Martinborough Community Choir update:

The choir is currently preparing for our sixth end-of-year concert.
We’ll be performing in our usual venue, St. Andrew’s Hall, on Tuesday eve December 11, at 7.30pm. Everyone is most welcome to attend.

This year we’ll be singing a wide variety of songs, from classical to pop, with themes of love, happiness and beauty; and also celebrating the centenary of Leonard Bernstein’s birth with a medley of songs from his great musical ‘West Side Story’.

We’ll be singing mostly in English, but we’ll also perform songs in French, German and te reo Māori.

After this concert, we’ll take our usual long summer holiday.
Watch this space for our start date in 2019, when we’ll welcome any new members who enjoy group singing, and have wide-ranging taste in music!

Merry Christmas and Happy New year to all. Victoria Jones, for the MCC.

Library News

Hello from an empty shell of a library. So sad to see the empty shelves and no heels on the walls! This is short as I am typing it on my teeny weeny phone screen. Using one finger to type is quite alien to me as I am used to touchtyping at a fast pace.
By the time you get this paper we will be ensconced in our new premises. Our volunteers have been life savers. Without you all we would not have pulled off the move in such a tight timeframe. It will take us a little while to get ourselves on track but meanwhile I want to thank everyone for being so patient while we were closed over the two weeks. 

We are heading on full steam with the Summer Reading programme, so register your children now. Alison is in charge and has some exciting things planned for everyone. My finger is now fed up with tapping away so this is all my news for 2018. Happy Christmas everyone. Shirley

Meet Oscar and Bafta winning designer

Doctor Who is hot right now, so a trivial pursuit question is in order for aficionados.

Question: Who introduced the Doctor’s iconic long scarf featured in the thirty episodes from 1972-1976?

Answer: James Acheson

And now the Wairarapa gets the chance to hear this talented NZ based costume designer for film, theatre and dance at the first of LONGWOOD LIFE LESSONS – a series of events beginning in January and continuing monthly till May.

Of course the pinnacle of success for any designer is the Oscars and James happens to have won three, including The Last Emperor for which he also won a Bafta. … Continue Reading

Museum News

Summer Opening Hours

The museum’s normally opens from 1.30 until 3.30pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.  

From Christmas until the end of January these hours are extended and the museum will be open every day from 11.30am until 3.30pm.

Old Town Hall Display

To tie in with the opening of the refurbished Town Hall, we have put together a display about the Hall’s early days.   Pop in and see it any time from 8 December, (see opening hours above). 

New Acquisition

Long time Martinborough resident Ray Lind has gifted the museum a “Troughton & Simms” surveyor’s level.  It was made in London and used in the Wairarapa in the 20’s and 30’s.  Ray was given it when he retired from the Featherston County Council (later SWDC) in 1989. Like many of these old instruments it was made to last, with hardwood legs and brass fittings.  … Continue Reading