Grant helps A&P Society

HELPING HAND: The official opening of the Wairarapa Agricultural and Pastoral Society's office restored with money donated by the Lottery Grants Board. From left, Wairarapa A&P Society complex manager Ray Beale and Wairarapa A&P president Bill Carter.PHOTO/KELLI HOOKS

Thanks to a $53,000 Lottery Grant a refurbished Wairarapa A&P Society office was officially opened on Sunday.

About 30 society members, and people associated with the society, gathered to celebrate the opening, including Lottery Community Facilities Committee member George Sue and wife Shirley.

Wairarapa A&P Society complex manager Ray Beale addressed the small crowd, followed by Mr Sue who cut a ribbon, declaring the building open, and presented the society with a Lottery Grant Board plaque.

Wairarapa A&P Society complex manager Ray Beale said the original office, built about 1912, had been renovated using the grant, approved last year.

"The actual foundation is still the same timber, [but] the timber has been redone, the weatherboards relined, painted and a new roof put on it. Now we've got a new a new office and it can be used by a variety of groups that use the complex."

He said the office was the central pivot of the society.

"This is where the secretary undertakes the organisation of the showgrounds ... and the running of the whole complex."

Mr Beale said two other buildings were also officially opened on the day, the Merv Renall Pavilion, built in 1976 but only officially named 12 months ago and the Hicks Family Pavilion, where weekly stock sales are held, also now officially named.

Patron Mick Rayner gave the address for the opening of the Merv Renall Pavilion.