A MARTINBOROUGH church group has discovered a new use for the trusty porcelain bowl and it doesn't involve sitting on it.
In fact, the St Andrew's Church hall will be full of old toilets on Saturday night, which will contain holly and festive decorations to form part of a Christmas decorative
theme as part of a mid-winter fundraising effort.
The event is to raise money for an upgrade of the toilet block at the hall, which includes improvements for wheelchair access, and the fundraising dinner is the fourth of its kind.
Organiser Jenny Harrison said, although the fundraising is usually for a community group, she thought raising money for the church itself was apt because of the number of people who use the premises at various times during the week, including two dance classes, tai chi, Plunket, pilates and a Friday club (for Sunday school).
"It does happen that this hall is used by several people in the community.
"The age of the toilets goes with the age of the church, (which was built in 1883) and they badly need upgrading."
Mrs Harrison said much of the kudos for the church's use in the community must go to vicar May Croft, who wanted it to be "seen as making a contribution in the community".
"This is why we have always chosen community projects."
The annual fundraising event has, in the past, raised funds for the Martinborough Medical Centre, Martinborough Kindergarten and equipment for the Martinborough Community Patrol.
Masterton-based singer Tess O'Hara will provide entertainment on Saturday night and the caterers of a three-course meal are Providore, Billie Lusk and Village Caf?, with BYO wine.
The whole evening has a Christmas theme, with the meal including stuffed turkey, Christmas puddings and brandy butter, and Martinborough-based flower arranger Di Martin is decorating old toilets with holly and baubles.
Mrs Harrison said the people supplying the toilets have been advised to ensure they are in a hygienic condition and are able to be handled.
Mrs Harrison said ticket sales for the evening, which begins at 6.30pm, are going "all right, but like anything else, people leave it to the last minute". "We've struck a time of year when a lot of farmers are away, but I'm sure it will be fine," she said.
Tickets are $45 a head and available from the Martinborough Information Centre, phone 06 306-9043.
A MARTINBOROUGH church group has discovered a new use for the trusty porcelain bowl and it doesn't involve sitting on it.
In fact, the St Andrew's Church hall will be full of old toilets on Saturday night, which will contain holly and festive decorations to form part of a Christmas decorative
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