Pigeon Bay war memorial

Hi there,
My name is Adrian Goodwin, I believe my family came from Pigeon Bay as well... my Great Grandfather was Stanley Goodwin he moved to Hawkes Bay to start his own farm.

My Goodwin family line farmed at Pigeon Bay from 1859 to 1995. The Goodwin cockfoot seed shed still standing and also the Goodwin houses. The Goodwin's came from Newchurch in Wales and have links back to the Greathouse in Newchurch, Wales. There were two Goodwin brother's Edward and James. Edward married Margaret Craig and James married Jane Craig. James and Jane Goodwin came to Midhirst, Taranaki in late 1870 and took up farming on 200 arces.
Pigeon bay is a lovely place and full of history and of the families that lived there. It is always interesting to go back there to where ones family roots started in New Zealand.

I lived in Pigeon Bay in the 70 and 80's it was very vibrant with many people. We had a two teacher school, Womens' Division, CWI and other organisations in the bay. Church services were shared, but held every Sunday. Balls were held in the hall and next to the memorial was a small building that housed the library.

I go to Pigeon Bay every x-mas and camp with my famly and have been interested in the history of the bay, know the history of the school and the walk and farming back in the day would make my holidays there much better.

I grew up in Pigeon Bay, and remember decorating the war memorial during Anzac services as a child. It is across the road from a little church, right on the waters edge. Pigeon Bay was once a thriving farming community, but things have changed over the decades.