Who Killed My Chickens?

Dogs. Everyone’s best friend.  The one who insists it is time for a walk. The one who tells you that is definitely time for dinner. The one who loves to play ball. The one who puts his head on your lap and looks up with soulful eyes.

But also, the one who sometimes escapes surreptitiously, who chews your shoes, chases a child or heaven forbid trespasses onto a neighbour’s property and kills their hens. 

There are rules and regulations concerning the ownership of dogs, one of which is that you must keep your dog under control at all times.  A second bylaw insists that you must accept liability for any damage caused by your dog and pay reparation. Dogs over three months old are required to be registered with the Council and their tags must be attached to the collar at all times. Dogs in urban areas are required to be on a leash, and you need to clean up after your dog in public areas.   … Continue Reading

FIRE BRIGADE REPORT 

This month saw another 9 members of our Brigade start their 200 hour journey into Medical First response training, with our training and response partner Wellington Free Ambulance. If you seek medical help don’t be surprised if we introduce one of these trainees who are all keen to start to put their learning’s into practice.

All our Medical First Responders and some of our Firefighters undertake monthly online skills courses offer by Fire and Emergency as part of their ongoing development.

We continue on with our calls, and it looks like we might get close to 300 this year, we are already at over 115 before the end of May.  … Continue Reading

Did You Know? 

Glowworms

Glowworms or Arachnacampa Luminosa are not really worms at all. They are the larvae of a carnivorous fungus gnat. They are small – about the size of a matchstick. Being bioluminescent they both produce and emit light. The bioluminescence is created through the reaction of an enzyme called luciferase. Produced by an organ near the tail of the glowworm the blueish green, glowing light is surrounded by a sac which provides oxygen. The oxygen helps to concentrate the reflection of the light, tempting prey to fly towards it.

Small flies and insects such as midges, moths, and mayflies flying towards the light are captured in a long sticky network of threads which the glowworms spin. The network of silk threads hangs vertically below. While insects are caught, adult glowworms are not attracted to the light. Even if they did get caught they are sufficiently strong to pull away.

Glowworms are usually found in caves or forests where the atmosphere is sheltered from strong winds yet damp enough for insects to be present. Walking through the bush at night you will sometimes see glowworms shining underneath mossy clay banks. Look closely and see the silken threads dangling below!

Mystical and Lyrical, Bewitching and Astonishing

Jazz in Martinborough returns in 2023 with an old favourite, the Nairobi Trio, and the “mystical and lyrical” Lucien Johnson Quartet.

The festival will again consist of two Town Hall concerts, on the Friday and Saturday nights.  “Our festival is always on the first weekend of Spring, this year it’s the 1^st and 2^nd of September,” says festival music director Lee Quayle.

“We’re bringing back an old favourite of many a kiwi jazz music fan, the Nairobi Trio, to get the weekend off to a rollicking start on the Friday night,” says Lee. … Continue Reading