Reaching for the sky

Ready to go. A ground crew attaching the tow rope in preparation for launch. The student sits in the front seat and instructor, Vern Grant, in the rear seat of the dual control glider.

Having a gliding club operating in close vicinity to their college offered a unique opportunity which Kuranui College realised and acted upon. As a result Aviation as a subject has now been part of the curriculum for ten years. It is offered to interested students who see themselves moving into any aspect of aviation in the future

The course is held in conjunction with the Wellington-Wairarapa Gliding club with Kuranui providing the academic component and the Gliding club the hands on experience. This from their Papawai airstrip using their instructors gliders and equipment. Course tutor Vern Grant explains “This works really well – there is a wealth of instructor talent on tap”.

NCEA unit standard credits are on offer, at level 3 and 4 (although younger students can be assessed at this level and “bank” those credits until they are of an appropriate age). Gliding Wairarapa holds the accreditation from NZQA to assess the unit standards but both the gliding club and college are there for the students who interchange their training programme between the two.  … Continue Reading

Poem – A bottle of cent

BY JOHN ANSELL

Response to a 2016 creative writing workshop challenge from English professor and poet Harry Ricketts: In ten minutes, using the first person, write a poem of seven lines, each of seven syllables, about something you remember from your childhood bedroom. After the waves of panic had subsided, I remembered a souvenir from my father of his visit to the Bank of Montreal…

I’ve a stubby bottle here.

Full of what? It’s not a beer.

Glassy bulb with tiny cork,

Narrowing to slender stalk.

In that bottle lies a cent:

Can’t be smelt, but can be spent.

(Bottled Canadian cent.)

News from First Church

Springtime and the Kirk Fair

September has brought us noticeably longer days and we are enjoying again the fresh new growth of the trees and flowers. 

There are changes too in our activities this month – having enjoyed the openness of our café style meetings in the hall over the winter months where we could chat easily with each other, and have had some great discussions, our Sunday morning services resume in the church this month.  

However – the last Sunday each month will be a café style meeting in the hall.

Looking ahead – but really only a few weeks’ away: the traditional First Church     Kirk Fair will take place on Saturday 12 October in the church hall on Weld Street. This popular event has been held every year for so many years (60+?) that we can’t readily date its origins! All the usual popular stalls will be running – especially our justly celebrated baking and preserves and produce. Bring your own bags for all the great and delicious bargains!

These days we are increasingly aware of the importance of living less wasteful and careless lives. At First Church we sometimes use a modern version of The Lord’s Prayer and in place of the familiar “Give us this day our daily bread….” we say these words:

Let us be simple in our needs,

Showing kindness and compassion for our neighbour, 

Sharing generously what we have,

Letting go our anger, resentment, hurts and fears.

Amen

Martinborough House and Garden Tour 2019

Photo courtesy Pete Monk.

Saturday, 23 November, 10am–4pm

The Wharekaka Auxiliary are organising a tour of some of Martinborough’s most extraordinary homes and gardens. Centred around the village, there’s something for everyone – an historic homestead, modern architectural masterpieces, rose-filled borders, productive veggie gardens, and magnificent artwork inside and out. Each property – some never open to the public before – will inspire and delight.

Thanks to generous home owners, eleven properties are on show on this one-day, self-drive tour.  Each will feature a stall run by a local craftsperson, selling everything from exquisite crystal pieces to locally made honey. 

Most properties are in and around the village – the furthest house is just 12km away. The Auxiliary are suggesting that you grab your friends, and make a fun day of it. Many of Martinborough’s wonderful cafes are supporting the event.

All proceeds from the tour go to Wharekaka, Martinborough’s own aged care community. Near the heart of the village, it is very much a part of the community.  Funds raised from the tour will help keep this vital part of the village running.

The tour would not be possible without the generous contribution of local sponsors Mitre 10, Susan Stephen & Co Realty, Peonies of Martinborough and The Martinborough Bookshop. Further information and tickets available through Martinborough House and Garden Tour on www.eventfinda.co.nz or contact for further information wharekakaaux@gmail.com