Walking Group Wants Wonderful New Walkway 

Three years ago the Friday Walking Group started as part of the Martinborough Community Health Project.  Since then members have covered every street in Martinborough many times over.  Now they are setting their sights on expanding the available walking opportunities.   

Their vision is to add a new trail on the northern side of town broadly following the Round The Vines route.   It would link up with the Palliser Vineyard Walk to create a circuit and a beautiful, tranquil experience away from the traffic and bustle of the village.  There would be wonderful views of the hills, the river and the vineyards.  The plan includes a well-formed path so it’s accessible to everyone and a shared space for walkers, cyclists and people with dogs.   … Continue Reading

News from First Church

Recovering from the Book Fair: Enjoying cafe church again: Kirk Fair ahead!                                         

Following the great effort and success of the delayed Book Fair in August, First Church folk have taken the month of September to clear up our hall in Weld Street so we could reurn there to hold the popular cafe style Sunday services. 

Through September we met in the church and adapted to meeting there in the more traditional way with pews and everyone facing one way.  This confirmed what we have come to like and prefer – a relaxing gathering time for greeting and chatting over morning tea, giving everyone a better chance to keep interesting conversations going. We will still use our historic church at the special times in the church year.

We extend a warm welcome to anyone to come and join our friendly cafe church gathering in the Hall at 10am each Sunday.  … Continue Reading

Nga Waka pops up on election day

Nga Waka has always been a winery of firsts. It is one of the first two wineries on the drive into Martinborough village and was one of the first six wineries in the region in 1988, but this year it clocks up a slightly unusual first by opening a pop up cellar door on Election Day, Saturday 17 October. 

“We can’t let politics get in the way of wine tasting,” says general manager Mick Hodson, who is looking forward to talking with customers directly about wine.  … Continue Reading

Councillor Comment

Top of the list for this month must be the start of the Long Term Plan (1 to 10 year timeframe) consultation called ‘WHAT’S ON TOP’.

The LTP sets our strategic direction for the next 10 years and includes project priorities, budgets and rates forecasts for the next 10 years, this is updated every three years.  The Spatial Plan is a map of how we envision the district to look in 30 years time and we are integrating this work into the LTP process.

This requires a lot of consultation with our wider community and is an opportunity for everyone to have their say on what council should focus on from now and looking 10/30 years out.  This will also include those topics that were consulted on during the Annual Plan and indicated as a priority for the next three years. … Continue Reading