Martinborough Mens Shed

The Martinborough Mens Shed continues with many and varied activities. Recent ones have included:

• Repairing and painting book shelves for the library in the new premises
• Building a box for the collection and safe return of books through the after-hours slot at the library
• Repairs to toys for the toy library, kindergarten and playcentre
• Various jobs in the museum
• An old historical garden seat, kindly donated by Martin Lawrence, is being refurbished. It will be situated at the museum.

… Continue Reading

News from First Church

February really was a delightful warm summer month, and Martinborough had many visitors enjoying all the delights that our town and countryside has to offer.

 First Church Sunday services have almost become a “drop in” cafe, as visitors to town join us in our hall for a relaxed and friendly time of worship with morning tea. It’s very interesting to meet new people, hear where they’re from and what brings them to Martinborough.

 Sometimes there are family connections, and fascinating stories are told. In First Church’s almost 150 years, it has played a part in the lives of many people and families which grew up in and around Martinborough through weddings,  baptisms, Sunday School, Bible Class and all the social life that revolves round a parish church which is so much a part of the history of the town. … Continue Reading

Raftarama

In the 1970s the Martinborough Lions held their highly successful Raftarama  which saw local groups ‘race’ down the Ruamahunga river on rafts from Moiki to the main road bridge. The rafts were many and various built on drums, car tubes, plastic containers, wooden crates, in fact anything which more or less floated. 

 One aim was to get to the end the other to slow down other contestants. Fair means or foul was the order of the day. Raftarama was a huge amount of fun and drew contestants from clubs and groups from all over South Wairarapa – along with huge crowds of supporters. A highlight of the day was the  giant sausage sizzle put on by the Lions.

If any readers have stories of their Raftarama memories  we would love to have them, please send them in.

Fire Brigade

We normally rush out to help you, but with the recent passing of SFF Garry Jackson you the Community came out in force to help us, and we would like to thank all the local businesses, community groups and individuals who assisted us with ensuring Garry received an appropriate service, and we couldn’t have done it without you. 

Garry’s service in the Martinborough Volunteer Fire Brigade to the Martinborough Community fell just short of 50 years, and he is missed by us all. At the bottom of the article are some contacts if you need help.

The Brigade has had a steady couple of months with Rescue, Medical as well as our usual Fire calls, and it is timely to remind you all, that despite the rain falling as this is written, there is still a TOTAL FIRE BAN in place for the Wairarapa that is unlikely to change in the short term.  … Continue Reading