The Martinborough Business Association Annual Barrel Race

On the eve of Toast Martinborough The Square transformed to a race track for barrel-wheeling vineyard teams and barrel pushing businesses. Olympic champions Storm Uru and Peter Taylor took on the vineyard teams.

Results
Vineyards:
1st Palliser Vineyard
2nd Martinborough Vineyard
3rd Escarpment
Fancy Dress:
Dry River
Businesses:
1st Mitre 10
2nd Winemakers Services
3rd Perception Planning
Best Barrel:
BP

Photos courtesy Mike Sleyer

PARTY MARTY

Anyone who did not go to Party Marty on Saturday 17 November missed a great event.  The threatening bad weather never eventuated which was just as well as there would have been a lot of disappointed people had the rain set in.

The open air concert was the Martinborough Rugby Club’s fundraising event at the Club grounds. The band was “Life in the Fast Lane” – an Eagles tribute band. First half was songs from the 70’s and 80’s – so enjoyable including a great Neil Diamond cover.

Then the main event, The Eagles! This band is really wonderful and those Eagles fans who have never been able to go to the genuine article were totally in agreement that these guys were in no way second fiddle. They were as close as you could get to the original.

The young (and not so young) danced and sang along, with a wonderful atmosphere. There was entertainment for the kids and a lovely safe environment for them to run around freely. 
The food was great, lovely Martinborough wines and no bad behaviour.
 
I hope the rugby club do it again next year so those who missed out this year can make sure they attend. Everybody involved in the organisation should give themselves a big pat on the back for a job well done!!

Gay Reed

Guy Fawkes Night goes off with a Bang!

Considine Park was the place to be on the night of the 4th of November for the Martinborough Guy Fawkes Community Fireworks display. 

What a great night it turned out to be! After a false start due to rain the previous evening, Sunday was cool and clear with no wind. There were lots of fun activities for everyone to enjoy: fire engine rides, a bouncy castle, delicious gourmet burgers, sausages and hot chocolates on sale, and glowsticks to wave about as the night closed in. A real family atmosphere was created thanks to the live music provided by Shane Cater.  … Continue Reading

‘Ears for Emily’ Fundraising Dinner

$8000 was raised towards the $50,000 required for Emily to have her second cochlear implant at the St Andrew’s Anglican Church dine and dance on 3 November. The church annually organises a fundraising dinner for the community and this year it was decided to support the ‘Ears from Emily’ cause.

This occasion was a great example of team work and generosity, with individuals from the church and Martinborough community combining their talents and efforts. Jenny Harrison lead the team in the kitchen and the resulting 3 course meal was enjoyed by all. Many local businesses generously donated goods and services for the auction and raffles…including firewood, cultured pearls, a mixed media artwork, quad bike rides, a dinner set and vouchers for local cafes. Vineyards donated the splendid wines served for the occasion. Shaun Grant provided his DJ and musical talents.

Corina and Ed (Emily’s parents) presented a video of their daughter’s progress through her 21 months of life, her heart surgery, followed by her cochlear implant operation. The highlight was watching Emily respond to sound for the first time in her life at the time of the cochlear implant switch-on. The second cochlear implant will allow Emily to locate the direction of sound and aids understanding of speech.