Tupare makes a feast of summer

One of New Plymouth’s premier heritage properties will see in 2012 with a feast for the senses on Saturday (7 January).

The New Year market day and guided walk at Tupare, on Mangorei Road overlooking the Waiwhakaiho River, will feature new attractions as well as old favourites.

Newcomers will include The Fridge, offering mouth-watering barbecue sandwich for consumption on the spot as well as gourmet deli foods to take away, and Devon Sweets, with handmade confectionary from yesteryear and premium ice creams.

The Market Day, which runs from 9am to noon, will also feature:

• Local art and craft stalls including sea glass jewellery, designer aprons, guitar sculptures, local books, fibre art and more.
• Farmers Market Taranaki stalls including Sid’s Sauces, Auntie’s Muesli, Cottage Wines, fresh blueberries and baking from Blueberry Patch, nashi juice, ginger beer, macadamia nuts and plants.
• Freshly brewed coffee.
• Live music by Galvin and Rivers featuring banjo, Irish flute, accordion, guitar and vocals.

Market-goers can work up an appetite during the guided walk and talk led by Tupare Gardener Richelle Landers, which starts at the gatehouse at 8am and runs for 90 minutes.

“Last year’s New Year guided walk attracted 60 particpants so we know there’s a lot of interest in Tupare, its history and its magnificent gardens,” says the Taranaki Regional Council’s Regional Gardens Manager, Greg Rine.

“We’re really pleased it has again been included in this summer’s season of New Plymouth District Council guided walks.”

Saturday’s guided walk and market day are also part of a year-round programme of free events at Tupare, Hollard Gardens and Pukeiti, the three heritage gardens owned and managed by the Taranaki Regional Council on behalf of the people of the region.

For more information, see www.tupare.info, www.hollardgardens.info and www.pukeiti.org.nz. Social media users can also follow the Regional Gardens on Facebook (TaranakiRegionalGardens)and Twitter (@TaranakiRG).