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