When members of the Cherrywood Probus Club turned up with morning tea in hand at Ron and Dulcie Pollock’s new home last week, they were re-enacting a tradition that dates back to the 1880s.

Tin canning or tin kettling was a rural New Zealand tradition that was often used to welcome newly-weds back from their honeymoon and also to welcome folk into their new home, according to Probus Cherrywood chapter president Ian Young.

“Usually, a small gift would be given, something like a tin for the pantry or a cake, or perhaps a pot plant.”

The Pollocks lived in Freyberg St in Otūmoetai for 20 years before moving into Matua Village about a fortnight ago.

“I was brought up in the country, so I remember when I was little, my family going off to a function for a new neighbour, banging saucepan lids so they knew we were coming,” said Dulcie, 92.

“On this occasion, our friends have brought over a cake, bikkies, preserves and some tinned peaches just to say welcome to our new house, which is lovely.”

“My wife, Pat, and I had it done for us in Nelson back in the 80s,” Young said.

“Dulcie has had it for her, but some of our Probus members had never heard of it. It’s an opportunity to welcome people to their new environment. When you move into a new area you may not know anyone, so this is something that breaks the ice.”

He hopes it inspires others in Tauranga to get to know their neighbours.

“Our sense of community is perhaps not quite as good and in cities, you’ve got to work at it harder,” Young said.

“Moving into a retirement village can be quite a dramatic change. Probus is about doing things together because there is some loneliness at times, so if this also helps people who come along as visitors, then that’s good too.”