For one month, from December 15 to January 15, bikes and books sat side by side in the Alexander Heritage Research Library.

The Motorcycle Heritage Exhibition attracted visitors from far and wide. On Tuesday, January 23, the money collected from the gold coin donation door charge was handed over to Karen Anderson, Chief Executive of Hospice Wanganui. Lloyd McKenzie of the Wanganui Motorcycle Club handed over $2083 which included a $500 donation from the club.

Lloyd said that discussions are proceeding on an expanded display around the 2007 Cemetery Circuit races. “Motorcycling has come a long way”, he said.

Exhibition Convenor Rod Trott said, "This first trial heritage exhibition on the Cemetery Circuit Event demonstrated just what a strong brand the Cemetery Circuit event enjoys.

“This brand strength is a tribute to the thousands of Wanganui people who have, since 1951, given up their time invariably for no financial return to run this iconic event.

"The support and quality design work from Meteor Design and Print; H & A Print and Display Associates was outstanding and the Wanganui community through their efforts and those of the writers and researchers have the beginnings of what could become a Wanganui motorcycle heritage collection based on the Cemetery Circuit.

"Special thanks to all the staff at the Alexander Heritage Research Library for outstanding support and who embraced the concept of motorcycles and libraries as natural allies!"

For the 143rd year running, New Zealand’s oldest highland games will take place at the Turakina Domain.

This Saturday, January 27, Wanganui pipers, drummers, dancers and athletes will compete against entries from throughout New Zealand in over 80 events, including a number of North Island Championships.

The Wanganui Pipe Band is host band and one of 19 entries in the Pipe Band contest. A number of younger members are also competing in solo events. The current Australasian champion band, Manawatu, has members flying in from throughout New Zealand, Australia and the UK.

Nine clans are registered and there’s an agricultural element with the attendance of the New Zealand Highland Cattle Association.

While the pipers play and the dancers dance the Wanganui Harrier Club will be competing in their annual road race from Wanganui to Turakina.

The very popular field events include tossing the mini caber and the Ben Nevis Hill race for children, as well as the traditional men’s and women’s Tossing the Sheaf, Carry the Stones and Caber Throwing.

Lunchtime will see a massed highland fling and at 1pm there will be a clan march, representing the long trek up the coast made by the original settlers.

The day will conclude with a parade of the massed bands and a haggis ceremony before the evening ceilidh where hundreds of weary competitors can finally relax. On site camping is available for those who wisely choose to delay their return home until Sunday morning.

Gate fee is only $5 and under 15s are free.

Photo: Holly Benton, 12, practises for the Turakina Highland Games, framed by the Scotch Thistles growing at Turakina Domain 20km south of Wanganui. Wanganui Chronicle, 28 December 2006. Photograph by Tracey Grant.

Hydroplanes on the river

The hydroplanes take to the water and the riverbank comes alive with all the fun of the festival this weekend in Wanganui.

Saturday is practice day for the hydroplanes as they gear themselves up for international competition on Sunday. These are the world’s best hydroplane drivers, pushing their machines to speeds in excess of 160mph on water! Can they break under 40 seconds around the 2000 metre course?

Then Sunday will see rooster tails as high as buildings as they unleash the horsepower on the river between the Cobham and City Bridges.

Join the crowds on the riverbank where there will be static displays, a Birdman competition, a wine and food festival and family entertainment.

The action is from 9.30am Saturday and Sunday, and entry is free.

When Mobile Libraries have a conference, do they whisper in furtive tomes? Do they have to book ahead? Do they come up with novel ideas? Are their resolutions binding? Is there a fine if they don’t return by the due date?

This weekend, mobile libraries, and their equally mobile librarians, gather together at Wairakei Resort for their first conference in 15 years. The last was held in Palmerston North in 1992 when Wanganui’s Leyland Leopard blew its water hoses on the journey.

These days Wanganui has a new, custom-built mobile library, created from the chassis up by Kiwi Bus Builders in Tauranga. Internally designed by architect Murray Ackroyd, with assistance from library staff, Sally Patrick and Jeremy Barlow, this makes a welcome change from converted buses crammed full of books. Now it resembles more an up-market bookshop with face out displays and more space for people to browse amongst the high quality books. This modern mobile facility even has the ability to lower itself on its suspension to make the bottom step more accessible to the elderly and infirm. There’s little chance that this library will break down on the way to the conference (touch wood).

The Wairakei get-together is a chance for drivers to meet and compare notes, and to hear international guest speakers from Australia, USA and the UK talk about all aspects of the modern mobile library. Wanganui delegates will also get to see their sister library (built by the same firm at the same time) which now works on Auckland’s North Shore.

The life of a mobile library driver can be a lonely one, according to library spokesman Jeremy Barlow. Often excluded from library meetings (because they’re on the road) and never part of the regular annual library conferences, this is their chance to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow drivers, share new ideas, gain new insights and enhance their own skills and knowledge.

And a chance to get away for a weekend with a good book.

Vacancy

Governance Services Support Officer
Applications close 4 February 2007

Council meetings

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council Meeting – Monday, January 29 (Council Chamber)

Heritage – Thursday, February 8

Sport and Activity – Tuesday, February 13 (1pm)

Hearings – Wednesday, February 14 (2pm)

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Thursday, February 15

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at 4.00pm in Committee Room 2, 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Agendas are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, and the Wanganui District Library two working days prior to the meeting.

Meeting cancellation

The Youth Committee’s meeting to be held on Monday, 5 February 2007, has been cancelled and will be rescheduled in March 2007.