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Aratoi’s Current Exhibitions

October 13, 2023 October 2023, Regular Features Comments Off on Aratoi’s Current Exhibitions

Rita Angus, Marjorie Marshall, 1938-39/1943, oil on canvas. © Reproduced courtesy of the Estate of Rita Angus. Purchased 2019. Te Papa (2019-0012-1).

A first for the Wairarapa is Te Papa’s touring exhibition – Rita Angus: New Zealand Modernist | He Ringatoi Hou o Aotearoa. The exhibition brings together 20 works by one of New Zealand’s most iconic 20th century artists, Rita Angus (1908–1970) with many of these never been displayed before in the region. 

The paintings span Angus’s life and career as an artist, drawing out the themes of pacifism, feminism and nature that shaped so much of her work. 

Another visiting exhibition is Dwayne Duthie’s Double Edge Sword from Taranaki. This exhibition aims to communicate ideas on human drive and desire related to the human condition, the connection to self-preservation and survival and how they can be both a benefit and liability.

These works are presented in painting, sculpture and digital forms utilising the symbolic and the abstract to highlight our desire to acquire, defend, connect, learn and largely survive.

Dwayne Duthie: Double Edge Sword 28 October- 3 December

Rita Angus: New Zealand Modernist | He Ringatoi Hou o Aotearoa 30 September- 26 November

‘Light Over Liskeard’ by Louis de Bernieres’

October 13, 2023 October 2023, Regular Features Comments Off on ‘Light Over Liskeard’ by Louis de Bernieres’

One of the perks of owning a bookshop is that you can get your hands on advance copies of books. Book reps will often bring a small stack of pending titles to our meetings and my staff and I get to read ahead. It makes us better booksellers, better at recommending books to customers. 

‘Light Over Liskeard’ is one of those advance copies which is due in stores this month, but I read it in August and loved it. I’ve been holding off reviewing it until it was available to buy.

So here goes…

Set sometime in the not-too-distant future where cars are self-driving, bots take care of most menial things, children have only virtual friends and national security is increasingly fragile, Q (not his real name) is a quantum cryptographer for the British government. 

Q becomes aware that he knows how to end the world and that if he knows, so too do a number of others scattered across the world. But he isn’t sure that he knows what it means to live and he’s running out of time. He leaves the city, buys a derelict farmhouse on the moors and begins to prepare for what is to come.

The absolute delight of this book is the light touch of the author and his introduction of weird and quirky characters already resident on the moors: a hermit, a knight, a ghost, a widowed South American environmentalist and his lusty daughter, and a range of ‘reintroduced’ species roaming at large. 

I think what I liked most is that it isn’t what you think its going to be – there’s no doom, no wailing and gnashing of teeth, just good story telling and compelling characters that leave you strangely happy to have met them.

NEWS FROM FIRST CHURCH

October 13, 2023 October 2023, Regular Features Comments Off on NEWS FROM FIRST CHURCH

As the rain beats down and high winds howl we’re told that Spring has sprung and benign weather is just around the corner. Maybe. In Martinborough one sure sign of renewal is seen every September in the vineyards, with new season buds and nascent leaves now making their first appearance.  Anyone passing First Church on a Sunday will also be struck by the lusty spring induced singing emanating from within.  Linger and listen to the tuneful standard hymns (better still, come in!) but be prepared to quicken your stride for any of the more challenging psalms which challenge a congregation’s musicality.

People are still buzzing about the Spring Fling fashion show last month which was financially rewarding and a huge success.  With 126 tickets sold the Town Hall was full to bulging.   The high fashion clothes being modelled were a great hit with discerning punters and the event is bound to become an annual hardy.  Entertainment from the fabulous Maynard girls was an added bonus.

Upcoming Events

  • The trusty 2-day Kirk Fair is scheduled for 25th and 26th November and will have a fine array of cakes, produce, clothes and tasteful bric à brac on display.  Any donations welcome.  See you at the Waihinga Centre.
  • You’ll need to stock up on decent books to ride out the last of the wet weather.  Come to the Church Hall for their Book Sale on 28th October, 1.30 – 5pm.
  • Women Remembered – Prof. Joan Taylor, 22 October at 12.45pm – 1st Church Community Hall.

If you’re interested in learning about the role of women in the Bible, come to what will be a fascinating lecture by Prof. Joan Taylor.  She is eminently qualified for this modern topic having served in senior academic positions at Uni of Waikato, Harvard Divinity School, Kings College London and latterly at Victoria and currently Prof. at the Centre of Religion Melbourne.  She has a PhD in early Christian archaeology.

Spring bounce for business

October 13, 2023 October 2023, Regular Features Comments Off on Spring bounce for business

By Allan Hogg, chair MBA

Tourism Thrives as Domestic Visitors Spend Skyrockets

Martinborough businesses are reporting an upswing in visitor traffic. Notably, Australian visitors have joined the mix. Domestic visitor spending for July 2023 reached $12.5 million, marking the largest increase compared to the same period last year within the nationwide network of Regional Tourism Organizations. This trend indicates Wairarapa’s status as an emerging winter destination, with the Greytown Winter Festival emerging as a prominent drawcard.

Martinborough Business Association Attends Business Wairarapa Summit

In August, members of the Martinborough Business Association were among attendees at the annual Summit Conference hosted by Business Wairarapa (Chamber of Commerce). Held at the Events Centre in Carterton, the conference received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants. The event featured respected keynote and guest speakers, extensive networking opportunities, and fantastic hospitality.

Among the testimonials from attendees:

“For a small region, we sure know how to put on a business summit. I was already looking forward to hearing from Karen Walker and Brad Olsen, and they didn’t disappoint. But it was Bronwyn Lord’s story of her journey from pregnant teen mum to McDonald’s Franchise owner and running her own training company which was the most inspiring (and funny). A really worthwhile day out of the office. Looking forward to next year.” … Continue Reading

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Sports

Lady golfers show Rosebowl winning ways

September has been an up and down month weatherwise for golfers, some beautiful early spring days followed by cold and rain. Thankfully for the important days the weather has mostly come to the party. Early in the month the Cotter Rosebowl was successfully defended at Carterton by Martinborough’s team of …

Stunning first 4 – 1 win for Marty Women’s FC

By All-knowing Football Reporter It was always going to happen. After a few draws, some losses the newly-formed MWFC won their first game. An impressive and resounding victory. It started with ‘The Fox in the Box,’ the striker who plays in the traditional Number 9 role of marauding the penalty …

Martinborough Golf Club

A taste of what the new clubhouse will offer was provided recently to members and the Martinborough community.  The weather also came to the party to give everyone fabulous views from the new bar /lounge area as well as the undercover outdoor space. Over 100 people took advantage of the …

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