Phasing out fossil fuel use – one town at a time

The Climate Change Commission Report to the Government is titled “Ināia Tonu Nei”, The Time is Now.  But in reality it fails to address the scale and urgency of the task to reduce carbon emissions. We need to act now, today, not in six months or a year’s time.  Our current lifestyle is based on consumption that is enabled by fossil fuel energy. This cannot be sustained to meet the targets needed to limit global warming. 

The Commission’s recommendations seem to reflect the mindset that we don’t need to disrupt out consumptive lifestyle too much. I believe business as usual cannot continue. The longer we wait to act and the less we do to reduce emissions will mean the greater the cost to ourselves and our planet. We can’t make any more excuses.

We cannot wait for the government to solve this crisis. We all have a crucial role to play to reduce reliance on fossil fuels now. To use less fossil fuels we need to buy local food, avoid processed food, reduce the use of petrol and diesel vehicles in towns and cities, and reduce, reuse and recycle.  Together we can make this our way of life and Martinborough is a great place to do it

It’s easy to walk and cycle around the town

We have good local amenities, for example supermarkets, cinema, health centre, and library

We can grow fruit and vegetables

We can support local agricultural and hospitality businesses

We have the beginnings of a public transport system

Also, it’s a great place to work from home. 

All these things that Martinborough has to offer make it easy for our community to reduce our fossil fuel consumption. Turning around global emissions requires everyone to play their part. Let’s support each other now to make the changes needed. Climate change is a big deal. 

Jude Brown 

NEW ZEALAND STRING QUARTET TO PERFORM OPENING GALA CONCERT IN MARTINBOROUGH

Inspire your senses, and immerse yourself in the astounding beauty of music from lands near and far…

The New Zealand String Quartet return to mighty Martinborough in August for a special opening gala concert as part of their National Tour 2021, which sees the NZSQ travel the breadth and depth of Aotearoa in some of the country’s most beautiful venues. Celebrating 20 years of their annual tour, the NZSQ will perform at the historic Martinborough Town Hall on Sun 15 August, pairing fine wine and canapés with sumptuous music for an afternoon that’s sure to surprise and delight. With delicious canapés created especially for this premium concert experience by the Canapé Company, the NZSQ will perform an equally exquisite programme of music to match by Mozart, Louise Webster (NZ), Shostakovich and Mendelssohn. 

Gillian Ansell, NZSQ violist says “I’m so looking forward to opening our 2021 National Tour in Martinborough!  It’s been 5 years since the NZSQ last played there, so we’re thrilled to be returning to celebrate 20 years of our National Tour series. Last year was the first time I’d seen the Town Hall’s wonderful extension and refurbishment – what a great enhancement to this historic gem of a building and a tremendous community effort. The combination of the Hall, the stunning Martinborough scenery and fine wine will be an afternoon out to remember – we can’t wait to perform again for our Martinborough audiences.” … Continue Reading

News from First Church

Through winter cold, through bitter wind and biting frost

the silent seeds of spring wll grow

and buried dreams will not be lost

  Shirley Murray

During these wintery months we continue to meet each Sunday at 10am in the hall on Weld Street, but instead of sitting at tables cafe style as usual, we are gathered round one long table down the middle, with boxes and piles of books all round us – because organising and sorting for the delayed but eagerly anticipated book fair is now well in hand! 

Anyone is welcome to join us – our cafe opens at 10am with morning tea and friendly chat to start – so different from “church” of earlier times, which so many no longer find attractive or helpful. If you might enjoy a refreshing, thoughtful kind of service come and join us!

The 13^th Annual Midwinter Monster Book Fair will be held from Friday 20^th to Sunday 22^nd August at the Waihenga Centre Martinborough Town Hall. … Continue Reading

Moa Manure

Analysis of fossilised excrement of a little bush moa from Fiordlad dated from 4,600 to  6,800 years ago supports the theory  that the moa ate trees and shrubs from the forest understorey  and has provide striking evidence that little bush moas consumed  ground ferns so helping their dispersal through the  country’s forests. 

The finding is the southernmost finding of a moa species once widely distributes in lowland  closed canopy forests. 

The Listener