Plimmerton?February 2011 www.plimmerton.org.nz Our web site manager needs an assistant . Would you like to learn about Silverstripe and build some content management experience? Would you like to make community connec tions and add valuable web design and html skills to your resume? You might already be a hot shot or just someone keen to learn. This is a volunteer position for a couple of hours a week. Contact Sandy and let her know what skills you have, what you’d like to learn and why you’d like to be involved. [email protected]Internet dating? … events calendar on the home page! For everything you need to know about what’s on when All clubs, groups, and organisations of every stripe are invited to send news about upcoming events … for this newsletter and for free inclusion on the web site calendar. These calendar entries link to the What to do in Plimmerton section so interested punte rs can get more detail about what you do and why they should join in the fun. Send info to [email protected]Check out these new features on the site •Plimmerton’s precious pets Piglets, pooches, parrots … share your pets with photos o n our web site. •Then and now and Today in Plimmerton Two new features by Allan Dodson bringing our history to new life … you’re invited to contribute your favourites too. Taking care of business … The new 12 month cycl e for businesses starts in April 2011. It’s just $120 to be included for a whole year … and we will even write your copy and take photos to promote your business. We are getting great feedback about high response being generated by the site. Lyndon Underhill says, “We have a team lined up ready to come and visit business owners to ensure that y ou and your business benefit from exposure on this fast growing site.” Talk to Lyndon 233 8005 Laptop stolen from car at 24 The Track In the early hours of Friday 14 January an Acer laptop was stolen from a black Honda Civic parked outside this address. The hard drive (WD 1TB) has all the information essential to a local busine ss and its loss is devastating. There were five similar thefts reported in Plimmerton around the same time. Anyone who was walking the dog, going to work or out for a jog who can recall seeing any people or vehicles not usually in the area please call Porirua Police 238 1400. Keen Trade Me users could keep an eagle eye out as well.
www.plimmerton.org.nz Our web site manager needs an assistant. Would you like to learn aboutSilverstripe and build some content management experience? Would you like tomake community connections and add valuable web design and html skills to yourresume? You might already be a hot shot or just someone keen to learn. This is avolunteer position for a couple of hours a week. Contact Sandy and let her knowwhat skills you have, what you’d like to learn and why you’d like to be [email protected]
Internet dating? … events calendar on the home page!
For everything you need to know about what’s on whenAll clubs, groups, and organisations of every stripe are invited to send news aboutupcoming events … for this newsletter and for free inclusion on the web sitecalendar. These calendar entries link to the What to do in Plimmerton section sointerested punters can get more detail about what you do and why they should joinin the fun. Send info to [email protected]
Check out these new features on the site• Plimmerton’s precious pets
Piglets, pooches, parrots … share your pets with photos on our web site.
• Then and now and Today in Plimmerton
Two new features by Allan Dodson bringing our history to new life … you’reinvited to contribute your favourites too.
Taking care of business …The new 12 month cycle for businesses starts in April 2011. It’s just $120 to beincluded for a whole year … and we will even write your copy and take photos topromote your business. We are getting great feedback about high response beinggenerated by the site. Lyndon Underhill says, “We have a team lined up ready tocome and visit business owners to ensure that you and your business benefit fromexposure on this fast growing site.” Talk to Lyndon 233 8005
Laptop stolen from car at 24 The TrackIn the early hours of Friday 14 January an Acer laptop was stolen from a blackHonda Civic parked outside this address. The hard drive (WD 1TB) has all theinformation essential to a local business and its loss is devastating. There werefive similar thefts reported in Plimmerton around the same time. Anyone who waswalking the dog, going to work or out for a jog who can recall seeing any people orvehicles not usually in the area please call Porirua Police 238 1400. Keen Trade Meusers could keep an eagle eye out as well.
Motuhara Road working bee Saturday 5 February 10.30-12.30Motuhara Mountaineers are invited to work on the bank at the next working bee.You are also welcome to help Kevin who is working there over the next week or soat any time he’s on the job. Linda Kerkmeester who coordinates this project wouldbe thrilled if a garden lover could finish weeding the top part of the bank
uncovering the little ground cover plants amongst the weeds. She will organisemulching of the bank next week.
Bioblitz goes live 10am 5 February 2011In the month following the Bioblitz opening every plant and animal on the land andsea will be catalogued. Scientists and volunteers will work to celebrate the hugenumber of plants in our region and hopefully to find some new ones … last yearnew weta and sea slug species were identified for the first time.
Details of the programme and how you can be involved are on our web sitewww.plimmerton.org.nz
EE oop love put on a brew, the Brits are coming!During the British Lions Tour, 180 visiting Brits were accommodated around thePlimmerton area. Visitors loved the opportunity to be welcomed into Kiwi homesand your hospitality was greatly appreciated. Can we do the same for visitorsduring the Rugby World Cup?
Accommodation in this area for September and October 2011 is already very tight,especially on the weekends when games are being played in Wellington. If youwould like to host visitors to NZ during this time please send your name, emailaddress, what you can offer and what you’d charge to [email protected]
Helen and John say, “We’ll compile a list of offers and forward your info to peoplewanting to stay here. From that point interested visitors will deal directly with you
to make arrangements.”If you need more info call 233 2010 during 2-3pm weekdays.
Turning streets into neighbourhoodsHurihia nga ara hei tui i tea ta noho e te tangataNeighbours Day Aotearoa is about encouraging you to get to know your neighbours.Start with a wave or a smile, a first chat over the fence. Share a cuppa … ororganise a street barbecue.
Celebrate the great neighbourhoods we have on 26 March. It’s about buildingcaring communities for all New Zealanders starting with those we live nearest to.Lots of ideas www.neighboursday.org.nz
Arty starty to 2011Plimmerton residents are invited to join in Mana Art Society’s activities. Morningpainting Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10-12, Thursday evening life drawing at6.30, Friday sketching for landscape enthusiasts, Artful kids on Tuesday afternoonsand lots of specialised tuition days. It’s all in detail on our web sitewww.plimmerton.org.nz where you can also see work by many accomplishedpainters from Mana Arts. You can contact Stuart Nicol for more info about theirprogramme [email protected]
Killer cats stalking Plimmerton wildlife!Birds and reptiles in our gardens don’t stand a chance against hungry moggies.DOC has some excellent ideas to help us make our cats conservation friendly.
For a start: desex all cats, feed the beasts regularly so they don’t hunt; put puss ina cattery when you go away (seem to have been lots of lonely, hungry cats aboutlately with people on holiday); feed cats before birds’ active time at dusk and earlymorning; keep them inside at night; fit furbabies with collars and bells to warnbirds; put bird baths and feeders out of cat-reach.
Bowling club bounces into the new yearPlimmerton Bowling Club members have kicked off with a number of successful funevents. Rachel Wybourne Curtin tells us, “We have new members including twocollege students. And remember, in bowls, as a new member, you are classified asa junior for your first five years of playing! Twilight bowls starts on Tuesday 25
January at 6.15pm. Come along and take a look and enjoy a drink from our bar.All players are casual and many are beginners. Club champs start soon formembers. And if you have a special function coming up, don’t forget that ourfacilities are available for hire.”
It’s all on our web site and you can talk to Rachel 233 9600 [email protected]
Croquet club cock-a-hoop over great start to 2011Upcoming highlights are the John Burke sponsored tournament on 12 February,with a capacity entry expected from across the region; and The Castle Cup on 26February contested between Waikanae and Plimmerton players. Spectators arewelcome at both events.
Ken Rae says, “Our weekly programme is in full swing until late April. Contact mefor details; visitors are welcome at any of our daily sessions.” Call Ken 233 9614
Full details of the action packed programme are on our web sitewww.plimmerton.org.nz from the home page calendar.
FoundGold pendant on 15 January Steyne AveChild’s silver bracelet on 16 January on South Beach
Phone Lyn 233 1045
Adopt a spot and keep Porirua beautiful!Do you have one spare hour a month?
Keep Porirua Beautiful is looking for 1000 people to become Friends who will eachbe responsible for keeping one small area tidy. Organiser John Poppleton explains,“We will give you enough gloves and bags for a year. If you keep a largish area tidywe will take the weeds and rubbish away on a trailer.” (Friends are invited toKeep Porirua Beautiful events and receive a certificate of membership.)
Celebration and picnic on the domainSalvation Army Mana Corps are celebrating ten years in this community. They areinviting everyone to share the fun on Sunday 27 February. At 10.30am they areholding a thanksgiving service and from 12.30 there will be a picnic in PlimmertonDomain with fun things for kids and a free sausage sizzle. Corps officer Nicola
Rogers says, “Bring your picnic basket, bring your sunhat and bring yourselves.Everyone is welcome to help us celebrate.” 233 9790 [email protected]
Puppy socialisation classesTitahi Bay Canine Obedience Club Sundays 11am to midday have started.
Bring your pup along for some socialisation and obedience training. (Meet two ofPlimmerton’s newest little canine people Bertie the rough coated Jack Russell andBruno the British Cocker Spaniel … both 18 weeks and raring to go.)
Registration for evening obedience classes for all dogs is 6pm on 25 January at theclubrooms on Ngati Toa Domain. Just $65 a term.
Lots more info on www.plimmerton.org.nz
Website black holesCan you give us info, Plimmerton-related, on any the following subjects for thewebsite? Our writers are poised, pens over pads, ready to collect your pearls. Wewill need around 20 -30 minutes of your time to glean enough info. If you can talkto us about any these activities or topics we’d love to hear from you today!windsurfing, steam train restoration, quilting and similar activities, sailing, dogtraining, archery, bird watching, ecology and natural history, music and live and appreciation, harbour studies, sciences like geology, camera clubs, astronomy,Probus, U3A, Zumba, Karate, etc.
If you can share your know how in these areas or have other ideas for contentcontact Sandy [email protected]
Wellington’s best fish and chipsPlimmerton Fish Supply scores 10 out of 10 in Dom Post survey!On Thursday 20 January the Dom Post said, “Beautiful fresh fish in delicious, crispybatter, golden chips fried in canola oil, served by your friendly hosts … rating10/10. The daily crowds and queues are testament to their popularity.”
Well done to our extremely hardworking Athena and Peter.
Awards on display
Porirua City’s awards that recognise it as one of the world’s most liveable cities - isattracting attention at North City shopping centre. Check out the awards, and thedvd of the winning presentation at the food court. The UN International LiveableCommunities Awards recognise excellence in the sustainable development of cities.Last year Porirua won three gold awards, the only one of 43 city finalists to do so.
More info and the award winning presentation in full on our web sitewww.plimmerton.org.nz
Festival of the Elements great line up for Waitangi dayEx-Fur Patrol singer Julia Deans, local band Wai (recent performers at Aussie WorldExpo and very choice), Battle of Bands winners Poppy Dust, opera star Ben Makisiand local singer Ainsley Allen are some of the big names performing at this FREEconcert. Kids stuff includes treasure hunts, pirate challenges, horizontal bungeejumping (a big hit) and story telling. There’s also singing workshops and Tai Chidemos, Te Waka Ama racing on the harbour and Whitirea students performingMoana around the wave pool in the aquatic centre. Brilliant family day 12-7pmWaitangi Day at Te Rauparaha Park
Explore the real Cannons CreekBelmont Regional Park (Cannon’s Creek entrance) Saturday 29 January 9.30amFREE!
Bring the kids to have fun in the creek and bush while guides (Friends of MaaraRoa) show the history of human impact. Enjoy the new Nature Walk together.
Zoo funHere’s something different with the ankle biters. Join the quest to find the GoldenGibbon at Wellington Zoo. Pick up a free Zooventure journal at the zoo. Makethree trips before 30 April and go in the draw to win great prizes. Infowellingonzoo.com
Is the next Stieg Larsson or JK Rowling amongst us?Irene of Airlie Road asks, “Are you a writer? I’m keen to hear from anyoneinterested in starting a regular writes group to support, challenge and inspire eachothers writing. I have no pre-conceived ideas or rules around how it would work.
But the meetings must include cake!”Interested scribes email [email protected]
Sounds very sensible, (especially the cake bit). We will be happy for the group towrite material for the web site. Irene please contact us when you are up and running.
Plimmerton Residents’ Association meetingsFebruary 21 at the Plimmerton Fire Station 7.30pm
If you wish to attend to discuss any particular issue please contact [email protected] so we can include you on the agenda.
We remind you that meeting minutes are published on the web site.
Have your say! Community consultation next monthSince the village plan was drawn up from street meetings in 2004 so many of thethings you said needed to be done have been addressed. Plimmerton … into thefuture is a consultation process that starts with a questionnaire about where tofrom here. It will be included in our March newsletter (in the last week ofFebruary).
