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‘Light Over Liskeard’ by Louis de Bernieres’

October 13, 2023 October 2023, Regular Features Comments Off on ‘Light Over Liskeard’ by Louis de Bernieres’

One of the perks of owning a bookshop is that you can get your hands on advance copies of books. Book reps will often bring a small stack of pending titles to our meetings and my staff and I get to read ahead. It makes us better booksellers, better at recommending books to customers. 

‘Light Over Liskeard’ is one of those advance copies which is due in stores this month, but I read it in August and loved it. I’ve been holding off reviewing it until it was available to buy.

So here goes…

Set sometime in the not-too-distant future where cars are self-driving, bots take care of most menial things, children have only virtual friends and national security is increasingly fragile, Q (not his real name) is a quantum cryptographer for the British government. 

Q becomes aware that he knows how to end the world and that if he knows, so too do a number of others scattered across the world. But he isn’t sure that he knows what it means to live and he’s running out of time. He leaves the city, buys a derelict farmhouse on the moors and begins to prepare for what is to come.

The absolute delight of this book is the light touch of the author and his introduction of weird and quirky characters already resident on the moors: a hermit, a knight, a ghost, a widowed South American environmentalist and his lusty daughter, and a range of ‘reintroduced’ species roaming at large. 

I think what I liked most is that it isn’t what you think its going to be – there’s no doom, no wailing and gnashing of teeth, just good story telling and compelling characters that leave you strangely happy to have met them.

NEWS FROM FIRST CHURCH

October 13, 2023 October 2023, Regular Features Comments Off on NEWS FROM FIRST CHURCH

As the rain beats down and high winds howl we’re told that Spring has sprung and benign weather is just around the corner. Maybe. In Martinborough one sure sign of renewal is seen every September in the vineyards, with new season buds and nascent leaves now making their first appearance.  Anyone passing First Church on a Sunday will also be struck by the lusty spring induced singing emanating from within.  Linger and listen to the tuneful standard hymns (better still, come in!) but be prepared to quicken your stride for any of the more challenging psalms which challenge a congregation’s musicality.

People are still buzzing about the Spring Fling fashion show last month which was financially rewarding and a huge success.  With 126 tickets sold the Town Hall was full to bulging.   The high fashion clothes being modelled were a great hit with discerning punters and the event is bound to become an annual hardy.  Entertainment from the fabulous Maynard girls was an added bonus.

Upcoming Events

  • The trusty 2-day Kirk Fair is scheduled for 25th and 26th November and will have a fine array of cakes, produce, clothes and tasteful bric à brac on display.  Any donations welcome.  See you at the Waihinga Centre.
  • You’ll need to stock up on decent books to ride out the last of the wet weather.  Come to the Church Hall for their Book Sale on 28th October, 1.30 – 5pm.
  • Women Remembered – Prof. Joan Taylor, 22 October at 12.45pm – 1st Church Community Hall.

If you’re interested in learning about the role of women in the Bible, come to what will be a fascinating lecture by Prof. Joan Taylor.  She is eminently qualified for this modern topic having served in senior academic positions at Uni of Waikato, Harvard Divinity School, Kings College London and latterly at Victoria and currently Prof. at the Centre of Religion Melbourne.  She has a PhD in early Christian archaeology.

Spring bounce for business

October 13, 2023 October 2023, Regular Features Comments Off on Spring bounce for business

By Allan Hogg, chair MBA

Tourism Thrives as Domestic Visitors Spend Skyrockets

Martinborough businesses are reporting an upswing in visitor traffic. Notably, Australian visitors have joined the mix. Domestic visitor spending for July 2023 reached $12.5 million, marking the largest increase compared to the same period last year within the nationwide network of Regional Tourism Organizations. This trend indicates Wairarapa’s status as an emerging winter destination, with the Greytown Winter Festival emerging as a prominent drawcard.

Martinborough Business Association Attends Business Wairarapa Summit

In August, members of the Martinborough Business Association were among attendees at the annual Summit Conference hosted by Business Wairarapa (Chamber of Commerce). Held at the Events Centre in Carterton, the conference received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants. The event featured respected keynote and guest speakers, extensive networking opportunities, and fantastic hospitality.

Among the testimonials from attendees:

“For a small region, we sure know how to put on a business summit. I was already looking forward to hearing from Karen Walker and Brad Olsen, and they didn’t disappoint. But it was Bronwyn Lord’s story of her journey from pregnant teen mum to McDonald’s Franchise owner and running her own training company which was the most inspiring (and funny). A really worthwhile day out of the office. Looking forward to next year.” … Continue Reading

Fire Brigade Report

October 13, 2023 October 2023, Regular Features Comments Off on Fire Brigade Report

By Chief Fire Officer Jake Hawkins

So far this year the Brigade has responded to over 225 calls into our community, with over 70% of these being calls for our Medical First Response Unit. Our firefighters continue to train hard for both our Medical and our Fire responses. 

A recent house fire in town was an excellent save of the structure and adjacent properties. Along with daylight saving changes, this is a timely reminder to check your Smoke Alarms are working – the life they save could be yours.

We are due to mark the Service of our Members at our Honours night at the beginning of November, this event has been delayed due to Covid restrictions, so we are looking forward to getting all our team, plus our former and life members together.

Qualified Firefighter Callum Tannant is leaving us, He and Melissa have moved to Greytown, where CFO Seth Rance has already organised for Callum’s transfer into Greytown Brigade. 

Callum, thank you for your dedicated service the Martinborough Brigade and the Community over the years, and we know our loss will be to Greytowns benefit.

We are starting our planning and training for the forecast El Nino summer ahead, so remember if you smell smoke or see smoke its time to Dial 111 immediately, then if your house is involved get out and STAY out. Escape plans save lives.

If you have any queries about assistance or response please don’t hesitate to contact me directly – CFO Jake Hawkins – 0272-559-440

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Sports

Golf pro-am success _ without clubhouse

By Karen Stephens A record field of 172 players, including 43 professionals from New Zealand and Australia, battled light winds, warm temperatures and even light early-morning fog at Martinborough golf’s 2024 CER Electrical and Holmes Construction pro-am on February 1. At least that was the range of excuses for some …

Featherston wrestlers go offshore

Two members of Featherston Amateur Wrestling Club’s senior class have again been asked to join a New Zealand team overseas.  Wairangi Sargent and Angus Read will take part in the Journeymen Tournament and Training Camp over Easter in New York state.  Over the week they are there they will be …

Martinborough Golf Club has tumbled down

The demolition of the Martinborough Golf Club is complete. In the last days prior to Christmas a fully-insulated pole shed, much like a top end farm outbuilding, was erected to act as both office and temporary clubhouse. New septic tanks, internet connectivity, power, water, and Porticom loos were installed. On …

Regular Features

News from First Church

 Many folk imagine that going to church is a bit of an ordeal, a waste …

FROM THE MAYOR

By Martin Connelly In February the local Lions Club invited me for dinner and asked …

Driving Growth and Collaboration: Martinborough Business Assn Committee

The Martinborough Business Association Committee plays an important role in fostering economic growth and collaboration …

How Well Do We Know People in our Community?

Michael Bing talks to Lyle Griffiths Michael was raised in Auckland, attending St Peters College …

BOOK REVIEWS FOR HOT SUMMER DAYS

By Brenda Channer – Martinborough Bookshop “Whether Violent or Natural” by Natasha Calder This debut …

Community Garden News

By Debbie Yates This is definitely the month of thank you. Nga Mihi Nui! We …

EVENTS

Saturday 10 February: 10th annual Citizen Science Kākahi Count at Western Lake Shore Reserve, 18km …

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