It’s the 125th Birthday of this Charming Heritage Cottage

Open Days at the Museum

The museum will be open for extended hours over Labour Weekend so come in and check us out.

• See how people lived a 100 years ago

• Visit the special exhibition on the history of the Natusch-designed building

• Become part of history yourself – put an entry in the Time Capsule (sealed until 2044)

• Bring the kids to try the museum  treasure hunt

• Test your skills on some old-fashioned technology

• Browse our collection of local history books

• Enjoy traditional baking with Will Geisler from Buttercream Workshop

Fundraising Movie Gala For the Martinborough Museum

Before the grapes arrived Martinborough was a typical small  rural town.   In 1982 A film crew came here to capture this history and record the centennial celebrations 

The Museum Trust invites you to a screening of this fascinating glimpse into our past.  The evening will include other entertainments and nibbles

Proceeds will be used to help create a new exhibition space so we can showcase more of our local history  … Continue Reading

Cycling without age is here in Martinborough – no excuses now!

Through the kind donations of Tom Bunny and Graeme Thomson and the support of local company Green Jersey Explorer Tours Ltd, Martinborough now has a purpose designed electric assist trishaw to support its “Cycling Without Age” endeavours. Together with John Blundell and Simon Daly they currently constitute the Wharekaka Cycling without Age supporters group.

Cycling Without Age is a movement started in 2012 in Copenhagen, Denmark by Ole Kassow. Ole wanted to help the elderly get back on their bicycles, but he had to find a solution to their limited mobility. The answer was a trishaw and he started offering free bike rides to the local nursing home residents.

Tom Bunny explained that here in Martinborough we have been experimenting with the support of Martinborough Lions and Green Jersey for the past year, using Green Jersey’s standard rickshaws. Whilst Tom agrees that this has been great, he thought we could do better. “So, we decided to import the perfect vehicle and working with Wharekaka we will train a team of volunteer riders and supporters and get the folk there out as much as possible”, said Tom.

The idea is to make the service available to any older folk in town not just the residents of Wharekaka. “Anyone who wants to get out and feel the breeze in their hair is encouraged to contact us or Green Jersey and we will arrange a ride,” said Tom. “And we want the younger people to encourage the older folk in their family and circle of friends to give it a go. There is a bit of competition going on as well, with Greytown purchasing a trishaw a year ago and making regular outings. They have done over a hundred rides so far I am told – we have a bit of catching up to do!” … Continue Reading

Top Brass Delight Wairarapa Schools

Martinborough School Pupils raising their hands to ask questions.

A requirement of the funding Martinborough Music Festival received from the SWDC Creative Community Fund was to implement an education programme for the students of the District. This year, Martinborough School, Kuranui College and Wairarapa College were treated to the musical skills of Matthew Allison (trombone), Mark Carter (trumpet) and Ed Allen (French horn) Matthew and Mark are members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Together, with Ed, they formed the Martinborough Festival Brass Trio specifically to give information on three of the instruments in the brass section of a symphony orchestra and to provide entertainment and enjoyment along the way.

First up was Martinborough School. I had arrived early and began to set out some seating.  Thinking there would not be many (numbers were few last year) I was helped by some students who began to set out everything that could be sat on including mats. I commented I thought we had set out too many seats –“NO” they chorused excitedly, “the whole school is coming. They are going to play The Avengers”!   I thanked them for their help to which they replied “You’re welcome” – how nice is that?

It was amazing how many knew the melodies played which included Rossini’s William Tell overture – a student at Kuranui named the piece and the opera while many others recognised it from The Lone Ranger or similar. Some of the Martinborough pupils recognised The Last Post. While several Kuranui students knew that the trumpet was used by the military for ceremonial occasions, it was new information to learn that it dated from biblical times and was a means of signalling battle. The versatility of this instrument in particular was appreciated – its ceremonial role, ability to be played very softly (using Brahms Lullaby to demonstrate) through to being able to emulate a motorbike engine getting up to speed – this drew loud applause. … Continue Reading

Martinborough Red Cross needs help

Red Cross are the people who are always there and ready, whether it’s to provide aid and shelter for a major disastrous event or to provide a ride to a hospital appointment. Red Cross are the people who help people.

However it is now Martinborough Red Cross Group which requires help. Not a lot of help, just one person who can spare a little time to help out as the Branch co-ordinator.  This is not an onerous or complicated role, it doesn’t involve a lot of time. The main requirement is to be a reasonably organised person. 

There must be somebody in Martinborough who is prepared to help Red Cross with a bit of their time; are you that person? 

If you would be able to fill this role or would like to know more information about what is involved please give Joyce Hogg a call. Joyce would love to hear from you, her phone number is: 3069 158