Fellowship awarded to activist

An author and political activist will spend weeks in Wairarapa developing her skills and passion for writing as part of the Lavinia Winter Fellowship.

This is the fourth time the fellowship has been offered, and this year's recipient is Upper Hutt woman Frances Mountier.

Father Gareth Winter, of Masterton, said the fellowship was aimed at woman interested in writing or art.

The fellowship is offered in memory of Mr Winter's daughter Lavinia, who died at the age of 34, and had a passion for arts and writing.

The fellowship was a way to give other woman a chance to develop their skills, Mr Winter said.

"This is a chance for them to have three weeks away from the cares of the world."

The fellowship was previously advertised in arts and writing circles, but more recently the successful candidate has been picked by Mr Winter and Kay Flavell, of New Pacific Studio, from applicants to The Aratoi Fellowship.

Mr Winter said Ms Mountier was an author and political activist who has an interest in "green" issues.

"She just seemed to have the right credentials," he said.

Ms Mountier will go to the studio in January for the three-week retreat.