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Weedons
May 8, 2015 18:15:58 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on May 8, 2015 18:15:58 GMT 12
Dave Chapman has asked me to post the following photos with edited versions of his captions: I found this on another site. It was posted by Ted England's daughter. Ted was the Weedons fire chief. Outside the on site fire station. If you read my post you will see he came to the rescue when at 6 years old I set a pine tree alight. Here is another Weedons pic, this is Ted England's daughter Wendy at the Fancy Dress at R.N.Z.A.F Weedons in the 1950's. Wendy England is dressed as Little Red Riding Hood (second from left).
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Weedons
May 9, 2015 13:30:27 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on May 9, 2015 13:30:27 GMT 12
This also comes in from Dave Chapman: "My Father. Flt Lt Alan. H. Chapman. Weedons 1950 to 1953."
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frog
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 2
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Weedons
Jul 23, 2016 22:11:49 GMT 12
Post by frog on Jul 23, 2016 22:11:49 GMT 12
I am really enjoying these stories about Weedons in the olden days. That CO that took a parade on a white horse sounds a real hard case. Also the kids with green hair, classic! Was the pool originally built as an emergency water supply for the fire system, like on larger bases, or just for recreational use?
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frog
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 2
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Weedons
Jul 23, 2016 22:32:03 GMT 12
Post by frog on Jul 23, 2016 22:32:03 GMT 12
I am really enjoying these stories about Weedons in the olden days. That CO that took a parade on a white horse sounds a real hard case. Also the kids with green hair, classic! Was the pool originally built as an emergency water supply for the fire system, like on larger bases, or just for recreational use? i am wondering if you can help me with any info on the fire pump that was used in the fire system the motor that was used was a 6 six-cylinder horizontal sentinel engine that i have been told was in a uboat
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Weedons
Jul 23, 2016 22:57:40 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 23, 2016 22:57:40 GMT 12
I have no idea, sorry, but someone here may know
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davec
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 4
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Post by davec on Jul 23, 2016 23:24:46 GMT 12
I have no idea, sorry, but someone here may know I lived there on the base 1950. Dad was FLT LT Alan Chapman. we used to swim in that reservoir regular in the summer , Dad had a pump up rubber dingy that we used to float around. I was always under the impression that it was reservoir for fire purpose. I do remember that the water was always icy cold but that didnt deter us ,I wouldnt think kids today would even get in a pool unless it was heated I think thats why us oldies are tougher... you can read my story down the page . hope this helps cheers Dave Chapman
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Weedons
Feb 14, 2018 14:04:30 GMT 12
Post by snaphead on Feb 14, 2018 14:04:30 GMT 12
Hopefully I have placed this thread in the correct place.
I have a concern about the surviving stores building on RNZAF station Weedons. I have noticed recently thot it is swathed in scaffolding, what is going on!! Is it being refurbished ,repainted or demolished. I was considering appling to the Selwyn District Council (SDC) to have this building listed on the SDC district plan as a heritage building as the plan is up for review at the moment. But if the building is going to be demolished it's not worth trying. It will be asbstos contamited.Would there be any other buildings of the type in NZ.
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Weedons
Feb 14, 2018 14:17:31 GMT 12
Post by skyhawkdon on Feb 14, 2018 14:17:31 GMT 12
The Air Force Museum vacated the building late last year so I suspect it is being dismantled/demolished by the MOD. From what I heard it was in VERY poor condition.
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Weedons
Feb 14, 2018 14:37:50 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 14, 2018 14:37:50 GMT 12
My understanding is everything is to be demolished.
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Weedons
Feb 14, 2018 20:33:41 GMT 12
Post by beagle on Feb 14, 2018 20:33:41 GMT 12
I'll try to get some photos in next few days as I go past it on the way to work every day
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Post by isc on Feb 14, 2018 21:26:01 GMT 12
Probably end up as a subdivision by next year. isc
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Weedons
Feb 14, 2018 21:56:11 GMT 12
Post by davidd on Feb 14, 2018 21:56:11 GMT 12
So far as I know, the only major building left at Weedons is No. 4 Store, built postwar (in early 1950s I think). The three wartime stores (Nos. 1 - 3) were built about 1942/43. David D
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Weedons
Feb 15, 2018 13:19:24 GMT 12
Post by snaphead on Feb 15, 2018 13:19:24 GMT 12
I guess that answers my question, so sad. Don't think it may soon become a subdivision, (yuk), as I believe there is a lot of copper wire for the aerials buried underground. A farmer I knew tried putting a plough in parts and brough up copper wire. Something to do with earth?
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Weedons
Feb 15, 2018 22:02:34 GMT 12
Post by isc on Feb 15, 2018 22:02:34 GMT 12
Don't tell everyone about the copper, you'll have the scrap collectors invading the place, looking for the next best to gold. Where is my metal detector? isc
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Weedons
Feb 16, 2018 5:22:55 GMT 12
Post by beagle on Feb 16, 2018 5:22:55 GMT 12
No plans for subdivisions there as the plan is to move east. She's all go here in Rollywood. next will be our new airport
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Weedons
Feb 16, 2018 13:18:22 GMT 12
Post by snaphead on Feb 16, 2018 13:18:22 GMT 12
It would be stupid to subdivide the property as about 1/2 k north there is a proposal for a large gravel pit to be developed.
it
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Weedons
Feb 16, 2018 19:24:51 GMT 12
Post by isc on Feb 16, 2018 19:24:51 GMT 12
There is about half a dozen firms in the quarry business around Christchurch, and any one of them would jump at the chance if there is gravel in the area. Under a large radio installation there is probably tons of copper. isc
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Weedons
Feb 19, 2018 18:30:06 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 19, 2018 18:30:06 GMT 12
The recent Weedons thread is now merged with the longstanding Weedons thread,
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Weedons
Jun 17, 2020 17:10:09 GMT 12
via mobile
Post by annherring on Jun 17, 2020 17:10:09 GMT 12
Quite right Dave re the swimming/fire pool The problem was as Ive stated before that it was too cold to swim until it had heated up a bit thats where this tremndous idea of filtering the aqua came in. I had a whole lot of photos of the BIG operation but unfortunatelymy mothers house burned down . Not good for pics! It all started out one evening when Doug Laird a local motel owner came into the canteen with a Popular Mechanics Mag and said "Im thinking f building this for the motel ." It consisted of a very elementary 44 gallon drum plus pump and a few other items . Paul Brodie looked at it and said "Eng. How about making it work for us ??" With the aid of a few more wets and tons of enthusiasm we all went to work . A great big design sheet was drawn up and a few more than necessary cocks/ Non/return vales etc were added for colour . It all looked bloody impressive . My father ( engineer retd) came to stay from Auckland and i showed him it and he loked a bit crosseyed at it and said "Bloody Goodoh !" Paul went to the Wiggers CO and said that he had plans brought over from the States ( Pop/Mechanics) by alocal busines man . WE had called in the services of a consultant engineer from Auckland ( Dad suitably primed with a few wets ) An electrical engineer had carried out the necesary electrical wiring . It was under the supervision by an Air Force Flight Engineer and we had sufficient funds to complete it . ( Our community chest was flat broke by this time !) I went and spent 130 pounds for an old 3 phase milk pump which we reckoned would do the trick and Nev Border a local sparkie organised a working bee which under cover of darkness dug under the railway line and hooked on to the rail way power line.Paul had persuaded the transport section to give us an extremely low priced petrol tanker tank which was auctioned off in a very mysterious manner ( to our advantage ). I organised all the kids in the neighbour hood to obtain a truck load of stones and sand and dully filled it up . I almost suffcated myself as i was in side the tank welding up all the rust holes in it . The big dya arrived and we turned the power on . Spectators all agaog . Tragedy !!! The outlet pipe spewed halh a ton of mud into the pool . We had forgotten to back flush the river stones which were covered in crappy clay . Recovering our composure we finally sorted that out and every one had fun . The pool being sort of solar heated also was keot at a reasonable temp for ages . I didnt mention that the kids had been persuaded to paint the pool when it was empty. What a bloody mess! My son and two other finished up in medical with paint in their hair and other places . Another bad call I guess . All in a good cause .
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Weedons
Nov 25, 2020 13:17:10 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 25, 2020 13:17:10 GMT 12
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