Selwyn_Times: October 12, 2022

Selwyn Times Wednesday October 12 2022
8
NEWS
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Stroll around historic village and
Visitors to the Selwyn
Spring Show this
weekend will be able to
view newly refurbished
historical buildings and
a growing museum
at Selwyn Heritage
Centre, adjoining the
showgrounds. Susan
Sandys reports
VOLUNTEERS are bringing
dilapidated historic buildings
from around Ellesmere back to
life at Selwyn Heritage Centre.
The 1870s Southbridge Jail
and 1880s Carroll Cottage are
looking as good as new. They
will soon be accompanied by two
additional 1800s buildings at the
Leeston site, which are set to get
the same treatment of relocation
to the centre and a full
makeover, with one to
have a replica saddlery
shop built onto it.
Ellesmere Heritage Park
Trust operates the centre,
and will be opening it up
to Selwyn Spring Show
visitors this Saturday. It
will be the first time members
of the public will have
an opportunity to view
the buildings since they were officially
opened in August.
Deputy chairman Grant
Grant
Clausen
Ellesmere Heritage Park Trust chairman Ray Maginness addresses members of the public at the official opening of
Carroll Cottage and the Southbridge Jail, with deputy chairman Grant Clausen. Right – Former Ellesmere Printing
Company operator Brian Reid (left) views an 1800s printing press he donated, at the heritage centre museum, with
Ellesmere A&P Association immediate past president Andrew Benny.
Clausen said he and fellow
volunteers were looking forward
to show weekend when the
results of their hard work over
the last two years would be on
display.
“So people can see
that we have been busy!
We are really pleased of
where we are at the moment,
and what we have
been able to achieve with
our limited resources,”
Clausen said.
A large shed on-site
which serves as the centre’s
museum will also be open
for viewing. The shed has historic
items donated and retrieved
from local homes, businesses
HERITAGE VALUE: Hans Dierck is pictured third from left
outside his saddlery shop in 1899.
and farms. It is generally opened
to the public only three or four
days each year.
The shed has a display which
was officially opened the same
day as the jail and cottage. It
is a 1950s shop front replica of
Free Bros Butchers and Bakers
of Leeston, with equipment and
tools from that era.
The two latest buildings which
have been acquired are a small
1800s weatherboard home
from Leeston and Lake Rd near
Leeston Park, which once had
a saddlery shop attached to it,
and a long narrow shed with
shingled roof from the early
settler Drumroslyn farm of
Southbridge.
Clausen has a copy of an 1899
photo of the former saddlery
shop. The shop’s owner, Hans
Dierck, is pictured standing
outside with others.
MEET CHRISTOPHER LUXON
Hear the National Party Leader’s vision
for New Zealand and his plans to take
the country forward.
Friday 14 October, 4.30pm – 6.00pm
Rolleston College Theatre (enter via Broadlands Drive)
631 Springston Rolleston Road, Rolleston
Nicola Grigg MP for Selwyn
Contact: Nicola.GriggMP@parliament.govt.nz
03 344 2800
Authorised by Nicola Grigg, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.