Happy birthday Marlborough
By CHERIE HOWIE - The Marlborough Express
Relevant offers
Happy birthday to us! Marlborough celebrates its biggest birthday today, with 150 years having passed since the province famously cut ties with neighbouring Nelson.
However, the party had well and truly begun long before the Seymour Square clock rang out 12 bells this morning.
Sesquicentennial celebrations have been taking place since September, with a historical speaking series, exhibitions, morning teas, bus tours and fireworks building up to yesterday's premier event – a parade with 150 attractions through Blenheim streets.
The parade, which drew thousands of spectators, followed festivities in Market Place, including a performance by well-known Kiwi band The Warratahs.
Residents lined central streets to get a glimpse of vintage machinery and cars, floats and marching girls, and listen to the region's best brass and pipe band players. The vintage cars and machinery were a highlight for many, with spectators snapping photographs of both private and commercial vehicles.
A clutch of Marlborough Lines vehicles showed the changing equipment used by the firm over more than 80 years, while several old fire engines were crowd pleasers. Military preservation group Delta also won smiles with its variety of vehicles, including a horse and chuck wagon, and authentic outfits.
More than 50 floats were in the parade, with churches, businesses, sports and service clubs celebrating the region's anniversary with residents.
Among those enjoying yesterday's event was octogenarian June Doggett, along with some of her children and great-grandchildren.
Mrs Doggett, who was keen on the old machinery, has lived in Marlborough her whole life and thought it probably was not the first big birthday she had attended for the province. "I wasn't here 150 years ago, but I'm not far off it."
Heather Morrison was also enjoying herself, noting the strong community turnout as a highlight.
Other events during the weekend included New Zealand Historic Places Trust Marlborough branch bus trips around some of the region's historic sites.
The day-long trips, led by historians John Orchard and Barry Holdaway, attracted 71 people, branch chairman Robin Cox said.
Mr Cox said those involved had a great time, and he was grateful to landowners for giving permission to cross private land, as well as the volunteer efforts of Mr Orchard and Mr Holdaway.
Those keen for more community celebrations will be able to enjoy more birthday events today.
The Vintage Car Club Posh Picnic will take place from 2pm at Brayshaw Park, while a community picnic by the Taylor River was to start at noon.
The three-hour picnic will be held on the riverside between Beaver Rd and Hutcheson St.
Sports events are also planned today, including a 150-kilometre charity bike ride and a family golf competition at Rarangi Golf Club.
Newest First
Oldest First
