Tartan Week 2012
July 1st is International Tartan Day – celebrating the day in 1782 when the ban by the English on the wearing of Tartan was lifted, and what had been traditional highland dress became the proud emblem of nationalism in Scotland.
Waipu may be just a small town of about 500 folk, but nearly double that number of Gaelic speaking highlanders built a community here after having been burned out of their crofts in Scotland. That action began a remarkable migration across the globe, via Nova Scotia and Australia, and finally arriving to settle here in Waipu.
The story of the migration is told in the Waipu Museum, and is reflected in the greeting as you arrive in Waipu – Cead Mille Failte – A Hundred Thousand Welcomes.
From June 30 for over two weeks, Waipu will be awash with tartan and invites everyone who loves the energy of Scotland to join in the fun. There is something for everyone from the Artntartan Wearable Arts, to pets in tartan and mid winter swims. The Rugby Men in Kilts and Tarts in Tartan Netball will be playing once again and Classic Hits Breakfast show will broadcast live from 6am on 30 June from new Waipu Restaurant L’amour de Kasbah..
You can taste some haggis at the Waipu Butcher, try a Haggis Burger at the Waipu Pizza Barn, or buy a tartan scarf at the Thistle. And of course there will be bagpipes, highland dancing and the Waipu Scottish Country Dancing .
PEOPLE IN TARTAN Join the opening Parade at 10am on 30 June and you could be in to win a $50 prize for the best tartan dressed tartan person – can be either ‘correct’ tartan or outlandish. Dig out some tartan to wear and come and join us.
PETS IN TARTAN Join the Pets in Tartan Parade 11am Saturday 7 July
Look or Print off the full programme here
Business and Ratepayer Groups in Bream Bay
There are lots of ways to get involved in the communities of Bream Bay, one of them is to get involved in local business and community groups.
I belong to the Waipu Business and Promotions Group and the Waipu Residents and Ratepayers, and have just become a part of a new group – Bream Bay Business Network which meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the Month at 7am at Waterline Cafe in Marsden Cove. Great breakfast and networking. Come along some time!
We have a page with contact details for these groups on the Bream Bay website HERE
Please let me know details of other similar groups operating in Bream Bay to add to it contact Rosemary
