Time to join the Toy Library

We hope everyone had a great Easter and the children didn’t get too crazy after the chocolate eggs!

It’s the start of the new Toy Library membership year again and we wanted to remind everyone so they get a full year of fabulous toy hire! With full family membership $75 and Grandparent membership $40, it’s a great way to keep a fresh supply of interest coming into the home.  With hire period of 2 weeks and the ability to take up to four toys every time. Last year we saw a huge rise in grandparent membership as its perfect to keep the little visitors entertained but not have to live with large amounts of toys all the time!

This year will be a big one for us with the move to the new Waihenga centre. Being more central and right next to the children’s library and play ground will be fun and mean there is a fun activity for Saturday morning on offer for local and visiting families.

We have had some great new arrivals at Toy library with Tony and Trixie our ride on ponycylces being a big hit. We hope to increase the stable of friends this year too! At the march fair we also bought a fantastic Tukituki groove box so the whole family can drum up some beats on this cool instrument.

Don’t forget we also have the bouncy castle available to hire for parties. Suitable for children up to five, we hire at a reduced rate of $50 for members and $75 for non-members (plus bond).

Pop in to the First Church Hall on Weld Street, we are open every Saturday 10am – 12pm

Thanks Charlotte and the team.

Women Walk the World in Martinborough 

Join Martinborough Rural Women New Zealand members on the ”Rapaki Hillside Walk”, Sunday 29^th April. Meet 10am at the start of the walk on Shooting Butts Rd. Fundraiser by Gold coin donation.

This is an annual event, where women’s groups in many countries organise walks in their communities along local tracks and trails, to raise funds for the work of Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW).

It’s a day to come together, catch up with friends and have some fun and healthy exercise along the way.

ACWW connects rural and non-rural women and their communities worldwide through a network of Member Societies (includes RWNZ) and Individual Members. It offers small grants to women-led organisations active in urban and rural communities. Projects must be for the benefit of women and children and current funding priorities include: literacy and basic education, food security and nutrition, maternal health, access to water and sanitation, income-generating business and skills.

Enquiries contact Viv Malneek 027 5358805, or Liz Hancock 06 3088812

Regional  Council Notes

It’s that time of year again when Councils start talking about their Long term and Annual Plans.  Mention these subjects to most people and their eyes glaze over especially if you start asking them to read these documents and make submissions to Council.  I’m sure most residents would rather go to the dentist than get involved in these processes.

The trouble is that both these plans are critical in shaping and running the district that you live in and they are your chance to have a say on how that is done.  This is the only opportunity you get each year to influence how the rates are collected and spent.

Successive governments have recognised that most people just can’t be bothered trying to wade through huge documents trying to find the bits that affect them.  Even when they do find them, the explanations can be complicated and may be hard to understand.

To fix this Councils are required to put out a consultation document, in plain English, that explains the key changes, projects and outcomes proposed in their Plans.  This makes it a whole lot easier to understand what is proposed and how it might affect you or your family.

Greater Wellington Regional Council’s consultation document is out now and covers several areas that impact the Wairarapa.  It also incorporates proposed changes to the Revenue and Financing Policy.  Although it sounds boring this is worthy of a closer look as it proposes to radically alter the way we are rated for public transport and flood protection.

It’s fair to say that the old model for Public Transport in particular could best be described as a ‘dogs breakfast’ that was long overdue for an overhaul.  It lacked transparency and equity which the new proposed model addresses.  … Continue Reading

MARTINBOROUGH RUGBY CLUB

With a couple of pre season games being played, our players are ready to kick off their season on the 7 April, both teams have a couple of home games to start the season so come down and show your support.

The JAB competition kicks off on the 12 May, it is not too late to register if your child is keen to play.  You can register at www.sporty.co.nz or contact Kaitlin Russell for more information 02102489647.  If you are wanting socks or shorts these are available behind the bar, $10 for socks & $15 for shorts.

Thank you to all our committee and helpers behind the scenes who have been working hard to prepare for the 2018 season.

A huge thank you to all our gear sponsors for 2018 – Jerseys – NZ Manuka Group, Norwoods, Taylor & Hawkins, Shorts – Mills Concreting, Dusty&Lulu, Training Tops – Ace Panel & Paint.  Individual Jerseys – Turners Bay Earthmoving, Mills Concreting, Neighbourhood, NZ Travel Brokers, Scotty’s Meats, Ace Panel & Paint, Bell St Early Learning Centre, Poltech, Combined Shearing, PGG Wrightsons, Hartnell Building, Martinborough Transport, Nation Property Investigations, Billda Access.

We have so many local businesses that support us in so many ways, please check out our Sponsor Board in the Clubrooms and support these businesses where you can!

If you want to keep in touch with whats happening go to www.martinboroughrugbyclub.co.nz or on Facebook “Martinborough Rugby Club”.