Martinborough Community Garden News

Community Garden produce available for all at the Medical Centre.

Just keeping us out there! Pretty much more of the same: survival; cut back; replant; net to keep the birds at bay; pray for the day that pea straw is available again… this has been a summer like no other. We have however managed to harvest each week, if only water-fattened courgettes (aka marrows). Beans have been plentiful and tomatoes not too bad, when the rain has not split the skins.

Really pleased to report that we have had a very generous grant from the Community Board, which should keep us afloat for the coming year. Nga Mihi Nui! This is very much appreciated and will now allow us to go into planning mode for winter crops, and sow mustard seeds for those areas that have provided as amply as conditions have allowed over the summer months.

Although we have planted the back of the garden this summer, with raised  metal beds, they have taken a bit of a pounding, as this part of the garden becomes a bog in the wet months… we hadn’t planned for such rain, so although we have had a fair crop of peppers and tomatoes from these planters, they have not been prolific. Certainly, more than they would have been had we planted straight into the soil. Lesson: the lift of good planter boxes can mitigate against damp, boggy areas.

Brussel sprouts are going in this week: soil has been well turned with heaps of horse pooh, washed well in with the rain. Also, a few more brassicas; we have found that the miniature caulis and cabbages not only grow well, but are a good size for those who are regular users of the Larder… plants are available at Mitre 10, although we are experimenting with ‘growth from seeds’ for these smaller varieties. Will report on results.

Debbie Yates

MAREE’S MUSINGS

2022 from A to Z: PART TWO.

I’m hoping you enjoyed Part One of my 2022 reflections. Here’s Part Two.

J is for Joy. Just saying. Often it’s Just little things. From my Jottings, a Haiku:

Two Magpies sitting

on the line, and in the sun.

I smile. Two for joy.

K. I drew a blank here. There’s Knowledge, though; comes from 

L for Learning: difficult sometimes, resulting in Losing the Plot.  Lists, which Litter the place because of Lapses of 

Memory. More on this: It May just be Misremembering, which is actually A Thing. Misrememory? (I Made that up.) Setting oneself Mental challenges helps – see P for Puzzles below. Misinformation, such as about Mask wearing: becoming a distant Memory now. More Joy!

N is for the New Normal; something I’ve Now Nearly got used to. … Continue Reading

Library News

Kiri Carroll

Anna Jong

Did you know WLS libraries operate as a shared service across Carterton and South Wairarapa? This means the libraries at Featherston, Greytown, Martinborough and Carterton work together to provide you with a comprehensive library service.

Being a team across four sites means nearly all staff regularly move around our branches Moving around helps us share our knowledge and skills with you and each other. It also helps us better know the collection at each library and point you to your next great read!

We have an amazing team who’ve worked at WLS for anywhere between 18 months and 36 years. We also have a group of casual staff who you’ll also see from time to time.

We’re conscious of comments about “new faces”. So, this year we thought we’d help you get to know us a little better by introducing a few of the team each month, starting with Kiri Carroll, Andrea Darbyshire and Annette Beattie. We invite you to say hello next time you meet them. … Continue Reading

How Well Do We Know People in our Community? Jane Riddiford. A local girl comes home.

Lyle Griffiths

Memories of the Wairarapa are part of Jane’s childhood, firstly visiting her grandparents at Longwood, then moving to Martinborough to live at Ruamāhanga Farm.  High school years were spent as a weekly boarder at Erskine College and then on to University and travel.  

An interest in the power of community was sparked early, through participation in an outdoor theatre event, produced by “Welfare State,” from the UK. The interactive performance took place along a mile of Kapiti coastline, highlighting the plight of whales. “I realised then that the connection between land, storytelling and community involvement was a potent combination.” says Jane.

After travelling overseas for several years, she returned to NZ and in the 1990’s did a Sustainable Land Management Diploma at Unitec.  My main project was at Newton Central School where we involved pupils, their families and local Iwi in creating an Inner-City Forest.  The area which had been laid bare by motorway construction was replanted with locally sourced natives and is now protected by DOC. Jane described how “We were not only growing a forest but growing a community.”

During that time Jane worked as a Co-ordinator for Kelmarna Gardens, an organic City Farm in Auckland, which supported people suffering from mental health issues. Produce was sold to restaurants and the local community. These experiences laid the foundation for the next twenty-five years in London.   … Continue Reading