The new look is taking shape

ALL HANDS: Everyone pitched in to complete the first stage of the Paihia Phantoms' latest project.

Paihia's Village Green has taken on a more vibrant look with the completion of Stage 1 of a planned enhancement, thanks once again to a huge effort by the community over three very successful working bees.

"Thanks to the 15 to 20 volunteers who turned out for each bee, the Village Green edge has been transformed into an attractive, usable space," Phantom Placemaker Henk Kuiper said.

"All three bees were fun days with hard work and excellent humour. Volunteers moved rocks, cleared grass, dug holes, laid weed mat, installed new U-shaped seats and finally laid the shell surface."

The plan for the project was prepared by the Village Green Phantom Placemakers, under the Focus Paihia umbrella, after the idea was presented to the community in April.

The brief from Focus Paihia was basically two-fold: To improve the look of the space and remove the rocks from the footpath, and to encourage increased use of the Green without impinging on the open area required for continued markets/functions etc.

Stage 2, which is likely to be undertaken next winter, will see improvements made to the north side of the Green by building a large timber deck at the rear of the shop, although that is still under consultation.

Special thanks went last week to Henk Kuiper, Niek Galama, Katja Caulton, Brian Raphael and Jeannette Langerak, drivers of this project, with special mentions for Brian Raphael, who built the seats in his garage (free), and Bruce Gordon, whose digger easily handled the numerous instructions regarding the perfect placement of the rocks.

Fell Engineering chipped in by lending a truck, while the community bakers kept everyone well fed, as usual.

"It's a great feeling contributing to such a special place, working alongside old and new friends to achieve wonderful results," Henk said.

"Well done Paihia - again!"