Home » February 2019 » Recent Articles:

Star’s Founder found.

February 11, 2019 February 2019 Comments Off on Star’s Founder found.

Following Mate Higginson’s article on long time Star Editor Fred Michell we have been contacted by the grandson of the founder, Neil Closey. The founder was James Henry Claridge. This remarkable person had spent his working life establishing newspapers, thirteen in all, which once established he sold  and moved on to the next town which he considered ready for one. James’ son and daughter wrote a book on their father’s experiences which his granddaughter published. Neil  sent the Star a copy of the chapter on Martinbrough, which follows:

James Henry Claridge visited Martinborough first to see what reaction came to the idea of starting a paper in the town.  He was received coolly when he visited business men to support him with advertising.  Martinborough was then, as it is now, inclined to be conservative; farming made the town, and business supported the farmers, traditionally conservative and slow to change.  They read the papers printed in Greytown and Carterton, and The New Zealand Times from Wellington.  Why should they have as well a local paper.  Because it is local, answered James.   … Continue Reading

Martinborough now has a resident bicycle mechanic!

February 11, 2019 February 2019 Comments Off on Martinborough now has a resident bicycle mechanic!

Emily and Alex Clark along with baby daughter Celeste and Alex’s 10-year-old son Jasper recently chose Martinborough as their new home town, and are now planning a new build just out of town.  It just so happens Alex is a fully trained bicycle mechanic, so, when he popped into the Green Jersey bike shed to see if there was any work, he was greeted with “open arms”. 

Whilst the Green Jersey fleet keep Alex busy, he is also available to service our local’s bikes. Local biker David Blake is a regular visitor, both for technical advice, a chat and bike maintenance and parts. David said “it’s a great step up for the town to have our own resident bike mechanic, we all need to support this service and make it permanent”.

Museum News

February 11, 2019 February 2019 Comments Off on Museum News

The museum has been busy over the summer with visitor numbers for December up on the previous year.  More than 200 people visiting during the month.  January numbers have not yet been compiled but are also likely to be even higher given the museum has been open every day.

New Acquisitions

Martin Lawrence has gifted are a number of vintage items that belonged to his mother Nancy Lawrence (nee Martin).  This includes a wrought iron “park bench” which will be set up on the north side of the museum to provide a sunny sitting area for visitors.  The Mens Shed will be helping with this.  The gift also includes other antique decorative items.

Interested in Local History?

We are looking for more people to meet and greet visitors and also to support the work that the museum does.   If you have an interest in people or would like to be involved in preserving, displaying, researching or in other ways supporting local history then give us a call.    Derek Wilson 306 9722, Chris Cassels 306 8286 or Jo Guscott 306 8240. 

 

National Champion 

February 11, 2019 February 2019, Sports Comments Off on National Champion 

Kuranui College student Lucy Marshall is the 2019 NZ Mounted Games under fourteen champion. The title was achieved riding her pony Tommy at the New Zealand Championships were held over eight days in January at Christchurch. 

The first two days were the singles championship preliminary rounds with the finals held on the third day. 

Two days were then given to tuition given jointly by the New Zealand  team coach and an Irish trainer. 

The Canterbury team championships were  held over the last three days of the event. Lucy was a member of both the under seventeen and the open grade teams. Both teams won their competition. 

Jeremy Thurston from Kahutara riding Copper was a member of the winning open grade team and was chosen as a member of the New Zealand team . Jeremy was also a member of the New Zealand team which competed in America last year.

FEATURED BUSINESSES

Sports

Golf pro-am success _ without clubhouse

By Karen Stephens A record field of 172 players, including 43 professionals from New Zealand and Australia, battled light winds, warm temperatures and even light early-morning fog at Martinborough golf’s 2024 CER Electrical and Holmes Construction pro-am on February 1. At least that was the range of excuses for some …

Featherston wrestlers go offshore

Two members of Featherston Amateur Wrestling Club’s senior class have again been asked to join a New Zealand team overseas.  Wairangi Sargent and Angus Read will take part in the Journeymen Tournament and Training Camp over Easter in New York state.  Over the week they are there they will be …

Martinborough Golf Club has tumbled down

The demolition of the Martinborough Golf Club is complete. In the last days prior to Christmas a fully-insulated pole shed, much like a top end farm outbuilding, was erected to act as both office and temporary clubhouse. New septic tanks, internet connectivity, power, water, and Porticom loos were installed. On …

Regular Features

News from First Church

 Many folk imagine that going to church is a bit of an ordeal, a waste …

FROM THE MAYOR

By Martin Connelly In February the local Lions Club invited me for dinner and asked …

Driving Growth and Collaboration: Martinborough Business Assn Committee

The Martinborough Business Association Committee plays an important role in fostering economic growth and collaboration …

How Well Do We Know People in our Community?

Michael Bing talks to Lyle Griffiths Michael was raised in Auckland, attending St Peters College …

BOOK REVIEWS FOR HOT SUMMER DAYS

By Brenda Channer – Martinborough Bookshop “Whether Violent or Natural” by Natasha Calder This debut …

Community Garden News

By Debbie Yates This is definitely the month of thank you. Nga Mihi Nui! We …

EVENTS

Saturday 10 February: 10th annual Citizen Science Kākahi Count at Western Lake Shore Reserve, 18km …

Recent Comments