I spent a lovely morning at the Spring Fair at Havelock North High School yesterday and it gave me an appreciation of how important events like this are to our communities.
It was a beautiful day and there seemed to be hundreds of people, all having a good time. There were plenty of stalls and the music from different school bands and guest artists was out of the top drawer.
I did have an ulterior motive for attending as my eldest daughter, who has moved from Auckland to live with me, did play in one of the bands. I was also very impressed with a performance by Wyn Drabble, a columnist for this newspaper and teacher at the school. He is a man of many talents..
But what really stood out for me about the day was how well organised the event was and how everyone got involved. I bumped into a countless number of people I know and also made a few new acquaintances. Since I moved to Hawke's Bay in March I have been to a number of functions as part of my job. I have always been struck by how well attended these gatherings are.
Local people want to get out and about and support things happening in their community. Obviously Auckland, where I lived for ten years and still go back to every fortnight while the rest of my family lives there, has such events, but somehow they lack that all-out community involvement that being in a smaller centre gives.
