From the Editor

For us, Christmas is a great chance to gather with family and friends. Our two Scottie’s loved having people around over summer.

We always feel the festive season is here when the Franklin Road lights are switched on, on 1 December each year. This always signifies the start of the holiday season in Ponsonby.

This year there be a Christmas tree in Western Park, street flags, tree lights and street pole lights. The Ponsonby Business Association says it is creating magic in our park this year. As Viv Rosenberg says, “We’re turning one of our big, beautiful trees into a non-traditional Christmas tree that will twinkle right through the month of December with thousands of coloured lights.”

If you love carol singing, you can join in at Western Park between 14 December and 21 December from 6pm – 8pm. Join the locals for an evening of carol singing under the stars to celebrate the spirit of Christmas. The beautiful Auckland Gospel Choir will be performing under the Christmas tree in Western Park.

Next Saturday 7 December is the final Ponsonby Market Day for the year with gift wrapping stations ready to wrap your purchases. The stations will be in full swing on 7, 14 and 21 December from 10am – 3pm at Three Lamps Plaza and outside Ponsonby Central for a gold coin donation in aid of Mercy Hospice. Late night trading starts from 12 December.

Richard Northey is the newly elected chair for the Waitemata Local Board. “Thinking globally and acting locally has been an important guiding precept,” says Northey, who supports practical local initiatives to combat climate change – P14.

Beverley Morris, a longtime member of U3A, passed away last month aged 96. We send our condolences to all who knew and loved her – P26.

In our news section this month, John Elliott has been checking out all the works currently underway in Picton Street. There are orange cones everywhere and all the locals really want to know is when the work will be complete – P41.

This month, some of our Ponsonby News readers have shared their Christmas traditions with us and we have curated a range of thoughtful, local gifts to help you with your Christmas shopping – P46.

Summer is here and it’s the best time to make the most of the marine playground on our doorstep. Whether you wish to paddle board, kayak, fish or cruise on a luxury charter we have you covered – P64.

Easy summer style is all about taking things at a slower pace and Helene Ravlich shares her suggestions on summer dressing – P86.

There is a lot to read in this issue to take you through the long, hot summer. Merry Christmas everyone. Our office will reopen on Wednesday 8 January. (MARTIN LEACH)

 #ponsonbynews. #iloveponsonby #ponsonby #auckland #aucklandshippestrip #Greylynn #christmas #family #friends #aucklandgospelchoir      #ponsonbymarketday  #threelampsplaza  #westernpark  #franklinroadlights #waitematalocalboard  #u3a #swimming

11/2019