Headliners

What made news in our region...

Marlborough’s best young winemaker named The region’s best young winemaker was decided last month after a record number of contestants competed in a gruelling set of challenges at the Marlborough Research Centre. Marisco Vineyard’s Alun Kilby took out the title of 2022 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year. The aspiring Young Winemakers knowledge was tested in a cellar challenge, laboratory tests, blending, fault finding, blind tasting, marketing, wine knowledge and wine tasting, as well as giving a speech at the dinner.

Milestone move for medicinal marijuana Marlborough company Puro New Zealand is making medical history as it gets the go-ahead for its cannabis crop to be used in New Zealand prescription drugs. The company has revealed Kiwi patients can now be prescribed New Zealand-grown medicinal cannabis, a milestone move as until now, only medicinal cannabis grown overseas could be prescribed. The move will help lower the cost and increase affordability for Kiwi patients.

Marlborough mourns the Queen Last month saw a significant moment in history, with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The Commonwealth’s longest-serving monarch died at the age of 96, after an incredible 70 years on the throne. Flags across the region have been flown at half-mast and glasses were raised in memory of the monarch. Condolence books have been provided by council at Blenheim and Picton libraries for Marlburians to pass on their well-wishes to the family. Sounds history book first of its kind Helen Beaglehole, a renowned historian from Wellington who spent a decade devoted to exploring the Marlborough Sounds has published a book on her discoveries. Helen set out to find out more about the settlement in the Sounds and has subsequently amassed a wealth of information and images that she has published as a 502-page book, titled One Hundred Havens. This is the first ever book to look at the history of the Sounds.

Proposal for Picton’s foreshore A redevelopment of Picton's main foreshore route plans to focus on pedestrians and “de-emphasise the roadway”. The proposed Marlborough District Council upgrade of London Quay aims to find a solution to the pedestrian and traffic flow in and around cafés and businesses along the town's foreshore. The plan includes more accessible and inviting green spaces with gardens and bollards. The design is now open for public consultation, with an architect’s impressions on display at the Picton Library.

Fabric-a-brac success

The first ever Fabric-a-brac event in Marlborough last month has been labelled a huge success, having raised $4802.60 for Hospice Marlborough. A pop-up cafe and 19 sewing enthusiast stallholders gathered at Connect Blenheim to sell a huge range of fabrics and odds and ends. Proceeds from stallholder fees, the pop-up cafe and donated fabric from the Hospice table went to Hospice Marlborough. Event organiser Tracy Johnston confirmed the successful event will run again next year.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“Our life now is full of options. We made a choice to make memories with our family in a different way. There is nothing better.”

David Eagle Pages 10-13