History is made in Strasbourge Street

Some might call making history prosaic. Others _ marvellous, fascinating, even “about time.”

On July 3 some 40-plus people gathered to witness the ‘firing up’ of Martinborough’s first public Electric Vehicle _ EV _ chargers at the Waihenga St Marks Masonic Lodge on Strasbourge. 

Jim Watt, Grand Master of Freemasons in New Zealand, said the newly-installed chargers were the group’s pilot EV charger project and part of the Freemasons’ mission to “become a greater part of 

the community and to support the community.” 

These first three Martinborough charging points will make the town “a more convenient place to live and visit,” he said, adding that if the initiative succeeds the Freemasons will roll out more chargers in communities around the country. … Continue Reading

MWFC: no wins yet _ but table points mounting up

The training ground report: injuries, clean sheet, new recruits, players returning, loans, and is MWFC heading towards child exploitation?

There is a mixture of good and very good news from Martinborough Women’s Football team.

As the season crossed the halfway line a degree of hope and optimism was settling in. Whilst this newly-formed team haven’t yet won a game they have been scoring goals, goals galore and have had a clean sheet. Three proud points on the table.

Martinborough’s Maradonna

For perspective and reality England got to the knockout stages of Euro 24 without winning a game, and most of those games were like watching the Slug and Lettuce walking football club.

This local achievement is all the more impressive as the rigours of a full season of Wairarapa football is taking its toll. Marty’s Mary Earps between the sticks flew through the sky all the way to the stratosphere to save a certain goal from Carterton. Every sinew was stretched and the one in her left leg went ‘ping’. That saw the keeper out for a while.

It’s a sad story despite the changing room having that overwhelming smell of liniment, radium B and deep heat. Preparation was good.  Marty were on the attack. The little whippet on the wing whipped across a chest high ball to the back of the penalty box. Having just watched England’s game against Slovakia there were great ‘Jude Bellingham’ aspirations. Facing away from goal, she tried a Jude Bellingham bicycle kick. Spectacular as it was, the outcome was twofold. The ball missed the goal and on landing no meaningful continuation of the game could continue. Another injury.

Then there was Milly Clegg, who was the whippet on the wing. Off she went to pull up more suddenly that a Boeing 737 with bird strike at takeoff. Initial diagnosis was either a ‘hammie’, (aka hamstring), but possibly a ruptured achilles. … Continue Reading

100 days of Janet Frame poems

One hundred poems by Janet Frame will be broadcast over 100 days by Access Radio Wairarapa, Arrow 92.7fm, starting on the author’s birthdate, 28 August.

“100 Days of Janet Frame” celebrates the centenary of Frame’s birth on 28 August 1924, with the  100 poems selected from The Pocket Mirror (1967) and The Goose Bath (2006). The 100-day event is registered with 2024 Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day. 

“Access Radio Wairarapa is delighted to be part of this substantial and worthwhile literary feat which showcases many excellent Wairarapa poetry performers, as well as a few national dignitaries and experts,” said Arrow FM Station Manager Michael Wilson. 

The 59 readers include many Wairarapa locals. Poets include Kate Camp, Rhondda Greig, Bill Manhire, Mary McCallum, Madeleine Slavick and Poet Laureate Chris Tse. There is a reading in te reo Māori by Te Whakapono Waikere, and a 2002 recording by Janet Frame herself. … Continue Reading

Fire Brigade Report

There has been a Changing of the Guard at Martinborough Volunteer Fire Brigade, which has welcomed the region’s first woman Chief Fire Officer.

The brigade held it’s 117th AGM on the 23 July. 

Chaired by Wairarapa Group Manager Craig Cottrill, the meeting opened with a minute’s silence in honour of Life Member Jim Harper who passed away in July. Condolences go out to his family and friends.

The biggest news of the night was the changing of the guard, with CFO Jacob Hawkins resigning  after more than 30 years’ service to Fire and Emergency and the Wairarapa community.

Jake wanted to thank the community for all their support over that time. His absence will be keenly

felt by the brigade.

With that, the group welcomed the appointment of new Chief Fire Officer, Lisa-Marie Ireland. Lisa has been firefighting for over 15 years and is a respected leader in the brigade. 

As the first woman to achieve the rank of CFO in the area, her accomplishment is huge, and very well-deserved.

2023/24 has been an impactful year with significant change. It was our busiest year on record with

338 calls – an increase of 20% on last year, an 87% increase on the five-year average, and a 590%

increase on 2019/2020 incident numbers.

There were five promotions and two resignations over the last year, with the following awards given out:

The Charlie Johns Shield for most attendance at musters was awarded to QFF Dylan Ross.

The Thomas Family Trophy for best firefighter was voted on by the brigade and awarded to SO Brett Townsend.

Congratulations to both for their hard work and congratulations to all award winners, promotions and especially to the new CFO. 

Thank you to all in the Martinborough community who have supported the brigade.

Caption: Chief Fire Officer White Helmet changes hands as the first woman CFO takes charge.