10/12/2025. Lee Stream Area – hike before Christmas Lunch. Grade 2. Combined. Leaders: Lyn Keene, Anne Ward, Janette Abbott, Shirley McRandle.
After a wet night, the weather cleared for our annual Christmas walk and lunch.
This year’s event involved a late venue change. Original plans to hold the event in Hyde, proved impractical, and the Lee Stream School alternative was a last-minute save, thanks to Wendy Langley, and her contacts in the area.
A diverse group of 62 walkers set out from the Lee Stream Hall to walk on Kat and Gary Nichol’s farm behind the school.
All enjoyed morning tea in a sheltered gully before 13 hikers, including 94-year-old veteran hiker Lester, returned to the hall.
The trampers continued their 4.6km walk (elevation 123m) around the farm to return to the hall in good time for lunch.
The Lee Stream School P.T.A. provided our lunch, as a fund-raiser, with the junior school also providing a decorated Christmas tree. Janna and her team of P.T.A. members, parents and supporters, doing a sterling job in providing a sit-down meal with a selection of meats, new potatoes, and many salad and pasta choices. Dessert consisted of a selection of slices, cake and éclairs. More than great value for money, the meal exceeded all expectations!
The hall itself was set up on the morning of the event by Jenni, Bruce, Barbara, Grant, Wendy and Val. Table decorations were beautifully prepared by Val. With white tablecloths, candles, chocolates and embellishments the tables said “Christmas has arrived”.
Barbara Shackell, as the club’s Social Convenor never fails to come up with imaginative, original and fun enhancements to our activities. For this event, she organised a “You must have been a beautiful baby” competition. Two rows of numbered photos of our committee members being displayed on the back wall of the hall. The top row “baby” photos, the second row “teenage” photos. Specially prepared forms making it “easier” for contestants to match the photo numbers to the Committee member’s names. At the conclusion of the day, Barbara announced the winners. Well done, Barbara.
A back story to the School’s Christmas tree. Wendy Langley, who used to be the school’s junior teacher, had previously used Candy Canes as part of the tree decorations. These being taken home (or earlier consumed) by the pupils at Christmas breakup. Prior to our event, Wendy placed Candy Canes on the tree, as a surprise treat for the pupils to enjoy. Nice touch Wendy.
After our meal, and tea or coffee, our guest speakers and club members Karen, Lynley, and Sandra, gave a talk on their recent experiences walking the Camino Way. Grant Shackell provided his sophisticated projector to “download” photos direct from cell phone to screen! Their talk was extremely well received, and coming from club members, contained that “personal touch”. They were suitably thanked by Jill Dodd.
The day’s activities, culminated with our small, ever helpful team of workers, putting away the tables, chairs and packing up. Always cool, calm and collected, co-operating and in control. Well done team.
Special thanks to Jenna and her team, for making the day such a memorable one for so many, all 85 of us in fact! These small country schools, sadly, are becoming a “dying breed”, and with them a lot of community pride and identity is being lost. These schools act as a catalyst, a hub, for the entire larger community of children, parents , friends and whanau. A Koha bowl at the hall, raised a little extra for the school on the day. Contributions to the Lee Stream school can be sent to their bank account – Lee Stream School PTA 06-0939-0172796-00
Wishing you all, and your families, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Quote to end festivities, by Joey Adams, an American comedian, vaudevillian, radio host, nightclub performer, and author.;-
“May all your troubles, last as long as your New Year’s resolutions”.
John Gardiner.
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.
Link to previous Christmas dinners