The need for pocket parks
The topic at last night’s ‘Auckland Conversations’ (a series of meetings run by the Auckland City Council to engage citizens on its future plans ) was the future density of the city and its sustainable suture. Several people raised their concern at the way the City Council is persisting in selling off pocket parks.
With intensification now happening, home gardens will be but a memory for most in the foreseeable future. So we cannot afford to lose any of these public green spaces. In fact we will need more of them throughout Auckland if we value a healthy city where families can connect and play.
In reply to questions, Councillor Penny Hulst said the money gained from sales of pocket parks in one area will be used to establish green spaces in other parts of Auckland which have less of them i.e. robbing Peter to pay Paul. If this was not done rates would have to go up very substantially which would not be popular.
However, developers of subdivisons at present have to contribute several thousands of dollars per unit as a reserve contribution. Surely this money can and should be used to buy new pocket parks, especially in parts of the city where there are few of them and where housing density will be highest.
Lyn Potter
Takapuna
Poll: Are quality products on the decline?
Gift-giving looks a lot different these days when you can pick up super-cheap goods made overseas. But do they last?
Do you have any old items like appliances, electronics or clothing that have stood the test of time? Share below!
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90.1% Yes
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8.4% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
Christmas Carols- A brief history
Hello,
As we head into Christmas and the long holidays, the unmistakable carol music of Christmas will be heard. From shopping malls to radio stations to homes where tree decorating missions are underway not to mention seeds of an argument that reaches it zenith on Christmas Day!
But where did it all originate ( not the argument!), the carols?
Here at the Flea FM, each week we will post a few short snippets* we have curated so that you can appreciate when you hear a carol, a little history about the simple Christmas carol. Enjoy.
* attributes provided at last post.
In medieval times, the word ‘carol’ referred to a round dance with musical accompaniment (‘carole’ in French). It later developed into a song form of verses and a refrain. Not all the original texts had Christmassy words but many were associated with Mary, Advent and Christmas. The term has since come to be applied to all Christmas songs, whether or not in carol form.
Christmas Carols were introduced to formal church services by St. Francis of Assisi.
‘One of the oldest printed English Christmas carols is the Boar's Head Carol, sung as the traditional dish is carried in on Christmas Day at Queen's College, Oxford; it was printed in 1521.’ (Oxford Dictionary of Music)
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