by Peggy Butterfield
May 2017
5
Historical Happenings
A COMMUNITY EFFORT
Before New Brighton was served by an efficient volunteer fire brigade , fires were certainly a worry .
In the hot summer of 1907 the whole New Brighton township was threatened by fire . One hundred acres of lupin and grass burnt , and this inspired the New Brighton Borough Council to start raising money for a fire brigade . $ 800 was ear-marked to form a much needed fire brigade . However before this brigade was formed , a huge fire took place on a mile of sandy wasteland covered with lupins . The fire started near North Beach and in the afternoon it looked as if the township would be engulfed . The fire made its way into the plantation and did considerable damage .
Community spirit kicked in , and school children were given the day off school to work with residents and campers , digging trenches before the fire was finally arrested .
By 1908 the first volunteer brigade was formed , and residents have much to be thankful for as they watch out for our area . Allan Cockburn has written a wonderful book to celebrate the brigade ’ s 100 years of service . We have two copies of “ Fire on the Foreshore ” in our museum library which you can browse while there .
We have had a number of groups to visit during the last month , some book in for a Devonshire afternoon tea , and some short movies . Even people from out of our district seem to enjoy browsing our huge collection of photos and memorabilia . We hear them say “ Well I never knew there was such a great museum in New Brighton ” Don ’ t be one of the strangers , come and see us for a real memory trip . Also we are always looking for volunteers to meet and greet people and show them around . The museum is open every day from 1 to 3pm .
GOLDEN OLDIE MOVIES EVERY MONDAY AT THE MUSEUM corner Hardy Street and Seaview Road . 1.30pm but come early for a cuppa and a chat $ 2 donation Movies for May are- 1 st Road to Zanzibar , 1941 ( 1hr 32 ) Bing Crosby , Bob Hope Comedy Musical 8 th Genevieve , 1953 , ( 1hr 50 ) Kenneth More , Kay Kendall , Dinah Sheridan , Comedy 15 th The Lady in the Van , 2015 ( 1hr 44 ) Maggie Smith True Story , Comedy Drama 22 nd The Million Pound Note , 1954 ( 90 m ) Gregory Peck , Wilfrid Hyde-White British Comedy 29 th Brief Encounter , 1945 ( 1hr 30 ) Trevor Howard , Stanley Holloway , British Drama Romance