Many thanks to those who have sent in pictures and notices. It is great to be back at level 1 again and able to get out and about albeit keeping track of where we are going.
There is a lot going on and coming up. Put it in your diary and keep an eye on our Facebook page or our website for more activities (you can look at this page and see what is happening whether you are a Facebook user or not).

Happy reading.

Lynne and Chrys

WHAT'S ON AT THE HALSWELL COMMUNITY HUB?

The Halswell Community Hub is based in the old Halswell Library on the corner of Sparks and Halswell Roads, opposite the Halswell Butcher and the little block of shops.

We have lots going on so pop in for a chat about the many groups and activities using our facilities or to join us for coffee, cards or Mahjong!!
For more information or to enquire about booking the facilities email halswellhub@gmail.com or phone 0204 127 6083

NEWS & FEATURES

SUCCESSFUL BANKS PENINSULA / WIGRAM ELECTION CANDIDATES EVENING
The candidates evening at Knights Stream School on 23 September organised by Halswell Residents Association brought together over 100 residents plus 14 candidates from the two electorates.

Although we have run these events for many years, we decided to try something a little different this time. As well as running the event for two electorates, we split up the meeting into a series of tables with around 15 residents each. Candidates were grouped and then rotated from table to table. This made it easier to ask questions of candidates.

Thanks to Knights Stream School for allowing us to use their facilities.

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OAKLANDS TE KURA O ŌWAKA UPDATE
Our school redevelopment is nearing completion. During the school holidays three old buildings will be demolished to make way for sports courts and a central courtyard for whole school gatherings. In Term 4 the school hall will get a new roof, cladding and paint job as part of ongoing school improvements.

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BIRDS YOU CAN SEE OR HEAR IN HALSWELL: LITTLE OWLS

Frances Schmechel

Surprisingly common, even in the city, little owls (also known as German owls) are the only bird of prey deliberately introduced to Aotearoa/ NZ. And you guessed it - they were introduced from Germany - all 219 of them, between 1906 and 1910.

They were brought here to control introduced small birds that were a problem in orchards and crops; but that didn't work, because they feed mostly on insects, which they catch on the ground, often by running after them.
Little owls have a very unowl-like call - 'wow' 'wow' (or 'kiew', 'kiew') - loud and high (it's worth listening to: Google little owl nz to find a recording). They can also sound like a cat up a tree, and can be heard in Halswell Domain and in treed residential gardens at times. Only found on the South Island, mainly on the drier east side, they often perch in the open. Much paler than the native ruru or morepork, they rarely occur in the same areas as little owls prefer open areas, whereas ruru are mainly forest birds. Little owls are also more likely to be active during daylight hours, especially dawn or dusk, than ruru. (Fun fact: a local Christchurch ornithologist, Colin O'Donnell, did a count around Hagley Park in the late 1980's or early 1990's and counted almost 70 of them.)

HALSWELL SPRING SKATE JAM
Saturday 17th October
Celebrate Spring with a free family event at the Halswell Skate and Recreation Park on Halswell Domain.
A fun event for the whole family!!
Bring your family, friends and neighbours down to the Domain for a picnic and learn to skate with Cheapskates Skate Skool!!
Free gear hire and best trick competition.
Try the crazy bikes from Pedalmania and ride the Halswell Miniature trains
(Trains $2 per ride, discount tickets available for $10 and $20)
Coffee cart and ice cream available on site
Rain Date: Sunday 18th October

New date: 11th October
We have some great entries and guest artist appearances as well as a star-studded line up of Celebrity Judges and PAGE28 as support artists.
Nibbles and light refreshments available on the night (cash only please) and a fantastic range of items in the Silent Auction. Doors open at 6.00 for a 6.30pm start.
All enquiries to Andrei Moore on Andrei.Moore.Halswell@gmail.com or 027-632-5823
Tickets available from eventbrite.co.nz

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HALSWELL GARDEN CLUB
The Halswell Garden Club’s October meeting will be held on Tuesday October 13th 2020 in the Mohoao room at the Te Hapua/Halswell Centre in Halswell Rd, beginning at 1.00pm. Our speaker this meeting will be Dave Adams who will be talking to us about Planting Daffodils. Phone Elizabeth Ph 322-7214 for further information.
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HALSWELL COMMUNITY GARDEN
The Halswell Community garden is growing fast (at least
the weeds are). If you could spare a few hours a week we
would love to have your company to get on top of those
pesky weeds. There is somebody there on a Saturday
morning, weather permitting, and we also pop down
during the week. We are located behind the Old Vicarage
restaurant, access through St. Mary's Church driveway.
Contact Judy 4200923 or Ellen 7412229.
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ST JOHN OF GOD HAUORA TRUST AGM

HALSWELL POTTERY GROUP

As you can see, our Gallery is empty and poised ready for refurbishment. This charming room was, we believe, once Granny's "parlour" and her place of tranquillity away from the hurly-burly of family life. We like to think that she would approve of it being used to display our beautiful work. All being well, the refurbished Gallery, with a freshly curated display, will re-open the week-end of October 17 and 18 (11 am to 3 pm). The address is 9 Candys Road, Halswell. We look forward to your visit! You can contact us at halswellpotters@gmail.com

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HALSWELL FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS GROUP
The Halswell Friends and Neighbours group has started up again as the Prime Minister has put most of the country down to level one. If you would like to check us out come to the Saint Mary's Church hall at 1pm on Tuesdays (not the first Tues. of the month).
$2 fee covers 2 raffle tickets and afternoon tea. Any inquiries phone Judy 4200923.
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SHARP SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
We are excited to be offering programmes for $100 for the full week (8.30-3pm) and $50 for siblings in Halswell and Spreydon. Head to www.sharp.org.nz to enrol. This holidays –
Exploring Our World! An exciting set of programmes jam packed full of games, stories, songs, off-site trips, activities and so much more! Join us as we dig in to the story of David and Goliath showing us how to face our fears and that being curious is a great attitude. Who inspired David to take the steps he did? Who created the curiosity in us? We can’t wait to find out!

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SHARP AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMME INFORMATION

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ST MARYS, HALSWELL, AND ALL SAINTS, PREBBLETON
Important Information
St.Mary's Church, 329 Halswell Road, Halswell is currently under Earthquake repairs. This will continue approx. 'til the end of November '20.
Any changes to the time frame of closure will be notified via our websites, FB Page & church notices.

The usual services will take place as follows:
St. Mary's New Worship Venue: 10:30 am Service and Kidzone will be held in the Halswell Baptist Church, 6 Balcairn Street, Halswell, Christchurch 8025.

On 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month - 8.00 a.m service will be at the St.Mary’s Lounge.
4th Sunday will be the Breakfast Service.

All Saints Church, Prebbleton - 9.15a.m Service and Kidzone.
No communion will be served during Covid-19, Lockdown Level 2, and all events lined up during this period will be postponed to a later date which will be notified.

ANNUAL FAIR AT ST.MARY'S & ALL SAINTS PARISH - POSTPONED TO 2021!
The Fair will not be held in October this year due to the uncertainty in planning and time constraints. It is postponed to March 2021.
More details will be published on our websites/FB Page and Church Notices closer to the date.

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ST MARY'S DISCO

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HALSWELL FRIENDSHIP CLUB - A CLUB FOR ACTIVE RETIREES
We meet on the first Thursday of the month at 1.30 pm in the Mohoao Room, Te Hapua Halswell Centre, Halswell Road.
We have speakers, coffee mornings and outings.
Our next meeting is on Thursday 1 October when Dawn Dally will tell us about the Safaris that she and husband Rick have been on.
Our outing in October is to Trotts Garden in Ashburton followed by lunch at Robert Harris Coffee Shop and a look around Ashburton.
For further information contact Robyn on 322 8288.

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FRIDAY AFTERNOON EUCHRE IS NOW FINISHED FOR 2020
Friday afternoon EUCHRE at the Halswell Bowling Club has now finished for the winter term and will return in May 2021.
The team that has been running these afternoons have been very pleased at the response that they have received what with the COVID 19 restrictions and social distancing and contract tracing and still we had record numbers of players
enjoying their games of Euchre and been able to catch up with their fellow card players.
So a big thankyou has to go to Halswell Bowling Club for providing the venue and Noel and Jenny for organising the weekly games.
A great job well done and hope we will see you all again in May 2021.

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FITNESS, HEALTH and WELLBEING

SUMMER FOOTBALL FUN – HALSWELL UNITED AFC

KIDS 4-8 YEARS OLD - Emphasis is on fun and falling in love with Football
MON 12th OCT to FRI 30th NOV - $65.00 (8 weeks)

KIDS 8-12 YEARS OLD - A structured, fun programme for players, in an enjoyable environment that maximises player development.
WED 14th OCT to WED 16th DEC - $100.00 (10 weeks)

FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO REGISTER: www.hawkfootball.org.nz/summer

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KEEP ACTIVE
Our Halswell classes are Tuesday and Fridays 9.30-10.30am
KEEP ACTIVE! is a fun, social setting for anyone to help maintain or improve their fitness.
These sessions comprise an aerobic warm-up, circuit activities, stretching cool-down and a social cuppa.

Join others from the community who find attending these sessions very helpful/beneficial – balance improved, able to lift things more easily, stamina increased, more flexible, sleep improved, feel more alive 🙂
You will also meet some friendly people!
https://www.swbc.org.nz/ministry/seniors/keep-active/

NOTICES

Are you being digitally excluded? CAB seeks election pledge to address digital exclusion
People of all ages are coming to us stressed and frustrated about their experiences of trying to access government services. It is getting harder to access human support from government agencies, but people’s need for face-to-face services is as real as ever.

The CAB is asking all candidates in the upcoming election to support the recommendations of its digital exclusion report and in particular to pledge their support to the following:

1.    Leave no-one behind
2.    Public services accessible to all
3.    CAB compensated for cost-shifting

The CAB has issued a pledge statement for candidates to sign up to, and we are also asking for the public to get behind this by signing a petition at https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/leave-no-one-behind-campaign-to-address-digital-exclusion, and paper copies of the petition will also be available from the CAB at our West Branch, Hornby Library and Community Centre

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HALSWELL HALL – THE CORNERSTONE OF THE HALSWELL COMMUNITY FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS

Thanks to the generosity of our Sponsors, the Halswell Hall is looking forward to our Halswell’s Got Talent event which is now on 11^th October.
We especially thank our principal sponsors Saunders & Co for putting up the prize money and all our local businesses who have supported the Hall in this community event.
Sponsors: Sanders and Co lawyers, Skelton Electrical, New World Wigram, Stantons Pharmacy, Mike Pero Real Estate, Elite Physiotherapy, the Long Knight, Smarty Pants, Bombay Butler, Maxwell Fashion, Muffin break, The Old Vicarage, Tiffany’s Hair Design, Steviez Café, Ray White, Hell Pizza, Hammer Hardware, Joe's Garage Wigram, Halswell Dental, Fush, New World Halswell, Harcourts Grendier, Super Liquor, Canterbury liquor, Craythornes Hotel, Magnifique Hair studio, Good Home.

We have had strong demand for weekend and evening hires but do have some spots still available this year. Please do get in touch early if you are thinking of booking our venue to ensure your preferred date is available.

Your Community Hall is run by a small group of volunteers who oversee the bookings and maintenance of this excellent Community facility. It is owned by our Community and we always welcome any enquiries regarding bookings for functions or social activities. At the Halswell Hall we offer a range of facilities with the main Hall having a capacity of 200. We also have an excellent meeting room (The Sunbeam Lounge) which can accommodate up to 50. This adjoins our upgraded kitchen and is ideal for smaller groups. The meeting room is readily available, and we welcome your enquiry. For any enquiries about availability or our facilities please email us at halswellhallchch@gmail.com.

We still can engage more members, volunteers and Committee to help oversee the routine running of this valuable Community facility for the coming year. If you have a few hours a month available and enjoy being part of the community, we would love to talk to you about how you can help. Just email us at halswellhallchch@gmail.co for further information.

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GET FREE HELP IN CHRISTCHURCH
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CALL FREE on 0508 227111. Start your journey out of debt today.
www.capnz.org

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Halswell Newsletter

#123 October 2020

NEWS & FEATURES

WHAT IS ON?