A Taste of Honey – Literally!
A hive of “placid” bees from Italy enabled two local space-suited Earthlings to remove the swarm from the walls of a maintenance shed and into more appropriate quarters near the driveway gardens.
Yes, if you look closely you may just guess Erin is the cautious but enthusiastic trainee bee-keeper to the right.
With the guidance of Marcello, a local apiarist, Erin took her first hands-on steps as Kawai Purapura’s new queen bee.
Moving the bees resulted in a large sample of raw honey being available to residents on site at the time. Those who sampled the fresh and tasty delicacy claimed to feel invigorated and refreshed after just a few minutes!
It was interesting to learn that bees are quite hardy when it comes to hive moves. They will forage up to a 5 km radius, although they stay close to the hive if there is a plentiful supply nearby of flowers with high nectar. Pohutukawa and Manuka are favourites for bees if nearby, and Manuka honey is known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Here’s wishing Erin the best of luck with her new hobby.
Read MoreHungry Creek Graduates Deck The Walls …
From left: Caroline, Tamar, Jessica, Natalie, Debbie, Brigette, Catherine (and, just sneaking in, one proud son).
The students and staff at the on-site Jewellery campus of Hungry Creek held their graduation ceremony and prize giving last weekend. A wide range of the work from the year was also on display at the studio, which we feature below.
Catherine Randall, year 2 "best student"
As well as Kawai Purapura, Hungry Creek Art & Craft School have another campus at Puhoi. Their courses include Certificates and Diplomas from level 4 to level 6, spanning three years, plus the Advanced Diploma at level 7.
Catherine Randall, detail
The courses on-site are practical, with most of the time spent in the workshop. Students learn traditional and contemporary making and design skills.
Jessica Gillespie, year 1 "best student"
Shane Hartdegen, the Head of Department for Jewellery, explained that students are encouraged to work with a variety of materials and, just as important, to become comfortable with experimenting with designs and concepts.
Jessica Gillespie, detail
The curriculum exposes students to a varied yet inter-related study program. The aim is to give each student the skills to enter the industry either as a jewellery designer, manufacturing jeweller, or self employed studio jeweller. There is also the opportunity to go onto further study.
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Auditorium Project Begins
Work has begun on the new outdoor auditorium, situated adjacent to the orchard area on the south slope of the valley at Kawai Purapura.
Jenny explains: “This will be an awesome outdoor venue for the community, with plans to build a gigantic outdoor picnic table shortly.”
Day 1 - industrial magic makes light of the task
Community workers (from P.D.) assisted with the preparation of the area, levelling and raking for grass seeding.
Day 2 - many hands made light work of the levelling and seeding
Captured! – The Power of YouTube
Teaser video clips of interviews with community members have surfaced! On YouTube! BUT only for the invited. Whew!
TonyR has been reviewing community aims and goals, along with video-interviewing people on their views.
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