The 60 volunteer members of Wanganui Community Patrol are proving to be an invaluable support for local police, helping to make Wanganui a safer community.

The volunteers undertake night patrols in vehicles from Wednesday to Sunday, in locations identified by the police. Their role is to act as the 'eyes and ears' for police, reporting any suspicious activity or unusual occurrences. Volunteers always work in pairs and the commitment can be from a minimum of once a month to one or two nights a week, depending on the time an individual has to give.

The Wanganui Community Patrol also staff the community police kiosk all day on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and part of Thursday. Staff at the kiosk give direct assistance and advice to the public as well as provide administrative support to the police through jobs such as data entry.

Warwick Laws, Chairman of Wanganui Community Patrol, would like to see patroller numbers increase and is keen to welcome new members.

"The more members we have, the more we can do for our community," he said.

"Anyone can be a patrol member – we currently have people of all ages from mid 30s into their 80s. Members are given full training and support and we also offer access to first aid courses. It's a really worthwhile thing to do. We are looking at manning area security cameras which will free frontline police officers, who currently do that task, to undertake patrol duties. All of the work we do contributes to making the community safer and supporting the police to do their job."

Wanganui has been chosen as the venue for the Community Patrols of New Zealand National Training Seminar in June this year. The three-day event will be held at Wanganui Racecourse and will attract 250-300 community patrol members from across New Zealand.

Community Patrol receives funding from Wanganui District Council. Senior Councillor Randhir Dahya, council spokesperson for law and order and a community patroller himself, encourages people to get involved.

"The work that the Community Patrol does is invaluable and really contributes to making Wanganui a safer place.

"We are appreciated by the police as their numbers are limited. Some nights patrolling may be quiet but others can be quite action filled. The Community Patrol gets updates from the police every evening on areas to patrol and, if the circumstances warrant, areas to stay away from. Safety is paramount and we never leave the patrol car."

Snr Cr Dahya is also able to monitor the CCTV camera useage and ensure that it is functioning as both the police and council would wish.

If you would like further information about becoming a member of the Wanganui Community Patrol, contact Dorothy Symes, phone (06) 349 0495.

The Festival of Glass 2009 will be opened in conjunction with the Wanganui Literary Festival by the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, the Hon. Christopher Finlayson.

Venue: Edith Gallery and Atrium UCOL, Rutland Street, Wanganui
Friday, 18 September 2009

The Wanganui Glass Group takes this opportunity to thank two of our major sponsors for the 2008 Festival of Glass - Powerco Wanganui Trust and Whanganui Community Foundation.

Pictured above are works by Rena McLean (left) and Mark Rolinson.

The Wanganui District Library and the Wanganui Branch of the New Zealand Genealogical Society invite you to our "Spotlight on Scotland".

Research, revive or relive your Scottish heritage. Help with your research enquiries will be available and beginners are very welcome.

When: Saturday, 28 March 2009
Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm
Where: Alexander Heritage & Research Library, Queens Park, Wanganui
Entry: Free

This event is run in collaboration with the Wanganui Caledonian Society and the Wanganui Robert Burns Club.

For further information please contact: heritage@wanganuilibrary.com
Alexander Heritage & Research Library, phone (06) 349 1000.

The second weekend of the annual Whanganui Artists Open Studios is taking place on March 28-29, giving the local community another chance to meet artists in their studio environment and view a wide variety of art work.

There are exhibitions of work in all media including oil and acrylic, photography, glass, ceramics, jewellery and fabric.

More than 60 artists are taking part in the event, which is now in its ninth year. The Artists Open Studios event has received funding from Wanganui District Council's Impact Fund.

The Events Programme and Arts Trail Guide is available from a range of places including the Community Arts Centre on Taupo Quay and the Visitor Information Centre in Guyton Street.

Pictured is work by UCOL fashion students for the Open Studios event, on view in the UCOL Atrium, Drews Avenue.

Parking meters will be reinstated in part of Maria Place from next week.

The section of Maria Place between Victoria Avenue and St Hill Street has been the site of the bus terminal for a number of years. Currently there are also six spaces of P30 parking at the Cooks Gardens end.

The Council has resolved to reinstate meters for those six car parks. The parking fee will be $1.00 per hour.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Wednesday, April 1 (4.00pm, Committee Room 2)

Youth – Monday, April 6 (4.00pm)

Hearing by Independent Commissioner – Tuesday, April 7 (10.30am, Committee Room 2)
- Windsor Park Plan Change

Community Development – Tuesday, April 7 (2.00pm)

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at 3.00pm in the Council Chamber, 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.