Martinborough Star, September 2025

First Church, Martinborough
Sep 30
2 min read

First Church News

So just how much frenetic socialising can the elderly and inform absorb before they collapse in the corner?

Plenty it seems. No sooner had our digestive systems dealt to an elaborate community lunch in mid-July, augmented by raucous music and rowdy conversation than that annual hardy the Spring Fling was unleashed on 29 August. This hallowed event has now been on calendars for four years and is not an event to be trifled with. In its heyday the Spring Fling attracted 150 wannabes all vying for a silk scarf or a diaphanous gown.

It’s the Martinborough Fashion parade par excellence buoyed by canapes, wine and a continuous auction. Garments plus accoutrements, of a quality last seen on the Queen of Sheba are displayed on the shapeliest models our scouts in Martinborough could locate. They (the elegant, top notch clothes) are up for grabs at ridiculous prices ($5 - $50) so it’s not surprising to see some competitive rucking including the use of elbows to secure the best items. Reminiscent of the Kirkaldie and Stains scrimmage in Wellington years ago. Fashion is clearly fashionable!

To give you an idea of what’s involved organisationally, the stalwarts behind the changing rooms have to co-ordinate 8 models (age range twenties to seventies, so some nimbler than others) into 40 changes of clothes. So if you spied a bit of misplaced taffeta on the outside of a tweed skirt, be generous in your criticism or look the other way.

Some stern order was needed to keep the show on the road and each pass on the catwalk had its own distinct theme. We got in quick succession a vineyard environment, a night on the town, a day at the races, a wedding occasion and a tulip experience – Highly imaginative and entertaining. Interspersed with the spirited delivery from our resident Auctioneer Graham Howie who was browbeating wallets for race tickets, Revlon beautification, buckets of merchandise and tulips.

All in all, a great occasion and another example of collaboration between First Church and the community.

Upcoming Events:

Saturday 27 September – Book and Bric a Brac sales

First Church Hall, Weld Street, 1.30pm – 5pm. Contact Veronica Hawkins 0274586257.

Saturday 28 September – Café style church service

First Church Hall, Weld Street, 10am Café style church service followed by a shared lunch. All welcome.