From the  president, Dear Friends, my sincere greetings.  Another two months has elapsed since my last communication with you.  As always time sees us chasing our tail and I am already late with this copy to the Editor. Christmas is fast looming and I have had several enquiries regarding “Christmas Pudding Cookery Classes”. I’m very happy to do this again and people just need to contact me to see when I am at “Curragh”. The weather has stopped most of the gardening and the other outside stuff. We have replaced two light fittings, (one that had suffered a fearful accident and one that had just never been right). The lino in the hall has worn through – I guess that’s good news, to think that so many guests have walked through the door!  Anyway, I have arranged to have the piece patched in the mean time. The low winter light means that you can’t see the dust but rest assured the kind people that do the house work have not been sitting quiet. I’m planning a big spring clean and a rearrangement of rooms. We owe it to the visitors  who regularly support the Park, its important to keep the place fresh and interesting. This month my plea is for PRESERVING JARS. Of particular interest are quart jars or even the next size up, and I will come and collect them, so that will help you with your spring cleaning. We had much fun in Dunedin although I wouldn’t swap “Curragh” for “Larnachs Castle”.  “Olveston” was amazing and I could easily lose my heart to it, but it still lacked that homely feel of “Curragh” with its roaring coal range and that special feeling of home. We don’t know how lucky we are. Thank you for your continued support.  Martin James

CURRAGH COTTAGE  FUTURE HAPPENINGS;

*All happenings in and around Curragh are costumed affairs if you are able. If you don’t have costume yet please don’t let that discourage you from attending, Just wear something appropriate, eg. Women a skirt, men no jeans.

Saturday 29th August,  ***NOTE*** This is now supper not a dinner! Supper will be served following the evenings fun, games and social chit-chat in Curragh Cottage. The cost of $10.00 to be paid to Edna before the 24th August, Edna will then let Martin know how many suppers to prepare and Deborah to know how many to expect for —-  Salmagundi Games Night There used to be fierce competition between Victorian and Edwardian hostesses to see who could throw the most inventive parties. Because the drawing room in Curragh can’t hold all the guests that usually attend our evening socials, as hostess, I have had to prepare a Salmagundi night where guests are split up into small teams (2 to 4 people) and go around various fun activities, round robin style. Teams earn points and prizes for various categories will be awarded at the end of the evening. Extra points will be appointed if you give a recitation (humorous ones preferred), bring along a photo of yourself as a baby or  as a child for the ‘Guess Who I Am’ board and you supply me with one or two little known facts about yourself (by the end of July). These facts will be used in a game where you will be getting to know your fellow Friends throughout the night. Please be prompt so I can start straight away, forming teams and giving instructions on what to do. Deborah Westlake

11th September, Friday September 11th 7.30 pm   A visit to the Ferrymead Post office with the exhibits being explained by some of their members Please assemble at the Post Office, not at Curragh, which will not be open. Park in the back car park as usual. A light supper will be served at the Post Office and a donation to the Post and Telegraph Society will be expected from those attending. RSVP to Phillip Cook  3896-192   by   Monday September 7th.

October Labour weekend-Monday Dinner 5pm. This will be in Curragh to say “thankyou” to all who have been busy working over the weekend. The price will be $10.00 a head.

November, because of the Oamaru Heritage Celebrations there is no organized activities in Curragh.

Wednesday 16th December, this will be our usual First Four Ships evening and Christmas party. This year we are hopping to join forces with the Early Settlers group. More details to follow but in the mean time put this date in your dairy.

AROUND THE PARK; from Maureen

October-Labour weekend we will do the usual two-day event on the Sunday and Monday with a military and war-time history theme, to be developed once we see what external resources we can tap into.  Brian Joyce is making some enquiries and will get back to me with an update in a few days and we will go from there.  The NZ Vintage Car Club has expressed an interest in being at the Park for one of the days, TBA.

December-Sunday 6 December to be an Electric Day, maybe an Electric Weekend with the Saturday as well.  The THS will have two major projects to launch, we will look at getting the electric bread van out of the Linwood Store, the electric vehicles out of the Hall of Wheels and try to involve some modern electric vehicles.  Possible parade of vehicles.  The other December Sundays will be Steam Sundays

13th to 18th January 2010- “Wind in the Willows” will dominate January, running from Wednesday 13 to Sunday 18.  We need to avoid running any mini-event days in the weeks leading into this event or we will be getting in the way of the CCC marketing for the production. The other January Sundays will be Steam Sundays.

Cheers, Maureen Power, General Manager, Ferrymead Heritage Park, el 03 384 1970, Mob 027 269 8388, Fax 03 384 1725, snail mail to, PO Box 19988, Woolston, Christchurch 8241.

OTHER HAPPEINGS;

November-Oamaru Heritage Celebrations 18 – 22 November.  Programme details not available yet. Could all members interested in attending and who would like bookings made for them please contact me. This is especially important for those interested in staying at Anne Mieke Guest house, as our host is keen to confirm bookings as early as possible. Phillip Cook

16th to 26th October is Heritage Week, look out for the brochure in your local library.

July 2010, As  our trip to Larnach  Castle  was successful,  I have  pencilled in the Stables  accommodation  for the same event  next year  (16/17  July 2010) If   you might be interested in attending next year  please let me know.

Phillip Cook  3896192.

LOOKING BACK!

13 June, Mid winter lunch at Curragh cottage was turned into a Edwardian school day, including lunch, in the Ferrymead Park schoolroom! FERRYMEAD EDUCATION BOARD ANNUAL REPORT TO SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The School Committee, Moorehouse School, Moorehouse, Ferrymead, 14 June 2009, Dear Sirs, I wish to report to you on my annual visit to your school on the 13 June 09. I inspected the school thoroughly.  The teacher, Miss D. Westlake, was very well organised and the work was well structured. Children were well practised in general drill and marching. It was pleasing to see that Miss Westlake strictly adhered to bell times and punctuality. The children were well turned out and the standard of dress was very pleasing for a country school. Curriculum was well planned and at the required level. I observed a pleasing standard of Math and Grammar. Children had mostly mastered the art of writing and many should now be practising with ink. The recitations were extremely charming and appropriate for young girls. The children displayed a willingness to learn, and use of the strap was appropriate. I was pleased to observe the lunch routine and the use of monitors in the room.  The children appeared to enjoy their wholesome sandwiches and fruit and I was impressed that Miss Westlake insisted the children drink their half pint of milk. The luncheon supplied to me was most appreciated. Heating and lighting were more than adequate for a school of this size and I was pleased to see the children, especially the boys, sitting correctly at their desks. I wish to draw to your attention the absences of some children. I see this as the committee’s responsibility to ensure the attendance at school and I desire the School Committee to send some strongly worded communications to parents who keep their children home for such mundane tasks such as milking, washing and gardening. My recommendations are as follows. Miss Westlake should have her contract extended one further year. A new black board should be purchased for the wall. One dozen new slates and pencils should be purchased. Further enrolment of students should be greatly encouraged.

Yours faithfully, Martin James, Inspector of Schools

LARNACH CASTLE TRIP, Arriving at Larnach on Friday we where accommodated in the upper levels of the original horse stables. The stables were converted into rooms so to retain the brick floor and heavy doors. A delicious breakfast was served on the ground floor where the horses were once kept. That night dressed in costume we walked up the stairs of the castle to the ballroom where our names were announced as we entered the grand hall. We were surprised to find that the dancing was country barn style. While the dance was in progress at 10.00pm a banquet was served. On Saturday morning we all went for a tour through the castle and grounds.

(Part of the deal with our accommodation) The halls and bedrooms where filled with beautiful antiques and N.Z. furniture. We were amazed to see a thick marble bath on the third floor in the children’s bathroom. Looked very heavy. In the afternoon we all visited Olverston house in Dunedin. The tour through the house was

amazing. The place was built in 1905 and was furnished with Japanese antiques. Martin feasted his eyes on a Tiger coal range and wanted to use it. Our guide showed us the scullery, bedrooms and grand hall. Worthwhile visit. Back to Larnach we rested and prepared ourselves for the Saturday evening meal that was served in the main music room in the castle. One of the staff gave us an informative talk about the history of the Larnach sad family history while we eat a delicious dinner. The castle was rescued in 1967 and was in despair with leaking roofs. The ballroom was once used to shear sheep. Saturday night a southerly storm brought snow to the Dunedin area and we woke up Sunday morning to find the snow frozen on our vehicles. Travelling out of Dunedin was slow but weather was clear for our return home. Thanks to Phillip for organising our stay. Lindsey Best

Did you Know—Breakfast wouldn’t be the same without marmalade would it, but it was just luck and a little inspiration that gave us that enjoyable spread. In 1759 a cargo of oranges arrived in Dundee from Seville, but instead of them being sweet, they where a bitter variety which no-one would buy. They where left to rot on the docks and when the smell of the fruit drifted up the hill, the wife of the local grocer went down and gathered them all up. She cut up the fruit, peel and all, and boiled it in her laundry tub with sugar and water. She sold it in small tubs, as a dessert to be eaten after dinner. In 1797 the couple opened their first marmalade factory.

Site of the month,  http://friendsofferrymeadinc.blogtown.co.nz/

As I’m putting this newsletter together I’m also making the above blog to upload the newsletter to. So if you misplace your copy it is now an easy way to still read it. If when you get this and rush into the blog and it is not quit all there please be patient as it will be there very soon. It just is because I do not get a lot of time to spend on the computer.

Thanks, Kathleen Editor

Coal Flowers: A Historic Craft

Materials:

• Shallow glass bowls (one for each team of students)
• Coal (several lumps per work team)
• Twigs and/or toothpicks
• Small pieces of cloth, paper, or string
• Paper towels
• Glue
• Mixing bowls or cups
• 6 tbsp salt per work team
• 6 tbsp laundry bluing per work team*
• 6 tbsp water per work team
• 1 tbsp ammonia per work team
• Food colouring

 *If the grocery or hardware store does not carry laundry bluing, check with a pharmacy 
 Procedure:

1. Begin by explaining to students that the making of coal flowers is a historic craft that was practiced by coal mining families in the late 1800s and early 1900s. When mining families had little money to buy decorations or purchase toys, they used common household products and coal to make beautiful crystal flowers. It was entertaining to watch the crystal flowers grow, because the changes took place in a relatively short period of time. Coal flowers were sometimes used as Christmas decorations because they resemble snowflakes.  

2.In this activity, students will make their own coal flowers. Explain that the coal actually plays no chemical role in the creation of the crystals and is no more critical an ingredient than the toothpicks used. In addition, students will use food colouring to enhance the beauty of their coal flowers, although original coal flowers were made without this additive.  

3.

a. In the shallow bowl, place several small lumps of coal.

b. Arrange any combination of twigs, toothpicks, paper, cloth, or string with the coal. Use glue to hold the pieces to the coal if desired.

c. In a separate bowl or cup, mix the salt, laundry bluing, water, and ammonia.

d. Pour this mixture over the coal mound.

e. Sprinkle dots of food colouring over the mound.  

4.The flowers should be fully formed in about eight hours.

 

Deadline for the next magazine is Saturday 3rd October, submissions can be snail mailed to Kathleen Campbell,  [email protected]

Important contacts; Martin James  [email protected]

Secretary Phillip Cooke, [email protected]

Heritage Youth Deborah [email protected]

Important General Information, As Secretary I have been forwarding emails from Ferrymead etc to all members that I have email addresses for. Any members, who have not been receiving these emails and wish to, please advise me by email or phone. Any members receiving the above emails and NOT wishing to receive them should also advise me. Phillip Cook

Some members will be familiar  with Shire books, the small paperback books on a myriad of subjects that have   been available through Hazel Reeves. Hazel is no longer   handling orders for these, so I have taken this on.  If members wish to view the latest catalogue and full listing please contact me. Phillip Cook

*The Editor would like to apologise for all typing and grammatical errors in this issue! If you would like further information on any of the above articles please contact the author of the article concerned. Kathleen

*The Editor apologises for the disappointing quality of the print in the previous magazine, the print quality is out on my control,  Kathleen

 ***If you would like copies of any of the photos in this magazine please contact the editor ***

NOTE Any members requiring a copy of new Constitution should contact me by phone or email. Cheers, Phillip Cook