Turn on the tap in a drought: no water

Two weeks ago I went to a church that should be under water.

When Spanish engineers built a reservoir in Catalonia in the 1960s, they flooded the town of Sant Romà de Sau and drowned its buildings. But the ghosts of the village have since come back. Struck by a drought that is killing crops and squeezing businesses, the reservoir has dried to 1% of its capacity. The church as resurfaced as the waterline has plunged.

Setting my feet on the hard ground of a reservoir and walking through the ruins of a lost village felt like stepping into a disaster film. But it was nowhere near as surreal as seeing farmers, tourists and locals in a rich part of Spain fight over water – a natural resource that I take for granted. … Continue Reading

Popular Amici Ensemble returns

The Amici Ensemble is the Greytown Music Group’s most popular performer. This year’s ensemble is a string quintet: Donald Armstrong and Malavika Gopal on violin, Andrew Thomson and Alexander McFarlane on viola, with Andrew Joyce on cello.

The Ensemble was formed in 1988 by Donald Armstrong, who is committed to performing works of all periods for differing combinations of instruments from the very small to the very large. Donald obviously gives a lot of thought to the Ensemble’s concerts, finding so many different combinations, and giving audiences a different experience each year. 

For 2024 he has chosen the string quintet – a string quartet enlarged by an extra viola, giving a special richness and warmth to the sound. … Continue Reading

Tree of the Month

Square Dwellers

By Martin Freeth – Trees of Martinborough

Inside Martinborough Square, the leaves are well on the turn. Our extraordinary oaks, elms. limes and gums all appear in good condition after summer’s hot, dry spell.

Enduring credit must go to the towns folk of a century ago – but much is due also to a foresighted group of tree guardians who poured thought, labour and money into rejuvenating the Square’s heart of green only 15-20 years ago.

Back then, the District Council asked a voluntary square group _ Ro Griffiths, Mate Higginson, David Lawrence and David Bull _ to oversee judicious tree thinning and pruning, along with upgrading the paved areas. The group worked long and hard over five years to oversee the tree work, import new soil, install irrigation and lighting, and plant three new elms on the corner opposite Texas Street. … Continue Reading

Rates season is upon property-owners

While Quotable Value (QV) will release its review of all South Wairarapa property valuations mid-month, the local body rate-setting season is open nation-wide.

Two local rating bodies have already made their opening bids, and ratepayers are saying “too much,” “unaffordable,” and “irresponsible.”

The bad news so far for South Wairarapa property-owners? 

Greater Wellington Regional Council has proposed a 19.8 percent rates increase for the 2024-25 year, a rise which affects all South Wairarapa, Carterton and Masterton ratepayers. 

Estimates are that urban Wairarapa ratepayers will face an extra $3.50-odd a week ($185.00 a year)  bill from Greater Wellington.  … Continue Reading