NEWS FROM FIRST CHURCH

First Church, Martinborough is one of only two Presbyterian churches left in the whole of the Wairarapa that has not been forced to form a union with another denomination to survive.  These Unions have mainly been brought about because of decreasing numbers of attendees and therefore a lack of funds to pay a Minister and keep up with maintenance and other requirements on buildings etc.

Burnside Church down the valley near Pirinoa is owned by the Presbyterian Church Aotearoa New Zealand and falls under the responsibility of First Church.  We are indeed fortunate to have a dedicated committee of local people who keep Burnside Church property in tip top condition and who oversee weddings and events at the church.  Our Minister, Jim Veitch, takes services there at Easter and Christmas time for the local community.

Why we need to fundraise to stay alive.

First Church is dependent upon the goodwill and support of those who attend our Book Fair, Kirk Fair, Rotary Country Fairs and the Fashion Show and High Tea held last month.  There is no financial assistance given from our national body, the Presbyterian Church Aotearoa NZ.  The minister’s stipend, maintenance on buildings (which are church, hall, manse, Burnside Church), insurance, rates etc all have to be met by regular giving from the congregation and heavily supplemented by fundraising.  … Continue Reading

MAREE’S MUSINGS

A USEFUL EXERCISE

I’m sure that those of you who actually remember who I am, will also recall seeing me walking every day around Martinborough’s lovely streets. At the same time, I developed a bit of a reputation for what can be called plawking. 

To be fair, I made that word up. Plawking is my version of the more familiar plogging – Picking up Litter while jOGGING, that is. As my running skills resemble that of an ageing duck, I had to compromise, but still considered it a useful exercise, on both counts.

It’s a difficult habit to break, but anyway, why would you? It’s both exercise, and useful, after all. So now I’m living here in Dunedin, and still walkng daily; nowadays down my street and through a section of Town Belt; I thought I would turn my continued plawking habit into a small story for you.   

The distance down (and back up) is about 900m, with the majority of it through native bush. It’s pretty tidy in general, although there’s the odd bag of uneaten chips now and then which I strew under the trees for the birds. Sometimes a half-eaten hamburger, which meets the same fate. … Continue Reading

Country Dog City Dog

How Well Do We know People in our Community?

Reid and Reid, or otherwise Chris and Stewart are the owners of the Gin distillery in Martinborough.

Chris trained initially as a wine maker. Having finished his degree at the EIT in the Hawkes Bay he came to Martinborough to work at Ata Rangi, helping in the vineyard. He then worked vintages overseas in Oregon and at the Domaine Rion in Burgundy before being asked to be the assistant winemaker at Ata Rangi.

Meanwhile Stewart had completed his engineering degree and was positioned in Scotland working on wind farm developments.

The two caught up in Edinburgh where they became fascinated by the modern gin making techniques that were becoming popular. Botanicals were being added to create new flavours, a move away from the traditional London dry style. “We did a lot of tasting” laughs Chris.

“ When I came home I began experimenting in the back room. I wanted to create a quintessential New Zealand gin. The botanicals I chose after a lot of experimenting were Kawakawa, Horopito, and Manuka, and of course Juniper. Many New Zealand native plants have little flavour or have only a limited flowering season, so we wanted to use plants that were readily available all year around. Manuka has an oily floral character. Manuka and Kawakawa are known for their medicinal qualities and Horopito is quite peppery. When they are distilled the aromas are redolent of the smells one breathes in when you are walking in the New Zealand bush. Savoury and Peppery. … Continue Reading