Over The Hill Tournament 2015

Martinborough Lawn Tennis Club hosted the 22nd “ “Over The Hill” tennis tournament over the weekend. Threatening weather on Friday failed to affect the annual lawn tennis tournament, with two mostly fine days drawing in players largely from out of the region to attend the popular country club.

This years mens draw in particular drew in a high caliber of players, including former Davis Club competitor Brett Hibbert, and highly ranked group from Taranaki/Manawatu, including Michael Fleming, Stephen Scott, Grant Goperth and Frayne Bloor. On Saturday’s play, former NZ number 5, Brett Hibbert teamed up with fifteen year old son Hugo, to win the consolation plate final while two times defending champions, Matt Spooner and Cory Spooner from Carterton, were kept under pressure to make it to the final, but in a tight battle, lost to the formidable duo of former NZ number 17 Michael Fleming and Stephen Scott. … Continue Reading

Martinborough Rugby Club

THE PUKEMANU BULLRIDE – Friday 5th February 6-8pm at Martinborough Transport, 204 Lake Ferry Road. Gates open from 4.30pm, Gate Sales – $15 Adult, $5 Under 12, tickets also available from Wrightsons, Kitcheners and Martinborough Transport. Bar and food available – No BYO. This is the 3rd year that this event has been held in Martinborough, the evening is action packed and will showcase the best Open bullriders New Zealand has to offer as well as a local bullride competition where some of our bravest locals can try their luck on a novice bull. Contact James Bruce if you require more information ph 0272772962.

PRE SEASON TRAINING has begun, Tuesday and Thursday nights 6.30pm. Numbers are looking good, if you have not make it along but keen to join in just turn up or contact James Bruce for more details. … Continue Reading

Karearea – The Second Stage

Have you seen one of Martinborough’s Karearea lately? We are now host to six native falcons , and all appear to be doing very well indeed. Late in 2014 three Karearea chicks were transported from Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust in Rotorua to Martinborough, settled into their nesting box at the edge of the escarpment in Te Muna Road, and released when they grew old enough to fly. Two of those, Honour and Pari, survived the initial nail-biting days as they grappled with the tricky business of flying and finding their way safely home again. A third – Hohoro – was blown away in the November gales soon after release and subsequently taken by a predator.

In April last year a one year old male called Quentin, uncle to Honour and Pari, was released in the same area. Quentin was a rescued egg, hand reared at Wingspan and then trained to hunt. A very fit young Quentin was released, but after the first week no confirmed sightings were made of him until early in January when his white leg band was identified in Todds Road, so it seems that Quentin has been here all along minding his own business and hunting in Martinborough vineyards. … Continue Reading

Velo fellows

‘Velo fellows’ is the nickname enthusiasts bestowed on the Velocette classic motor cycle racing team which includes well known local Bill Biber as one of it’s riders. Bill has known Nick Thompson and Phil Price, the men behind the team, for around twenty years.

Nick and Phil met during their University years. They shared a recreational interest in modifying Velocette street bikes for classic racing. From University Phil taught art at Christ College before deciding to combine art with his engineering expertise to branch into creating kinetic art, the Zephyometre by Wellington Airport is an example of his work.
… Continue Reading