At Hinemihi in Clandon, where the carpark is full to bursting. Visitors have been attracted by the promise of a day of Pacific Islander dance and stories. I love Hinemihi. I got married at Clandon (long before I worked with the Trust) and Hinemihi was the backdrop of a whole bunch of Portraits.
Now it’s the backdrop instead for some cultural exchange. I love the fact we’re this. Clandon has long celebrated it’s links with New Zealand, but Hinemihi has for too long, fir most of our visitors, been the unusual summerhouse that Lord Onslow bought at the end of the Nineteeth century. Yes, it’s also long been a focus and special place for the UK Pacific Islander community, but that’s happened for the most part without the knowledge of our mainly white, mainly middle-class supporters.
This event though celebrates Hinemihi and Clandon’s links, not just with the past, but also the modern day Islander and Maori community.
PS
As I’ve been writing this the London Mapri club have been signing this beautiful welcome song and Haka, and I wish I had a way of putting sound here. Time to check out Audioboo…
PPS. I did, and here it is
