Stories
Your stories - and stories
from the Fletcher archives
Playhouse at the Auckland Easter Show
Highlight of the Fletcher's stand at the Auckland Easter Show this year was a children's playhouse showing off the use of Fletcher building materials. The playhouse had a Brown built aluminium roof, and shiplap Island Kauri for exterior walls. Inside, the playhouse was semi-partitioned into two rooms by a translucent blue Durolite divider. Walls in the sitting room area were of Californian Glamour Wall and in the kitchen of painted Weldtex. The back door was of translucent rose Durolite. The kitchen floor was of Plyco particle board tiles and the sitting room had a Par-K parquetry floor. An essay competition resulted in ten-year-old Lynda Stroud, of Takapuna, winning the playhouse. This was moved to Northcote and placed on the section where Lynda's parents were building a new home.
Christmas Picnic 1961
The Christmas Picnic again held at Tui Glen, Henderson, was an all-time high, with over 800 children and a total attendance in excess of 2,000. The weather was perfect for the occasion. Races for all ages were very competitive, as were the tussles for ice-cream, soft drinks and other prizes. The appearance of Father Christmas was a highlight of a very enjoyable day. The Fletcher Shield was won by Fletcher Construction. Their strength in the Tug O'War just edged Plyco out. Picnic organisers (how they toiled!) were Barry Beeston, Johnny Drent, Ralph Newton, Henry Jillings, John Pettit, Max Thornton, Ron Salisbury, Sid Haslip, George McLaren, Ernie Barnett, Alex Reid, Roy Caulton, Jim Morrison and many others. Brian Henry and Rex Leighton did a wonderful job tying up the loose ends before the event.
Wellington's Halloween Party
"Nerve-wracking" best describes the party held in October. The air was full of witches on broomsticks. The 'haunted' passageway caused the ladies consternation; pink elephants had a similar effect on the men. Brian Turner's dramatic entrance in full witch's costume had a devastating effect on everybody! Our own dance band (Fletcher's Flesonic Furies) provided the music and Mel Rowe (Hardware) made an excellent M.C.