Have you noticed all the new street libraries that have popped up in the last few months?

In my walks I’ve spotted new ones on Perry Street, on Thompson Street and on Mitchell Street. Just to name a few.

And local Kathy wrote to us last week about the one she’s recently installed out the front of her house in Mercil Road.

She says it has been a joint effort of woodworking and mosaic skills that has kept her and her partner Allen entertained during lockdown.

Locals are invited to stop by and choose a book (there's a chair for leisurely browsing) or to drop off their no longer needed reading material.

And this book library has the added bonus of being near a community nature strip veggie patch. So you can collect some silverbeet for dinner at the same time.

Thanks for letting us know Kathy. Your street library Is a gorgeous addition to the neighbourhood.

Happy reading everyone. And don't forget to eat your greens! 😀

Out in the street* … our tables are back. And we’re pleased to see that they are getting a whole lotta love**.

Happy neighbourhood days.

* Creedence Clearwater Revival ** Led Zepplin

Hi friends, we’re looking for some people to contribute to our ‘Honestly’ project. If you‘re partial to a bit of over-sharing (eg. you like a chat at the school gate or down at the shops … or online like me!) … we’d LOVE you to contribute a handwritten letter. Don’t be shy! Start the letter ‘Dear neighbour’. 2-4 pages is enough. No need to sign it, but we’d like a hint of who you are on the envelope. So ‘from a plumber’ or ‘from a gardener’ would be great! You can just slip it under our front door if we’re not home (so it doesn’t get wet if it rains - our letterbox is a bit leaky). We’ll then copy it 30 times and put it out for other neighbourhood friends to collect and read.

Maybe you’d like to share your joy in a project you’ve undertaken, have a story to tell about a grandchild arriving, news of family overseas or just have some thoughts and feelings about this moment in time.

Nothing has to be that exciting … this project is just a little reminder that we’re all in this together … but also uniquely ourselves with our own challenges and experiences. A mechanism to help us all feel just a little bit more connected as a community.

So … we’ll look forward to receiving a flood of hand written letters under our door in the coming days!

Local Kevin wrote to us recently with some nice words (always lovely to receive) and also a post suggestion.

I think it could be something to inspire our craft group … ?

Specifically he pointed us in the direction of Anne Eunson from Scotland, who made a fence from knitted Shetland lace. It really is pretty gorgeous. And check out her needles! Made from curtain rods. She says she knitted with fishing net twine and that the fence only took her about 3 weeks to complete.

I imagine the fence will last a few years … fishing net twine should be pretty robust right?

Also, when I did an internet search I found that you can actually purchase the pattern here from ravelry.

Fun. Can we look forward to knitted neighbourhood fences? Please let us know if you give it a crack.

And thanks for the post idea Kevin!

Alphington CWA is nothing if not adaptable and ready to move with the times.

The ladies have really missed their regular stalls at the Alphington Farmers Market, so as a precursor to getting back into the community they are having a pop up Spring sale.

From this weekend you can buy CWA home cooked scones, cakes and slices, along with some fabulous craft (their dish cloths are super … and it’s never too early to start your Christmas shopping right) from the comfort of your lounge room.

Just order via email and pre-pay (they’ll send you instructions) to receive a selection of their finest baking and making delivered to your door contact free on Saturday 3 October.  

CWA Victoria have been working throughout these difficult times to help vulnerable families, so supporting this initiative is a win-win!

Click here to see what is on offer, and then email your order to cwaofvicalphington@gmail.com.