Ilona Hanne is editor of the Stratford Press
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![Eid Mubarak: Hundreds attend community Eid celebration](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Eid Mubarak: Hundreds attend community Eid celebration
Over 250 people enjoyed celebrating the festival together.
![Person taken into custody at New Plymouth airport](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Person taken into custody at New Plymouth airport
A witness described the incident as 'frightening'.
![Photo captures a women's rugby game back in the 1960s](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Photo captures a women's rugby game back in the 1960s
Wayne Smith took the photos in the 1960s during a women's rugby game.
![A fictional version of Ashhurst stars in Palmy author's books](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
A fictional version of Ashhurst stars in Palmy author's books
A fictional town near Palmerston North is the location of a cosy mystery series.
![Bilingual service for Matariki in Eltham](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Bilingual service for Matariki in Eltham
Nau mai, haere mai - all are welcome to attend the service at Eltham's All Saints Church.
![Stratford councillors decide on crossing locations](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Stratford councillors decide on crossing locations
The current crossing in front of the town's glockenspiel will be removed.
![Pedestrian crossing in front of Stratford's glockenspiel to be removed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Pedestrian crossing in front of Stratford's glockenspiel to be removed
Public feedback is currently being sought on plans for two new crossings.
![Government’s Maori Wards bill opposed by Stratford District Council](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Government’s Maori Wards bill opposed by Stratford District Council
The bill was described as being 'a double standard' and 'the very definition of racism'.
!['Bloody disgrace': Bridge damage angers councillors](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
'Bloody disgrace': Bridge damage angers councillors
'Ratepayers are paying for the negligence of one company.' - Councillor Grant Boyde
!['We walk in unity': Large crowd turn out for Hāwera hīkoi](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
'We walk in unity': Large crowd turn out for Hāwera hīkoi
'We walk in unity today' - Te Aorangi Dillon.
![Stratford’s 'Grand Old Lady' claims her heritage crown](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Stratford’s 'Grand Old Lady' claims her heritage crown
The theatre has special significance in New Zealand history as an early 'picture palace'.
![Dirty Work: An ode to joy that is joyous to watch](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Dirty Work: An ode to joy that is joyous to watch
Review: There's plenty of praises to sing when it comes to this show.
![Ilona Hanne: Good vets are worth celebrating](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Ilona Hanne: Good vets are worth celebrating
OPINION: Vets do a lot more than just treat cats and dogs.
![Review: A colourful show that is packed with talent](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Review: A colourful show that is packed with talent
If you suffer from FOMO when it comes to theatre shows, don't read this review.
![Give us a chance: Employers urged to consider deaf applicants](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Give us a chance: Employers urged to consider deaf applicants
A profoundly deaf woman says deaf people face many barriers in finding employment
![Crowned: Taranaki teen has beauty in the bag with pageant win](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Crowned: Taranaki teen has beauty in the bag with pageant win
Shamika Hoeta has won the first beauty pageant she has entered.
![Taranaki hardcore: Audrey Cooper turns 102](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Taranaki hardcore: Audrey Cooper turns 102
She's already making plans for her 103rd birthday celebration.
![Councillors put on spot at marae over Māori ward debate](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Councillors put on spot at marae over Māori ward debate
The councillors present were asked to give their personal opinion on one of the topics.
![120km round trip for Stratford's mayor and councillors](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
120km round trip for Stratford's mayor and councillors
It's a tradition that mayor Neil Volzke says is a highlight in his meeting calendar.
!['Beautiful community' supports puppy rescue mission](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
'Beautiful community' supports puppy rescue mission
Kylee Lawrence said there's a village raising the five puppies.
![Fresh new look for Hāwera supermarket](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Fresh new look for Hāwera supermarket
When will other Taranaki and Whanganui Countdowns follow suit?
![Winter Fest set to get people off couches and into theatres](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Winter Fest set to get people off couches and into theatres
No excuses for sitting at home this winter.
![Shakespeare? The play's the thing ...](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Shakespeare? The play's the thing ...
Shakespeare isn't the problem, the delivery is, writes Ilona Hanne
![Review: Burning Bridges is an outstanding piece of theatre](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Review: Burning Bridges is an outstanding piece of theatre
A flawed script can become a perfect piece of theatre under the right direction.
![Spring forwards, fall backwards - time to move your clocks back](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Spring forwards, fall backwards - time to move your clocks back
Thanks to a Kiwi and his love of bugs, we get a sleep-in this weekend.
![Rent increase for residents of Stratford's pensioner units.](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Rent increase for residents of Stratford's pensioner units.
The residents are facing an increase of just slightly less than was originally proposed.
![Opinion: Keep the rainbow reading, lose the hate](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Opinion: Keep the rainbow reading, lose the hate
We don't learn hate and bad behaviour from books, but from people.
![Q&A with Penny Ashton who is bringing her one woman show to town](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Q&A with Penny Ashton who is bringing her one woman show to town
Penny Ashton is bringing a Tempestuous show to a stage near you.
![Have your say: Stratford council flags much higher 2024/25 rate increase](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Have your say: Stratford council flags much higher 2024/25 rate increase
"Being in the double digits hurts, and we know it won’t be welcomed by our ratepayers."
![Thousands go mad for Womad; Pro-Palestine protest during Marley’s set](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Thousands go mad for Womad; Pro-Palestine protest during Marley’s set
It was a 21st party like no other when Womad NZ came to Taranaki.
![Pacific travels and a party despite cancer diagnosis](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Pacific travels and a party despite cancer diagnosis
Live life now, don't wait, is the advice from Sharon Robinson.
![Councillors remain set on increasing pensioner unit rent](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Councillors remain set on increasing pensioner unit rent
A rent increase of $20+ a week is back on the cards.
![Everything was awesome at the Eltham Brickshow](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Everything was awesome at the Eltham Brickshow
Crowds flocked to the show, which featured amazing builds, including a very famous droid.
![Review: Improv Salad as served by Improv Taranaki makes comedy the main meal](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Review: Improv Salad as served by Improv Taranaki makes comedy the main meal
Salad is anything but a side dish when it's Improv Salad as served up by this group.
![New partner at Govett Quilliam](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
New partner at Govett Quilliam
The law firm was also the first in Taranaki to appoint a female partner back in 1987.
![Opinion: Silence is complicit, on social media or in real life](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Opinion: Silence is complicit, on social media or in real life
International Women's Day is about equality for all women not just those who look like you
![Lego show helps build funds for Eltham Football Club](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Lego show helps build funds for Eltham Football Club
Daniel Radcliffe, Brad Pitt, Chris Pratt, Anna Kendrick are all fans of Lego.
![Residents say rent increase will price them out of their homes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Residents say rent increase will price them out of their homes
Dental and medical appointments are being put off while tenants wait on a decision.
![One councillor votes against Easter trading](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
One councillor votes against Easter trading
As a Christian festival, Easter Sunday should be protected, argued one councillor.
![International world day of prayer gives Palestinian women chance to be heard](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
International world day of prayer gives Palestinian women chance to be heard
Rev Kim Wright is pleased this year's service has been designed by Palestinian women.
![Rawhitiroa Memorial Pool stars in new book](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Rawhitiroa Memorial Pool stars in new book
Harry Wood loved swimming, and often mentioned going swimming in letters to his family.
![Stratford District Council: rates rise of 15.53 per cent](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Stratford District Council: rates rise of 15.53 per cent
Earlier projections sat even higher at over 30 per cent.
![Franz is taking recovery one step at a time - all along SH1](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Franz is taking recovery one step at a time - all along SH1
Franz Oliver Lindsay hopes to raise awareness of the perils of addictions.
![Medical centre's new model cuts wait times for patients](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Medical centre's new model cuts wait times for patients
Specialist clinicians have increased the range of services offered to patients.
![Ready or not, the mother's nest is emptying](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Ready or not, the mother's nest is emptying
OPINION: The practice of fledging is not entering my nest, writes Ilona Hanne.
![The music of Winehouse and the magic of NZTrio both in Winter Fest spotlight](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
The music of Winehouse and the magic of NZTrio both in Winter Fest spotlight
Storytelling, in its many forms and shapes, is at the heart of this year's Winter Fest.
![Councillors consider ownership of Stratford's castle](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Councillors consider ownership of Stratford's castle
Stratford on Stage has been operating out of The Castle for over three decades.
![Stratford student grabs overseas learning opportunity](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Stratford student grabs overseas learning opportunity
The camp offers the opportunity to learn new skills in a new environment says Lara.
![Editorial: School attendance matters](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Editorial: School attendance matters
OPINION: Turning up is the key to a successful school year
![Year 12 student earns top academic award](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Year 12 student earns top academic award
It wasn't the only good news for the student at the school's prizegiving.
![Bilingual Waitangi Day service a first for Eltham church](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Bilingual Waitangi Day service a first for Eltham church
All are welcome to the service, which will be followed by shared kai.
!['I was in a terrible place': From meth addiction to modelling](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
'I was in a terrible place': From meth addiction to modelling
Taranaki woman has become a social media star after charting her meth addiction recovery.
![Editorial: Don't just shout pivot - do it](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Editorial: Don't just shout pivot - do it
OPINION: Just like Ross from Friends, we all need to learn to pivot at times
![Review: Saving the Sun by Emma Pearl](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Review: Saving the Sun by Emma Pearl
The children's book gently explores a range of themes and ideas.
![Stratford mayor plays Santa for a day](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Stratford mayor plays Santa for a day
A number of Stratford families received an early Christmas gift this year.
![Taranaki Diocesan School names student leaders for 2024](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Taranaki Diocesan School names student leaders for 2024
The school's head and deputy head girl were named at the whole-school Christmas dinner.
![Dio's head and deputy head girls achieve top academic honours](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Dio's head and deputy head girls achieve top academic honours
The awards were announced at the Anglican school in Stratford's prize-giving.
![Stratford Christmas lights trail brightens up festive season](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Stratford Christmas lights trail brightens up festive season
Stratford the most festive town in the region, says light trail organiser Kylee Lawrence.
![Review: The perfect pantomime fun for all ages](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Review: The perfect pantomime fun for all ages
Review: Limelight Drama's Goldilocks is the perfect pantomime for the season.
![A festive feast on offer from Improv Salad](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
A festive feast on offer from Improv Salad
A serving of Improv Salad is sure to keep you merry this Christmas
![Local band Fin Rah Zel set to perform at Womad NZ](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Local band Fin Rah Zel set to perform at Womad NZ
The call inviting the band to perform was unexpected but welcomed says singer Brian Norton
![McKinley Brown might be small, but she has a big story to tell](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
McKinley Brown might be small, but she has a big story to tell
High risk pregnancies are very hard both emotionally and physically, says Kara Brown.
![Crowds enjoy all the fun of the fair at Stratford's A&P Show](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Crowds enjoy all the fun of the fair at Stratford's A&P Show
Organisers are thrilled with the large crowds who came to this years's Stratford A&P Show
![Cue Theatre are guilty - of putting on a great play](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Cue Theatre are guilty - of putting on a great play
Review: 12 Angry Jurors by Reginald Rose, directed by Warren Bates.
![How a trip to Kenya inspired a multimillion-dollar business](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
How a trip to Kenya inspired a multimillion-dollar business
Dan Radcliffe turned his lacklustre OE experience into a successful business.
![Maze on Medallion offers all the fun of the scare](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Maze on Medallion offers all the fun of the scare
Entry is free each year, and attracts large crowds eager to get a scare or two.
![Bilingual service planned for Eltham's All Saints church](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Bilingual service planned for Eltham's All Saints church
The concept of bilingualism should be old news, not headline making, says Rev Bowers-Mason
![18 more acts join Womad NZ 2024 lineup](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
18 more acts join Womad NZ 2024 lineup
From waiata to punk, classical to ska, the lineup includes a wide range of musical styles
![Review: Upu brings poetry to beautiful life](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Review: Upu brings poetry to beautiful life
Upu is a beautiful demonstration of the power of words.
![Touchwood brings locally made homeware to market](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Touchwood brings locally made homeware to market
The market has grown, and so has Adele and Pierce Devlin's business.
![Fun, quirky and affordable items make the cut for Hummingbird Designs](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Fun, quirky and affordable items make the cut for Hummingbird Designs
Nicole always has a range of affordable and child-friendly items available.
![Popular fete offers early start for Christmas shopping](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Popular fete offers early start for Christmas shopping
A wide range of regular and new stalls will be there this year.
![New principal on the power of education](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
New principal on the power of education
Power of education in teaching students they can achieve anything, says the familiar face.
![Opinion: Break the table talk rules this week.](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Opinion: Break the table talk rules this week.
Pass the salt to the right but consider breaking another dinner table rule this week.
![Beauty is power says beauty queen / tradie](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Beauty is power says beauty queen / tradie
Amber is representing New Zealand in an international competition in Egypt next month.
![Dancing their way to Australia](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Dancing their way to Australia
It's time to show Taranaki's talent to the world, says the group's creative director.