The first Tamahere Market of the year is on this Saturday, kicking off the New Year with offerings including fresh, local sweetcorn, tote bags and skin products.

“It is great when we have locals participating at the market by bringing along their fresh produce and unique products,” said market organiser Jane Manson.

The January market promised to be laid back, especially in comparison with the rush of the pre-Christmas markets, she said.

The stunning Sculpture Park and arboretum at Waitakaruru – a stone’s throw from Tamahere – is offering free entry on Boxing Day, December 26.

Visitors wanting to enjoy a peaceful, natural environment after the hubbub of Christmas are invited to take a picnic and enjoy the picturesque 17ha with family and friends.

A world away from the hectic, post-Christmas store sales, the park’s paths wind around a magnificent garden and arboretum with rocky outcrops, ponds, flowing water and broad vistas.

The last pre-Christmas Tamahere Market this Saturday is going all out to provide the extras for stockings and presents that are New Zealand-made.

Stallholders have stocked up and are ready to go with – among many other offerings – art, crafts, sculpture, beautiful scents, polished rocks and stylish clothing.

From 8.30am to 1pm there will also be the chance to nab award-winning cheeses along with salamis, avocados and fresh veges, plus free range eggs for the Pav.

Tamahere School’s new pools will be available over summer to community users who register and pay for passes to the facility.

The school has to adhere to a strict safety regime to enable members of the public to use the pool and will trial a system of two passes from January 3 to April 15.

Camille Stranks will be at the Tamahere Community Centre, Monday to Wednesday, December 11 to 13, 8-9am, to sign up pass holders.

A community carol sing-along will be held at St Stephen’s Tamahere church from 6.30pm this Saturday.

The Cambridge Brass Band and other local performers, including ukelele players, will lead the event.

It’s a family friendly occasion, the Lions will be operating a barbecue and free parking will be available opposite the church grounds.

Tamahere’s special, annual Twilight Market is on this Saturday, December 2, 4pm, a perfect place to source NZ-made goodness for Christmas.

“We have all manner of great ideas for presents as well as food – shoppers can eat dinner at the market – and we also have a special surprise,” said market organiser Jane Manson.

She wouldn’t be drawn on the mystery but did say the Mosaic Choir would be performing in St Stephen’s Church “to kick start that Christmassy feeling.”

The second, annual NZ Dirt Jump Nationals freestyle BMX and mountain bike championships is on at the Narrows Park in early December.

The event ran for the first time last year with more than 50 competitors thrilling around 350 spectators, said organiser Al Belcher of the Airport Rd Narrows Park.

Of the three competition classes for riders from 12 years up, it is the all-age open class that attracts the best freestyle riders in New Zealand, he said.

NZTA advises motorists of night-time detours on the Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway over the next few weeks while maintenance is carried out.

The 6pm to 6am closures are scheduled from Sunday to Thursday nights, November 26 to 30, and again from December 3 to 7.

Contractors will be working on the bridge rails at the Cambridge Rd, Peake Rd, Swayne Rd and Thornton Rd overbridges.

The Tamahere Market this Saturday heralds a busy season of markets and events as the count down to Christmas begins.

Among the usual wide and varied offering from stallholders this month will be orchid plants, magnesium products, vegetarian Indian food, quail eggs and hummus.

As always the market is a great place to get New Zealand-made gifts and there will be several more opportunities to do so as well as get in the Christmas spirit in coming weeks.

Exactly one month out from Christmas Day, Tamahere will be host to a self-proclaimed “Best Christmas Market”.

There will be only way to test the claim – get along to the Tamahere Community Centre on Saturday, November 25 between 10am and 2pm.

Around 40 stallholders will be vying to solve Christmas gift ideas, mostly mums with small businesses who will be showcasing and selling their artisan goods.