Walking the kids’ books at Considine Park

Martinborough’s StoryWalk at Considine Park was nominated for a Kumara Award (category: Kei tua atu i te kaupapa / Beyond the brief – physical spaces that are more than what is expected or required) in April. 

The annual Kumara Awards celebrate innovative, transformative placemaking. 

Over 250 projects were nominated nationally, each one recognizing the people whose work resulted in vibrant, inclusive spaces that enhance the well-being of their communities. 

Inspired by an idea that originated overseas, Assistant Librarian Sylvia Arnold adapted the StoryWalk concept for Considine Park with generous support from the Friends of Martinborough Library, the Men’s Shed, publishers and writers. 

The walk has pages of a children’s book displayed on raised boards, and the idea is to walk, skip, from one display to the next as you follow the story’s progression. It’s fun for reluctant readers, an opportunity to connect with those who may not be regular library users, and an easy way to enjoy gentle exercise in a lovely outdoor setting. 

Residents and visitors alike are vocal in their praise for this local attraction. 

According to Sylvia, “The StoryWalk embodies the whakatauki ‘Kāora te kumara e kōrero ana mo tōna ake reka’ (the kūmara does not talk about its own sweetness). 

“While it was a privilege to be nominated for the award, the real satisfaction and pride lies in seeing so many people enjoy the StoryWalk – it brings a smile to people of all ages.” 

Check out the current featured story “The eels of Anzac Bridge” by Ali Foster & Viv Walker (Faber Books).

Use new eyes as you walk the road again

Netted Martinborough vines as harvest looms and autumn clouds gather. Photo Credit: ‘Town’ by Madeleine Slavick.

Wairarapa author and photographer Madeleine Slavick has a newly published book of photographs, stories and poems, all set in New Zealand, with many in Wairarapa.

“Town” is published by The Cuba Press and distributed by Bateman Books.

Slavick’s “Town” features at the Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival ‘Late Night Lit’ event on Friday 10 May (sold out). Slavick will also be present at her exhibition at Featherston’s Common Ground Art Gallery on Saturday May 11 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. with a Q+A session at 11:30 a.m. All welcome.

“Town is reminiscent of Robert Hass at his most beautifully imagistic, or Georgia O’Keeffe telling deep stories in flowers,” notes Hinemoana Baker, who contributed an endorsement for the book.

“The art is in the structure, the layering of images,” writes author Jillian Sullivan who will join Slavick at an event at Aratoi Museum on 11 June at 12 noon. 

“At once humorous, poignant, arch, illuminating and matter-of-fact, Town gives you your hometown as if you had always remembered it that way yourself. … Continue Reading

Familiar and new faces to grace Music Festival

New face: pianist Paavali Jumppanen heading to Martinborough Music Festival.

Martinborough Music Festival returns in September with an amazing lineup of talented musicians from New Zealand and overseas to bring this year’s four-concert Festival to life.

Co-Artistic Directors Wilma Smith and Donald Armstrong have invited back familiar friends of the Festival – violinists Gillian Ansell and Harry Bennetts – along with some new faces.

“I’m particularly looking forward to welcoming four new guests to Martinborough this year, all extraordinary musicians and great fun too,” says Wilma.

“Two are Finnish and now living in Sydney and Melbourne. Cellist Tipi Valve and pianist Paavali Jumppanen are very excited to be involved and I’m sure our audiences will be blown away by them.

“The other two are clarinet and cello sensations – David Griffiths and Svetlana Bogosavljevic – who have toured previously for Chamber Music New Zealand and can’t wait to come to Martinborough.” 

The four concerts include audience favourites such as Beethoven’s ‘Appassionato’ sonata, Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet in B minor and Mozart’s Trio for clarinet, viola and piano. The Finnish connection brings works by Sibelius and Kuusisto—and is also the inspiration for this year’s Festival logo and colours, with the swirling brilliance of blue, green and purple of the Northern Lights.

Festival dates are 27-29 September, with all four concerts once again taking place in Martinborough Town Hall.

There are two new faces on the Martinborough Music Festival Trust board that organises and runs the annual event. Trust members Scilla Askew, Rosemary Brown, Andrew Morrison and Marion Townend have been joined by Mike Armour (as Treasurer), while Sharon Cuzens, who has been on the Trust for five years, has taken on the role of Festival Director.

As well as the Festival itself, the Trust is hard at work planning the education and outreach programme. It’s going to be an exciting year—visiting Wairarapa schools and working with the Wairarapa Youth Orchestra.

Tickets will go on sale to our Earlybird subscribers on 1 June, so email info@martinboroughmusicfestival.co.nz to make sure of your seats. Public sales start from 1 July.

Martinborough Wine & Food Society: Chardonnay night

Six wines were tasted from different parts of the world: South of France, California, South Australia and New Zealand.

We were lucky to have with us past president Shelley and former cellar master Laurence Goldsmith who have shifted south but were passing through.They showed wonderful hospitality and kindness to members over the years but especially during lockdown, for which we again thank them.

Wine presentation was given by the knowledgeable John Penney accompanied by an excellent hand-out, which aptly described the parameters of Chardonnay. 

It will grow in most districts and display the characteristics of that region, from full-bodied to mineral and more elegant styles. Other considerations include: how much oak is used, or not; the use of malolactic fermentation to soften the wine, whether made in stainless or a barrel ferment and how long it is left on lees. 

Chardonnay is capable of a range of expressions depending on what the winemaker chooses to do with it.

The first pair of wines were from the Languedoc, not made under strict appellation control but the Pays D’Oc.

First was Domaine La Baume Les Vignes de Madame Chardonnay 2020.The wine is grown in silty clay limestone, fermented in stainless steel. It says made in the presence of wood!!!! So presumably oak chips. I personally found this wine very drinkable and good value.  … Continue Reading