Stakes ready for Stake Ya Claim

Averill Jamison practises "staking a claim" at the Oamaru racecourse this week. Photo by Sally Rae.
Averill Jamison practises "staking a claim" at the Oamaru racecourse this week. Photo by Sally Rae.
Claims will be staked at the Oamaru racecourse next week, just like in the pioneering days on the gold fields.

The Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust's cavalcade - Stake Ya Claim in Oamaru 2011 - will finish in Oamaru on March 5 with hundreds of riders, wagoners and walkers converging on the racecourse.

As each of the 10 trails passes in the noon parade, the trail boss will drive a stake into the ground, paying homage to Otago's gold-fields history.

The stakes will be signed by all the trail participants.

The stakes have been made and engraved with the names of the trails by members of the Waitaki Wood Turners Guild.

The guild's headquarters at the racecourse will be open during the cavalcade family fun day. Turners will demonstrate their craft and have sales and display tables, as the guild tries to attract members. It was important to pass on members' knowledge, president Averill Jamison said.

 

Add a Comment