MADCAPS: Welcome Home, It’s Good to be Back

Cast members Ruby, Daisy and Lola McCartney. Photo: John Kennedy

“That was a blast!” said one very happy audience member at the conclusion of the MADCAPS show on Saturday night.  The signature tune, Hello, Hello It’s Good to be Back,” composed by Shayne Cater, could just as easily have been titled, Hello, Hello We’re Glad  You’re Back. There were three full houses and from feedback, a good natured, supportive and diverse audience for each.  Shayne Cater and the cast should be very pleased.

This was Shayne’s first foray into producing and directing. “I am really a band man, it was my band (Short Circuit) providing the backing for the shows”. But someone had to be producer. No producer, no show.  Fortunately people turned up to audition.  Shayne did wonder about this with MADCAPS having been in recess for two years. The McCartney sisters were an impressive young trio –a reflection of their talented parents, Jody and David, who were in the cast too.

Using the renovated Town Hall and Waihinga Community Centre as a theme, Shayne hung the production on four acts – The Hall, The Library, The Butchers Shop and Finale. Songs, Dancing, Skits, Storytelling and Poetry were the vehicles to bring the show to the audience. … Continue Reading

Library Bookclub

Polly Burling discussing a book.

The librarians thought we might be more comfortable using the seating provided in the Plunket area, which led to a discussion as to where we should meet. The consensus (democratically arrived at) was that we would prefer to be in the library area. We all love books and being surrounded by them adds to the ambience. Also we can use the librarian’s knowledge when we are trying to recall a book.

The books that caught our attention this month; were “ Bad Blood” by John Carreyrou, this being described as readable,  but  then “Hunting The Truth” was enthused about. The story of a German woman and a French Jewish man and how this unlikely couple  took up the challenge of ensuring former Nazis who had been responsible for many deaths during the Second World War were held accountable for their actions. A true story  that is well worth reading

Next was Isabel Allende’s “ In The midst of Winter”-  from a snowstorm in Brooklyn where three different people from the USA, Guatemala and Chile reveal their histories. Then there is  a body in the boot of a car…………. … Continue Reading

Letters

A few figures

In the lead-up to the local body elections I have been attempting to get some information out of SWDC so that there is a bit more transparency around the spending on some recent projects.

I want to know all the details of the build costs for the Waihinga Centre and also the operating costs and income.

No luck with the build costs –  five weeks after my OIA request the only information I was provided was-  “$5.37 M ‘including approx $1M for work to the Old Hall.” This figure has been widely stated in the media. Do you like the ‘approx $1M’ ? Careful and prudent use of public money and private donations? We cannot know.

However – We have an answer on Operating Costs. Figures provided attached.

In the six months to June 2019 a total of $156,358.00 so tracking at $312,716.00 for the year. In other words $6,000 a week.

Income from the centre’s tenants confirmed at $24,000 PA

I think the approx 1800 residents of Martinborough may be interested to know this and if they think it represents value for their money.

Karen Krogh

Pain Farm Land Trust

I lived in Martinborough for almost thirty years and I still have half my heart there. There should be not the current problem of fixing the two Pain Farm dwellings if you look at the amount that it received from the current lease at $66,000 a year.

I estimate that the Council will have received approximately $1,500,000 in that time, and yet there is apparently no money to make the repairs.  Since the money can only be spent on children’s projects and there has not been any major expenditure for the children of Martinborough in the last twenty five years I wonder what has happened to that money?  

I ask the Mayor, Councillors and members of the Community Board as they are the administrators of the Pain Farm Trust and the money should be in an account separate from the General Account.

Remember then guys at the  October election .

Bob Petelin

Kuranui College stage production in support of Wellington Children’s Hospital

Production cast and producer.

Rehearsals for Kuranui College’s production of Peter Pan have started, and this year the South Wairarapa school will donate the proceeds to the new Wellington Regional Children’s Hospital.

Wellington Hospital Foundation Chair, Bill Day is thrilled to have the support of the school. “Peter Pan is a magical person and our new Wellington Children’s Hospital plans to be a magical place for sick children,” said Day. “We are so thrilled that Kuranui College with their upcoming performance of Peter Pan are joining us on this wonderful journey to support sick children who will need our new hospital”.

The Kuranui performing arts crew are renowned for their unique spin on classic stories, and this year’s production of the timeless classic Peter Pan promises to be no exception. 

Auditions took place in June, with the crew beginning rehearsals this week. Directed by Head of Performing Arts, Juanita McLellan, the production will bring Kuranui’s sense of fun and creativity to light once again.
The production features Year 12 students Isabella Walker as Peter Pan, and Florence Cater as Wendy, alongside the powerful stage presence of Year 13 student Hayden Tankersley as Captain Hook, and Year 13 dance enthusiast Amelia Butcher as Tinkerbell.  … Continue Reading