Bronwen Coe's driftwood Christmas trees are good sellers. PHOTO/ STUART MUNRO
Bronwen Coe's driftwood Christmas trees are good sellers. PHOTO/ STUART MUNRO
One newcomer to Whanganui can often be found searching local beaches for just the right pieces of driftwood.
Bronwen Coe and her family came to live in Whanganui nearly 18 months ago. Husband Simon teaches at Wanganui Collegiate School and they have three boys aged eight, six and four, andtwo dogs.
Mrs Coe has always made things and had a fondness for beaches. Growing up in Southampton on the south coast of England her family visited beaches and camped in north Devon and Wales.
She and her husband moved to New Zealand in 2005 and lived in Napier. She continued her beach explorations. She found plenty of driftwood, made things with it and sold them at a few markets.
In Whanganui she got serious about selling what she makes rather than giving it away. She approached the Sarjeant Gallery, where her driftwood Christmas trees have been top sellers.
Sometimes her boys come too, and find their own wood to work with.
At home she washes and dries the driftwood and sorts the sizes into different boxes. Each piece is used without cutting, and any nails are hidden.
"People look at it and see all sorts of different things in it," she said.
Mrs Coe is loving Whanganui, the beaches, the friendly people and Mosston School. She isn't looking for any other amusements.
"I love being able to do what I love doing, plus have the flexibility to be there for my boys and help out at the school and kindy and be part of them growing up."
NEW IN TOWN? If you have moved to Whanganui to live, or returned, please get in contact with the Chronicle and we would like to tell your story. Email anna.wallis'@wanganuichronicle. co.nz or phone 06 3490728
