Wellsford Library turns 10

The Wellsford War Memorial Library/Te

Whare Pukapuka o Wakapirau: He Tohu

Whakamaharatanga Ki Ngā Pakanga will celebrate its 10th birthday with a fun day on July 1.

The celebration will start with a blessing by Te Uri o Hau at 10am, followed by live music, Pops Games and puzzles for all ages, displays by local groups and children’s activities. Wellsford Primary School will be running a fundraising sausage sizzle and cake stall.

When the library opened in Memorial Park, on Port Albert Road, in June 2013, it was the last major project put in motion by the former Rodney District Council and had been in the pipeline for a decade. It replaced the small brick building on

In brief

Community dinner date

Rodney Street, which is now a community hub, known as The Owl.

The new library was five times the size of the old library and to mark its opening, its collection was increased by more than onethird, including 1200 new adult books and 2000 children and teen books.

The modern build cost $3 million and featured underfloor heating, automatic windows and louvres to keep the building warm and dry, around 115 solar panels to power the lighting, and electric car charges in the parking area.

The first manager at the new facility was Jocelyn Koks, now retired, followed by Megan Livick. The current manager is Jamie Robertson.

The annual Wellsford Community Dinner fundraiser will be held at the town’s RSA on Saturday, July 1. Doors open at 6pm with a two-course dinner at 7pm, and there will be door and spot prizes, plus raffles. Money raised will go towards sending Wellsford School’s Quick Rip team to the AIMS Games in Tauranga in September, the Albertland Heritage Museum and Support Your Local Wellsford community funding. Tickets cost $50 per person and can be booked by emailing yourlocalwellsford2022@gmail.com

RSA planting day

The Warkworth RSA is organising a team to plant trees at the Atiu Creek Regional Park, west of Wellsford, on Sunday, July 23. The RSA has 500 trees to go into the ground, adjacent to the park’s camping ground where the RSA has planted over the last two years. The trees are small and will mainly be flaxes and cabbage trees to provide shelter from the prevailing westerly wind. A barbecue, refreshments and transport will be provided. For more information, contact RSA secretary/manager Chrissy Keith on 425 8568.