that called Carterton the wickedest
village in England because it was full of
illegitimate children.”
Such damnation of Carterton is not
practiced by Mary as we sat in her
living room, a busy photo album
and files packed with old newspaper
cuttings on the table between us,
framed pictures of her family dotted
along the window sill and on various
items of furniture. “I sing Carterton’s
praises,” she says. “I think anyone who
lives here is quite lucky.”
She might not be the Mayor
anymore and she can’t claim to know
everyone in Carterton as she used
to, but Mary Johnson Clarke is now
a welcome addition to the Crier’s
collection of Carterton Greats, due
to her impressive record and evident
determination.
Mary stands in the middle row one in from the left, two places to her left is
last issue’s Carterton Great, Dee Bulley.
Mary Johnson Clarke (centre)
with Geoff & Mabel Smith from
Carterton, New Zealand
43
