Talana Live captures gun run event from Ladysmith
Sunday will see the gun run with Pam hoping the event will attract a whole new sector of spectators who would not normally visit history festivals.
Dundee has pulled one over Ladysmith with the annual gun run this year being held as part of the Talana Live history festival in October.
Traditionally, the gun run was held in Ladysmith and attracted regimental teams from the UK. But Pam McFadden, co-ordinator of Talana Live, is relishing stealing the show for Dundee.
Four teams will compete for honours at Talana Museum on October 22. Teams representing the Endumeni Fire Brigade, two teams from 5SA Infantry in Ladysmith and a team from the Nquthu police will battle for honours. It won’t be easy.
The naval gun weighs in at 1300kg and will have to be dragged up the hill – in this case Talana – with 22 members in each team.
But the gun run will add another bow to the already busy programme being prepared for the many hundreds of visitors expected to descend on Dundee.
“This year our committee is working hard to ensure there is something for everyone. The action will start on Talana Day, October 20, with the Ghost Walk in the evening.
“Visitors will have a chance to follow the trail up the hill and feel the mystic as the evening falls on the anniversary of the 1899 Anglo Boer war battle of Talana,” said Pam.
Dundee’s own Amazing Race, which will see teams looking for historic clues around the town, will start on the Friday and continue on the Saturday morning. For details of this contact Kajal at the Tourism Office.
The street parade will go through town from 10am on the Saturday, October 21.
More on last years Talana Live:
Talana Live – bringing history back to life
Two lucky winners off to Talana Live for free
Get on track at this year’s Talana Live
With a pipe band, classic cars, Zulu warriors, Boers and British soldiers, while the popular ‘camp followers’ will add a bit of colour to the proceedings.
The battle re-enactments this year will feature the battle of Talana and the Anglo Zulu war battle of Rorke’s Drift.
A huge marquee in the grounds of the Museum will accommodate the array of stalls with craft beer an added attraction. As evening falls, Dundee will host its first mini military tattoo with at least four military bands entertaining. A lone piper sounding Amazing Grace will close the day.
Sunday will see the gun run with Pam hoping the event will attract a whole new sector of spectators who would not normally visit history festivals.
Tickets for Talana Live are being sold online through Kwiket with brochures and fliers already being widely distributed. For more details contact Talana Museum or Tourism Dundee at 034 212 2121.
