Big makeover for Taradale church

ROGER MORONEY
One of Hawke's Bay's oldest church halls is about to be given a $1.3 million makeover. All Saints Church in Taradale, the location of which sparked the naming of Church Road, was built in 1875 and the adjoining hall is also more than a century old.
All Saints Fundraising co-ordinator Peter Marshall said the time had come for the hall to receive what he described as "an extreme makeover".
The hall was used by a growing number of community groups and an upgrade was necessary.
Mr Marshall said the extensions would be for the benefit of the Taradale community, and it was the business community which had already pledged its support by getting behind the first of a series of fundraisers with a wide range of items up for grabs.
The building fund already had $200,000 in the kitty but needed to raise at least $600,000 before work could begin. To get the fundraising ball rolling a formal wine and cheese charity auction will be staged at the Taradale Town Hall at 7pm on May 18.
Mayor Barbara Arnott will be on hand to launch the project and principal sponsor Church Road Winery had happily climbed aboard after Mr Marshall, with a smile, had reminded owners Pernod Ricard that the church effectively provided them with their winery's name.
"Like many of the businesses they have been very good," he said.
Pledged items include holiday accommodation, dinners, jewellery, appliances and even dental work.
The 450sq m extension to the hall will feature an enlarged kitchen, a children and family centre, classroom space and extra office facilities.
It would cater mainly for community functions and events, children's play groups and after-school care.