What’s going on at the Westland Industrial Heritage Park?
Happy New Year everyone, from the Westland Industrial Heritage Park.
We hope you will come to visit us and see our displays, ride on the railway and talk to our members. We really enjoy your company.
In the September issue we let you know that we had applied for a Lotteries grant to build a new Craft Centre, one of our most popular displays. Our application was only partially successful, so we have decided to stage the project over multiple years and continue fund raising.
Our other two new facilities are slowly taking shape. With the buildings complete, displays are being developed. In the Tracks and Wheels, several exhibits have been prepared and are now displayed, although some of the space is being taken by some Fire Engines. Much of the Boatshed display material has been moved to the new Maritime Centre Building. Rob has been restoring a privately owned trailer yacht as a fundraising project.
The Dairy display in the Heritage and Learning Centre has also progressed well. Denise has made a wonderful job of hand painting the pastoral scene as a backdrop.
Jim has made great progress with lining the north wall of the Steam Shed and funding is on hand for the next phase of work.
A large number of items belonging to the Hokitika Museum have been stored for some time in the Brown Shed. Several members have done sterling work tidying the shed so that Museum staff can visit and evaluate these items. Some will remain in storage, some may return to the museum, and some will be exhibited at the Heritage Park. This project will be of great benefit to the Heritage Park as it will allow better use of the workshop / display space in the Brown Shed.
The Livery team has continued with cleaning, restoring and conserving various items including the large horse cart from Seaview Hospital.
The railway team has been doing improvements to the points, traverser and turntable on the Mudfish Railway. They have also been discussing plans for safety improvements on the incoming track and adding a second outgoing passenger loading area.
As I said at the start, we like to show people what we are doing. We hope you come for a visit. We know you will enjoy yourself and even learn a little about our Westland Heritage and of course, have a ride on the train.
Contact Information :
Email: wihpark@gmail.com
Web site: http://www.westlandheritage.co.nz
Address: 9 Brian Waugh Lane, Hokitika 7810
Text and photos: Westland Industrial Heritage Park
