Grinch steals Marton’s tinsel time
High rents put a stop on legendary Granny’s Christmas Grotto this year
It is with a heavy heart that Jenny Greener, owner of “Granny’s Christmas Grotto” in Marton, has had to cancel her Christmas spectacle this year.
The building she used last year is not available and other venues in Marton’s Broadway were too expensive, she said.
“I simply can’t afford the high rents, it’s impossible.”
Because she is determined her grotto must remain Marton’s little treasure, she won’t consider out-oftown venues.
“I’ve had approaches from Whanganui, Feilding and Sanson but it just wouldn’t be the same.”
Greener admits she is “Christmas crazy.”
“I always remove everything from my house every year to set up Christmas decorations. The books are pulled out of the bookcases, furniture moved and Christmas takes over every year.”
Over the past five years her wondrous multi-roomed Granny’s Christmas Grotto in Marton’s town centre has attracted more than 10,000 people.
People travelled from the Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay, Whanganui, Palmerston North, Taupo, Taranaki and Wellington, she said.
Her magical grotto took about eight weeks to prepare, two huge trucks to haul in the decorations from a local storage facility, and a team of about 50 volunteers, she said.
The grotto would usually from December 1 to 23.
During the year Greener works three days a week as a checkout operator at a local supermarket to fund her annual Christmas wonderland.
“That’s the storage fees and the rent of the building.”
Greener is also on the Marton Community Committee, is a community patrol officer one night a week and organises monthly bus trips for the elderly.
“I love my community and I love being busy.”
Past grotto attractions have included a woodland display, a red room, a children’s area, a gingerbread room, a white and crystal room and a common room where children can put decorations on trees.
“We always had more than 70 beautifully decorated Christmas trees in 12 themed rooms filled with Christmas wonders and delights,” she said.
“Last year the Rangitikei District Council came to the rescue with a building but they can’t this year so I’ve given up and am hoping next year we’ll be up and twinkling again.”
"I always remove everything from my house every year to set up Christmas decorations." — Jenny Greener