Hello, my dear Frankies! 🌿🎨🧁

Can you believe it’s the school holidays already?

There are so many great classes, workshops and activities happening around Franklin over the next week, so make sure you check out our events list. The Cookies & Canvas workshop with Michelle Neale at Your Local Coffee looks especially fun!

Actually, Michelle Neale is also running an adults’ workshop at Blue Ox Babe tonight, complete with a complimentary cocktail. It looks seriously good and I’m pretty gutted I can’t make it. If you’re free tonight, go and check it out!​

Our feature this week is all about The Iron Yard. Franklin has grown quickly over the past few years, but our entertainment options haven’t always grown at the same pace. So we’re very lucky that Ryan, Aaron and Bevan were brave enough to back their idea and create something our community was seriously missing. (Also their story is so lovely!)

If you haven’t visited The Iron Yard yet, now is the perfect time. They’ve just opened a new space for larger bookings, celebrations and corporate events. Christmas party, anyone?

So, read their story, explore the multitude of events happening around Franklin this week, and take a moment to appreciate how lucky we are to live in this pretty special little corner of the world. ♥

R. and the Frankie Team xx

The Iron Yard: from a car ride idea to one of Franklin’s new favourite hangouts

A lot of business ideas start with spreadsheets, strategy meetings and very sensible market research.

​The Iron Yard started in a car on the way to Tauranga.

Aaron Reese and Ryan Phillips were just two brothers-in-law on a road trip, chatting about being at that point in life where they were both keen to start something of their own. The lack of a driving range in Franklin came up, as it probably had for plenty of local golfers before them, and suddenly the entire car ride became about one thing.

Could they actually build one?

“We ended up spending the whole trip talking about nothing else.”

The idea kept gathering momentum, but they quickly realised the two of them were missing one pretty important ingredient: someone practical.

Enter family friend from way back: Bevan Thorn.

“We’d known Bevan a long time and he was our natural choice. Thankfully he said yes, and then it became more real!”

Then it got very real

What followed was a much bigger project than any of the three had imagined.

Time, cost, scope. All of it grew.

The first eight months of business ownership have been, in their words, “amazing, challenging, stressful”, and often all in the same day!

But, having three people behind the business turned out to be one of their biggest strengths.

“If someone was super frustrated, there was always one of us able to balance out that energy and stay positive.”

And then there were the moments that made all of it worth it.

The minigolf course taking shape...Standing in the existing range...Looking out from the deck of the new Clubhouse.

But one of the best moments is much simpler.

“I love the evenings in particular. Standing off to the side of the range and just watching the balls fly off into the darkness. The music is going and people are chatting and laughing. It’s cool just to pause in the darkness and soak it up.”

A very happy Franklin accident

All three owners live in Franklin, so building something here always made sense.

What they needed was the right site.

Paerata, however, was “an extremely happy accident.”

After a long search, the perfect location came up. Even better, it had history.

The site had previously been home to Twin Oaks driving range, and since opening The Iron Yard, former customers and even family members of the previous owners have returned to see what the place has become.

There was clearly an appetite for it too.

Franklin has grown enormously, but entertainment options haven’t always grown at quite the same pace (I'm sure we can all relate!). So the Iron Yard has become a super welcome addition! Local golfers are also pretty happy about no longer needing to jump on the motorway just to hit a bucket of balls.

But one of the biggest surprises has been just how broad the interest in golf actually is.

On any given day you might find a three-year-old having a go with Dad in one bay, while someone in their eighties logs into the ball-tracking technology next door to see exactly how far they’re hitting their driver.

Their She Loves Golf beginner series has sold out, as have longer-format clinics.

And you definitely don’t need to consider yourself a golfer to belong there.

Golf, Angry Birds and a whole lot of fun

Creating somewhere relaxed was always part of the plan.

The range’s ball-tracking technology can give experienced golfers all the serious numbers they want, but it can also turn a shot into an Angry Birds character smashing down a tower.

“Kids, and parents, love it!”

Add the 18-hole minigolf course, Hidden Cafe with Alexander, Doris and their team, plus plenty of people who simply come along to hang out, and The Iron Yard has ended up becoming much more than somewhere to practise your swing.

That community feel has been one of the best parts of the first year.

The team say they’ve also discovered another side of Franklin in the process: the huge number of small business owners quietly building cool things of their own.

“There are a lot of small local businesses out there doing their thing and I feel like we’ve tapped into a new community I knew nothing about before The Iron Yard opened.”

And now, The Clubhouse

The next big piece of The Iron Yard is almost here.

The Clubhouse takes things up a notch, with nine elevated driving-range bays, a licensed bar, lounge space and food delivered directly to your area.

Unlike the current walk-in range, the Clubhouse will be bookable, which means groups can lock in their spot rather than rolling the dice during busy periods.

And yes, they’re expecting plenty of Christmas parties.

Corporate events, birthdays, team get-togethers, groups of friends and celebrations are all part of the plan, with bookings already coming in.

What comes next?

Thankfully for their bank managers, probably no more buildings for a little while.

But Ryan says there’s still plenty they want to do with what they’ve created.

A summer minigolf series. More She Loves Golf. Virtual Golf team events. Stronger relationships with schools, retirement villages, local sports clubs and special-needs groups.

More than anything, the goal is pretty simple.

They want The Iron Yard to stay somewhere every generation can come, feel welcome and have a seriously good time.

And considering it all started with a conversation in the car, they’re doing a pretty good job of it.

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Go check it out!

If you haven’t made it out to The Iron Yard yet, add it to the list! Take the kids for mini golf, grab some mates and hit a bucket of balls, or start planning that Christmas party before all the good spots disappear.

Follow The Iron Yard on Instagram to keep up with new events, clinics and Clubhouse updates, or head to theironyard.co.nz to find out more, book and plan your visit.

They’re at 994C Paerata Road, Paerata and open seven days a week.

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Unscramble the letters above to find the Franklin-related phrase! Answer at the bottom of the newsletter!

School holidays at Rise n Shine Cafe Paerata!

Get ready for plenty of fun because we’ve got school holiday activities happening every day except Sundays!🥳

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Thursday

🎭 Pukekohe Tamariki Performing Arts Festival​
6.30pm at Pukekohe High School Hall, 14 Harris Street, Pukekohe ($5)
Watch local tamariki take to the stage after a school-based performing arts programme with Hauora Trust. More info here​

🎨🍸 Paint & Party: Blue Ox Babe BBQ​
6–8.30pm, Pukekohe ($115)
A creative night out with artist Michelle Neale, painting your own floral or abstract canvas with a cocktail on arrival and BBQ food available. Check it out!​

🍻 Thursday Quiz Night​
6.30–8.30pm at Pukekohe Golf Club
Grab your team and test your trivia skills over a fun night at the club. All the details here​

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Friday

🎭 Pukekohe Tamariki Performing Arts Festival​
1pm and 6.30pm at Pukekohe High School Hall, 14 Harris Street, Pukekohe ($5)
Watch local tamariki take to the stage after a school-based performing arts programme with Hauora Trust. Check it out!​

🎬 Friday Nite Flicks at the Town Hall​
7–9.30pm at Waiuku Memorial Town Hall, 80 Queen Street, Waiuku ($10, limited seats)
A family-friendly classic movie night with drinks, popcorn and ice cream available, film title kept under wraps. All the details here​

🎶 Live Music at Appetite​
5.30–10pm at Appetite, Pukekohe
Enjoy Appetite's regular Friday-night live music alongside their food and drinks menu.

🌸 Framed 3D Plaster Art Workshop​
6.30pm at Botanica on Bowen
Create your own textured botanical plaster artwork inside a frame, with wine and refreshments included, all materials provided. More info here​

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Saturday

🌱 Healthy Home Healthy Planet Expo​
10am–2pm at PIA Events Centre, 55 Ward Street, Pukekohe (Free)
Get practical advice on warmer homes, energy efficiency, composting and food growing, with giveaways and homemade soup. Check it out!​

🔧 Waiuku Tool Library Repair Workshop​
10am–1pm at Waiuku Tool Library and Community Workshop, 5 Hosking Place, Waiuku (Free, koha appreciated)
Bring along torn or broken household items and work with volunteer repairers to give them another life. All the details here​

🍵 High Tea at Connemara Country Lodge​
1.30–4.30pm at Connemara Country Lodge, 78 Cemetery Road, Pollok
Enjoy an afternoon high tea with a liqueur tasting and the chance to make your own 1L bottle to take home.

🖼️ Final Day of the Franklin Art Show​
9.30am–4.30pm at NZ Steel Gallery, Franklin Arts Centre, 12 Massey Avenue, Pukekohe (Koha entry)
Your last chance to see and purchase work from the Frankly Small exhibition. More info here​

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Sunday

🥬 Foodbasket of Franklin​
11am–3.30pm at Pukekohe's Pioneer Cottage, 9 Stadium Drive, Pukekohe (Free)
Explore Franklin's vegetable-growing history, with hot soup and scones cooked on the cottage's historic coal range. Check it out!​

✨ Reiki Earth Healing​
10am at 119 Kohekohe-Karioitahi Road
Join a reiki healing session set in a peaceful rural spot. All the details here​

🚗 Clarks Beach Afternoon Mystery Car Cruise​
1.30pm at Clarks Beach
Cruise out to a mystery destination and meet up with fellow car enthusiasts along the way. More info here​

🏃 Run Club Pukekohe Sunday Lunch​
12pm at 27 Edinburgh Street
Get a run in before settling down for a relaxed lunch with the running crew. Check it out!​

🌸 Pinch Vase-Making Workshop​
2–5pm at Sweetgum Cottage & Garden Hall, Hunua
Learn the pottery pinch technique to create your own organic-shaped vase, perfect for summer blooms. All the details here​

🥕 Franklin Country Market​
8am at Pukekohe Park Raceway
Browse homegrown produce, handmade crafts, antiques and market stalls, with food trucks, live music and a car boot sale. More info here​

🧘 Sunday Stretch Sessions​
9am at Rxfitness235, 42 Belgium Street, Waiuku
Join The Stretch Collective for a 45-minute stretch session to ease into your Sunday. Check it out!​

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monday

🌟 Starry Night Sky Jar: Blast Off!​
10.30–11.30am at Pukekohe Library, Franklin: The Centre, 12 Massey Avenue, Pukekohe (Free)
A school-holiday craft session where kids decorate a jar into a glowing night-sky lantern, limited jars supplied. All the details here​

🍳 Good Food, Bright Minds​
7–9am at Cafe Queen, Waiuku
A collaboration between Cafe Queen and Sanctuary Retreat offering a nourishing breakfast for school kids every Monday during term time.

🍻 Monday Quiz Night​
7pm at Good Home Pukekohe, 65 Edinburgh Street
Gather your team for a fun weekly quiz night, booking recommended.

🏃 The Wellness Run Club​
5.45am at your local Coffee, West Street
A friendly 5km loop to start your week, all levels welcome.

🍹 Margherita Monday​
Appetite
Kick off the week with a $15 margarita, because Mondays deserve a little extra sparkle.

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Tuesday

☕ The Coffee Playground: Bean to Cup​
5–7pm at Your Local Brew Bar and Roastery, 173 Manukau Road, Pukekohe ($50)
A hands-on coffee workshop covering roasting, tasting and brewing, with a bag of coffee to take home. More info here!​

🍪 Cookies & Clay, Round 2​
10–11.30am at Your Local Coffee Roasters (Brew Bar), Pukekohe
Kids aged 8–14 craft their own keepsake clay dish while enjoying a hot chocolate or fluffy and a cookie. More info here​

🎨 Painting Club​
6–8pm at Franklin Arts Centre
Bring along whatever you're working on for two hours of dedicated painting time and connect with other local artists (term time only).

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Wednesday

🍪🎨 Cookies & Canvas​
10–11.30am at Your Local Brew Bar and Roastery, 173 Manukau Road, Pukekohe
A children's painting workshop with Michelle Neale, including a framed 30cm canvas, a cookie and a hot chocolate or fluffy.

🚀 Blast Off! School Holiday Event​
10am–12pm at Awhitu District School Pavilion, Matakawa Road, Awhitu (Free)
Space-themed school-holiday activities and crafts from the Franklin Community Hub team and Waiuku Zero Waste.

🍝🍰 Upside Down Family Dinner: Dessert First!​
6–8pm at Pizzata, 7A Glasgow Road, Pukekohe (Adults $45, kids under 12 $25)
A shared Italian dinner that starts with tiramisu, then moves through salad, truffle cheese pizza bread, lasagne and Pukekohe pizza.

🎶🎱 Beats by Bingo​
7.30–9.30pm at Little Ed, 36 Edinburgh Street, Pukekohe (Free, bookings essential)
Music replaces the usual bingo numbers for a night of singalongs and prizes.

👋 Anti-Social Social Club for Teens​
3.30pm at Pukekohe Library, 12 Massey Avenue
A brand-new after-school hangout for teens of all kinds, social, not-so-social, or anywhere in between, everyone's welcome. Check it out!​

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Word Scramble answer: Tee Off - super easy one today!

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