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Home / The Country

Turakina Highland Games back for 157th year

Mike Tweed
By Mike Tweed
Multimedia Journalist·Whanganui Chronicle·
22 Jan, 2021 04:00 PM2 mins to read

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William Evans (left) and Fergus Dempsey compete at the Turakina Highland Games in 2020. Photo / Bevan Conley

William Evans (left) and Fergus Dempsey compete at the Turakina Highland Games in 2020. Photo / Bevan Conley

The Turakina Highland Games is all set to go next weekend, bringing music, sport, and dance to the area for the 157th time.

Turakina Caledonian Society chief Durry Benton said the Covid-19 pandemic hadn't affected the planning of the event and entries for piping and drumming had remained similar to previous years.

"We've actually had a group of 100 dancers enter, so that's an increase," Benton said.

"It's full steam ahead, and there'll be food stalls, clan tents with genealogical information, and the field events are all set."

There are two camping areas available for those who plan on staying for the weekend - a 'quiet one' on the grounds of Turakina School, with swimming pool by arrangement for a gold coin donation, and a 'lively one' on Turakina Domain itself.

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Traditional Scottish field events on the Saturday include the sheaf toss, shot put, tug of war, farmer's walk, three-legged walk and needle-in-the-haystack.

The most famous field event is the caber toss, where throwers aim for a perfect '12 o'clock' score, meaning the caber has landed directly away from them.

"If two or more throwers get a 12, then we'd start looking at a bigger caber," Benton said.

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Other events on Saturday's schedule include piping, drumming, bands and a veteran's recital, as well as the presentation of the annual McLean Scholarship, which is awarded to the most promising Youth Pipe Band.

More than 800 people attended last year's Games, and Benton said he hoped for at least that amount this year.

"That's 800 people through the gate, but there are at least another 400-500 people competing as well."

A new tradition had started after the event's 150th anniversary, Benton said, and took place on the Friday night.

"Over the last seven years we've had a gathering at the cemetery, and a local piper plays a lament for those people that have lived in Turakina that have been involved in the Games, and for their friends and families.

"After that we go down to the local pub and officially open the Games."

Benton's message to those who hadn't attended before?

"Come out and give it a go.

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"Who knows, you might discover you actually like the bagpipes after all."

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