Old Cromwell president Adrian Somerville demonstrates some
of the tools used by blacksmiths around the forge, during
the official opening of Wisharts Blacksmith and Motor
Garage in the Old Cromwell Town historic precinct
yesterday.
The last remaining commercial building of Cromwell's
original main street is again officially open to the public.
A major redevelopment of the Wisharts Blacksmith and Motor
Garage building within the Old Cromwell Town historic
precinct was celebrated at a formal ceremony on site
yesterday.
About 60 people, including members of Old Cromwell Inc's
board, the wider Cromwell community, and contractors involved
in the project, attended the official opening and afternoon
tea.
The ceremony also served as an acknowledgement of the work
done by Old Cromwell Inc manager Elisabeth Williamson, who
died last Sunday.
Old Cromwell Inc president Adrian Somerville said the
building's opening was brought forward two weeks in the hope
she would be able to attend.
Cromwell residents and visitors gather for the old smithy's
official opening. Photos by Rosie Manins.
"It just didn't work out how we had hoped. Without her
passion and drive for Old Cromwell this [opening] would have
been a long way off," he said.
Breen Construction Ltd staff worked for almost a year on the
two-storey building, which was a blacksmith's shop.
"We hope to have it all up and running within a month," Mr
Somerville said.
Built in the 1870s, Wisharts had also been used as a motor
garage, before being damaged by fire during the 1980s.
Redevelopment of the category two historic building was part
of a $1 million restoration and upgrade of the historic
precinct and its original structures, after almost $1.2
million was granted to Old Cromwell Inc by various charitable
organisations in 2008.
Plans for the precinct's two-year facelift also included the
construction of a new village green, Globe Hotel, and the old
post office - which would include the original telephone
exchange boards and cables.
Breen workers have started building the Globe Hotel next to
Wisharts, and will construct the old post office on the other
side of the former smithy.
Mr Somerville said once this work was complete, Old Cromwell
Inc would attempt further precinct development.
- rosie.manins@odt.co.nz
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