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Media Release
26th January 2012
For Immediate release
Thames Heritage Week - Revisiting yesteryears!
It is often said that Thames has a rich and diverse history. But how many people realize how significant and compelling that history is..
“Thames Heritage Week is a chance for everyone to learn more about the history of the area, to celebrate their recent past and to recognize the decisions we make today will be the legacy we leave behind for future generations”, says Rex Simpson the Chair Person for the Thames Heritage Events Trust co-ordinating this year’s event between the 9th and the 18th of March 2012.
There are over thirty activities and events planned for the week, including a trip up the Thames coast to some of the sites of significance, including the Te Puru Pa and Waiomu, where you can still picture Cooks ship anchored off the beach with story teller and raconteur Rosalie Steward
Heritage guide Russell Skeet unlocks historical treasures in a series of entertaining, engaging and informative guided walking tours through Tararu and Shortland cemetery’s as well as Grahamstown and Cochrane street.
Phil Garland, one of the countries true musical treasures will be a guest at this year’s festival. A respected folklorist and musical balladeer who has recorded 17 albums, his mission over the past 30 years has been to gather and preserve for posterity the songs and stories of New Zealand. The goldfields were the source for many of those ballads, stories and songs.
The gold-mining days are humorously recreated in a dinner Theatre production, supported by Thames Rotary, at the historic Bella Street Pump House, where guests step back in time and dress up to become patrons of a notorious Thames Bar and Diner, the favourite eatery for Gold-miners, villains and ladies of the night.
The Life Education Trust is giving enthusiasts the opportunity to visit nine ‘blokes’ in their sheds between 9am and 3.30 on the 17th and 18th of March. In some cases these ‘man caves’ have never been open to the public before. Here is an opportunity to view Vintage cars, classic cars, race cars, vintage farm equipment and tractors, plus old tools and memorabilia.
The Ford Model T club started in 1993 and has around 300 members nationally, who have been invited to come to Thames and enjoy strolling down memory lane in their cars plus the horseless carriage club are organizing a rally through Thames and down the Thames Coast on the 17th.
“There is something for the family too, from the South School Golden Gala, to the Thames Heritage Market, to the kids fishing contest off the wharf to the Totally Thames trolley derby” says Donna Wells from Totally Thames, who are once again presenting a fashion extravaganza, focusing on contemporary garments using traditional techniques.
“I am so pleased that so many new groups have decided to participate this year”, says Strat Peters, chairman of the Thames Community board and member of the Thames Heritage Event Trust. “We have a chance to showcase what we have and who we are. We have an abundance of heritage assets in Thames and it is so good to see our history being appreciated.”
The Hauraki Herald will be publishing a supplement with the full program, plus information on the week can be found at the website www.thamesheritage.co.nz week.co.nz.
For media or general enquiries contact:
Rex Simpson
rexsimpson@hotmail.com
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