•November 2004 Vol 2 No 10 Issue 20

Fourth in the series of historic Richmond homes19 Forth St.

21 Forth St.

25 Forth St.

Counselling andPsychotherapy

Motivation - Life PlanningStress and GriefRelationship teuesAdolescents

Aaron WilliamsonPh98l 7392 Mobile 021 37S 842Email: aaron. wil iia mson ©paradise, net .nz

This is an historic, turn of the century house, still owned bythe original family. The builder, Mr Muschamp, hewed stonein his yard behind the Richmond Club. It is believed thathe buil t this house at 19 Forth St from stone left over afterthe completion of the Christchurch Cathedral in 1904. Theexterior is very ornate, six rooms but without any woodenpartitions and it stands today as a memorial to a stonemasonwho knew his trade. There were two other Muschampfamilies in "Bingsland" in those early days, one in WarwickSt. and one in James St. The school register 23/2/1881 to25/1/1887 lists the name Muschamp.

This worker's cottage at 21 Forth St., buil t circa 1880, isdwarfed on a narrow section between two larger houses. Itis thought to have been altered about 1930/1940 and atthat time a Mr Woods lived here and produced pies in abakery at the back. It was restored again in 1985 usingtimber and leadlight fittings from Sunnyside Hospital, it hasa front porch facing South, a back verandah facing North,three small bedrooms, lounge, dining, kitchen and bathroom.This old cottage has loads of character, well-appointedrestoration, an archway, ceiling roses and all the rooms haveleadlight windows.

This two-stoey brick house is thought to date back to1886. A man named Shaw lived here about 1900 andsome time later -circa 1910 - the Pitcher family movedin, their donkey was well known in the district! The P.2.school register from 1906 shows a Harold Muschamp and aJack Pitcher. There were other well-known names around25 Forth St. in those early days; Fothergill, Harris, Smith,Walsh, McNab, Ward, McCarthy and Reddell ; but sadly alot of the original buildings have gone. The value of landin "Bingsland" in the 1960's was between E50/C60 perquarter acre and Forth St. had 17 sections. Today there arethirty-eight residences in the same area and more are infillsections are on the planning board.

H MMEN'S CLU

P.O.Box26-036Christchurch

www.rwmc.co.nz

WE ARE PROUD TOSUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY

Phone389-5778

Cnr Moorhouse Avenue & Gasson Street P.O. Box 7232 ChristchurchTelephone 03-365 5179 Fax 03-365 1286 www.printandcopy.co.nz

RICHMOND HISTORYDid you know?The shop, now part of the house on the cornerof LONDON and PERTH Streets was known as"The Old English Tea Shop" until it closed andbecame a private dwelling in 1983.

The original shop was owned by Joseph Free(1842-1906) and his wife Bessie Simpson.Joseph was a grocer, carter and coal merchant.When he died in 1906, Bessie sold the shopand moved to Armagh Street.

Joseph and Bessie had no children butfostered S.L.P. Free, a nephew, from 1872 to1883. S.L.P. trained as a lawyer and was latera Magistrate in Masterton. S.L.P. lost both hisfeet in a mowing machine when he was fiveyears old, but was fitted with artificial feetand became a competent horseman. He liveduntil 1958.

Crossword

Under NewManagement

Sam - 11pm7 Days

Brunch at Weekends New MenuGood range of draught beers

Espresso CoffeeHappy Hour Thursday Evenings

Danish Xmas menu throughout DecemberXrnas Day $50 P. P. ChiEdrens menu available

For ReservationsPhone 385-0004 Fax 385-4004

Last month's solution

iMMlffiB.mii-iiiciSHIHEBit siftepEIEfrfittfflffllBff]

The solution to.tliis month's crossword

will appear innext month's newsletter

ACROSSI. Accomplishments (12)8. WW2 fighter plane (8)9. Man's name (4)I I . Allude (5)12. Learned (7)13. African river (4)15. Leer (4)19. Bewitching (7)20. Summarize (5)22. Ship's company (4)23. Outsider (8)24. Indolence (12)

R C N C R O S S W O R D

CLUESDOWN2. Steep rock-face (5)3. Notify (6)4. Church official (6)5. Nought (7)6. Traders (12)7. Immense (12)10. Total (3)14. Too drunk to stand (7)16. High card (3)17. Scolds (6)18. Decree (6)21. Coops (5)

No. 1313 by CWH

SUN NING TAKEAWAYS273 Stanmore Road Telephone 389-3113

CHINESE MEALS ~ FISH & CHIPSHAMBURGERS

HOURSTues -Wed: 11.30 am - 2pm/4.30pm - 8.30pmThurs - Sat: 11.30am - 2pm/4.30pm - 10pm

Sun: 4.30pm - 8,30pm Mon Closed

PHONE ORDERS TAKENSMALL FUNCTIONS CATERED FOR

SUPPORT YOUR LOCALRICHMOND BUSINESSES

Car Boot SaleFeatures

CulturalPerformances

November9am—2pm

Bouncy CastleFire Engine" > " ' ' ' • / O •£f\iu3 u>an?©S/Oi«3//S

Music/EntertainmentChocolate Wheel/RafflePlenty of BargainsTop Town Races

monc

36 Nicholls StreetRichmondTel: 389 3810Dear Editor,Please excuse my writing as I have a motor problem.I would love to know where I could get funding for acomputer.Why? Because I have several disabilities or chronicillnesses. I wonder do others live with immune diseases?Do others in our community live with lesions andadhesions? This is a problem we hear very little about.Those of us who suffer from it suffer alone in ourcommunity. Do you know what it is?Parts of your pelvis and/or bowel stick together creatingintense pain and for some of us can create a long termproblem.I am patiently waiting for one of a number of operations Ihave needed over the years for endometriosis and lesionsand adhesions. 1 sit in my bed for far too many hours. I getup to do the housework. I can't go out at all, it causes toomuch pain.My body is fading away as eating also causes such pain.Ihave a brain full and exciting and so much I'd love to doI have memories of working for refugees, Lifeline, Pillars.

Twelve years of volunteer work as a parent help inour schools.I so try not to feel sorry for myself. But I am sosick of pain, so sick of being isolated from societyand living on a low income through no fault of myown. I'm so jealous of people who have a life, whofeel they belong and have a partner and a lovingextended whanau (family). 1 cry a lot. Sometimesbecause of pain. Sometimes because I am so damnlonely and all my friends have left me behind.I am writing two books, one on my health journeyand one about the abusive childhood I come fromand how I stopped that cycle of abuse and learnednot to be a victim. That's why I'd love a computer,the operation I need. Money, lovely home baking,friends, my own home and a full life. Even, if myhealth will allow me, volunteer work.Are there others who, because of health problemsor other reasons, just feel so damn lonely andalone.Just me. Arohanui.Margaret

What's on in NovemberAvebury House, situated at 9 EveleynCouzins Ave. Richmond, is a community-run, low cost facility which has roomsavailable for hire.Situated in the midst of Avebury Park, the house,which has been refurbished, has run several opendays and social events.In addition to the amenities for hire, the followingclasses and activities are available:Gentle Exercise Class - Mondays 1- 2p.m(wear comfortable clothing)Cost $2.50This Sit and Be Fit class is a fun and healthy way

to retain mobility, independence and meet newpeople. Designed especially for those with limitedmobility, older adults and those with health orweight problems.Enjoy these simple and gentle classes at your pace,and enjoy a cup of tea with us afterwards.Richmond History GroupHeld on 2nd Wednesday of each month. No cost.Next meeting Wednesday 10th November 4 - 5pmHistory Group meets to share resources andresearch items of Richmond's heritage. TheRichmond Room, a resource room with displays,magazines and items of interest is in the processof being set up at Avebury. These resources will beavailable to the public at no charge.Postural Mat Pilates ClassNew term will commence on Monday October 4th9:30- 10:30 and a new class on Thursdayevenings starting October 7th 7-8pmAll enquiries to Janet Ph 381-4414Embroidery GroupThursdays 10am - 12 noonBeginners to advanced. Tuition available from apatient, experienced tutor.Please ring Allison on 388-9377 for moreinformationShirley Brownie groupMeets at 6pm every Tuesday at Avebury House.Contact Kim on 366-5434 for details.

For further information about facilities andclasses etc. please contact:Lesley McMillanCommunity Development WorkerPh 942-5615

COMING UP AT AVEBURY

FREE COMMUNITY CONCERT ATAVEBURY PARK

9 Evelyn Couzins Avenue, Richmond2pm - 4pm Saturday, 4 December, 2004

Bring along your afternoon tea andpicnic in beautiful Avebury Park andenjoy a free concert from the GardenCity Symphony Orchestra under thebaton of Patrick Shepherd.

The programme will consist of lightclassical pieces and well known showtunes. Seating will be provided.

Art work from Eloyds Creative Arts willalso be on display.

For further details ring Avebury Houseon 942-5615.

Thinking Real EstateThink EVELYN SHERIDANLocal Property Consultant

Phone: 381-2361Mobile: 027-228-0754Email:enquiries,avonside@harcourts.co.nzHarcourts Grenadier Real Estate LtdMREINZ191 Woodham Road, AvonsideChristchurch

Saving our penniesC21st style

In Richmond, 37% of people are in full-timework and over 2700 people are retired. InNew Zealand, most people receiving Statesuperannuation have that as their onlypermanent retirement income.

The Government has been looking at thissituation. Literally about our futures. NewZealanders do not in general save a lot. Buthow can this issue be important to individualswhen for too long the debate around savingslevels has all been what sounds like jargonabout weaknesses in our economy, grossdomestic debt and our overseas debt levels?Of course, this is a problem which concernsall of us. How many of us have bank savingslower than they should be, and credit cardbalances higher than they should be? Andhow many people with a mortgage realisethat having a mortgage affects the balance ofpayments? These three scenarios - low bankaccounts, high credit card indebtedness andmortgages and hire purchases (plus studentloans) affect most New Zealanders agedunder 65.

The change in savings and spendingpatterns among New Zealanders over thepast 20 years or so worries the Governmentbecause the current generation will be doublydisadvantaged in their efforts to save. Mostwill begin their working life with debt becauseof a student loan. Evidence shows that mostyounger people lack confidence in how tosave, put off difficult decisions and get into the

ChristchurchCentral'sMember ofParliament

habit of not saving. And New Zealand wagerates are still not high. In the Hagley Ward,including Richmond, only 8% of residents earnover $40,000 but over 56% of residents areemployed in full or part time work.In 2004 the Finance Minister, Michael Cullen,set up a Savings Product Working Party toinvestigate this matter. Their recent reportis being looked at by the Government. Iwould be interested in the comments ofRichmond residents on their proposals. Theyrecommended that:

• all working New Zealanders have moneytaken out of their salaries at source forsavings and retirement;

savings would not be locked-in but therewould be some restrictions on access, basedon frequency of withdrawals

no tax incentives for this, as they tend tobe expensive and benefit the better off, butinstead "sweeteners" to encourage workers tojoin and stay in a savings plan.

Full details are available onwww.beehive.govt.nz/cullen andwww.retirement.orq.nz or from my officeon 3778840. There seems to have been acautious welcome for this so far - but what doyou think??.

Closing Date forcopy and advts.for the Dec/Janissue is Nov 22nd

If you would liketo help fold papersin a friendly relaxedatmosphere,

Phone 942-5615Cup of tea provided

Society of St Vincent de Paul

Level 3,103 Worcester Street, PO Box 13 295, ChristchurchPhone: 03 377 8840 Fax: 03 366 4770 Cell: 0274 570 809E Mail: tim@timbarnett.org. nz lnternet:www.timbarnett.org.nz

265 Stanmore RoadWe sell Cheap Furniture & Clothes &

All manner of goods

if Help us to help others ifAll money we receive goes back to the

communityDonations of furniture, clothes etc.

gratefully received. Pick up & delivery oflarger items. Phone 389-7484

Free Methodist ChurchI V- X— I I *!_. V. n 1 \J \_* 5 _» |_ V_. I I VI 1 ^_ I I

In 1868 the Wesleyan and the United MethodistFree Churches portrayed Methodism. There wasa meeting of the Leaders of the St Asaph Streetbranch known then as the Chief Methodist FreeChurch on the 8th December 1868 and a decisionwas made to start services in the Bingsland area.So the following Sunday being December 13,Bingsland (Richmond) held it's very own open-airchurch service taken by Rev T.R Fisher, Messrs.W. Tremayne, W. Fraser and W. Flesher. After theservice Mr. Joseph Irvine offered a room in hishouse for future services.

To assist the building of a permanent church, MrMorice Bing gave the residence a piece of landbeing part of rural section 41 (a hook of land).At this stage a committee had gathered togetherconsisting of Rev. M. Baxter, Messrs. A. Ayers, G.Booth, W. Tremayne, W. Marcroft, J. Aulsebrookand J. Caygill. This committee of the RichmondFree Methodist Church was responsible for theerection of the first church bui ld ing which standsas a testament to their commitment and devotion.

On the 30th of May 1869 the very first indoorservice was held in the new building which wasconducted by Mr. C. R. Leadly, and Rev. MatthewBaxter. The following week Mr. G. Booth started aSunday school.

There were no roads, no lighting, just tracks withditches on both sides and wandering stock. Peoplekept their best hats as well as footwear at thechurch for the fear of getting mud all over theirgood Sunday clothing. Attendance at servicesrequired true dedication and there were timesservices were sparsely attended. In some cases theservices had to be finished before 4 p.m. so thatthe congregation would be home before dark.

The Sunday school was held in two sessions, onein the morning and another in the afternoon, yetthere was only one worship service, which was heldin the afternoon. At a later date the populationincreased and so did the thought of increasing thesize of the church.

In those days they had numbering systems on theirpews. Every quarter individuals would pay a setprice for the seats they sat in; however there werea few that were left for Sunday School scholars and

for people who attended on a casual basis. A recordof these payments was kept until 1919, when thenow extinct envelope system was introduced.

The use of the building was not limited to churchservices. Alternative uses included a school, library,hal f , entertainment centre for visitors. In the earlydays there was no organ, and a tuning fork was usedto give the note for singing.

An organ was loaned to the church and when theopportunity arose to buy the organ, it was tooexpensive for the church's available funds, so itcontinued to be used on a loans basis. Eventuallydown the road an organ was finally picked up for asum of £32.7s. The original organ which was boughtlocally is s t i l l in working condition; however it wasa bellows organ, and electrified by using a vacuumcleaner! "Necessity IS the mother of invention."

The original building is the size of a small garage,barely able to hold a small car let alone 100people with a 12 foot stud which is now coveredby a ceiling. It has its own warmth and excitingatmosphere, but it is no wonder that the bui ldingwas outgrown in 10 short years.

The new church was opened on 23 March 1879 andwas renowned for its choir. The elevated choir stallsabove the wall would vibrate with jubilant songwhen the choir performed,

The choir no longer exists but the original choircupboard complete with music, filed chronologically,waits patiently.

Today the Richmond Methodist Church has no choir,but they do have a fantastic group of hand bellringers. Watch these people shake those bells, [intime at that] and try to remember what life was likeback in 1885.

Compelling to watch, a joy to listen to. 1 satenthralled at a rehearsal with these dedicated peoplewhose performances are in great demand.

Methodism has a long and rich history in music andthe hand bell ringers certainly keep this traditionalive.

In 1945, a Victory Ball to celebrate peace wasorganised by the B. W.M. C, for members and theirwives. "All the members hud to do was roll up andenjoy themselves." The only cloud was a beer slwtagabecause supplies had not arrived.

The Richmond Community Newt is published monthly by Avebury House Community Trust, 9 Eveleyn Couzins Ave, Richmond, Chrisl'church.Telephone 942-5615 or E-mail avebury@paitldise.net.nz.

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