Tocker family boosts development | Taranaki News | Local News in Taranaki

The Tocker family banded together in Stratford over the weekend, coming from Russia, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Blenheim, Hamilton, Wellington and Whakatane for a family reunion. In memory of their pioneering forebears, who first settled in the area in the 1880s, they donated a picnic seating area to the people of Stratford.

Though none of these Tockers still live in Stratford, with Margaret FitzGerald being the last to leave, in 1969, they have left indelible imprints since 1880.

''Great uncle William Loftus was Town Board chairman 1892-1894 and several great aunts' and uncles' names appear on the Wall of Remembrance at the old Cemetery on Regan Street. The grandfather, Hone (died 1939) , and grandmother, Margaret (died 1969) are both buried at East Road cemetery,'' says Margaret.

Bill, Eileen (now Copeland) Terry, Geraldine (Osborn) and Ken Tocker were born in Stratford and attended school here. Terry and Ken ran Tocker Bros Electrical, while Bill had two taxis - one of which Maire drove - and Eileen and Les Copeland had the Four Square store at Midhirst for many years.  Ken was also a founding member of the Stratford Lions and the Stratford Old Boys Rugby Club.

''Ken and Maire are now in their 80s, so there is no time like the present to get everyone together and where better than 'out town' Stratford,'' says Margaret.

The original family homestead, at 26 Cordelia St, is still standing. Stratford District Council says more planting will be done in the next two years to develop the area around the bench into a relaxing spot for trampers and those wanting to sit down or picnic, with more planting to be done to hide the adjacent building.

The council's property asset manager Vicki Jagersma says the reserve has many beautiful magnolias and the initial idea is to develop this as a magnolia grove.

''With Col W G Malone statue now situated in the reserve this area can be a popular rest spot for passerby traffic and for users of the Carrington Walkway that passes through the reserve.''