Howick's historic village is a toy project for Fred
KRISTINA RAPLEY
Relevant offers
Stories, memories and laughs were shared at a celebration to honour those involved in setting up the Howick Historical Village 30 years ago.
The special morning tea at Bell House on Tuesday was attended by people who worked tirelessly in the late 1970s and early 1980s to make the village a success.
One of those people was 95-year-old Howick resident Fred Chipperfield, who makes and repairs replicas of Victorian-era wooden toys for the village.
He was introduced to the village when one of his friends asked him to go along and lend a hand - he has been their "handy man" ever since.
The self-confessed "do it yourselfer" was originally in the shoe repair trade.
"I just like keeping busy and doing things," he says.
"The village is a wonderful place, and I'm very interested in helping to keep it going."
Making the toys has become a bit of a hobby for Mr Chipperfield. All of the toys have moving parts, and old-fashioned charm. Howick Historical Society immediate past president and committee member Judy Wilson says he is just one example of the selfless people who helped set up the village.
"They helped with landscaping, designing, and doing up the cottages. They were all voluntary. The whole village was set up on volunteer labour," she says.
"The toys Fred has made are always a highlight for the kids. It's great for us to show the children what toys used to be like."
The Howick Historical Village is at Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga.
Its 30th anniversary celebrations continue at its Live Day on Sunday, from 10am to 4pm.
Visit fencibles.org.nz or phone 5769506.
- © Fairfax NZ News
Visique Botany, Unit 11