25 days ago

Medieval quest seeks donations for latest time travel experience

The Team from Momentum Waikato

Hamilton Gardens enthusiasts now have the opportunity to support the completion of its Medieval Garden, the next new time-travel experience at the city’s premier visitor attraction.

A fundraising campaign to raise $300,000 needed to complete the new themed space has been launched by Momentum Waikato, the region’s community foundation.

The design of the Medieval Garden will be based on the ruins of the St John of the Hermits Monastery in Sicily, made up of a ‘Cloister Garth’ for prayer and meditation and an ‘Apothecary Garden’ for growing medicinal herbs and healing plants.

Peter Sergel, the founding director and visionary designer of Hamilton Gardens, says each of its existing and planned gardens represents a major transformation point in history, with the Medieval Garden representing the spread of Christianity.

“Three particular aspects will be reflected in the Medieval Garden, one is the piety, study and prayer, second was protection and looking after strangers, and the third was superstition, particularly around geometry and maths and numbers.”

“The Medieval world has inspired all sorts of fiction, including science fiction films, because it was a strange brutal world with all sorts of magic and mystery,” says Sergel.

The monastery spaces of the Medieval Garden will ultimately be one of four gardens on site reflecting the philosophies of the world’s major religions, the others being Islam via the Indian Char Bagh Garden, Buddhism via the Japanese Garden, and Hinduism via the planned Vedic Garden.

More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Poll: Should you ask before planting tall shrubs/trees near your property line?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

It may be fine now but in a few years trees can block out light or views for neighbours.

Do you think neighbours should ask before they go ahead and plant these?

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Should you ask before planting tall shrubs/trees near your property line?
  • 68.8% Yes, always ask
    68.8% Complete
  • 30.1% No
    30.1% Complete
  • 1.1% Other - I'll share below!
    1.1% Complete
794 votes
4 days ago

Poll: Do you think fining illegal dumpers will help reduce rubbish?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

A crackdown on Hamilton rubbish dumpers may be paying off after the city council more than quadrupled the number of infringement notices it issues annually.

The council trialled notices with a “don’t be a tosser” message a couple of years ago, in an attempt to prick people’s consciences, but they weren’t successful, so it has gone the other way and started taking a tougher line.

Do you think this will help stop illegal dumpers? Let us know your reason in the comments. (Please add NFP if you don't want your comments used in print.)

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Do you think fining illegal dumpers will help reduce rubbish?
  • 60% Yes
    60% Complete
  • 35% No
    35% Complete
  • 5% Not sure
    5% Complete
40 votes
6 days ago

Show us your winter craft or DIY projects

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

When we are stuck inside, it can be a time to get creative. And we think Neighbourly members are quite a creative bunch. So, let's fill the Neighbourly newsfeed with crafty creations from across the country.

Share a photo below of your craft projects, recent DIY, or your hobby. You may just inspire someone else!