A PASSION FOR SHEARING

Our series of excellent speakers continues! This time Jills Angus-Burney, a local barrister, gave us some wonderful insights into her lifelong passion for shearing and her travels and achievements along the road to achieving her goals.

Jills grew up as a “townie” in Feilding, She learned to shear at the age of 14 and had her first day shearing at 16. She always had a passion for shearing although she had a good education at school and university as well. She was inspired by a local champion shearer who travelled the world with his shearing.

Her shearing has taken her all over the world including Scotland, Wales, Australia and also America for one season. She was the first woman to win the New Zealand Merino shearing title when she was 25 and had only been shearing for six years. She started going to Australia in 1981 and spent about 15 years going over to Australia for the season. … Continue Reading

Book reviews

Man Booker short listed books

The year of the runaways by Sunjeev Sahota

 India – a country where life is precarious, especially if you are poor or belong to a different caste. England – the land of plenty where dreams can come true?
 
This book follows the lives of four young people, three of who come to England as migrant labour and life is little better than what they have left behind. Desperate for work (illegal) they then are part of the low paid underground workforce, supporting family at home, paying debts, working impossible hours and living in slum conditions.  England does not prove the answer to their plight.  The fourth, Narinder, is English but as a woman is constrained by her culture but is involved in the men’s story. … Continue Reading

Bowling Club season opens

The weather gods’ were against us recently as the club conducted the 2015 opening afternoon .Not to be dissuaded over 50 staunch patrons converged on the Regent  Street  clubhouse for the occasion .

Club President Pedro McGillicuddy  was lavish in his praise for those that  made the effort to attend and outlined the clubs 2015 intentions .A lavish high tea and liquid refreshments was enjoyed by all with indoor bowels and a darts tournament conducted . … Continue Reading

Martinborough Community Board

Daylight savings is here and hopefully the promise of long sunny days in the Wairarapa. It is hard to believe that Christmas is also just around the corner.As the newest member of the Martinborough Community Board I am enjoying the challenge of finding out the ins and outs of the workings of the Board. … Continue Reading