BHB HISTORICAL SOCIETY Newletter

The story behind Craigavon Park and its connection with a founder of a famous Auckland department store.

Craigavon Park is a recreational area in Blockhouse Bay and bordering Green Bay, Auckland. This park with its bush setting with walking tracks, playing areas and children’s playground offers residents of the surrounding area the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors without having to venture far from the Blockhouse Bay main street and shopping area. Named after Lord Craigavon from Ireland (and Marianne’s birthplace), this park was donated by Marianne Caughey (Mrs W. H. Smith) as a gift to Auckland in November 1929.

BHB Primary School Memories During WW2

By BHB HISTORICAL SOCIETY Newletter, Audrey Thomas in People, Places

1 April, 2018

Memories of Primary School During WW2

A wet afternoon and a box of old photos needing labelling and sorting, but soon I found myself remembering back to the 1940s. One memory led to another and though the photos are still largely unsorted, I had a fascinating afternoon, even going right back to commencing school during the early days of WWII.

***Miss French on chair with flowers.***

Blockhouse Bay Historical Society

The Blow family seat

By BHB HISTORICAL SOCIETY Newletter in People

1 December, 2017

The Blow family seat

A Gift To Our Community

From 1939, Helen Blows, with sons Bruce, Keith, Ray and Don, lived at 20 Mitchell Street, and the family were all very involved in Bay life.

After service on the “Leander” in WW2, Bruce Blows, and his wife Billie, bought two acres of land across the road on the corner of Connell and Mitchell Streets and built their home in 1946.

Blockhouse Bay’s Handweaver Fabric Artist

By BHB HISTORICAL SOCIETY Newletter in People

1 August, 2017

Blockhouse Bay’s Handweaver Fabric Artist - Ilse von Randow

Alexander Turnbull Library

After having the pleasure of hearing at our April meeting, Tyl von Randow’s talk on his childhood in Shanghai during WW2, this is the story of his Mother’s fame here in Auckland as an artist and contemporary designer of hand woven fabrics.

After the communists came to Shanghai, Ilse von Randow and her two sons, in April 1952, through refugee status, settled in Auckland. When Ilse was living in Shanghai she had designed woven fabrics for textile companies, and when settled here, over the next fourteen years, she became a central figure in the establishment of modernist craft weaving in New Zealand.

The story behind Craigavon Park

The story behind Craigavon Park and its connection with a founder of a famous Auckland department store.

BHB Primary School Memories During WW2

Memories of Primary School During WW2

The Blow family seat

The Blow family seat

Blockhouse Bay’s Handweaver Fabric Artist

Blockhouse Bay’s Handweaver Fabric Artist - Ilse von Randow

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