What Would You Wish For?

I think I cried a tear for every flower I saw in every road-cone yesterday, and then a few more by the river.   As sad as it was, I felt yesterday was incredibly beautiful.  It gave us the chance to gather, grieve, commemorate and share our experiences of the last year.  As I watched flowers float down the river it reminded me of community: each flower tossed individually into the river, it floated towards the river's edge where it became a beautiful floral display of love; the potential for it to become ever more beautiful with each new arrival would always be there. 

We've commemorated the lives lost and lives changed, now is our chance to move forwards, towards recovery, towards revitalisation: towards a renewed community.  

I've been offered the chance to create a Wishing Tree this weekend (Saturday 25th, 11-3) at the I Love New Brighton event at Thomson Park.  The question we'll be asking is What would you wish for in your New Brighton?  It's a simple, organic way of sharing an idea ~ wishes may be as wild as a 'bicycle only sky-bridge from Southshore to Sumner' (that's my one!), or temporary like 'some creative gap filling: an outdoor cinema', or some long-term realism like 'a community recreation centre', ~ like Father Christmas, I want to know what you'll wish for!   So look out for us (there'll be a few of us volunteering) and our beautiful tree by the main stage and be sure to tell your friends!  (Sunday's the rain day, if the weather doesn't co-operate)

Other things to look forward to this weekend is the return of the Inaugural Sandcastle Competition- Family Day on Sunday (New Brighton beach, by the pier) and also the chance to listen to Green MPs Mojo Mathers and Stefan Browning talk about the Food Bill at New Brighton Community Gardens 3-4pm on Sunday- this public meeting will be preceded at 2pm - 3pm by the AGM of the Christchurch East branch of the Green Party.

Folks, Renew Brighton is an idea in its early stages, but it is definitely worth watching this space!  I hope to be creating some real, positive projects and opportunities for you to get involved and make a difference in your New Brighton.  You know I believe many hands make Brighton work, so pass this email on to your friends and family- encourage them to subscribe, become a friend on facebook and follow the blog.  Keep up to date, make suggestions, leave comments:  a community is as good as the communications within. The next email you receive will be an exciting update of the progress I've made and the results of the wishing tree!