After much debate thanks to rainy weather, the organisers decided the forecast was good enough to go ahead with the community picnic on Saturday 12 November 2022. We were lucky that it stayed dry and warm between 4 and 6 pm.
Around 40 or 50 people (and three dogs) turned up, bearing plenty of food. Some locals brought their BBQs down (thanks Peter and Barry) and many arrived with chairs too.
There was much eating and chatting, and discovering new and more established neighbours.
Thanks to Michele and Steve who provided a fold up table for food, and Debra and Stephen who carried out a large wooden table and bench seats.
Kelly and Chris generously provided two very impressive marquees to help shade the food and folks from the hot sun.
Local poet Sebastian (Batch) Hales entertained us with readings of a couple of his poems, and he gave away copies of his book of poetry.
Our two new Horowhenua District Councillors mingled and chatted with those who came. Thanks to Crs. Jonathan Proctor and Rogan Boyle (who also helped take down a finicky marquee at the end).
We also need to thank Pamela and Ian Hoggard who allowed us to hold the picnic on the grass beside their lake, Puna o te Ora. Ian had made sure to mow the grass beforehand too.
Thanks too to the organisers who sorted out dates and times, how things would work, whether or not to go ahead given dicey weather, made some ads for Facebook, put flyers in letterboxes and sent out emails, and made sure the site was tidy at the end. Thanks to: Kezna, Sophie, Michele, Chris and Miraz.
Most important: thanks to everyone who turned up and joined in on this community event. Opportunities to get together as a community just for fun are rare. Events like this help build stronger feelings of connection and cohesiveness. And now a few more people will know who it is they’re waving at as they’re out for walk, bike ride or run. 😀
