The a cappella gospel choir Jubilation performed at the Plaza Theatre on Saturday evening. The on-line Prattler was there for the first half of the programme. Traditional numbers were presented by the whole choir and for some pieces smaller groups from within the choir did the singing. Various members rotated the conducting of the gospel songs, each conductor having their own distinctive style. The music of the first half was lively in the nature of gospel music, some pieces conveying feeling more naturally than others. Short commentary between items provided insight into the music. This information became spontaneous when the pitch note before each song was upstaged by a cellphone ring tone backstage. We heard positive comments about the second half of the evening that featured Jackie Clarke joining the choir. Unfortunately we were back in Prattler editing mode! These final shots are from the first half. More quality Plaza events are scheduled for 2018.

THE 2018 PUTARURU WATER FESTIVAL It was a great summer’s day for the annual Putaruru Water Festival held at Glenshea Park on Saturday. Stalls, amusements, entertainment and displays were arranged in a welcoming way to explore and interact with. The attendance was upward of 2500 and it was pleasing to see the numbers of families with young children enjoying the picnic atmosphere that had been created. With Pride in Putaruru subsidising the rides and amusements, it made the $2 per actvity a very family friendly experience as well. The Putaruru Axemen’s Club had their full programme of events running directly in front of the grandstand throughout the day. A very popular feature this year was the Franklin Farm FMX and BMX display of exciting aerial bike tricks over specially designed ramps. A large area was set up in the arena for the crowd to get up close and personal. Entertainment was also provided by Spellbound, The Cambridge Brass Band, Chelsea Marriner with her Ultmate Canines, Top Team Competitions and a Clydesdale display. The March Prattler in online now – either download it and/or use the page turning edition. Read the Putaruru Axemen’s Club Carnival results Shining the Light on the Dark South Waikato Over the Moon 10 years old Tina Ward Wins Embroidery Trophy – see PiP TV for video of a 3D work… And much more…

Last night the South Waikato SuperSports 2018 came to Glenshea Park for athletic events that included shot-put, discus, long jump and team relays. Today and tomorrow activities continue in and around Tokoroa with more events such as mountain biking, clay bird shooting, target golf, skating, crossfit and a hill run. These photos show some of the Friday night action in Putaruru.    

Friday night saw a pool full of young people between the ages of 9 and 14 enjoying a rave at the Putaruru Pools. There was music, a large inflatable and games for those attending, to enjoy. A patient queue was always formed to tackle the water inflatable. Some slid, others rolled, while a few jumped after reaching the highest point. Large splashes and laughter were the order of the evening that was arranged by the South Waikato District Council. As a reminder, the Neighbourhood Community event postponed from earlier in the week is on this Tuesday 20th in Overdale Street by the Library and Skate Bowl, starting at 5:30pm.  

The annual St Pauls Dahlia and Rose Show was staged yesterday from noon until 4:00pm. Not only were there dahlias and roses to admire but miniature gardens, vegetable animals, as well as a fresh produce sale set out in the shade area of the front lawn. Many of the entries were from children in contests arranged especially for them, as well as exhibits from Ballymena House. There was a steady stream of visitors to the show throughout the warm summer afternoon. Taking time to smell the roses is always a pleasure. Congratulations to St Paul’s for maintaining its floral exhibitions.    

You may be seeing activity on the streets of Putaruru soon. This is Ultrafast Fibre building the new fibre broadband network. They are upgrading Putaruru streets to the latest broadband technology. This work is due to begin on the 26th of February. If Putaruru residents would like to receive a streamlined fibre installation, you can register for free at www.fibreiscoming.co.nz. Click on the Putaruru button. Register your interest for FREE via the form to let the team know if you want them to install some of their network on your property when they build down the street. Ultrafast Fibre Limited (UFF) will contact you to take you through the next steps. Once UFF gives you the green light, you can contact your preferred broadband provider and sign up to a Fibre Broadband service. Streamline your fibre installation into your home by registering now, while the network build along the street is in progress. Important to note: This streamlined installation is free and it’s free to fill in the form. Ultrafast Fibre is not a broadband provider. Ultrafast Fibre install the fibre broadband network. To get fibre broadband you will need to contact your preferred provider once the UFF team have given you the green light. “The economic benefits of having fibre installed in our towns is huge,” said Council’s Community Group Manager Sam Marshall. “It makes for faster, more reliable and consistent internet connectivity that is so essential to business success in this day and age.” Fibre Broadband is also coming to Tīrau; included a little later in the piece, so the UFF team is still in the planning phase of how the town will become connected. This will be clearer in the coming months and Tīrau residents can expect to start seeing some promotion in their township too. “We’re thrilled that Putaruru was selected as part of the second rollout,” said Mayor Jenny Shattock. “Fibre is the future for connectivity and speedy internet. With Tokoroa already connected, Putaruru imminent and Tīrau pending… that’s really awesome for our district. And not just for business either. Home internet needs are also increasing with many of us having multiple devices all ‘wanting’ bandwidth at the same time. Families and residents will see a big difference too.” “Council staff have worked closely with the UFF team since Putaruru was announced and we’re very pleased that we are one of the first towns off the block in this new roll out,” continued Mayor Shattock. Fibre benefits are said to be: Faster download speeds (typically three times or more) Dramatically faster upload speeds (typically 10 times or more) Improved reliability due to the removal of the inconsistencies associated with copper cable for data transmission Fibre is an enabler for international business through improved information and data flow High definition (HD) quality video conferencing Enablement of internet based backup systems for much larger amounts of data More flexible capabilities for working from home More consistent online video and TV services (Netflix, YouTube, Lightbox, Neon TV, Sky Go, etc) Remote cloud backup and data sharing are be more practical

Our next Water Festival samples and tips for the Getting Crafty competition that is associated with the festival this year. Two of the 9 craft activities are a WATER GARDEN and a AQUA JAR. Any of the crafts entered are to have a WATER THEME. Here are some ideas about these 2 activities. Aqua Jar a glass jar with a lid plasticine or blue-tac a toothpick some flowers and leaves water You might now: stick blue-tac inside  the lid use a toothpick to poke holes in the blue-tac to make it easier to put the flowers in arrange the flowers in the holes fill the jar with water place the flowers, attached to the inside of the lid, into the jar and screw the lid firmly into place tip the jar upside down Other Ideas: add food colouring to the water See how the flowers look different when looking at them through the water.   Water Garden These pictures give you some starter ideas… Craft Entry Details are: Age groups: preschool, 5 – 7 year olds, 8 – 10 year olds, 11 – 14 year olds and 15 years and older. All crafts entered must have a water theme. All paper projects must be no larger than 30cm x 30cm. All work to be clearly named on the back/underneath. Getting Crafty Entry Forms to be returned to Pride In Putaruru before 4pm on Tuesday 20 February. Entries can be dropped off at the Putaruru Information Centre before 4pm on Friday 23 February or at the Water Festival Pride in Putaruru tent before 9am on Saturday 24 February. All entries must be picked up on the day, after 3pm. Entry Forms are available online at: prideinputaruru.com or from the PiP office, 2 Overdale Street, Putaruru, or use the one below.

The Putaruru Our Neighbourhood Party tomorrow, Tuesday night, has been postponed until the following Tuesday 20th due to the forecast predicting nasty weather.

The Water Festival is not too many weeks away and we’ll be sharing some samples and tips for the Getting Crafty competitions that are associated with the festival this year. One of the 9 craft activities is a SCRAPBOOK PAGE. Any of the crafts entered are to have a WATER THEME. Here are 2 samples of a SCRAPBOOK PAGE with a WATER THEME. Craft Entry Details are: Age groups: preschool, 5 – 7 year olds, 8 – 10 year olds, 11 – 14 year olds and 15 years and older. All crafts entered must have a water theme. All paper projects must be no larger than 30cm x 30cm. All work to be clearly named on the back/underneath. Getting Crafty Entry Forms to be returned to Pride In Putaruru before 4pm on Tuesday 20 February. Entries can be dropped off at the Putaruru Information Centre before 4pm on Friday 23 February or at the Water Festival Pride in Putaruru tent before 9am on Saturday 24 February. All entries must be picked up on the day, after 3pm. Entry Forms are available online at: prideinputaruru.com or from the PiP office, 2 Overdale Street, Putaruru, or use the one below.  

Flying from Wellington to Auckland one evening scientist Aaron SchiffI saw the lights of the small towns of the North Island of New Zealand passing below like the night sky and wondered if it was possible to create something similar using data. Small towns of Aotearoa is the result. It shows an approximation of the nighttime lights of the 96 urbanised areas in New Zealand that are less than 25 square kilometres in size, (25 square kilometres was just an arbitrary choice by Aaron). “I found that I did not know many of them and got curious about exactly where they were,” said Aaron. Can you recognise these other North Island small towns.         Answers Below (scroll down)                 A = Taumarunui B = Morrinsville C = Kawerau D = Matamata