Martinborough School production

The dramatic arts have been a big focus for Martinborough School this term as we prepare for our school production. Come along to one of our performances and see just what an amazing job our students have done of writing and producing this spectacular show.
Our core cast is supported by all students showcasing their musical and dramatic talents to a fairy tale theme.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and are available from the school office. Evening performances are held in the school hall at 6pm on Monday September 12th and Wednesday September 14th. Matinee performances will be held on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th from 12-2pm.

We’re so proud of our students and would love you to come along and see what they have achieved.

Martinborough Mens Shed

Preparations for the fund raising auction are well underway with donations of tools, furniture, household goods, garden tools, and many items that should be of interest on sale day. More donations are being sought from anyone who has saleable items.
It’s the first week of spring and time for that cleanout of the garage and closets and donate to the Mens Shed. Items can be brought to the Mens Shed on Cork Street Wednesdays or Saturdays from 10am to noon or phone Mike Cronshaw at 06 306 6236. See the ad for the auction in this issue of the Star.

Now that the Mens Shed is “open for business”, members of the community have been stopping by requesting help to repair or build pieces of furniture and other items. Please feel free to stop by and discuss any project that might need Mens Shed help. Visitors are always welcome during open hours, Wednesdays and Saturdays 10am to noon.

New book about Martinborough under production

Martinborough is to be added to the popular ‘Look of’ series of Wairarapa Archive books about Wairarapa towns.
Local residents Mate Higginson and John MacGibbon are working on the Martinborough edition, which has been commissioned by Fraser Books, publishers for the Wairarapa Archival Society.

It will contain many photographs – at least 200 – along with a brief account of the various stages in the South Wairarapa town’s history.
Mate Higginson, a born and bred local and the town’s unofficial historian, is well-known for his Know Your Town columns in the Martinborough Star, and for his work at the Martinborough Colonial Museum.

John MacGibbon, with his wife Liz, have owned a cottage in the town since 1999 and moved in full-time three years ago after modernising and extending it. Interestingly, Higginson grew up in the same cottage.

MacGibbon is an historical writer, designer and publisher whose Ngaio Press business is now run from Martinborough. He is wearing his writer hat for the Look of Martinborough.

The main task at this stage is tracking down photos. Many are readily available at the local museum and the Wairarapa Archive. However, the authors are appealing to local residents who may be able to lend interesting photos. “We’ll consider anything,” says MacGibbon, “but generally we’re looking for photos that illustrate the ‘look’ of the town, past and present, with an emphasis on public buildings and events. Ideally, though not necessarily, they should include people.”

Contact John MacGibbon at 06-306 8502 or john@ngaiopress.com.
More information:
John MacGibbon 06-306 8502
Ian Grant, Fraser Books, 06-377 1359
Gareth Winter, Wairarapa Archive, 06-370 6311

Pam Colenso

I have been part of the Martinborough community for 38 years where with Ted, we raised our children. Until recently I worked at the Martinborough branch of the BNZ, a position I held for 27 years. I have throughout the years been an active member of our community and most recently I was part of the team that prepared an emergency civil defence contingency plan for Martinborough. I am secretary of the Martinborough RSA, Chair of the Martinborough Community Patrol and on the Parish Council for First Church. … Continue Reading