Sadly after all the anticipation, the concert at BHB Beach tonight has had to be cancelled due to weather. Auckland Council advise that rescheduling the event is not possible.  Another big event scheduled for tonight - the pre-season match between the Blues and the Chiefs at Shadbolt Park, has also been cancelled.

Midge Marsden is a big favourite in the Bay. This year the suport act was to be The Flaming Mudcats. BEACON welcomes your feedback and memories of previous events.

Recent Article:

“His Midgesty” Returns

What would a summer in Blockhouse Bay be without the iconic Midge Marsden concert at the beach? One shudders to think. But relax, cos … he’s BACK!

So … bring your picnic dinner and be prepared to dance by the water at sunset. Yes, Auckland City Council’s Music in Parks is again hosting Midge Marsden and his band at Blockhouse Bay Beach – as has been the case for more years than anyone actually remembers. His combination of excellent musicianship and unstoppable energy combine to guarantee a great show every time.
“I feel very privileged to be asked to perform here again” says Midge, sounding slightly bemused when asked about his popularity with the locals, “the loyalty is very humbling!”
Midge Marsden’s long career in music began as a young man in New Plymouth. In 1964 he bought a fiesta-red Fender Stratocaster for £150 – in those days, the equivalent of a house deposit. It was one of only a few in the country at the time, and despite the fact that he could hardly play, it got him his first gig as a rhythm guitarist in a backing band, touring with Johnny Cooper’s talent show, Have a Shot
Eventually Midge sold his Stratocaster, but after forty years it was offered back to him by the original purchaser, and is once again with its first owner. Rumour has it that the newly-restored, fiesta-red Fender Stratocaster may make a rare appearance at the Blockhouse Bay gig.
Opening for Midge is The Flaming Mudcats, a rocking rhythm and blues band who have taken their show to festivals and clubs in the USA, Australia and the Pacific. If the name is new to you, check them out at www.theflamingmudcats.com . They are seriously hot, and sure to get you warmed up and your groove on.
Just a reminder, most locals are aware of the parking challenges with events at the beach, so be prepared to walk and carry your picnic gear. If a picnic is not your thing, there will also be some food vendors on site, and don’t forget the local food retailers in the village.
Where: Blockhouse Bay Beach Reserve
When: Friday 17th February, starting 6pm

We got involved in the paper in May. It was a rush to get everything ready to go and get our heads around how to publish a community paper. Seven issues later we feel more confident yet always wanting to understand more clearly what you are really interested in. We are really looking forward to doing even better going forward.
NZ closes down for a week over Christmas/New Year. BEACON is not published in January which gives us a break with our children. We have already taken a break pre-Christmas for a road trip around East Cape before everyone goes on holiday. New Zealand has some stunning places and it is great to get out and explore different areas.  We hope you get the opportunity to find new places and create special memories.

Do you like Kerrie's lovely hat?

Wow that's great Christmas decorations on the roundabout! Has that ever been done before?

Congratulations to the new Business Association Manager Wendy Dunn for making a big splash in a short time on the job. All the planning is done, the weather forecast looks ok in the morning so now all the Santa Parade needs is for you and your friends to turn out and enjoy it!

This is one of the big efforts of the year for the Village so let's make the most of it!

Thanks to Wendy and EVERYONE involved in this major bit of street theatre!

Lots of fun and food at today's Carnival at the BHB Primary School. It's running until 2PM so if you get the chance go along and support the school.
The BEACON Team enjoyed the Samosas and we thought that Smash Palace was a fun way to get rid of old crocery!

These fundraisers take a lot of work to organise. It's great to see so many businesses supporting the school as well:
Platinum Sponsors: Barfoot and Thompson Blockhouse Bay

Bronze Sponsors: DJ Prior, Keola Homes, L'il Champs Childcare Terry St, Hellers, Hirepool, New World Green Bay

Friends of the School sponsors: Countdown Blockhouse Bay, Westpac mussels, New World Mt Roskill, NZ Safety Blackwoods, Football for Children, ASB, Aussie Butcher New Lynn, Leanne's Kitchen, Cadbury, Whittakers, Just Graphix, Bakers Delight New Lynn, Seasons Fresh market Green Bay, Spice World, West Liquor Blockhouse Bay.

Raffle sponsors: MegR Cakes, My Food Bag, Michael Overend Photography, The Train Yard gym, Placemakers, Lynmall, Wagamama, Ecostore, Sistema, Bubbalooz, Paradice Ice Rink, Reading Cinemas, Jump Avondale, MOTAT, Blockhouse Bay Pharmacy, Negotiants Wines, Diesel Tune and Turbo New Lynn, Blockhouse Bay Beauty Boudoir.

The cement tanker Milburn Carrier II is back at Onehunga, apparently for a final visit.

When the MV Westport departed for the final time from the Manuaku, we expected that the cement ship visits were over forever.
Last week Holcim spokesperson Robyn Flynn said: "Weather permitting MV Milburn Carrier II's last visit to Onehunga will be next week.
 
At this stage ETA at Onehunga is 1145 hrs Tuesday 15th November and ETD is 1115 hrs Wednesday 16th November.....but as always this could change as the weather forecast isn't great."

Flexible much - it's here early. Enjoy some shipping hostory while you can.

Because we are running this paper, we thought we would go along to our first political meeting ever to cover it.

Locally based MP Parmjeet Parmar has started running a series of meetings bringing in senior ministers to Mt Roskill. Tonight she had hit the jackpot with Finance Minister Bill English speaking. Outside adding to the atmosphere was a group of protestors, officially pro the Indian students here on fake documents. However, rather than simply promoting that viewpoint, it was more like "rent a mob" with numerous union leaders identifiable. Apparently democracy is won by who can shout the loudest rather than who has the better argument.

The meeting itself proceeded cordially with the speech by Bill English followed by Q&A. A few Labour people present lobbed in their questions and were answered. Bill quipped that at a meeting someone had commented that Bill is the best Deputy Prime Minister that we have. Slightly underwhelming!

Everyone attending the meeting were escorted out by police through the protestors who were shouting"shame" at them. Attempts at intimidation of ordinary voters is somehow meant to make democracy stronger and not extreme like in facist or communist regimes? It is weird to experience this is normally docile Lynfield.

Politics does seem to be getting more polarised and with a degree of frustration and even hatred emerging.

HOLCIM PRESS RELEASE:

MV Westport sold
 
We are happy to announce the sale of the MV Westport which was completed at midday 7 September 2016. 

She has been sold to Aalborg Pearl Shipping Ltd and has been reflagged under the Bahama flag and renamed “Fjordvik”. Her new operational base will be Norway.
 
After preparing for international travel, she is expected to leave Onehunga on this weekend or next week sailing via New Plymouth and the Suez Canal to Gdansk in Poland. A full crew is now on board, along with two Holcim employees, who will oversee the vessel’s operational handover.  A Ports of Auckland pilot will guide the ship through the Manukau Heads for the last time before heading south to New Plymouth. She will undertake an in-water survey before embarking on the long journey she has ahead of her.
 
She will be dry-docked in Gdansk, Poland and undergo maintenance before travelling to Scandinavia for operations as a bulk cement ship.
 
We are very pleased we have sold her and that she will continue to operate as a cement ship rather than going to scrap.
 
Robert Bright
Supply and Operations Manager
Holcim New Zealand

See the earlier reports on the final voyages to Onehunga carrying cement here>>

One a very rainy night there was a fantastic turnout of parents at BHB Primary for an evening to learn about the BYOD program for next year. John and Kerrie went along to report for BEACON BHB.

We were amazed at the enthusiasm of the children, the support from parents and the skill sets of staff - and we learnt a few things ourselves. We are looking forward to sharing this with you in the September edition of the BEACON.

What an awesome school!

Rainy night photos - a different look for the village

It's been an interesting week on Hillsborough Road.

Suddenly we have "major roadworks with a 30kph speed restriction 24/7 at the intersection of Quona Rd. Are they installing traffic lights on a pretty insignificant road? Ok, it is not an easy road to get out of but then neither is Dominion Rd Extension or Richardson Rd. Maybe those new double decker buses are having trouble getting out? After the zillions of dollars they spent on Mt Eden Rd hardening it for the buses by moving kerblines out, power poles back and nailing bright yellow markers to any other hazard that could potentially decapitate a double decker, traffic lights on Quona are not out of the question.

Word on the street though is that your rates dollars are not being spent on letting huge buses escape from Quona Rd on a left turn. No, this is the terminus of a new $4.2 million cycleway from May Road to Waikowhai Park. Up on Hillsborough Rd it seems all the drama may be to install the flashing lights thingy on the raod and presumably a cycle crossing.

There are 60km of cycleways being built across Auckland. Build it and they will come? Well "they" have come to cycleways everywhere else across NZ. Do you go cycling for leisure or a commute? Please leave a comment to tell us what is important to you and what makes your life more enjoyable.

On another note, last night at 9pm I was trundling along Hillsborough Rd just past the cemetery heading towards town. Two guys went past on motorbikes with no lights on. At Richardson I stopped to let an unmarked police car out. Good luck I thought. What chance would he have against bikes in the sprawling cemetery and bush?

Going back the other way 15 minutes later I saw that the Police had their man. The motorcycle was right beside Hillsborough Rd. Young people nowadays. You made it to the cemetery and you still got caught? Fail.

On the edge of the massive 1800 household unit development West Edge, New Lynn, is the historic St Andrews Hall on Margan Ave. It was knocked up in true kiwi DIY style by the vicar W P Rankin (Rankin Ave anyone?) who laid an estimated 90,000 bricks, donated from by Gardner Brothers and Parker. Despite the incredible efforts of the vicar to bring an education space to the area, it looks like it is going full cycle from dust to dust and ashes to ashes. In 2016 earthquake protection is paramount and a brick building is most at risk. One has to wonder how much of New Zealand's build heritage will be left standing in a decade or two. Here is some history:

The Auckland Star reported from 1928:

""Yes, that's my name," said one of three men in a wet trench this morning at New Lynn,when a "Star" reporter asked if the Rev W P Rankin happened to be about. New Lynn mud has a decidedly clinging nature, especially after a rainy night. Mr Rankin had quite a lot of it on his bluchers, and as he was without a coat and the usual identifying collar, it was no wonder he was difficult to sort out.

The wet trench, which was being filled with rough concrete, was the start of the foundations of a school room which will surely merit that much-abused word "unique." The parson intends to lay every one of the 90,000 bricks himself. Mr. Rankin said he noticed that in the Old Country a Minister of theCrown (Mr Winstone [sic] Churchill) had taken to brick-laying, and there was no reason why a minister of another kind should not do something in the same way. During the two years he has been in charge of the Presbyterian church at New Lynn, that rapidly-expanding suburb, which some of us remember only the other day as a tea-tree waste, synonymous with bricks and tiles and nothing else. Mr Rankin has done a lot  for the social welfare of the rising generation, and now he is going to see that his over-crowded Sunday School children have a bit more room. At present they are taught in the church and are as crowded as sheep.

Fortunately there are generous people in New Lynn. The New Zealand Brick and Tile Company, which had previously given the minister five acres for a football ground, presented him with a fine bit of land just opposite the present little brick church. On this new section there is to be built a brick schoolroom 60 feet by 34 feet, with additional classrooms at the side. In addition to having got the land as gift, Mr. Rankin was presented with 90,000 bricks by Gardner Brothers and Parker. Cement, timber and iron, and other incidentals are expected to cost about £1000, and for that sum the congregation will have a building estimated to be worth something over £4000 when it is completed.

Mr H Clinton Savage has drawn the plans of a neat building, and as soon as the foundations are in Mr Rankin will start on his lone-hand job of building. He is not without some knowledge of the craft. When he was a young man attending university classes in Scotland there was talk of him going out to China as a missionary, and he used to put in his spare time looking after building jobs which were undertaken by some of his family, who were all in the building business. That is how it comes about that New Lynn's Presbyterian minister can and will build his own schoolroom. If somebody comes along and lends a helping hand he will be all the more pleased, but if not he is not a bit dismayed by having to lay 90,000 bricks. He says it will probably take him about six months, as he has to carry on his other duties as well. "We are not rich out this way," he said this morning, "and if I don't build the place myself I don't see how we are going to get it. I don't mind the job at all. We must get more room for our scholars. All I want is to leave something for the young people of the district, and this Sunday School is the most pressing need at the present time." "All right, I will give him a hearty welcome," remarked Mr. Rankin, when it was suggested that when people read of his courageous effort a helper might be found. And the parson at the bottom of the trench picked up his spade and went on with the job of levelling concrete.”

 
"The result of the article in the 'Star' concerning my endeavour to build a hall for theSunday school at New Lynn," writes the Rev W R Rankin, "brought me two letters. One, signed by 'Good Luck,' enclosed £1, and the other came from a gentleman in Herne Bay offering me two doors. I wish to thank both friends for the practical and generous donations. I accept most gratefully in the name of the children." It will be remembered that the "Star" gave an account of the self-imposed task of Mr Rankin, Presbyterian minister at New Lynn, who intends to do the brickwork of the new building himself, as the funds will not run to employing labour. Mr. Rankin adds facetiously: "I have been fortunate enough to escape the fees necessary to join the Bricklayers' Union. How would it be if  some of the union bricklayers came out to New Lynn and joined me, even if it were only for a day?" 

Thanks to Timespanner for bring this to our attention. Read more from Lisa J Truttman, October 2012   here>>