Gordonton flashback
My, how we’ve changed. Check out this photo of Gordonton Village from the 1970s, sent in by the inimitable Perry Rice from Hamilton Central Libraries.
This is looking at where The Mandarin Tree and Global Veterinary Services now reside. I’m unreliably informed that the building on the right may have been a butcher’s shop at one stage.
Look how short that palm tree is.
Don’t suppose anyone recognises any of the kids hooning about on their bikes?
And here’s the Cenotaph, with the old Gordonton hall behind. If anyone wants to share their memories please do get in touch!
Thanks Perry!
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Re the Gordonton Photo.
Murray KESTLE would be the best one, I know of, to date that photo. He took over the old R. J Ward or Thompson built [?] Butchers Shop, and commenced doing business as a jobbing welder, having gained his trade proficiency at Taupiri Engineering.
Soon thereafter he commenced construction of the first stage, of what was to become a large engineering workshop, that ran under several managements/ownerships, until passing into the hands of the Regional Council as a depot.
The roofing of that early construction can just be seen, [top right] and by my memory, soon thereafter the butcher’s shop burnt down. I too believe early 1970’s.
On the subject of Butcher’s shops, the original local facility was at WOODLANDs in the 1880’s. Thereafter there was a small one opposite the premises now operated by Anexa Vets.
The Thompson’s [Alfie ?] then built the big new butchering facility [included slaughtering] that still stands on the block that the Riddell’s now have olive trees on, opposite the Domain.
Later Thompson’s were to set up one of the two glasshouse grown tomato business, we had post WWII in Gordonton. Alfie next to their big old Villa and the Croall’s across the road, where Willow Glen now trades.
Remembering yesteryears.
Alan SHARP.
Great picture. We have often wondered how old the building was and who occupied it.
We wonder who planted the palms?
Gosh this brings back memories. Shows how old I am. My mother Bernice Kestle worked in that butcher shop. They would deliver your meat to the door.
The butcher was originally from England.
Also Keith and Bernice Kestle worked at the service station.
They would be only too happy to share more memories.
Eddie and Doris Balsom had this garage when we were kids in the 70’s
The old butcher shop when I was a kid was owned by a chap called Bob. He would give us free meat to go catch eels with. Mum would send me on my bike to Thompson’s to get tomatoes . I remember the rollers that the tomatoes would roll down to be graded and the smell of tomatoes when you walked in the door they would give me the funny shaped ones . Mr Wards IGA store with the squeaky floor boards and the little post office down the back I think it was Carol Wilson worked there. At Christmas I would help deliver the groceries in the van. The garage was owned by Eddie and Doris Balsom and not to forget Roger Balsom out the back Mr Mechanic that was 40 years ago brings back memories.
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Many thanks for sharing these memories, Peter! Wonderful stuff.
I remember going to the Butchers for meat and Thompsons for tomatoes, it was 55 years ago and it was 50 years ago when I helped in the IGA.
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By the looks of the VW kombi van in the background and the House my Father built behind the supermarket that my parents owned, the kids riding bikes look to be my brothers, myself and a local kid, I would have only been 6 or 7ish putting the photo round 79-80.
That’s great to know Patrick, thank you so much! A great photo, and it looks so different now.
Regards from Annette!