Best bit about to start

The Gatehouse’s actual building should be completed by the end of this week.

And then comes the amazing bit which is turning the basic building into what will become our beautiful Gatehouse.

The team who are doing the work are back in Matamata.

They have worked on The Hobbit, the Green Dragon at Hobbiton and of course the first stage of our Gatehouse. It’s nice to have them back. Peter Hawke (known to all, as Baldrick) is the man who has created the beautiful windows and doors.

Winiata Tapsell is working on a carving to go over the window facing the Hetana St car park.

Al, Tohi, Gazza and Mabs have been helping Darren and his boys with the beams etc.

Robbie Nairn is working on the chimney (concrete made to look like rocks).

Roman has started the (plastic) thatching and Kay has been out to Swaps quarry to hand-pick slabs of rock which he is using to create the stone steps for the new back entrance.

Marjorie will be back in the next couple of weeks to starting the painting.

The work is overseen by Brian Massey who has very high (exact) standards.

I just make the boys shortbread and hope I make the right decision when asked, but mostly I just try to keep out of their way.

I have had a number of approaches from people wanting to support the PRA with our Gatehouse project and ‘‘buy’’ a piece of the Gatehouse.

We are taking photos of those who are giving us very generous donations then Memorie and Hayley will use their scrapbooking skills and place the photos in our Contributions Book.

This week the committee approved plans for a sunrise opening on Wednesday December 11. (11-12-13, easy to remember!)

Everyone is invited to join us as the hoardings come down to reveal our beautiful, fully completed Gatehouse.

The extension will be opened by Mayor Jan Barnes.

We will keep you informed with details.