Marton Community Hub craft event to aid St John's Ambulance

Stephanie Shaw, Rangi Krishnan, Nick Kuiper and Hazel Gallagher enjoy morning tea.

Project Marton is a community organisation, a central hub, a group that works and cares deeply for the people of Marton.

At the helm is Rangitikei District councillor Cath Ash who works tirelessly organising and creating events and inspiring people to join in, help out or just simply be there.

These days Project Marton is sitiuated in spacious surroundings in what used to be an old Marton Bowling Club Pavilion looking over sprawling grounds, part of which are a flourishing communal garden.

Previously Project Marton had been crammed into two small rooms in town and the lack of space was always difficult when people dropped in especially if there was a group of them.

"Space was very, very limited,'' said Ash.

Every Friday at 10am at Project Marton is a community morning tea.

A large, round table is set beside a picture window with views out over the gardens. Plates of biscuits, large mugs and tea and coffee are set out and people pop in, grab a chair and sit down for a great natter and catch-up.

Last week the big topic was the Crafts Alive Exhibition coming up this weekend, August 25 and 26.

A wide range of crafts will be brought to life in this spectacular interactive exhibition, said event organiser Gillian Futcher, of the Marton Women's Institute.It is the second Marton Interactive Craft Event to be held in the Memorial Hall. Profits from the gold coin donation at the door will again go to the Hunterville Free Ambulance Service.

Futcher said there were were many people in Marton who had unbelievable skills. This weekend means local expert artisans and crafters were not only showing their skill but also encouraging public participation, Futcher said.

Ash said the stall list was full. "We're absolutely fully booked. It's wonderful.''

One man at the commuity morning tea on Friday was Rangi Krishan who the others say is a man of many talents. Sadly he hadn't arrived with his usual bag of homemade biscuits though. "Rangi's cooking is amazing,'' the others said.

However, Rangi has booked a stall for the weekend where he will be demonstrating his jig maker (an aid to help people use their tools) through videos and demonstrating and talking to people.

Krishnan moved to Marton from Upper Hutt fairly just a few years ago and said it was the best move he could have made.

"I am very happy in Marton. This town has true community spirit and I already have some very good friends. It really is a special community here.''

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