Community Organisations
Over the years Martinborough has been fortunate to have been served by a number of community organisations. Who remembers the Jaycees who did a number of great jobs cleaning up around Martinborough in the 1960s and 70s? Cutting the hedge at the cemetery was always one of the major undertakings.
The Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows was earliest community group to be formed holding their inaugural meeting on the 28th May 1892 at the Martinborough Hotel. In 1900 the Order decided to look into having their own premises. Bros Kershaw, Ross and Davidson were delegated to investigate suitable land or the purchase of Buckeridge’s Hall. The Hall was purchased with the first meeting being held in May 1901.
With the coming of Martinborough’s electricity supply in 1915 three lights were installed in the hall. The Town Board’s electricity charge was one shilling a week ( 2013 = $6.80).
The Lions Club, formed in 1966 with Ted Lord as its first president. Ted and his band of forty odd merry men and a motto ‘We Serve’ completed far too many things to single any out. But it’s ‘Well done and thank You’ from all the senior folk in town. On the entertainment side who can forget the Moiki Raftaramas?
Not to forget the Lioness Club, these ladies do a great job too.
At first the Lions meetings were held in the Town Hall supper room then later at the Club Hotel , until it was pulled down. The club then purchased the former Oddfellow Hall.
St John Ambulance had its’ forerunner in 1911 when a public meeting was held to discuss acquiring an ambulance wagon. Donations enabled the eventual purchase of a Model T Ford for one hundred and twenty pounds (2013 = $10,183). In 1928 the Wairarapa Hospital Board took over the running of the ambulance service. However this had the disadvantage the Board could withdraw the town’s ambulance at any time.
In 1953 a meeting was called at which it was agreed the town’s people would prefer to have control over their ambulance. A three day ‘Bush carnival’ was held in February 1973 with the aim of raising four thousand pounds (2013 = $41,008). Six thousand pounds were raised and an ambulance, to be owned by the Citizens of Martinborough, purchased.
R.S.A. Martinborough Branch was set up at a meeting held after the ANZAC Day ceremonies in 1928. The Women’s Section followed in July 1950. Mr Frank Martin addressed the first meeting setting out the rules and regulations for a women’s section.
Little Theatre. The Little Theatre was formed from a meeting in the Parish Hall in June 1947. This theatre group flourished for twenty years until it was disbanded in 1968. The minutes book is held at the Museum. A few names from the minutes: Norma Chapman, Olive Madsen, Molly Hayman, Mrs d Jones and Chas Michell. On dissolution $130 was donated to the children’s play area and $139 to the School assembly Hall.
Mate Higginson
