#89 december 2017 stuff going on in the area and we need...
TRANSCRIPT
#89 December 2017
NEWS FROM THE HALSWELL COMMUNITY PROJECT
NEXT KIDS MARKET
Come and check out our next kids market Saturday 2nd December 12-2pm at the Community Hub Cnr Sparks and Halswell Roads opposite the Halswell Butcher.
The last market was a great success and we saw 20 very entrepreneurial kids running some great stalls. Come along and give them your support – and bring the kids!
*****
TUESDAY COFFEE DROP INS
It is great to see people popping in for a chat and a cuppa at our Tuesday Coffee mornings. All are welcome so just come on down every Tuesday during term time between 10 and 12 to catch up on what is going on and meet some new people.
*****
YOUTH HANGOUT
The youth hangout is happening every Tuesday afternoon during term time. For all young people at highschool who want to catch up with their mates from other schools or who want something to do. We have a great set of games and activities and the session is run by a local youth worker.
*****
WELCOME TO HALSWELL PACKS Once again we are getting low on welcome bags which is awesome news as it means more people are finding out about the cool
stuff going on in the area and we need to make more!! If you are a local group, club, business or organisation, get your name out there through the new batch of bags. Think of a creative way to advertise your group, sport, club or organisation and then drop 100 copies of it into the Halswell Hub Monday - Thursday between 9 and 12. Try not to just put in a flyer - make your activity really stand out with a sample, a sachet of coffee or a really good deal. Businesses are welcome to advertise in the bags but MUST include a gift / voucher to
do so. Nobody wants a bag full of paper Deadline for stuff is November 30th as we want the new bags ready for Christmas. If you need/want more info, drop into the Hub at 381 Halswell Road or contact Kate on [email protected] or phone Kate on 020 4127 6083
*****
CHRISTMAS TREE AT THE HUB
This year we have a gift tree where you candonate gifts and goodies which will be given to the City Mission to distribute to families in need this Christmas. You can donate:
New toys, games, books etc -(unwrapped please)
Non perishable food items
Christmas treat foods for the families (mince pies, christmas puds, choccies etc.)
from November 21st - December 15th at the Hub @ 381 Halswell Road. Open Monday - Thursday 9 am - 2pm. Open Saturday 2nd December 11am - 2pm. Contact Kate on [email protected] or 0204 127 6083 for more details Lets make Christmas Merry for everyone!
2
NEWS
HALSWELL COMMUNITY GARDEN
We have had a very busy early spring in the Community Garden.
The ground has been very hard after all the rain that we have had this year. Spent crops have been removed, the beds dug over and nourished with compost and manure where we have planted leafy greens from plants that we have been given.
The early potatoes have been planted and are well up; so much so that we had to cover them from the frosts that were predicted last week.
The garden has also been the recipient of some ‘NW little garden' plants: water melons that are very tender and are under cover in the Cucurbit bed, sun flower, courgettes, beans.
The Greenhouse has been planted up with tomatoes, cucumbers, capsicums. The chilli plants are yet to come.
The Broad Beans have enjoyed all the winter rain as have the strawberries and both crops are full of promise.
We now have a crop rotation plan that we are going to try and work to in the future.
The fruit trees are looking good and should provide a good harvest.
We have some new hands working in the garden, and helping us to clear the boundary planting. We have sent an email requesting the council to trim the grass in the drain; to be done hopefully before the grass seeds.
NB: We had major flooding in the garden this year so we need to install a drainage system for which we will need to find funding. Any ideas for this would be appreciated. The lavenders have suffered greatly from all the rain, and some of the fruit trees inundated, but fortunately they seem to have survived.
The resource consent applications for Halswell Domain and Knights Stream Sports park Skate Parks were lodged recently. Tenders have gone out and a contractor will be appointed by 20th December, so it is expected that construction will begin in mid-February.
Construction of the sports park at Knights Stream has begun and this is separate from the skate park.
Any further questions can be answered if you contact the project team at [email protected] or Tara King on (03) 941 5938.
WHAT IS ON
HALSWELL FRIENDSHIP CLUB (formerly Probus)
A Club for Active Retirees.
We meet on the first Thursday of the month at 9.45 am in the Mohoao Room, Te Hapua Halswell Centre, 341 Halswell Road.
We have mini-speakers, main speakers and we also have coffee mornings and outings.
In December we are being entertained by the Halswell Paua Cantata Choir.
For further information on how to join this group please contact the
Secretary, Robyn White, 3228288.
*****
3
PAUA CANTATA CHRISTMAS CONCERT
When:2nd December (Saturday)
**** Tickets available from Judith 3224134 or 3445889 or choir members Supper provided after an evening of Christmas music
*****
CAROLS IN THE HALSWELL QUARRY
The annual "Carols in the Halswell Quarry" event will be held on Sunday December 3rd, from 4.30 – 6.00 p.m
Traditional Christmas carols for all the family with music provided by the 40-piece Stedfast Brass Band. Staged in the picturesque inner quarry.
Santa will make an appearance during the event! There will be free BBQ sausages - bring a picnic and something to sit on.
Follow the signs from Kennedys Bush Road.
Arranged by the Lions Club of Halswell and District
*****
HALSWELL GARDEN CLUB The Halswell Garden Club meeting is held on the second Tuesday of the month in the Hao room at the
Te Hapua/Halswell Centre in Halswell Rd, beginning at 1.00pm. Our next meeting for 2017 will be our Christmas meeting on December 5th – a week earlier. We will be entertained by the Paua Cantata Choir – a local Halswell Choir. Phone Elizabeth Ph 322-7214 for further information.
*******
LOCAL FAMILY OPENS THEIR PROPERTY AGAIN FOR CHRISTMAS
Wanting to create unique and special Christmas memories, the Smithies family of Rolleston are once again opening their Christmas “Time Tunnel” to the community.
This Christmas experience features an illuminated 250m bush tunnel, life-size historical figures and other surprises. They opened their Christmas time tunnel for the first time last year and due to popular demand it is back this year and expanded. The project is a family effort for the Smithies with almost all of their eleven children involved in setting it up - from stringing lights to creating characters and dreaming up surprises.
The gold coin donation defrays expenses and contributes to projects in India that set families free from poverty by helping them establish small businesses.
Open daily from Dec 16th to 23rd 9pm-10pm at 293 Waterholes Road, Rolleston.
4
HALSWELL POTTERY GROUP
Our potters are a multi-talented lot! They cook, they sew, they garden, and they collect. On offer will be tasty home-baking, delightful (new) children's clothing, charming cottage plants, art works, desirable collectibles ... and, of course, beautiful pottery.
So please come along and join us at 9 Candys Road, Halswell on Saturday December 2nd, between 9.30 am and 4 pm.
*****
SHARP HOLIDAY PROGRAMMES
Fun and exciting holiday programmes run out of South West Baptist Church in Spreydon (244 Lyttelton Street). We provide high quality, low cost care for 5 – 13yr olds. Split into age based programmes for maximum fun we visit places like Corsair Bay and Garden City Bowls and we attempt skills like learning how to sail optimists and drive Blokarts! For more information and to enrol your children go to www.sharp.org.nz.
*****
JOIN THE TIMEBANK!
Addington Timebank needs a steering group – we are looking for people with ideas, with skills or networks across South Christchurch and like the idea of
connecting with others in the area. We have a growing number of members in Halswell so we’d love to see a Halswell Branch of this Timebank really get underway. If you think you can help we’d love to hear from you.
Ph Chrys on 0272 86 86 53 or email [email protected]
CLASSES
ZUMBA WITH MICHELLE at Te Hapua will have their last class on Monday the 18th of December 2017 and the first class back for 2018 is Monday the 15th of January 2018. Everyone welcome.
Start 2018 with your well-being in mind. Come and enjoy a fun and energetic Zumba Fitness class with our Halswell Zumba family.
*****
*****
NEW MUSICAL GROUPS FOR YOU TO JOIN! TEN GUITARS!!!!! Or TEN UKULELES!!!!!
5
Have you enjoyed playing guitar in the past and are looking to have a bit of a guitar or ukulele resurgence? Well how about strumming along in one of our 2 local
groups?. 😀
"TEN GUITARS " (yep, like the song!) could be just what you need to spur you into playing more again. My name is Chrissy, and my idea is to form small groups of up to 10 guitar players or 10 ukulele players, to meet on a regular basis for a couple of hours of guitar or ukulele sing-a-long - very low key, but committed members.
For it to work successfully, we'd need people to be of average/basic ability (i.e. you'd need to be able to strum and chord-change at least the 7 basic A to G chords). The type of songs I'll be choosing will be those good old sing-a-long types such as Ten Guitars, Delta Dawn, I Can See Clearly Now, Killing Me Softly, Delilah, etc etc....I've found this amazing app for iPad that I can plug into a big TV, and chords (pictures) and lyrics just scroll thru larger than life, so it makes it really easy to pick things up again.
At this stage, and depending on numbers, there'd be a small charge of say $5 for a 2 hour session to cover a few hire costs. Why not get yourself back into a hobby you know you enjoyed in the past, and know you'll enjoy again - it's like an exercise class, more fun with others!
Ring me (Chrissy) on 027 5479554 to talk about what playing level you're at, (and there will be lots of different levels, so don't let that hold you back) AND when you're likely to be available....(evenings/school hours/after school) so I can see if can match the right skill combinations of people available at the right times to make this all come together and work for everyone's mutual enjoyment. Thanks. Look forward to hearing from you, to get this "RE-SURGENCE SURGING!!"
NOTICES
GIFT VOUCHERS
Gift vouchers can be a great present when you’re stuck for ideas, and can be a great present to receive- better than another pair of socks from your auntie! Most of the time there are no problems, but occasionally people get caught out by expiry dates or other problems. We recently had a client, Brian, contacted us after finding a gift voucher that someone had slipped into his suitcase as a thank you. The voucher was worth $500, but was past the expiry date and he wanted to know if he could still use it.
It’s estimated that between 10 and 25% of gift vouchers don’t get redeemed. Most gift vouchers have an expiry date (commonly 12 months) and legally don’t have to be honoured after that date. Sometimes, as in Brian’s case, they will make an exception and let you use a voucher after the expiry date if you ask. A number of retailers do have an informal ‘grace period’ where they will accept vouchers for a month or two after the expiry date.
Consumers have fairly limited rights when it comes to gift vouchers. Retailers don’t have to give change from a voucher (unless the terms and conditions of the voucher says they will), nor do they have to refund money from a voucher that you don’t want to use.
It’s also worth knowing that if a store goes out of business (or into liquidation) someone with a voucher becomes an ‘unsecured creditor’, which essentially means that you are at the back of the line in terms of getting your money back (and normally means you won’t get to either spend the voucher or get your money back).
If a store changes ownership then normally the new owner doesn’t need to honour any vouchers sold by the previous owner, but it’s still worth taking the vouchers in to ask.
To minimise the risk of losing your money you should buy vouchers that can be used at more than one store, e.g. petrol vouchers, or ones that are issued by trade associations and if you are given a voucher as a gift, use it as soon as possible.
To talk to one of our team about being a volunteer for Citizens Advice Bureau or discuss a problem with a gift voucher contact 0800 367 222
*****
6
ENERGY TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON
With the busy holiday season just around the corner, it’s an expensive time of year but CEA’s top tips can make all the difference.
Limit the Time Lights are on
We can all get a bit carried away in the spirit of Christmas by leaving our Christmas lights on for long period of time, leaving your lights on during the day will increase your energy bill significantly, wait until dark to turn on your Christmas lights then turn them off before you go to bed. Do you have trouble remembering to turn your lights on and off? Then, set a timer, then you can sit back and enjoy!
Deck the Halls with LED Lights
Christmas lights is one way to get into the festive spirit, but Christmas lights also consume energy, adding to your electricity bills. It’s time to throw away your old collection of Christmas lights and opt for LED holiday lights, they use up to 90% less electricity than standard lights.
Unplug before you go on holiday
If you’re jetting off on a holiday this Christmas make sure you turn off all your appliances as well as turning them off at the wall. TVs, DVD players, computers, printers, gaming consoles and many other electronics use energy even when they aren’t turned on. Unplug these items before you go on holiday, and enjoy the energy savings!
Safe Driving
The festive season is the perfect time to connect with family and love ones but also a stressful time when planning your trips. Remember to take extra care when travelling this holiday season as increased traffic volumes, congestion, tiredness and people driving in unfamiliar environments will affect your trip. Plan ahead and allow for extra time.
If you have any questions about these tips, or want advice specific to your home, just give us a call, our staff are here to help you, on 0800 GET WARM/03 3747222, or email [email protected].
*****
CLIMATE CHANGE AND OUR COAST
Drop in sessions will be held:
Spencerville
Tuesday 5 December 6.00pm to 7.00pm
Spencerville Residents Association Hall, 6 Heyders Rd
New Brighton
Wednesday 6 December 5.30pm to 7.30pm
New Brighton Club, 202 Marine Parade
*****
LEADERSHIP IN COMMUNITY 2018 Applications open
Are you leading in local communities or groups of interest? Are you wanting to grow and develop your own leadership, or encourage leaders around you to flourish? LinC 2018 has taken the best of its programmes of 2015 & 2016 that impacted on almost 100 community leaders and has sought to reach further, grow smarter and become more sustainable. With this in mind LinC now becomes three core components, Cultivator, Incubator and Activator, each with clear objectives and customised support and input to ensure our communities and programmes continue. For more information and to apply, visit www.lincproject.org.nz.
Applications close 9 December 2017.
*****
7
PARKOUR AT OLYMPIA
Olympia Gym - Corner Springs Road & Corsair Drive, Hornby
Olympia will commence Parkour training with the first session scheduled for Saturday 3 February from 7-9pm. Programmes will be available for a gold coin entry only in Term 1. Thereafter there will be a session each Saturday at Olympia with staff on board to assist youth in gaining more skills. For more information you can check out the Olympia Gym Parkour/Free Running Facebook page.
Education providers can bring a group through for 8 parkour/free running sessions in Term 1 during the day at a discounted rate of $2 per participant. A coach and full use of the trampolines and other equipment will be provided. For more information contact [email protected] to book this exciting programme and take advantage of this special participant fee.
*****
TERRACOTTA PIPES TO GIVE AWAY
25 terracotta pipes (23cm long) Great for wine bottle storage at constant temperature Pick up in Halswell Ph Ryan on 027 5547926
*******
HOMESIT SELWYN - PETCALLS
Going away? Leaving your pets behind? We offer petcalls to your home where they are happiest.
Contact Jenny 021 430 016 or [email protected]
***** CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH FRUIT & VEGE CO-OP This co-op is a consumer co-operative in which people work together to provide fruit and veges to people’s homes for about half the prices of those in the supermarket.
For $14 per week you can get two supermarket bags full of fruit and veges delivered to the Halswell Hub for you to pick up on a Wednesday from lunchtime onwards.
Payment and ordering is via internet banking. The pictures are of two standard packs from the last two weeks. To find out more, go to the link below or ring Mary on 027 960 2741 http://www.csfvc.org.nz/
CEA is a charitable trust and provides services to all households in our community (Canterbury and West Coast). Subsidies, grants, and free services are available for vulnerable groups. A fee may apply to other households.
We can help with:
Insulation (subsidies available)
Heating (advice & limited funding)
Ventilation advice
Free, recycled curtains
Energy advice and information
Underfloor moisture barriers
Draught proofing
Damaged home management
Water management
Affordable energy efficiency products
Keep warm this winter. Contact us:
8
0800 GET WARM or 03 374 7222 www.cea.co.nz
*******
RUTH DYSON MP for PORT HILLS Ruth Dyson, the MP for Port Hills, invites you to her regular drop in from 2-3pm on the 2nd Friday of each month at Te Hapua Café (every month but January)
*****
The Gift Tree at the Halswell Hub.
ABOUT THE HALSWELL NEWSLETTER
Over the next few months we will be delivering
newsletters as a one off into letterboxes in the area.
You can subscribe FREE to get it in your email box at
www.halswellcommunity.net.nz or pick up copies at
either Te Hapua in the library beside the newspapers
or from the Halswell Community Hub on the corner of
Sparks Rd and Halswell Rd.
The Halswell Newsletter is a great way to find out
what is going on around Halswell and about the issues,
people and the place. It comes out around the
beginning of each month and is compiled by the
Halswell Community Project from notices, and
articles sent in by people around the community.
Anyone can send in information/ articles that would
like included. Send them to
[email protected] or get in touch with
Chrys on 0272 86 86 53
Business Advertising is available – Prices can be found
on our website or email us.