A story in our local paper tells of our local cheese maker, Albert Alferink, who owns and runs Mercer Cheese along with his wife.
Some years ago, a news item and video were broadcast telling of Albert and his award winning cheeses.
The Mercer Cheese store was opened in 1981, and Albert will be able to celebrate his more than 35 years in business.
If you are heading south from our area, toward Hamilton then, check out the business hours and pay a visit to try some wonderful cheeses!!
The local primary schools in and around Franklin, today held their Triathlon at Clarks Beach.
This is an event supported by local schools, Fulton Swim School, the Auckland Council, Surf Life Saving NZ, local police and many more and helps to encourage the kids from our local schools to enjoy taking part in a sport that is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing!! It also gives the kids a chance to challenge themselves in something that gets them moving and helps to create competitiveness in this area.
The event takes up to 400 school aged competitors as well as having the help and support of 500 + parents and supporters from the community.
A volunteer committee to organize and run the event is set up with all proceeds from the Triathlon being reinvested in sports in the Franklin Area.
Every child who participates is awarded with a medal, a certificate and a goodie bag for completing.
The morning proved to be fantastic weather wise and support wise. although I think that the kids may have found the sea water a wee bit cool!
All of the children did a fantastic job and it is kudos to them and their families efforts to make this such a great event!! 🙂
Our Franklin locals give things a go!
Kaye Maxwell, from Maxwell’s Golf, is just one of those who will try new things to add some interest, along with another local golfing facility, Pukekohe Golf.
Maxwell’s Golf has had a great write-up in one of our local publications –
Franklin has it’s history from all parts of the world –
I’m being a bit lazy here, in that one of our local papers/mags does a great job of capturing bits and bobs from the regions history, which I thought that I would share further. It really is quite interesting how things come about. This case in point is from Clarks Beach – Torkar Road, in fact – so here is some interesting reading : –
Franklin Country is having their fantastically popular Thomas the Tank Engine Weekend this weekend!!
If trains are your thing, this will be the place to be.
The Glenbrook Vintage Railway ‘s annual Thomas day always proves to be a great winner and an added bonus will be the new Glenbrook Morel Railway, which is situated on Morley Road…..a train stop away from the station at Glenbrook.
Bob and his elves have been working intently to make sure that they can get the Model Railway operating to coincide with the Thomas weekend, so if you are in the area……keep an eye out to discover the magic of the miniature train, boats and more!
….but wait!!….there IS more.
The Port Waikato Whitebait fritter competition is also on!. Head out to our west coast beach for a taste test of some of the locals recipes for the perfect fritter!! mmmmmmm….mmm
I can personally vouch for a fantastic taste tingle!
so why wait??
Head to our patch of country – where Auckland meets the Waikato – and check out what’s on!!
Another update on happenings for the Southern Corridor, including part of the Franklin region, has now been published and delivered.
Auckland Mayor, Len Brown turned the first sod on the 21st October of this year – 2015.
The project will see –
improved safety and journey reliability on Auckland’s Southern Motorway
and extends 9.5 kms from Manukau to Papakura along SH 1.
Walking and cycling improvements have also been factored in to the improvements
It’s that time of year again – the V8 Supercars are here in town – our place – Franklin Country!
Today saw the blessing of the Pukekohe Park Raceway track and drivers for the V8 Supercar racing ahead of this weekends excitement.
The fun has really begun now – the track is set up and raring to go with the thunder of V8Supercars ITM 500. Fans will be flocking in to see their motor sport heroes in action!
For those wanting to spread their wings and investigate the region, well….there’s plenty to see. Head to our web page for some ideas including our fantastic local GVR steam train, our iconic Manukau Heads lighthouse and surrounds.
If you want to just hang out in Auckland city, the Cloud on the waterfront will be the place to head to see the Travel Expo for what we have in the outer regions of Auckland – the regional playgrounds!
There are local museums to investigate – great foodie haunts for all appetites….and speaking of haunts – head on over to Spookers too!!
Keep looking – there is much more to see and investigate than what it appears. We have it all – in a location that gives you city savvy with country style!
WOW!!! Franklin is once again showcasing a great deal of things to do and places to be over the next few weeks – just to start the summer season!!
Our area is quite a vast rural one, on the outer edges of what is now the Auckland Supercity, (not too far from the airport) but also taking in the Northern edge of the Waikato region, so we do have lots around – the west and east coast beaches are great for surfing and swimming (when the weather is fine), but also fantastic to walk along and take in the sounds, smells and sights at this time of year.
Right now we can also enjoy (well many of us can!!) a long weekend with fun times at the local Glenbrook Vintage Railway. This weekend is their opening weekend for the season and there will be fun aplenty for all ages,, including a country market day on Monday!
Our local Pukekohe Performing Arts group will help bring back memories of a bygone era with their production of “Grease,” showing until Sunday.
Then there’s the local markets, an Orchid fair and the amazing Blast to the Past at Waiuku!
Heaps of great accommodation choices too – motels, hotels, campgounds, B&B’s – you name it!! along with dining experiences of all sorts!
If that isn’t enough to get you interested, then just wait and keep an eye out for more happenings in the region – including the V8 Supercars – only a matter of weeks away now!!! and with Christmas looming ever closer, there’s always the Christmas display to help get into the swing of things to come .
franklincountry 