Afternoon at Bridge Court

by Justine Skilling and Natasha Hofmans

Friends of the Farm recently had the opportunity to introduce our group and our WasteWise project to the residents of Bridge Court retirement village on Coronation Rd. Inspired by our soft plastics collection point and the Rematerialise stall at the Sunday markets, longstanding Bridge Court resident Carita Yorke got chatting with Friends of the Farm’s Natasha Hofmans and Denise Arnst and things went from there.

Carita connected our group with Mandy May (Auckland Council Social Housing Co-ordinator) and Natasha and Denise along with Carol Anne Armitage, planned and organised the presentation and afternoon tea. With Mandy’s help, we managed to secure the Senior Citizens Memorial Hall, in the center of the Bridge Court grounds and easily accessible for all the residents, as a venue. The hall is a lovely warm and sunny space that comfortably seated the group of about twenty, with space for us to set up a display table and dance around with our items of rubbish and bins.

Residents were particularly concerned to see our timeline showing how long things take to degrade in the environment. “We’re clogging up our own whenua.  We have an obligation to look at landfill as it’s serious thing for us as a people” said resident Atareta Ngawaka. “We need to create a situation where it’s more healthy for the people of New Zealand.  We need to take responsibility as a people, look at something more positive to make it better”. 

In discussing the waste produced at Bridge Court, interest was shown by residents in having a communal composting system and garden area.  Friends for the Farm have offered to support residents in this and Mandy will find out whether there would be any restrictions.

Several of the residents had never been to Ambury Farm and were interested to hear about it.  We are currently investigating the possibility of organising a Spring tour for the group, coinciding with lambing time.

The presentation finished with a cup of tea, some locally made sweet treats (thanks to Pietra 13) and more conversation.  “The afternoon was very well received by the residents and there was a lovely atmosphere”, said Carol Anne.  We look forward to assisting the group with their composting and gardening needs and to connecting them with our beautiful Ambury Farm.