The name "Baghurst" comes from Joe's maternal grandfather, Joseph Baghurst. He moved to Martinborough as a small child in the early 1880s from Timaru in the South Island when he was a young boy, to join his older sister who had married a local chap here. His father was a farrier and was incapacitated by a horse kick to the head. The family then fell on hard times, necessitating him coming to live with his sister. His folks came from a village outside Edinburgh in Scotland.
Joseph served in the Boer War in the mounted infantry, and was "received" by Queen Victoria afterwards. We are not quite sure why, other than we understand that he cut a dashing figure on his horse, which was donated to the cause by Mr John Martin, the founder of Martinborough. He cut flax for the mill at Mahaki, and lived in a tent on the riverbank when newly married for a time. His new wife Sarah Jane soon ensured they moved to more permanent quarters!
Friday, January 15, 2010
History of Baghurst Villa
The house was originally sited in Hill St, Eketahuna, on the main road 40 minutes north of Masterton. Actually it was in "Parksville" to be precise - that's the bit of Eketahuna that's on the west of the river - it used to be a separate town, but now it all seems to be called Eketahuna. It was a little out of town, on a small farm. It was built in about 1905, so it's nearly 100 years old, a grand old Victorian lady. For many years it was unused, and was becoming derelict. It was sold to us for removal in 2001, so that the owner could use the site to rear calves.
Baghurst Villa was moved to Martinborough via the main road in two pieces in late 2002 (see photos) by the Gray Bros of Greytown. Backing the big trucks in to knit the two halves (joined down the center of the hallway) together was quite a sight. The builders spent around 4 months bringing it to the fine state it is now in, it was a massive job! (Yes, as always with old houses bigger and more expensive than we expected).
The site is in the old part of Martinborough originally called Waihenga. It preceded the Martin subdivision of Martinborough itself in 1872 by some decades, and grew up around a Maori settlement. The adjacent ferry over the Ruamahunga, and confluence of the Ruamahanga and Haungaroa Rivers, and the nice grassy flat well above the river floods seem to have determined the location. It is rurmoured that local Maori burned off the grass regularly to hunt for or provide lush spring grazing for the Moa! Ferry Road just to the south used to be the main road to Featherston, and the ferry over the river was about 2 km down the way.
The section was one of a small subdivision created by a Wellington investor. The houses adjacent have also been moved to their sites, the one nearer the church from Patoka near Napier (Patoka was the epicentre of the famous Napier earthquake), and the one to the south from Napier. The cottage behind came off a farm at Rangitumau near Masterton. Nicely planted with Olive trees (some of which unfortunately did not survive the moving men!), the section used to be a bit of a wasteland for many years, and grazed sheep, horses, and the occasional pig.
The front rooms of Worksop House are the same as when built, except for the removal of fireplaces & chimneys. The lean to back section of the house is new, the old one was way past resurrection, and so was left behind.
Note: Baghurst Villa is presently a holiday home and a wonderful place to stay if you are looking for accommodation in Martinborough.
The site is in the old part of Martinborough originally called Waihenga. It preceded the Martin subdivision of Martinborough itself in 1872 by some decades, and grew up around a Maori settlement. The adjacent ferry over the Ruamahunga, and confluence of the Ruamahanga and Haungaroa Rivers, and the nice grassy flat well above the river floods seem to have determined the location. It is rurmoured that local Maori burned off the grass regularly to hunt for or provide lush spring grazing for the Moa! Ferry Road just to the south used to be the main road to Featherston, and the ferry over the river was about 2 km down the way.
The section was one of a small subdivision created by a Wellington investor. The houses adjacent have also been moved to their sites, the one nearer the church from Patoka near Napier (Patoka was the epicentre of the famous Napier earthquake), and the one to the south from Napier. The cottage behind came off a farm at Rangitumau near Masterton. Nicely planted with Olive trees (some of which unfortunately did not survive the moving men!), the section used to be a bit of a wasteland for many years, and grazed sheep, horses, and the occasional pig.
The front rooms of Worksop House are the same as when built, except for the removal of fireplaces & chimneys. The lean to back section of the house is new, the old one was way past resurrection, and so was left behind.
Note: Baghurst Villa is presently a holiday home and a wonderful place to stay if you are looking for accommodation in Martinborough.
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