His-Story The Red Poppy Project
This year has been an amazing year! ❤ and I am sending this out in the hopes of a little (operative word!) help... I have been up to some writing and research and I got my first book completed and published earlier this year. Since then (as a result of mum wanting to follow her fathers footsteps) I have undertaqken a pilgrimage that has led to my current project - I have come to the final stages in the reseach I am doing on my grandfather's WW2 Battle of Crete and POW journey - it is a monumental task and although the work rises up before me - it is a task I am enjoying!
However to complete these final stages I need to return to Crete and Crowthorne ... I am hoping I can do this in the summer school holiday period so it will not interfere with paid work which is something I must return to ...
I am writing a book transcribed from my grandfather's diary that starts at the point he left Kalamata in a row boat heading for Crete with only planks as oars...his words are complimented by my own that have been written on the same date 75 years later in the place he was ... to wrap all this up I have researched the historical facts given on this time and place to give a greater perspective on the situation. Finally the two (old) men (and their families) we met that were pivotal to all this are sharing what they know - since they never knew we existed prior to arriving in their neck of the woods - their stories and contributions are still in the pipeline.
However one of these men is very ill and due to his illness (terminal cancer) he has invited me to return to the UK to complete the final research he has undetaken on my project with him. While a return to the UK was in my plans the date was a way off as I need to return to paid work to save the money for this.
His request however has changed this and as the book I am writing is ultimately a gift to NZ history and will be given along with the original diary to Te Papa or to the NZ Military museum or the Dunedin Library I am calling for a little finacial assistance from everyone and anyone to make this journey possible.
If you think you could spare even the minimum Give-A-Little pledge and want to donate this to my work which involves this trip to the UK - I (and this man, especially) would be very grateful.
I understand if you can not or do not want to whatever the reasons.
I am rather - though - hoping you might just be able to Give-A-Little and be part of this very special journey I am tasked with. Thanks for reading - please share if you know others who might be interested.
The Give-A-Little page is here: givealittle.co.nz...
Thank you .....
Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
In the Post's article on speeding penalties, the question is asked whether speeding fines are truly about road safety, or are they just a way to boost revenue for the Crown?
What do you think? Should speeding motorists receive speeding fines or demerit points?
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32.1% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
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67.9% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
Something we all seem to have forgotten
An Obituary to Common Sense printed in the London Times
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.
No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated valuable lessons like:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- And maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge)
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher
fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death;
-by his parents, Truth and Trust,
-by his wife, Discretion,
-by his daughter, Responsibility,
-and by his son, Reason
He is survived by his 5 stepbrothers;
- I Know My Rights,
- I Want It Now,
- Someone Else Is To Blame,
- I'm A Victim,
- Pay me for Doing Nothing
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing…
This is a modified version of a text that is originally attributed to Lori Borgman. However, it is more true today than it was when first written. It is not the version I remember, but it still gets the point across. Enjoy and remember.
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
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