Articles by Sally Sumner

The season has ended on a high for a group of dedicated Franklin United footballers who have taken out the Northern Region Football Under 15’s Conference Championship with a 3-3 draw against Ellerslie in front of a packed Drury Hill. · The team is coached by Former Solomon Islands International Captain Henry Fa’arodo and Franklin United Premier Team member Chris Brett and the squad of 18 has worked exceptionally hard this season and come out…

Gut cancers include oesophageal, stomach, liver, gallbladder, bile duct, pancreatic, and bowel cancers. Collectively, gut cancers are the most common type of cancer in New Zealand, with 15 New Zealanders diagnosed each day. Sadly, more than half of those diagnosed will not survive beyond 5 years. · Local teacher Kim Sutton knows all too well how widespread and devastating the disease is, she has lost 4 family members to cancers of the gut.…

Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, died last month at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years. She died peacefully at her Scottish estate, where she had spent much of the summer, with family by her side. Her last duty, just two days before her death to appoint the new British Prime Minister, Liz Truss, which she did with her usual grace and smile. Her death prompted an outpouring of grief around the world and New…

I had an email last month from a reader in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia who wanted to check on the whereabouts of his elocal from his home address in Pukekohe as his sister mentioned she hadn’t received one for a few months and he was disappointed as she would send them to him in Jakarta and he would pass them to the expat kiwis to read and there were thoroughly enjoyed. We know that hundreds of you mail your elocal to friends and family…

Death of a Legend – Jimi Hendrix September 18th, 1970 A performance by Jimi Hendrix was sure to be frenetic, full of energy, and wild. He would rip fast on his guitar and at times smash his instrument to pieces at the end of a show. Watching Hendrix play was more than merely observing a performance — it was an experience. But it all ended when he was found dead on September 18th, 1970, in his girlfriend’s London Apartment. He was only 27. ·…

Croquet is a sport that involves hitting ½kg plastic balls with a mallet through a series of hoops that are embedded in a grass playing court 32m x 25.6m. Pukekohe boasts its own local club with superb modern facilities that is looking to share its love of the game with new members. · Officially formed in 1913, on land behind what is now the Town Hall, Pukekohe Croquet Club moved to its current location 79 Harris Street in 1948. 1 acre of land…

A network of 36 cameras including four automatic number plate recognition devices has provided Counties-Manukau Police with leads in two major inquiries and led to many other incidents being cleared up. · Police say the town’s CCTV is proving an effective investigation tool in identifying avenues of enquiry that assists Police and provides reassurance to stakeholders. “Having it located and monitored at the Papakura Police station has been a…

Self-sufficiency is the new ‘en vogue’. Housing shortages, rising costs and a mistrust in the way our food is produced are fuelling a move to the way that our grandparents used to live. Vegetable gardens are popping up in apartments and back yards alike, chickens are becoming more commonplace, and entire groups on social media are sharing and devoting their time and energy to a way of life that promotes the basics and arguable a better way to…

Last month hundreds of locals turned out to a meeting run by Groundswell at the Pukekohe Indian Hall. Various speakers, including Groundwell’s local man Scott Bright spoke to a rousing reception on a variety of topics, but the message was the same. The people have had enough. The job of the those elected to decision making positions is to represent the people and the people are being ignored. Ideas were shared, groups networked with each other,…

We have been eating a lot of Kumara in our house recently, and this Kumara Cake can be enjoyed by those with sensitive tummies. In Moderation of course! Ingredients: · 1 ½ Cups Soft Light Brown Sugar 3 Eggs 1 Cup Sunflower Oil ½ Cup of Pineapple crushed. 1 ½ Cups Gluten Free Flour 1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda 1 tsp Baking Powder (check the brand, but most Baking powder is gluten free) 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon, plus extra to decorate ½…