A heritage stonemason restoring the ruins of a school in St Bathans will open his worksite to the public this weekend, offering insight into the traditional techniques behind some of Central Otago’s oldest stone buildings. 

Keith Hinds is working to stabilise the historic structure and will run a demonstration workshop as part of the St Bathans Village Fete on Saturday (January 17). 

The former school building was originally constructed as a Catholic church and reflects stone construction methods once common across the district.

“I’m going to show them how easy stonework is, right? Because it’s just sticking to the rules,” Keith said.  

“These buildings that have been built 150 years ago, a lot of them were temporary buildings, and they still are standing.” 

He said most damage occurred only after roofs were removed.

The workshop will include a demonstration of slaking lime to make a type of traditional mortars used in historic buildings. 

“It boils, it reacts and everything goes hot and melts and comes to a putty,” he said. 

“It’s easy to do, but it’s quite good to watch.” 

Keith said the public demonstration was intended to help people, especially owners of older stone buildings in need of repair, better understand how traditional construction works and the long-term value it can add to a property.

Fete-goers are expected to fill St Bathans on Saturday. Images: Faceboook/St Bathans Village Fete

The St Bathans Village Fete is designed to celebrate the area’s history and creative community.  

Chanelle O’Sullivan, one of the team of local volunteers organising the event, said it was also an important fundraiser for the St Bathans Community Association, which helps maintain historic buildings and public spaces in a settlement with only a handful of permanent residents. 

Alongside the stonework demonstration, the day will include old-fashioned games, gold panning using local tailings, live music, and stalls run by local makers and producers, with an emphasis on activities that reflect the village’s past. 

“We’re not having big, shiny bouncy castles,” Chanelle said.  

“We’re having egg-and-spoon races, sack races, and tug of war, and there’s a big gold treasure hunt...tying back to the local history of the area.” 

She encouraged people to dress in period-style clothing.

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