2012 Waipu Highland Games
It was touch and go with the weather – many volunteers worked through the rain to set the Caledonian Park up.
But by the time 2 January rolled around – fine weather greeted us for another great Highland Games. There was a great atmosphere – I met some one guy proudly wearing his new kilt, there was of course tartan everywhere, and rarely was the sound of Pipes far from our ears.
The Tartan in the Park fashion parade is always great fun, and the fiddle competition have both become favourites for me. I watched the heavyweights and what a joy Pat Hellier is – everyone throws well, but he is stupendous and it seems so effortless as he picks up the hammer and throws it.
Well done to all those who make this event happen so well. It can only get bigger and better
Christmas and New Year at the Clansman Motel
Christmas Lunch 25 December
Forget about cooking, make it a special day by joining in lunch in a 5 course traditional menu $45pp Bookings essential. Ph 432 0424
Hogmanay with Clan Donald 31 December
Clan Donald invite you to join them to celebrate Hogmanay – the Scottish new year eve witha 5 course dinner, pipers and the address to the haggis $45pp Bookings essential. Ph 432 0424
Highland Games on 2 January 2012
Just a reminder that the Waipu Highland Games in 2012 will be on the 2 January 2012 not the 1 January as is usually the case. As Noel Robinson reminded me:
In keeping with Waipu traditions the Games are never held on 1 January when it falls on a Sunday. It is widely belived that was simply because of the strong Presbyterian Ideals of the settlers and whilst that is no doubt relevant, although the first Games were not held for nearly 20 years after the settlers arrived, it was because the Annual Communion Service of the Waipu Presbyterian Church was always held on the first Sunday of the New Year.
These days Communion is held more frequently but the tradition of the Games date remains. In fact the hsitory of the Waipu Caledonian Society is linked to the Church in two other ways also. The present chucrh was built in 1871 – the same year as the first Games of the Caledonian Society and the Minister of the Church has always been the Padre to the Society.
Thanks for that Noel – for more on the Games, check out their Website
Waipu Highland Games
Waipu Highland Games 2011
A fantastic summer day for this year’s games in the Caledonian Park. Thousands turned up to enjoy the day out. I spent a happy day watching the Fiddling Competition and the Tartan in the Park, only sneaking out to watch the massed pipe bands and highland fling and buy a scottish pie. This year there was shade for the fiddling competition watchers which was great.
Scroll down for photos by Sandra Bogart (Fiddling and Fashion) nd Marilyn Cox and daughter Ina of Bream Bay News – did you know you can read it online?
Sandra Bogart’s photos of the Fiddling and Fashion at Waipu games
New Years in Waipu – a few things to watch out for
While most of us will gather on 1 January for the Waipu Highland Games, there are a few special things to watch out for.
- Ceilidh on New Years Eve at Artform - with world class fiddler Catherine Fraser $10pp STOP PRESS – this was to be at the Hall, now at Artform
- Ceilidh on New Years day in the Hall – with Celtic Band Twisty Willow $5
- Fiddling Competition on 1 January begins at 11.30 – I went last year and it was FANTASTIC, we stayed for the whole thing.
- Tartan in the Park - this best dressed tartan wearers will once again be in line for prizes at the Highland Games on 1 Janauary. Clan McLean is running it – separate competitions for men and women, boys and girls. Competition at 1.30
Skip the crowds at the gate and buy your tickets on line for Waipu Highland Games Here
Christmas and New Year festivities in Waipu and Bream Bay
There is lots to do in Waipu and Bream Bay over the Christmas/New Year period, here is some dates to help you keep track:
- Waipu Community Carols 8pm Sunday 19 December - come early for a seat, or bring a chair and sit outside. Better still – join the choir to guarantee a lot of fun and a seat - dates of practices
- Waipu Christmas Parade 7pm Christmas Eve 24 December – the official start of the summer for most of us, and the only parade we know of on Christmas Eve! Dress for the occasion and you could win $50 for the best dressed onlooker prize. To enter a float - info here
- Waipu Highland Games 1 January: the gates open at 8.30 – march of the clans at 9.30 full programme and prices here from $15pp
- Waipu Cove Surf Club Day 2 January - fun for the whole family with the big dig, sandcastle competition, nipper fun events, Miss waipu and more… Join the traditional 7.30 start – the run from the Waipu Hotel to the Cove or the swim from Langs Beach to Waipu Cove.
- Summer Racing Carnival at Ruakaka – 5 and 19 January – fun for the whole family where the surf meets the turf! More info
Winter news from the Waipu Caledonian Society
email Wayne to get the Caledonian email list directly – here is a summary of the latest email
2011 Games Host Clan – Clan MacLean chief to visit Waipu – Volunteers for Games – International Highland Games – Tartan Week Read more
Waipu Highland Games – lots of images, lots of fun
Waipu is my home, but most years at New Years I am away camping. For the first for many years, we came home to check out the 2009 Waipu Highland Games. It was brilliant weather, and about 6,000 turned up to enjoy the day. Here some photos of the day: The Parade of the Clans, Games Photos, Fiddling Competition, Tartan in the Park.
Below that there is the report of this years games from the organisers, the Caledonian Society. Read more
Waipu Highland Games – the heavyweights
2009 Waipu Highland Games
These photos have been posted on flicker Рits a great collection of photos of the heavyweight competition by Kris  РIrkstyle on Flicker.
Here is a report of the Competition and the results from the Caledonian Newsletter:
2010 Waipu Games: New Zealand Highland Games Championships Read more
Calling all fiddlers….
The Waipu Highland Games as a host of activities for people during the day on January 1 РEverything from Tartan fashion in the park, heavy weight competition with caber tossing and all the rest, Highland Flings and pipers galore, athletics competitions Рthere is fun for all the family.  You can avoid the crowds and buy your tickets before you come - tickets here
Scottish Fiddle Competition
This year the Waipu Caledonian Society is proud to announce the reintroduction of a fiddling competition that has not been held since early years of the 20th Century. We are confident this will become a vibrant part of the events at the Waipu Games for many years to come.  Read more about this here
The last Scottish Fiddling Competition was just before the First World War according to the old minutes, the latest is being sponsored by the Clan Donald Society on behalf of the Caledonian Society.
