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Mainly Music

October 2026: Farewell Becca, welcome Carly...

Mainly Music (MM) has been one of St Ronan’s most important outreach activities for the past 24 years. This brings pēpi, pre-school tamariki and their whānau together in a supportive environment. Activities centre around waiata and rhyme, action songs, dance and play.

Started by Libby Bloomfield in 2002,MM’s first leaders were Wendy Manson (née Blair) and Mary Tallon, later assisted by Gae Miller. Wendy was leader for the next 13years. Kathy Louden-Sim took over as MM Team Leader (a paid position) in 2015 and held the position for the next 10 years, finishing at the end of Term 3 last year. Lauren Taylor served as Team Leader just for Term 4. Then, from the start of Term 1, 2026, Becca Sharples took over as Team Leader. 

Due to the imminent arrival of twins (one girl, one boy), Becca was farewelled at her last MM session on September 24. Becca did a wonderful job and will be sorely missed, Sandy Lang (St Ronan’s parish clerk) said, but no one could disagree she needed to step down and take a break. Speaking at her farewell, Sandy thanked Becca for all she had given the MM programme. ‘We’ve all appreciated your cheerful and positive personality, your smiles, your gentle assertiveness and your dance moves – till fairly-recently, that is...! Also, your introduction of some great new songs - and with decent music...!’

Sandy hoped Becca would be back with her new little ones early in Term 1 of 2027 ‘so we can all get a see and a squeeze’.  

MM’s new Team Leader is Carly Hafner. She takes over at the start of term 4 on Thursday, October 15. 

Critical to the success of MM is the team of wonderful volunteers, some of whom are church members,others from the wider community. It is they - Barb Sarginson (baking roster) along with Val Turner, Reg Weeks and Eun Joo – who provide and serve the delicious morning tea. This is an important part of the sessions when parents and caregivers can relax and socialise with others. They also help arrange the equipment and packaway afterwards. 

Eun-Joo is the newest volunteer. Born in South Korea but spending most of her adult life in Germany, Eun-Joo is hoping to eventually gain permanent residence in New Zealand (her daughter and husband live in Rona Street). She enjoys spending time with the tamariki and their whānau, and believes that, while helping the group, she is also helping herself.

‘My English is bad, so coming along to Mainly Music is a good way for me to practise speaking,’ she said. ‘I enjoy being with the children and learning their songs. The group is kind and friendly and I feel accepted by them. I want to help and do good things for others. ’And doing good things for others is exactly what MM is all about.

Anne Manchester

October 2025

Our Mainly Music ‘Team Leader’, Cathy Louden-Sim (red arrow in group photo below), resigned recently. Her last day at MM was Thursday 18 September (the last day of Term 3). Cathy had been with us for just over ten years. Cathy is now focussing her energies on her 0.7 position at East Harbour Kindergarten. Thanks, Cathy, for your key contributions to the life of St Ronan’s for our young families.

Twenty families turned up to farewell Cathy as she cut into a magnificent cake – with a surprise inside - and all seven rainbow colours in the right order - my science background makes me fussy about such things...! 

Lauren Taylor (blue arrow below) was there for Cathy’s farewell. Lauran takes over from Cathy as Mainly Music’s ‘Team Leader’ starting on 9 October (the first day of Term 4). Lauren has been a Mainly Music mum (three children) andhas been running St Alban’s Pop-in-and-Play (based at St R’s) for several months now.

May 2019

Numbers remain high as we continue to welcome new families regularly. As we head into the ‘sniffle’ season numbers fluctuate week by week, depending on health, weather and school commitments.

At Easter we gifted families with a children's booklet "God made Me" and we celebrate Mother's Day this week.

2018

Mainly Music starts again for 2018 on Thursday 1 February in the hall at St Ronan's Church, 234 Muritai Road, Eastbourne. 

Come and join us if you are a regular or if you are new to the area. Weekly sessions, during the school year, are full of fun, educational music and musical activity to grow and develop your child, followed by something to eat and something to play with, plus time for you to eat and chat!

We start at 9:30 for half an hour of music then half an hour for a chat and coffee. Contact Cath on 562 8287 if you would like any more information.

October 31st 2017 - Celebrating 15 years 

When ZAPPO came to visit… 

Children chortled, babies bounced, toddlers were tickled pink, mums watched with mirth and dads were delighted. Some big burly builder dads even giggled. Apparently I guffawed.

 Zappo is an incredible magician and did several tricks which seemed impossible but I think his greatest talent is his ability to inspire laughter – and laugh we did!

He came to help our Eastbourne Mainly Music celebrate turning 15 years-old this October. We chose to celebrate on 31st October so we could offer an alternative activity for families and children who aren’t comfortable with Halloween celebrations but who still wanted a fun family option on the night.

We were fortunate enough to have Muritai School hall as a venue and we opened the Zappo Show up to the community as an entry-by-koha/-donation event. Families came from as far as Fairfield to join in the fun. At one stage, 80 children/babies were counted.

 The Mainly Music team received many messages of thanks for hosting the fun event – enough to inspire us to pencil in a booking for Zappo again next year.

Special thanks to Allison Molloy, Reg Weeks, Dreenagh and Kevin Heppleston for all their help on the night. Wasn’t it a hoot?!

Cath Louden-Sim

On Thursday October 25 th 2014 we celebrated 10 years of making preschool music in Eastbourne. We had a wonderful morning of songs and thank you to all the people who have made this possible. We enjoyed the morning with all the morning tea helpers and people who have been involved in loving and supporting our children and mums. 

Our fantastic community photographer – Uncle Phil – took a photo of us all and we had this enlarged and placed on a cake. He also gave each of the families a photo of the group to take home.

Special acknowledgement must go to Libby Bloomfield who brought the concept of Mainly Musicto our community of parents and children in Eastbourne.

We have a very special team of helpers and leaders committed to the families of Eastbourne and so this was an appropriate way to thank each one of you who do support us.


No matter how young or old you are, Mainly Music does play a special role each week in bringing joy and happiness to many people whether they be the helpers/leaders/parents or children. We are so aware of how wonderful a community we live in, when we can run this great programme and have the church hall overflowing each week with the many young families that live in Eastbourne. Thank you to the community of St Ronan’s that make this possible.

If you are considering what you can do for the community please get involved with us. For 2 hours a term you get to be with some wonderful young families and enjoy some special community and family time with us.