Good times roll for Marlborough's big birthday

By CHERIE HOWIE - The Marlborough Express

Final preparations are coming together as Marlborough gets ready to celebrate 150 years since separation from Nelson this weekend.

The province will officially celebrate its sesquicentennial on Monday, but several events will take place from tomorrow to mark the occasion.

Celebrations range from bus trips, fireworks and a major parade to sports events, picnics and dress-ups.

Some have been organised by the Marlborough District Council and others by Marlborough businesses, clubs and organisations.

Marlborough 150th anniversary commemorative events co-ordinator Katie Speakman said it was fantastic that the community had a wide variety of events to choose from.

They had already had great attendance at the various 150th commemorations that have been taking place since August and she was confident that would continue over the next three days.

Mrs Speakman said she was particularly excited about Sunday's parade, with more than 100 floats expected to take part.

"I'm really happy with the entries in that and really happy with the enthusiasm for it."

She encouraged residents to get out and enjoy the celebrations, citing the riverside picnic planned for Anniversary Day as a chance to enjoy a real sense of community.

Mrs Speakman also paid tribute to the many organisations and clubs in the district that had got behind the celebration and found their own ways to commemorate Marlborough's big birthday.

The weather also looks likely to play its part in helping Marlborough celebrate its independence, with sunny skies and mild temperatures forecast tomorrow and Sunday. The MetService expects Anniversary Day to be cloudy with possible showers but warm at 20degC.

Meanwhile, the district's elected representatives celebrated the anniversary with a special council meeting yesterday.

Mayor Alistair Sowman paid tribute to those who had gone before.

"Our forebears deserve praise for their persistence against the shocking odds presented by the environment of that time."

Mr Sowman said it was not an easy time to become involved, "judging by the heat generated around council tables and between other local bodies".

"But the history books also allude to community spirit being the one reason that Marlborough survived against the floods, and the fires, that ravaged the place year upon year.

"Today I think it's appropriate to pay tribute to all those men and women who were the pioneers of our province, particularly to those first characters who fought the elements and won."

He also thanked half a dozen former mayors and long-serving councillors invited to the event, as well as three current councillors who are former mayors, for their contributions to the district.

Elle Hughes, 18, said Marlborough 150 years ago was "probably a really cute and classy little town".

"It would have been a lot smaller than what it is now."

Humphrey Meyers, 69, was taking part in parade celebrations as part of the Blenheim Musical Society.

"It's a very good achievement to get to 150."

He said Market Place would have been very busy with horses and carts 150 years ago.

"You can imagine coming to town from the outskirts – it would probably take you half a day to get your horse sorted!"

SPECIAL YEAR

It's not all about Marlborough, you know. The Marlborough Express delved deep into the internet to find out who else is 150 this year.

Famous London timepiece Big Ben.

The Australian state of Queensland, first created as a British Crown Colony.

Charles Darwin's controversial book The Origin of Species, which argues that species gradually evolve through natural selection.

The United States state of Oregon.

GET OUT AND ABOUT AND HAVE SOME FUN

Saturday October 31

Event: New Zealand Historic Places Trust special Marlborough 150th historic sites bus trip with historians John Orchard and Barry Holdaway. Bookings essential, contact Robin Cox 5784115.

Time: 8.30am to 5pm.

Place: Leaves from the Brayshaw Park carpark.

Event: Whitney St School Lights Over Marlborough fireworks extravaganza (reserve day is Sunday if wet). Under-fives free, others $6 at the gate.

Time: Gates open 6pm.

Place: A & P Showgrounds.

Sunday November 1

Event: Marlborough 150th Street Parade. Floats and vintage farm machinery will be on display, while children's activities will also be available, including face painting, bouncy castles and entertainment. (Map of parade route on page 3.)

Time: Concert in The Forum starts 1pm; parade starts 2pm.

Place: Anywhere along the parade route.

Event: Marlborough Volleyball's 150th Tasman Challenge tournament. Spectators welcome. Contact Alvyn Meiklejohn 5787080 or alvyn@marlboroughvolleyball.org.nz.

Time: 2.30pm to 6pm.

Place: Churchill Glade, Pollard Park.

Monday November 2 (Anniversary Day)

Event: Vintage Car Club Posh Picnic. Open to the community; period dress optional. Register with Carroll Wiblin 5788418 or Judith Brice 5784194.

Time: From 2pm.

Place: Brayshaw Park.

Event: Anniversary Day long lunch by the Taylor River. BYO refreshments, chairs and tables. Contact Toni Gillan at thegillans@xtra.co.nz.

Time: Noon to 3pm.

Place: Riverside north of the central business district between Beaver Rd and Hutcheson St.

Event: Marlborough 150th bike ride. Registration required, email Rene de Ruiter at deruiter@actrix.co.nz.

Cost is approximately $20; fundraiser for Mayfield Kindergarten. Teams of two, three and five also accepted.

Time: 10am start (early bird option 8am).

Place: The clock tower in Seymour Square.

Event: 150 years anniversary golf tournament – Family Team Competition. Rarangi Golf Club members and non-members welcome. There will be a charge for taking part and the field will be limited to 40 teams of three. Contact Dave Olliver 5705951 or davidandpat@kinect.co.nz.

Time: Noon start.

Place: Rarangi Golf Club, Rarangi.

Saturday October 31 to Monday November 2 (inclusive)

Brayshaw Park Marlborough 150th open days.

Cellar Door winery history displays and dress-up. Several cellar doors are supporting the 150th celebrations by dressing up on anniversary weekend:

Saint Clair: Dressing up as monks.

Highfield: Historic display and vintage car display.

Drylands: Croatian dress-up (acknowledging their founders) and historic display.

Montana: Period dress-up and history display. Closed Monday.

Framingham: Period dress-up.

Nautilus: Tinfoil dress-up, acknowledging that 2009 is their 25th anniversary.

The Wine Room: Dress-up. Closed Monday.

Auntsfield Estate: 1920s dress-up and winery history display.