Sports and clubs part 2
The Parish Hall in Dublin Street has been the home to many clubs and organisations. These included table tennis, indoor bowls, competitive gymnastics, dancing, and little theatre.
Gun clubs: The shooting buts were at the top of Dublin Street where there were target and clay bird shooting. Small bore rifle was held in the old town hall and at the Dyerville hall. In 1906 a Mr F Hodgetts requested a permit from the Martinborough Town Board to establish a shooting gallery in either Texas or Kansas Streets (which would be rather apt addresses for shooting). Neither were established, presumably either his request was denied or he could not get finance. The Martinborough Small Bore Club range is now in the former Electric Power Board building on Cork Street.
Aero Club: The Wairarapa Aero club was established in Martinborough in 1928 on land leased by J Houliston. The club gave joy rides and held an air pageant in 1930. The club eventually relocated to Masterton’s Hood Aerodrome. There was also a model aero club which occupied the loft at the back of the butcher’s shop in Dublin Street. The planes were flown either in the school grounds or Considine Park.
Bowling club: The Martinborough Bowling Club was established in 1909 with their greens in Regent Street. For many years Croquet was also played on greens on that property. Over time there have also been a number of bowling clubs operating in various halls around the district.
Marching: ‘Marching Girls’ was very popular from the late 1940s through until the 1970s with colourfully uniformed competitive teams in most towns. The Martinborough team was called the ‘Sailorettes’. The young ladies spent hours perfecting their marching routines, always attracting a an audience of boys.
Flower Shows: Over the years there have been a number of specialist floral societies; Dahlia, Iris, Chrysanthemum, Gladiolus, Daffodil and Rose Societies and a Garden Society. Some of theses societies’ cups and shields can be seen at the Museum. Doctor Harry Bud took a great interest in the floral societies and was a keen breeder (hybridising) Lillies, Peonies and Iris. The current Rose Society holds a very successful Show each year.
Bands: From the early art of the 1900s bands both brass and pipe were very popular. Martinborough had both with the Caledonian Society being particularly strong with their Pipe Band established in 1909. The Society also ran highland dancing competitions and Annual Caledonian Balls. The Pipe band was disestablished in 1960.
Badminton: Badminton was established in the early 1930s with courts first in the old wooden Town Hall then the parish Hall and finally in the current Town Hall. The Squash Club building was established in the Golf Club grounds in 1976.
Other organisations: A number of other groups were established Plunket in 1921, Country Women’s Institute 1928, Women’s Division Federated farmers 1929, young farmers 1935. St John Ambulance 1953. Others establishment dates are unknown; Red Cross, Scouts , Guides, wireless club.
