Hāwera’s newest garden doubly blessed
The land where a new community garden will soon flourish in Hāwera was doubly blessed on Wednesday last week, with two gatherings being held.
The garden is being developed on land where a church hall sat for more than a century, beside St Mary’s Church, Hāwera, until it was recently demolished.
The project is a collaboration between St Mary’s Church, Enviroschools and Sustainable Taranaki.
Two blessing ceremonies were held to keep numbers down to protect the health of kaumatua and others at the events, Archdeacon Chester Borrows said.
Early in the day, Ngāti Ruanui kaumātua Sandy Parata carried out a traditional blessing, walking around the land accompanied by a small group, then later in the morning Rev Shirley-Anne Flynn prayed to bless the site.
‘‘The idea of a community garden at St Mary’s is very much compatible with the community ministry envisioned for our church, to be working out in the open air, the streets, and houses, the business district, schools, and social groupings – rather than behind closed doors within a church building,’’ Flynn said.
‘‘The community garden will be for
FRI, MAY 6
South Taranaki Junior Hockey: Friday Fun Sticks every Friday in term 2. Suited to primary/intermediate-age children. No experience necessary. Skills, drill, mini games. $20/child, includes free mouthguard. More info, contact Maree 027 2726349. Bayly Park Astro Turf, Disraeli St, Hāwera. 3.30pm.
WED, MAY 11
Annual General Meeting: The AGM of the Friends of Hāwera Parks will be held at 7pm in the Hāwera Community Centre Theatre Lounge, Albion St. Guest speaker, Richard Kennedy-Moffat. All welcome. Albion St, Hāwera.
THUR, MAY 12
Race Unity Speech Awards: Senior students present their insights on how we can improve race unity in Aotearoa. This year’s topic is ‘‘Ngā matimati nō te ringa kotahi’’ or ‘‘the fingers of one hand’’. Council Chambers, 105-109 Albion St, Hāwera. 2pm.
SAT, MAY 14
Crop Swap Hāwera: Bring your garden/ kitchen surplus and join a fantastic gathering of like-minded people wanting to share food and knowledge. Gold coin for hall hire. See www.facebook.com/cropswapHāwera for everyone, just as the Christian message is that Jesus is a help and the Holy Spirit a comfort for everyone regardless of age, faith, circumstance, religion, or social status.’’
A plan for the garden was created after a community meeting early in April, Sustainable Taranaki South Taranaki partnership project manager Andrea Rowe said.
It will include rows of vegetable beds, a play area, fruit trees, seating for picnics, and space to hold workshops.
Part of the space will be a reflective, contemplative garden, while at the other end, a colourful mural is being planned on a brick wall.
Several schools will be bringing groups of students to work on projects in the garden.
The next steps are to build a fence on one side and begin developing the other structures for the garden.
They have a good incentive to get it growing as the garden will be included in the Sustainable Backyards Trail, part of the Taranaki Garden Festival, at the end of October, Rowe said.
The next community garden planning meeting will be held on site at 10am on May 25.
Anyone interested is welcome.
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more. Hāwera Presbyterian Hall, Argyle St, Hāwera. 1.30pm.
SUN, MAY 22
Taranaki Baby & Kids Expo: Find information and things to do for pregnancy, babies, toddlers and school-aged children. Free toy corner, face painting and stories. $5 per adult. East End Skating Rink, Nobs Line, New Plymouth. 11am.
Taranaki Pet Expo: Learn about businesses, charities and organisations locally that deal with pets and pet supplies. $5 entry for adults. East End Skating Rink, Nobs Line, New Plymouth. 11am.