News in Brief

 

Linking Hands AGM
Community transport provider Linking Hands will have their AGM on June 26 in the Maungaturoto Anglican Church Hall at 7pm to elect the board for the next year.

Linking Hands combines the efforts of the Maungaturoto, Paparoa, Kaiwaka, Mangawhai, Waipu and Ruakaka communities to help people get to medical appointments – thanks to dozens of volunteer drivers and a fleet of vehicles.

Linking Hands is also looking for new premises to rent in Maungaturoto. It has to be centrally located, have around 50 sqm of office space, and off-street parking for three vehicles.

If you feel inclined to serve on the Board, or can help with premises, please call 09 431 8969.

Smoke but no fire
Locals were taken by surprise on May 29 at the village as a fire alarm went off and Bammas Surf Shop filled with smoke. Fortunately it was a false alarm caused by their fog canon security system randomly going off. In just 40 seconds it filled the shop with a thick non- toxic ‘fog’ which rendered the premises completely blacked-out. 

Owner David Glover said the result was a bit scary but a good trial run to prove the canon certainly works as ‘you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face’, and thanked those who called concerned that something much worse was happening.

Pigs dig up field
Pigs have been making Bream Bay United football fields a feeding ground. Actual pigs. Unfortunately they have torn up half of the number 2 field and have made it unplayable. The Council are putting urgent attention into finding the wild pigs, visiting twice in the past week, and it is expected they will come back again. If you have seen any wild/loose pigs in the area please let the Rec Centre know as soon as possible or call Robyn Davies on 021 846 649.

Workshop funding
Mangawhai artists Elena Nikolaeva and Gayle Forster (pictured) are thrilled to get a grant from Creative Communities, Auckland Council, to create and run a print workshop that tells a story relating to the Rodney area. The boundaries between Kaipara and Rodney are somewhat blurred with many Mangawhi people living in Rodney. 

The foundation for the workshop is based on Gayle’s experience in Japan inn 1983-84 while attending the Yoshida Hanga Academy and working with Master Toshi Yoshida. The attached print ‘Our Land’ is very much influenced by Iwami.

For more info on the July 20-21 workshop, phone Gayle on 021 023 53730.