Birthday bake-off for kindergarten

It will be a sweet celebration for Redwoodtown kindergarten in Blenheim as it marks its 60th birthday this weekend.

The kindergarten is holding a fundraising bake-off with past teachers, students and members of the community at its Weld St centre, where photographs of the kindergarten's history will also be on display.

Former headmistress Bev Garner will be among the group attending.

Bev joined the kindergarten in 1952, a year after it opened and taught at the kindergarten for 20 years.

"In those days we had 40 [children] in the morning and 40 in the afternoon, with two teachers.

"We didn't know any better, it was just part of the job."

Today the kindergarten has five staff and takes 40 children in the morning and 20 in the afternoon.

Bev also taught at kindergartens in Auckland and Feilding, but she said Redwoodtown stood out as a great place to teach.

She was confident the kindergarten could carry on until its 100th birthday.

Teacher Char Morison, who is helping organise celebrations, said they were proving popular and the bake-off had received more than 70 entries last week.

The competition, which costs $5 to enter is helping fundraise for new playground equipment and teaching resources.

The bakers will compete in six categories including two sections for children under 12.

The competition will be judged by Copthorne Hotel chef Phil Smart and Figaros Cafe chef Heath Naylor and the winners will be in line for prizes including a milk shake maker, chocolates, vouchers and recipe books.

As a souvenir, the kindergarten is producing a recipe book in time for Christmas.

It will have about 150 recipes from current students' families along with historical and current photos of the kindergarten and Blenheim places.

The birthday bake-off will be at 2pm on Saturday.

- The Marlborough Express

Newest First

Oldest First