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An earlier Star deliverer 

February 17, 2020 February 2020 Comments Off on An earlier Star deliverer 

We received an interesting letter from Val Johns’ brother in law Lloyd who lives in Australia. He wrote; 

“In the 1950s I delivered Charlie Michelle’s Martinborough Star to around 40 or so residents each Wednesday after school for the princely sum of 2/6d. 

( 2020 = $8.72). On every Wednesday, the Star went over the front gate or was stuffed into the letter box if accessible without stopping, but on the last delivery before Christmas, every paper was hand delivered to Charlie’s readers – it was well worth the effort to get off the bike and knock on the back door !

I did this for several years until my bicycle fell apart and Lamb’s garage had great difficulty getting spare parts for it.” … Continue Reading

Book review

February 17, 2020 February 2020 Comments Off on Book review

Agent running in the field

John Le Carre has been writing spy tales for fifty years during which time he has turned out twenty five of these novels. Some of these such as  Smiley’s people, The little drummer girl and The night manager have been made into successful films.

It would be of no surprise if having written so many novels of the genre that they had become a bit formularised, however having read quite a few of them I find that this is not the case. Agent running in the field is another of Le Carre’s well thought out and told tales.

The lead character has had a successful career as an agent who is now back in England and given been given a nice quiet position as a manager of a small London station of no great importance to work out the remaining years to eventual retirement.  The station is a substation of the London Russian station and subservient to it. It is considered of no account in the scheme of things. … Continue Reading

Cooking corner

February 17, 2020 February 2020 Comments Off on Cooking corner

Watermelon bites

Ingredients 

2 cups watermelon cubes,

 250gr cold smoked salmon, sliced

150gr Camembert cheese – or cheese of your choice

½ cup fresh mint leaves 

toothpicks 

Method … Continue Reading

 Community Garden News 

February 17, 2020 February 2020 Comments Off on  Community Garden News 

Well summer is now here and with it comes zucchinis growing into marrows, heaps of tomatoes, finally turning red, cucumbers, peppers and delicious beans. As requested in our survey, we have planted chillies, which are just forming and aubergine…also forming, so not too far away. The corn is about to be harvested and at last our kumaras are looking hopeful. 

We have had a good supply of lettuce, but unfortunately with gardeners on holiday etc. we lost a few of our last rotation…they really do need frequent and deep watering, and somehow we just slipped up at the crucial moment. However, fear not…we have another planter full going in this week! We have had good secondary growth from our broccoli: not large heads, but nice little bunches, ideal for salalds. … Continue Reading

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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 …

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