Notable news around Marlborough

Anzac observances
Honouring the sacrifices of servicemen and servicewomen, Marlborough will hold commemorations across the district this weekend, culminating with the Anzac Day United Memorial Service in Blenheim at noon on Saturday.

The schedule starts on Friday at 2pm in Ward, then continues on Saturday at 6am in Picton; 6:30am, Seddon; 9am, Renwick; 9:30am, Spring Creek and Linkwater; 10am, Havelock; 11am, French Pass and Rai Valley; and noon, Blenheim and Mary’s Bay.

The Seymour Square gathering features a flypast and an address by Mayor Nadine Taylor. RSA members have placed white crosses recognising locals who lost their lives in war.

Anzac closures
Council offices and facilities will close for Anzac Day on Saturday, and some will remain closed for the holiday weekend, but not all.

Waste facilities and libraries will resume normal hours on Sunday, though the libraries will close again on Monday, when the Bluegums landfill reopens. Buses will not run on Monday – but Monday’s kerbside collections will take place as usual.

Good hand!
Marlborough Bridge Club has settled into Riverlands Hall after four years in flux. The group previously played at the Clubs of Marlborough until that site’s closure in 2022. It has a long-term lease at the new site, which it has refurbished.

Mayor Nadine Taylor, who visited the club last week, posted congratulations on social media, saying: “I wish them many years of happy memories there!”

Fire station opens
Flaxbourne Volunteer Fire Brigade has a new home.

The firefighters have moved into a new station which Fire and Emergency Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler officially opened on Sunday.

Fire and Emergency NZ built the new facility on the site of the former Ward Fire Station damaged by the 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake.

The brigade had operated out of a building owned by the Flaxbourne Settlers Association.

Potters’ place
Marlborough Community Potters have a Frank Graham vase and private pottery lesson among items up for auction at their Musical Bingo event on May 1.

The potters are raising funds for a new clubroom to replace the run-down garage workshop in Blenheim they moved into in 1977. The event starts at 6:30pm at Woodbourne Tavern.

Visit marlboroughpotters.org/event for tickets and details.

Hunt for funds
The Avon Waihopai Residents Association has organised an event with a dual purpose: raising money and removing pests.

Opening 8 May and closing 10 May, the Great Avon/Waihopai Varmint Hunt will award prizes to teams for culling feral cats, rabbits, hares, possums, rats, stoats, ferrets, and weasels. Proceeds will go to upgrading the Waihopai Valley Community Hall.

Register at events.humanitix.com/varmint-hunt or email [email protected] with questions.