Kawakawa railway concert big success
This year’s Concert At The Station was well received by a large crowd who had a fantastic time at the Vintage Railway station in Kawakawa.
The concert, held in the big carriage shed on February 26, included Bella a Capella who demonstrated why they are twotimes national champions in women’s barbershop, and Ellen Callister who proved why she holds a Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice.
Twenty-eight-year-old Shavonne ramped up the pace with her traditional country music and Tambo band’s fusion of latin, jazz and blues was highly entertaining, concert chairman Frank Leadley says.
Kerikeri High School Year 13 student Zoe King also delighted the crowd.
‘‘We were delighted with the programme, the crowd and Mayor John Carter as our exuberant MC, and the ambience in the carriage shed, plus the huge downpour just as the concert was finishing, provided a fitting example of why we will hold the concert in the shed each year rather than outside.’’
The railway is working on building a second steam engine.
‘‘Gabriel is getting past her prime and a great deal of work is currently being carried out to restore her to her former glory and effectiveness,’’ Leadley says.
Building a second steam engine at the same time required building an extension to the engine shed and constructing a large new pit so that both steam engines can be worked on at once.
Retired builder Henry Nissen and retired engineer Frits Schouten have been working on the project.
Anyone else interested in volunteering can contact Mike 021 1711 2697.