Ian McDiarmid (left) with participants in last year’s drystone walling workshop at Edmonds Ruins.
The New Zealand Archaeological Association works to increase public awareness and highlight the importance of protecting our archaeological heritage.
They do it through various events and functions, one of which is New Zealand Archaeology Week, which is back for its 10th year.
The event has been able to continue because of the effort and input from the archaeological community, heritage organisations and tangata whenua.
In the Far North, anyone wanting to learn about the ancient art of drystone walling will have the opportunity with a hands-on workshop organised by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.
The two-day course will be centred on Edmonds Ruins, a historic ruin cared for by Heritage New Zealand and located about 15 minutes’ drive from Kerikeri.
The workshop course, which runs from May 9-10, will be led by Kerikeri stonemason Ian McDiarmid.
Participants will use practical skills learned on the course to repair a stretch of Edmonds Ruins’ stone wall, and will need to have a reasonable level of fitness and mobility.
Course cost is $250 for the weekend (with lunches and drink provided). Please bring working clothes, boots and gloves. To book, or for more information, contact bedwards@heritage.org.nz
Well-known organist and composer, Michael Bell, is presenting a relatively rare solo recital at the Turner Centre in Kerikeri on April 26 at 2pm.
Organs (and organists) are usually tucked away out of sight in the lofty heights of a cathedral, or in a large church or concert hall, so this is a rare opportunity to sit in comfort and watch an organist in action, using his hands and feet to create the music.
Michael Bell is resident organist and music teacher at King’s School in Remuera, Auckland. He is a familiar figure to Bay of Islands Singers’ concert audiences, having played in most of their concerts over the past 10 years.
He began playing piano at the age of 2. His first job was playing the piano in the lobby of a shopping mall at 246 Queen St, and his early musical exploits were as an improviser on piano and later on the organ.
From the music of J.S. Bach and W.A. Mozart, especially, he has established a unique art of classical keyboard improvisation. His style is self-taught and through a strong memory for musical structure, he is able to create improvisation around any theme.
He studied organ/harpsichord with John Wells at the University of Auckland and after completing a BMus and diploma, began teaching music at Avondale College in 2003. He was director of music at St Matthew-in-the-City, in Auckland, from 2002 until 2016.
His Kerikeri programme is a mix of well-known pieces for organ, arrangements of contemporary tunes and “off the cuff” improvisations. His music ranges from J.S. Bach’s famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor to the ever-popular Wedding March by Mendelssohn.
The main theme is The Mandalorian, also known as Star Wars: The Mandalorian. It’s an American “space Western” series created for the Disney streaming service by Jon Favreau. It is the first live-action series in the Star Wars franchise.
It shows the versatility, depth and dynamic range of the organ from subtle whisperings to dramatic arches.
Purchase tickets via www.turnercentre.co.nz
Ruatuna will commemorate Anzac Day this year with a mini exhibition featuring the military service of the Coates family.
Cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, Ruatuna, near Matakohe (16km from Ruawai and 6km from Paparoa), was the childhood home of the first elected New Zealand-born Prime Minister, Gordon Coates, and his younger brother, William, both of whom served during World War I.
In later years, Gordon Coates was also part of New Zealand’s World War II War Cabinet, managing the logistical demands of the country on a war footing as part of his role as Minister of Armed Forces and War Coordination before his death in May 1943.
One of the historic farmstead’s concrete water tanks provides an unusual but direct link to that uncertain time when Coates was spearheading the country’s war effort.
“The trough has some unique wartime graffiti,” says Ruatuna visitor services coordinator Mary Stevens.
“Somebody has etched the words, ‘10-4-41 Hitler meets the Anzacs’ in a direct reference to fighting that was taking place in Greece on that day. It’s still visible and is a reminder of the reality of the days they were living in.”
Gordon Coates was no stranger to war, being promoted to major during World War I and seeing action in Ypres, La Basseville, the Somme, Mailley-Maillet and Germany in 1918. He returned home but younger brother William wasn’t so lucky.
Born in 1887, William enlisted as a trooper in A Squadron, Auckland Mounted Rifles, becoming sergeant major one month later. He left New Zealand on the Tahiti in June, with the 5th Reinforcements, arriving in Egypt in early August, and later that month saw action at Gallipoli.
“Eventually, William was able to transfer to the Royal Flying Corps where he thought he would be able to better use his engineering skills, and perhaps develop a flying career after the war,” Stevens says.
“After earning his wings in 1917, William was posted to the front. He and Gordon managed to meet up in early July and spend a day together, but after three weeks on active flying duties, William was shot down after turning back to help a fellow pilot who was under attack.”
War memorabilia relating to both William and Gordon will be on display as part of the exhibition, including such items as William’s groundsheet and stretcher from his time in Egypt, his RFC cap badge and wings.
Ruatuna will be open from 10am until 2.30pm on Anzac Day, April 25.