Inner Wheel Club of South Wairarapa

The Shared Food Pantry is now up and running, and the “Take what you need or give what you can” motto is working well. A big thanks to Fresh Choice and other donors of food. Project initiators, Rotary, Inner Wheel, MensShed and the Lionesses much appreciate the support. So, that’s what is happening here, and now we go further afield.

Our club had very interesting speakers at our July meeting. Immediate Past President Rose Newton and Past President Dale Julius spoke to us about their trip to Europe. It was unlike any other European trip I have heard about before. It was a singing holiday. But on the way, not only did they catch up with family and friends in Winchester, Cornwall, Durham and London, but they visited the Winchester Cathedral, the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Doc Martin’s town in Port Isaac (called Port Wenn in the television series) in Cornwall and Kenwood House Art Gallery in London. Rose was delighted to find Tregye Cottage in Cornwall, a lovely house that in the 1920s had been the home of her ancestors. Their telling was made even lovelier by their power point presentation which showed how much fun they were having. 

Leaving England Rosemary and Dale travelled over the channel to Germany where they were met by former exchange students and their parents, taken to a Wine Fest as well as to the magnificent Cologne Cathedral. From there they travelled on one ticket by train through Switzerland, again being guided by another student and her family to Lucerne and the Rhine.

For me the most extraordinary was the third stage when they were in Italy. Dale and Rose are members of different music Wairarapa groups and joined a group of international singers called “Making Music in Mercatello”. Their group joined with two Italian Capellas or choirs and their three directors, Tony Backhouse, well known New Zealand and international Gospel Choir director, Eduardo Materassi, a gentleman who directed eight choirs in Florence and Guerrino Parri. The directors had very different styles, the two Italians, I thought, more flamboyant, perhaps representing the Italian culture. Despite their differences the choirs combined were stunning and celebrated the multicultural nature of the world today by singing songs from Samoa and Fiji, as well as Italian and religious songs. 

They sang in Mercatello sur Matauro, Florence and at a number of churches in the Tuscany District. Parish members in one church called Monteroni d’Arbia treated Rose and Dale to a concert by its choir, followed by a wonderful supper under the stars. This was just one example of the amazing hospitality they received. Their accommodation looked very grand, and the house in Mercatello was actually built on part of the old Roman road. At another home they were given a 16 course meal. What a challenge and unforgettable experience!