St. Mary's Anglican Cathedral - why has it taken so long for work to start on the Restoration of our Cathedral?
The 'Daily News' reported on Wednesday 5 October 2023 that work was hopefully going to start soon on our (stone) Cathedral. I thought we could re-start the Neighbourly conversation of a few week's ago, re: where has all the Money Raised from the Community Fundraising gone? The paper recorded that all the building work so far (on the Vicarage and the Brown Building next to it) amounted to $20 million! And the $5m from the Provisional Growth Fund would have gone into the mix for that too! As I believe all the Money has now been spent! I am most concerned that all the Funds given so Generously by the Public, by Philanthropists, by Businesses, by those with Tangible Connections to the Cathedral (eg having been Married there) were taken under false pretences! Over the past 6-7 years many of us were asked to Give what we could afford, towards the Restoration of the Cathedral - I remember it well - 2 ladies would go around all the various Groups in Taranaki and give a Speech asking for Financial help, showing the Plans etc. of How the Repairs to the Cathedral would be staged and how it would look in the Future! These Presentations did the job, and much Funds were Raised over several years! The City/Region were kept informed and we were all excited that soon, our Cathedral would once more be Open for Business? However, since approx. 2018, we've heard Nothing! And seen Nothing! What happened? Who was in Charge? Unless you were a 'Regular at the Interim Cathedral', we heard Nothing! But since many of the Funds came from Others 'Outside of the Church', they deserved to be kept Up to Date as well as everyone else. It is only this week (in 2023) that we have learnt Anything about the Progress of our Cathedral. Why? And why has so much of the Money Raised been Used for these other Projects (Vicarage and Brown Building) without the Approval or at least the knowledge of the People who thought they were Paying for the Cathedral itself NOT for other bits and pieces.....
What do you all think?
Poll: Would you commute by public transport if it was free?
Using your car is convenient, except for finding parking.
Cycling lets you leave anytime, but you might arrive soaked.
So, neighbours, if public transport had the perk of being free, would it be your main way to commute?
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67.9% Yes
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28.8% No
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3.3% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.
Six tips for improving security around your home
1) Improve outdoor lighting
Ensure that streets, driveways, and front yards are well-lit. Motion-sensor lights around homes deter trespassers by reducing hiding spots and illuminating their movements.
2) Trim your trees
Overgrown shrubs and trees provide cover for intruders. Keeping them well-trimmed around windows and doors improves visibility and reduces potential hiding spots.
3) Secure Entry Points
Ensure doors, windows, and gates are always closed when you are away from the house. Upgrade to more secure locks, deadbolts, or even smart locks for added protection.
4) Add a security camera
Place security cameras in the main entry points to your home. Doorbell cameras are also relatively cheap and a great way to keep track of who is visiting your home when you aren't there.
5) Start a Neighborhood Watch Program
You could reach out to members on Neighbourly to form a group of neighbors who can regularly keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it. You could also check with Neighbourhood Support to see what is existing in your area.
6) Introduce yourself to your neighbours
The closer you are to your neighbors, the more likely they’ll notice when something unusual or suspicious is happening around your property
Feel free to share anything that you do around your area to deter crime.
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