Lawrence shows off its heritage

Miniature model maker Tony Keast does not know how fast this tiny steam turbine revs to and he is...
Miniature model maker Tony Keast does not know how fast this tiny steam turbine revs to and he is not willing to find out, as he prepares it at the Tuapeka Vintage Club's machinery display during the Lawrence Heritage Festival yesterday. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE
In marked contrast to last year's rain-soaked event, the 2019 Lawrence Heritage Day festivities were held yesterday in blazing sunshine with local temperatures of more than 25degC.

The Tuapeka-Lawrence Community Company's community, events and tourism co-ordinator Sarah Homer said the volunteers manning activities and open homes were all very busy throughout the day.

"While we were well supported by locals, there were a lot of out-of-town visitors with bus and van-loads coming in and registering for the various activities.

"The historic homes and gardens tour through two gardens and five homes in the town proved very popular, despite the heat.

"It was a great way to showcase what Lawrence has to offer and we are extremely grateful to those who opened their homes up for people to look through.

"They went above and beyond," she said.

Activities on offer for visitors to the annual heritage day included events at the Lawrence Chinese camp. The Tuapeka Vintage Club held old-style sheep shearing, machinery and engineering displays.

There were guided heritage walks, a photo scavenger hunt, a children's heritage animation workshop, where local children learned about stop motion animation techniques, based around a heritage theme. Entries in the Lawrence Summer Art Competition were on display along with artists in residence at various locations.

One of those was the unique venue of the Lawrence Arches which hosted the Terry and the Tractors art exhibition by the late Terry Perham, whose series titled "Rust" was displayed along with old tractors.

"It was a great day this year. We had so much to offer visitors to Lawrence, plus the summer art competition, which continues this coming weekend with the children's competition being held on Saturday and Sunday. Their work will be on show in the various cafes on the main street," Mrs Homer said.

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