Dear Puhoi residents and friends of our community,

Our local Seedsavers group is bringing, predictably and welcomedly, seedlings, while Sue will be sizzling her popular vegetarian samosas, the Matakantata choir will be selling bulbs as a choir fundraiser, and Puhoi’s Bohemian folk dance group will be swinging its skirts (and hitching up its trousers) in a dance performance at around 11am.

Meanwhile, Pip will be selling her bacon butties and there will be other breakfast and snack opportunities – see the market’s facebook page, www.facebook.com\puhoivillagemarket for pictures of other stallholders.

Market participators are encouraged to celebrate the new season and add colour to the market with a suitably-decorated hat, says new manager Dave Dodsworth, and please remind people on the way north to the Matakana Sunday market that Puhoi, with its own market, is a great stopping off place for riverside picknicking and food outlets such as the cheese cafe with its award-winning ice cream, Puhoi Cottage cafe with its garden setting, the Puhoi Store, which also sells food, and the Puhoi Hotel, with its Bistro.

On a more serious note, please look out, also, at the market for a Civil Defence and Neighbourhood Support stall with information and children’s workbooks on preparing ourselves and dealing with local civil emergencies and crisis management.With thanks to our Mahurangi -area CD and NS colleagues for helping us man the stall and answer your questions.

Now, I’m off to Warkworth to help the people there with their Kowhai Festival HUGE DAY OUT.

Please keep safe on the roads this weekend and pray for FINE WEATHER!

With affection, as always,Judith Williams