Friday, March 2, 2018

Thames (NZ): Thames Heritage Festival 16-18 March 2018

Thames' 150th commemorations started on 1 August 2017, and as a result of events happening over the months a reduced 'Heritage festival' is being held on 16-18 March. BUT!!! There are still many events to look forward to.

A full list of events is available on the Thames Heritage Festival website.

  • There will be window displays in shop windows.
  • 14th March a special dedication ceremony near the Kopu Bridge - Ngati Maru installing a special carving.
  • Heritage movie, Miners' Dinners, Irish Ceilidh, brewing contest, petticoat displays, heritage art, heritage market, auction and much more.
  • Need refreshment during the weekend, then pay a visit to the Thames Bridge Club (opposite the School of Mines) - for $5 or less you can choose different options.
During the heritage weekend there are lecture series at both the Thames School of Mines and The Treasury. A few things that are on the itinerary for Saturday 17 March at the SOM are:

  • 5.00pm - Lecture by Kae Lewis covering the first two years of MINING THE TAPU GOLDFIELD, followed by signings of her popular book "Gold Rush to The Thames". 
  • 6.00pm until 7.15pm guided tour of SOM. Gold coin donation. 
  • The Rock Shop will be open at this time. 
  • 7.30pm Ayrton Hamilton will speak on the Geological History of the Coromandel Peninsula. Ayrton is a PHD Geology. Gold coin entry.
Two other major events are scheduled during the weekend. The first is that the New Zealand History Federation are holding their AGM in the town, based at the Thames School of Mines.

The second is that the Thames Museum are opening a major new display at 11am 17 March 2018.  The A & G Price Story, an iconic early business that only closed in the past year. So much history - the display will tell the story.

So definitely something for everyone at the Thames Heritage Festival.
TOO MANY DETAILS to list here please print the list from the main Thames Heritage website.