Return to the days of gold

Amateur gold panners try their luck at the 17th annual New Zealand Gold Panning Championships,...
Amateur gold panners try their luck at the 17th annual New Zealand Gold Panning Championships, held at Old Cromwell Town yesterday. Photo by Rosie Manins.
Old Cromwell Town took a step back in time yesterday when it hosted the 17th annual New Zealand Gold Panning Championships.

Women in period dress used lace and crochet parasols to combat high temperatures, while others queued for ice-creams in the sun.

Each year the Old Cromwell Town Historic Precinct hosts a Labour Day market, at which jewellery, crafts, health and beauty items, plants, and food are offered for sale.

It coincides with the Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust gold panning championship, which raises money to develop the historic precinct.

Championship co-ordinator Sandra Aitchison, of the Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust, said gold panning competitors worked in teams or as individuals in 15-minute heats, during which gravel was sifted over one of eight large barrels using traditional techniques.

Gold-free gravel is sourced for the event, and a measured amount of gold is added to each bucket to allow a fair competition.

"We know exactly how much gold is in each bucket of gravel, and how much should come out," Mrs Aitchison said.

Competitors spent more than 5 hours planning for gold, and they finished about 4pm.

Prizes were awarded in all categories.

Results were not available last night.

For visitors not so keen on gold, live music, a Punch and Judy show, and a courtyard storyteller were entertaining crowds throughout the market day.

Old Cromwell Town's shops, galleries, and cafe were also open.

 

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