FIRE BRIGADE REPORT

The Brigade held its 113th Annual General Meeting, late August and due to FENZ Covid restrictions on gatherings, we were unable to host our adjoining Brigades but great to see some of our Life Members. The CFO Report is below and a big congratulations from us all  to FF Melissa O’Brien the winner of the sought after Charlie Johns Shield for most attendances, great to see new Firefighters leading the way. The Chief also presented SFF Matt Taylor with his Certificate.

We welcome new recruit FF Brett Townsend  to the Brigade to start his training toward becoming a Firefighter, and as well we have a couple more people in the wings looking to join. If you are seeking a challenge and want to help your community come down on a Tuesday night and meet us. … Continue Reading

News from First Church

We got away with a Book Fair!

Well, the long-awaited Book Fair took place in August, and what a fantastic 3 day event!  First Church owes an enormous thank you to our convener Pam Colenso who with Carol Hawkins worked with determination, enthusiasm and great physical effort over many weeks to bring this off.  Postponed from its usual wintery date in June, we had fine sunny days over this Fair weekend which encouraged many keen book buyers both local and visitors to the Town Hall.

  Thank you too to the wonderful First Church folk and supporters who worked very hard over weeks beforehand sorting the donated books as they were dropped off at our Hall, helping with the setting up in the Town Hall and assisting over the Fair days right through to the huge heavy job of clearing up. … Continue Reading

Foodbank filling a demand

When NZ went into Covid- 19 Lockdown at the end of March Martinborough had not long established a Food Bank (at the end of January 2020) to sit alongside WaiWaste Food Rescue which had been operating in the Martinborough community for almost two years in partnership with P & K. The Food Bank works closely with the Masterton Food Bank and, along with  WaiWaste, is co-ordinated by May and Peter Croft.

A few things have changed for Martinborough WaiWaste and Food Bank over the last few months. The number of households registered with the Food Bank has increased by 400% from seven to twenty eight households. These households represent over 100 people. … Continue Reading

From the mayor

Things have been busy at Council, with the Long Term Plan (LTP) now underway and a full re-examination of priorities and initiatives for our region, including in response to the disruptions of COVID-19. Being undertaken in parallel with our Spatial Plan, the LTP will give direction for the next 10 years.  

Water is a hot topic, and we just signed a MOU with the Government to enter into negotiations regarding the future of waste and drinking water. This released an additional $2.8 million spend for our water infrastructure over the next 12 months, and we will advise on how this will be spent soon. I’m still hoping for a decision on Government funding of water tanks – if this doesn’t happen, we will look to a bulk order to pass on savings, with financing over three years. … Continue Reading