Talk on the remarkable geology on the Tora Coast

By Joe Howells

If you know what to look for in a geological sense, there are some remarkable things about our east coast at Tora. There is evidence for a giant submarine channel forming during the era of the dinosaurs, around 70 million years ago. A few million years later, at the end of the Cretaceous era we find the only global record of a giant tsunami crashing into the ancient New Zealand coast, a tsunami generated by the asteroid impact that is thought to have led to the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. After this catastrophe, the rocks record dramatic climate swings as atmospheric CO₂ and global temperatures increased to levels comparable to the worst-case scenarios for present-day global warming.

Chris Hollis is an Adjunct Professor, School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington. On Sunday 22^nd January Chris will give a talk about the geological significance of the Tora Coast at the Lion’s Hall 1 Oxford Street Martinborough, at 6pm. The entry fee is $5.00 donation to the Aorangi Restoration Trust at the door. 

​ By 2045, the Aorangi Restoration Trust aims to have restored the Aorangi Forest and its surrounds to the state where:

• The indigenous forest, coastal, and marine ecosystems are healthy,
• Its streams, rivers, and wetlands are clean and abundantly inhabited,
• There are ecosystem services that benefit the rural and urban economies of South Wairarapa and offer places for recreation for the wider Wellington region.

The Aorangi Trust welcomes volunteers to work on the predator trapping lines around the Aorangi Forest.

For further information or to book a spot at the talk please email or phone/text Joe Howells on: Email: Joe@greenjersey.co.nz; phone 027 597 2667.

Vicki resigns from Community Choir

By Winfred Bull

Vicki Jones has been the conductor of the Martinborough Community Choir for over 10 years. She has decided now that the time has come to resign.

Vicki emailed choir members saying “our informal concert on December 6 is going to be my last ever concert as leader of the Martinborough Community Choir. The past 2-3 years have been quite difficult, with lockdowns necessitating extended choir breaks, and subsequent sporadic attendance. My decision was not taken lightly”.

Well-liked and respected by the choir, members have been saddened by the news. Vicki is to be admired for her willingness and stamina, keeping the choir going with the curve balls sent her way, not least the being the Covid pandemic.

Vicki has had a rich and satisfying history with the choir. Her retirement as Sub Principal (2) Bass player for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra coincided with the departure of Jancis Potter who was the conductor for the Martinborough choir of the day, The Midday Singers. 

Learning that there were people who missed group singing when that choir ceased, Vicki decided to give conducting a go. “I had no choir leading experience whatsoever” but she was brilliant with a choir which she says, “came along with different expectations and strengths; some people just wanted to have a sing with friendly people; some were keen to improve their vocal and listening skills; some read music fluently, others just a little, or maybe not at all”. … Continue Reading

Wim Juilcher 1947 –2022

By Adrienne Staples

Martinborough lost a good citizen recently.  Not a name you read in the history books from the early families that settled the area but a person, who in 1997, chose a block of land on Te Muna Road as the place to base his future.  He saw the potential, invested hard work and made Martinborough his home.

Wim Julicher was born on the 5th of September, 1947 in Swalmen, The Netherlands, the eldest of five children.  As a young child he was never one for school and books, always preferring to build things.  This talent took him into the cabinet making industry which eventually led him, at the age of twenty-five, to Lower Hutt, New Zealand.

He met a Kiwi girl, Sue Davies whom he married in February 1974 and they set about having a family, a daughter Nikki and son Justin.

On a family trip to Marlborough, Wim became enthralled with the idea of developing an olive grove and that was the original vision for the land he purchased on Te Muna Road.  Sadly, the initial planting of two thousand olive trees was unsuccessful as the type was not suited to Martinborough’s winter.

Never one to be down hearted, Wim switched his focus to grapes and started on what was to become a very successful career in the wine industry.  Initially the family stayed in a caravan on the property in weekends and holidays while the vineyard was developed. … Continue Reading

Toy library news

The soft play have already proved popular with our younger members.

By Donna McQuaid

We’d like to start this month’s article with a thank you to Café Medici, who generously donated the proceeds raised by a quiz night they held. The money was used to purchase a soft play set which has already proven a hit for all ages from crawlers to pre-schoolers. 

Another new addition to the library is a Party Pack consisting of a height-adjustable table, 8 chairs, a bubble machine and disco light. This is now available for reservation for a koha donation. For those with more space, we also have a bouncy castle available to hire for $50. These services are only available to members, but thanks to a grant from South Wairarapa District Council, membership is $30 for 6 months or $50 for a year. Reduced fees are available for grandparents. 

The Toy Library will be closed over the Christmas period to allow our hard-working volunteers to enjoy holidays with their families. Our last day will be Saturday 17th December and then we will reopen on Saturday 14th January. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us during 2022. This fantastic community facility would not exist without the support of the volunteers, as well as the wider Martinborough community, who donate time and money to make it a great resource for local families. 

Our most heartfelt thanks go to Lia Wood, who left this year after 10 years of volunteering with Martinborough Toy Library. Her dedication has been exemplary. As well as being a regular volunteer during our weekend sessions, she has also spent many years in the roles of both Treasurer and Toy Buyer. Her drive and vision have been instrumental to many improvements, including redesigning our logo and getting our wonderful new storage facilities designed and built. Lia, thank you so much for everything. 

Finally, we would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday period, and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2023.