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Our theme this year is : "LEARN FROM THE PAST". Each of our heritage attractions will be running events and talks.

Venue: Thames
Contact: Margaret Cropp
Phone: 07-8681024
Email:

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Russell Skeet will be your well-versed guide on a tour through historic Shortland Cemetery. Meet at the Cemetery, 201 Danby Street for 9.30am start. Duration 1.5 hours. Maximum 15 participants.

Venue: THIS WALK IS NOW FULLY BOOKED
Price: $10.00 pp
Contact: Russell Skeet
Phone: 027-4917860
Email:

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Come and spend some time in this beautiful Gothic Style Church built in 1897-98, and made from local Kauri. View a display of historic photographs, and if you would like your family's church records researched you can leave your name with the Church Attendant. The Church is open from 10.00am until 2.00pm Friday and Saturday of the Festival.

Venue: St. James Church, Cnr Pollen & Pahau Streets
Price: No charge
Contact: Ruth Efford

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A one-man show by the acclaimed NZ actor, Mark Wright. Show Times: Friday at 7.30pm; Saturday at 3.30pm and 7.30pm. Presented by Thames Music & Drama : Tickets available at www.thamesmad.co

Venue: Thames Music & Drama, 608 Tararu Road
Price: $25.00pp
Contact: Diane Connors
Email:

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This beautiful historic Church will be open for viewing. Opened in January 1872 by Bishop Selwyn when Thames was a major goldfield, this Church is a symbol of the town's heyday and its importance in Anglican history. It is a fine example of wooden neo-gothic churches in NZ and has largely remained in its original condition. The land on which the Church stands was gifted to the town by local iwi, Ngati Maru.

Venue: St. Georges Church, Cnr Mary & Mackay Streets
Price: N/a
Contact: Annette
Phone: 07-8686267
Email:

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These are very special portraits using a method of development that pre-dates film photography. Tintype Centrals mobile darkroom (a 1950's bond-wood caravan) will be at the Thames School of Mines to craft timeless portraits using the unique C19th wet plate collodion process. Bookings essential at https://events.humanitix.com/thames

Venue: Thames School of Mines, Cochrane Street, Thames
Price: $150.00
Contact: The School of Mines
Phone: 07-8686227
Email:

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Official opening of phase 1 of The Blacksmiths Shop and Geology Room at 2.00pm. The Blacksmiths Shop will be a fully functioning smithy with power hammer, forges, and a complete range of tools. The old morgue building is being set up as a Geology Display Room. Come along and see what The Goldmine Experience is developing to provide a great tourist and educational facility.

Venue: The Goldmine Experience
Price: Koha
Contact: Russell Skeet
Email:

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Tamariki ma, this one's for you. Centuries ago whanau/families would create crests that showed what made them unique. The Treasury is inviting you to come along and design your own crest. Get creative and find out what makes your whanau different and special. You will be able to take it home and remember all the awesome things that make your whanau special.

Venue: The Treasury, 705 Queen Street, Thames
Price: Free to attend
Contact: The Treasury
Phone: 07-8688827
Email:

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Experience the great joy of riding on a train - choose from The Eurostar, Frenchie, Dexter, or PaknSave Express. They travel through a purpose built tunnel in Victoria Park and along the foreshore with sea views. Get your ticket clicked, listen to the bells ringing, and enjoy the ride. "All Aboard" : Trains run from 11.00am.

Venue: Thames Small Gauge Railway, Grahamstown Station, 401 Brown Street
Price: $2.00/ride or $10.00 for 7 rides
Contact: Russell
Phone: 0274.917860
Email:

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The Museum will be holding rolling talks on the Iron Lung, a rigid case which fits over the patient's body, and used for administering artificial respiration by means of mechanical pumps. There will also be a display of early local schools, in particular Waiokaraka School. Museum opens at 10.00am Saturday and Sunday 12th & 13th.

Venue: Thames Museum, Cnr Pollen & Cochrane Streets
Price: Tba
Contact: Thames Museum
Phone: 07-8688509
Email:

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This is a workshop to make an old-fashion craft - a pioneer peg doll. Fun for all ages, and all materials provided.

Venue: Thames Museum, Cnr Pollen & Cochrane Streets
Price: Tba
Contact: The Museum
Phone: 07-8688509
Email:

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Do you have precious old photos that you would like to learn more about? Have you wondered how to store your photos so that they last. Join The Treasury's Collection Manager, Lucy Gable-Thom as she shares tips on how to identify your heritage photos and how to protect them from damage and decay. www.treasury.org.nz

Venue: The Treasury Research Centre, 705 Queen Street, Thames
Price: Free to attend
Contact: The Treasury
Phone: 07-8688827
Email:

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Invite a friend and pay for a single admission. Step back in time and experience a one hour guided tour of the historic School of Mines buildings and the Thames Mineralogical Museum. Tours at 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, and 2.30pm. Entry is by guided tours only. Visit School of Mines website for details www.visitheritage.co.nz

Venue: School of Mines, Cnr Brown & Cochrane Streets, Thames
Price: $10.00
Contact: School of Mines
Phone: 07-8686227
Email:

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The Two James - 19th century mineral and fossil dealers James R. Gregory and James Tennant, their work, and the Thames Mineralogical Museum collections. Talk begins at 12.15pm

Venue: School of Mines, Cnr Brown & Cochrane Streets, Thames
Price: Koha, Donation
Contact: The School of Mines
Phone: 07-8686227
Email:

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Dress to impress the townsfolk of Thames. Get a snapshot to remember at the embellished photographic booth inside the historic Bella Street Pumphouse amongst the relics of our lucritive goldmining days.

Venue: Bella Street Pumphouse,
Price: Koha to enter The Pumphouse; Gold coin for Photo Booth
Contact: Margaret Cropp
Phone: 07-8681024
Email:

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Spend some time on Sunday to take a walk or cycle across this historic bridge which will be open from 9.00am until 4.00pm. The swing span will be opened at 2.00pm for a short time.

Venue: Kopu Bridge, entry from Rail Trail
Price: Koha
Contact: Gary Blake
Email: