Martinborough Mid-Winter Monster Book Fair Presents:   

If we don’t tell our stories.,,.who will?  

A talk by Ted Preston

Lockdown might seem a distant memory now but it helped Carol Hawkins find her speaker for the Mid-Winter Monster Book Fair Launch on August 21st.  Carol and her Dublin Street neighbours would meet outside Phil and Jacqui Reid’s house every afternoon to socialise (at a safe distance of course).  People would stop to chat.  One of those was Ted Preston, who entertained and amused them so much that Carol knew he would be just right for this event.   You might know Ted from his work with Jazz in Martinborough.

Ted comes from a family of storytellers: one sister, Gaylene Preston, does this through film; the other sister, Jan Preston, is a singer who uses music for the same purpose. Gaylene’s film Home by Christmas was their parents’ story.  “A very expensive home movie” he jokes.

But Ted’s keen that people recognise we all have a story worth telling.  You don’t need to be rich or famous.  “What’s your story?” is his challenge to every Kiwi.   He wants us to think more about our lives and the importance of sharing the stories that come from this.

He’s a big fan of oral histories and their power to capture the essence of the speaker.

He’s also very interested in collective storytelling such as plays and movies that paint the bigger picture of who we are as New Zealanders.   That’s why, he’s titled his talk, “If we don’t tell our  (NZ) stories….who will?” (A quote from his sister Gaylene).   

If you’re interested in an entertaining and thought provoking talk, then make a note in your diary.

Friday 21 August, 7pm,  

Waihinga Centre, Martinborough Town Hall

Admission $20

Delicious supper and preferential sale of books

The Book Fair is open Saturday 22 August 10am to 4pm, Sunday 10am to 3 pm. Entry free.  Proceeds to First Church.

Books can be left at P&K, Pirinoa Store or Martinborough Library.  Books can also be picked up on request.

Contacts:  Pam Colenso 306  9503 or Carol Hawkins 306 9112

Photo with – Chris would like the photo inserted thus if possible (attached)