Star’s Founder found.

Following Mate Higginson’s article on long time Star Editor Fred Michell we have been contacted by the grandson of the founder, Neil Closey. The founder was James Henry Claridge. This remarkable person had spent his working life establishing newspapers, thirteen in all, which once established he sold  and moved on …

20 Year Service Medal for Maureen Thurlow

Maureen Thurlow was presented with the Red Cross Twenty Years Service Medal by Branch President Brian Love at the branch’s volunteer Christmas morning tea. Geoff Cave of Carterton received an Award for ten  years service.   Brian thanked members for volunteering for Red Cross and welcomed a very special guest speaker …

Wairarapa Dark Sky part of major world-wide research project 

The South Wairarapa’s night sky is being monitored round the clock in Spain and contributing to a world-wide dark sky database,  thanks to a European research team. The move follows Chairman of the Martinborough Dark Sky Society, Lee Mauger, making a  connection via Twitter with fellow Dark Sky enthusiast Carlos …

Community Garden News 

“ Gardens are not made by singing” oh, how beautiful’ and sitting in the shade”-  Rudyard Kipling Well here we are HOT; still going, and a little over 12 months  since our first produce was harvested. Like everyone , at the moment the garden is suffering from intense heat, and …

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Toast Martinborough celebrates another successful event 

December 19, 2018 December 2019 Comments Off on Toast Martinborough celebrates another successful event 

Toast Martinborough wine, food and music festival has delivered another day to remember for 8000 happy festival goers.

Toast Martinborough General Manager Anna Nielson said the 2018 event was one of the best in the 27-year history of the festival, with happy revellers enjoying the mix of food, wine and music spread across the nine participating winery sites.

“We were incredibly pleased with how the day unfolded – the weather ended up better than expected, the wine was flowing, wonderful food prepared by some of the best chefs in business was enjoyed, and a fantastic line up of musicians had everyone singing and dancing throughout the day.”

Ms Nielson said there were many highlights from the day including having Palliser and Escarpment back on the Toast circuit, the varied range of wines for people to try, and the quality of the food on offer.

“We were also delighted at the huge response to our Fashion Finds in the Vines competition,” Ms Nielson said. … Continue Reading

WHAREKAKA NEWS

December 19, 2018 December 2019 Comments Off on WHAREKAKA NEWS

Another busy month has passed by at Wharekaka.Life is certainly never dull at Wharekaka.  We have begun working with the Martinborough Lions Club and Green Jersey Cycles to take residents out on their bikes around the community. Residents are enjoying this and the new way to  see the countryside!!

A lovely afternoon tea was held for long term staff member, Naomi Alloway.  Naomi retired from her position.  We wish her all the best in her retirement.

We are now looking forward to all the activities that come with the Christmas season. Starting off with the Christmas paraded and Carols in the park, look out for Wharekaka.  We hope to defend our trophy received last year at the carol singing. … Continue Reading

Toni Pyl’s War Memories

December 19, 2018 December 2019 Comments Off on Toni Pyl’s War Memories

Part 8

Our visits to Oma in Rotterdam had stopped long ago. There always seemed to be an air raid when we were there and didn’t want to be killed! She thought this was nonsense as she believed that God protected her so her house was safe. There was no doubt that that windows were often broken all around her – but never hers!

In such dangerous times we decided it was better to stay at home and we all slept together in the big bed with a suitcase packed for emergencies.

We lost our Jewish couple when the husband went to post a letter after dark, just before the 8pm curfew and never came back.  It was panic stations, his wife had to go and quick. We cleaned out their room to leave no trace of them and she slept the night in another room till early morning then fled to friends in the neighbourhood. 

It wasn’t until after the War that we heard what had happened. The husband was picked up on the street with a group of others for forced labour but later managed to jump from the train and escape. It was quite a topic of conversation back then – discussing in detail how to jump out of a train without being shot or hurting yourself. 

He was captured again but could prove he was a reserve army officer so the Germans sent him to a POW camp where he had a better time of it than we did because the Red Cross looked after them. His wife also survived and after the War they were very grateful to my parents, giving them generous gifts such as a TV. … Continue Reading

World class guitarist to return

December 19, 2018 December 2019 Comments Off on World class guitarist to return

World Class Jazz Guitarist Ashton Sellars is returning to Martinborough for a show at The Village Cafe in December.

“Ashton is an outstanding talent,” says Jazz in Martinborough’s Music Director Lee Quayle.  “He’s played at a couple of our festivals and at a solo gig previously and always draws a crowd.  Those who’ve heard him before will want to see him again, and if you haven’t, you must!” added Lee.  Ashton will be playing as a part of a guest quartet.

Ashton graduated with a high level masters in Jazz Guitar from the Conservatory Van Amsterdam in 2018 and is back in NZ to share what he’s learnt and how he’s developed as a jazz guitarist.  He is returning to New Zealand for the first time in almost 3 years.

“I would love to share with listeners what I have discovered, learnt and achieved during this time away from home, studying and playing around Europe,” says Ashton. … Continue Reading