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Malcolm is everyone’s friend and the best neighbour on earth. I am writing dispassionately ! It’s a fact !
Malcolm and his wife, Jo, are always doing for other people and are both important figures in the lives of many neighbourhood children and their parents. Their picture-perfect property with its gorgeous cottage garden and beloved donkeys, kune kune pigs and other farmyard pets have been the ideal setting for hundreds of children to enjoy.
Malcolm’s welcoming, booming laughter and calm nature ensured the most timid of children relaxed as they stepped into this “storybook” world. Jo’s warmth and enthusiasm and special way of not talking down to the children made for an enriching, unforgettable experience. They make a great team.
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Malcolm and Jo were newlyweds when they moved to farm in Mangawhai in 1967. Malcolm recalls that they were the first settlers in ages and were welcolmed by the Wintles, Stewarts,
Browns, Bulls and Hasties. Their farm house had a coal range and a leaking chimney. The Heads consisted of fibrolite baches, old tramcars and gorse. And, of course, no causeway until 1976!
The farm sold in 1979 and Malcolm, Jo and son, Guy, moved across the road to their existing property, “Penrose Farm” where they lived in the barn and caravan while Malcolm built their house.
Malcolm has always loved building things and his love of working with wood stems back to his school days. But carpentry wasn’t to be a career. As the eldest son it was expected that he carry on the family tradition of farming. It is a long tradition as his grandfather, along with 3 brothers, emigrated from Cornwall to farm in Pakuranga in 1860. In fact the old homestead of Malcolm’s great uncle is Robert House in the grounds of what is now St Kentigan’s College.
These days with Penrose Farm being a bit smaller and farm visits not open to the public, Malcolm, finally, is
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finding a bit of time to enjoy his woodwork. He has previously built two boats but now he loves making chairs. A beautiful example of which was on the brochure for the recent Mangawhai Art Trail. He loves the curves and the fact there is no square joint in a chair. “A chair has to look good, be comfortable and support the body,” he says. He likes crafting the scallop shape to the seat that makes his chairs so comfortable. The basic shapes are cut by machine but its all hand-crafting after that right down to the steel wool glossy finish and Danish oil. Exquisite !
Malcolm tends toward a modern flowing design and says he would have been at home in the Art Nouveau era. But, we in Mangawhai are glad he’s here now.
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