Just imagine….then and now….
As the autumn leaves start tumbling down it is time to once again head to Hill End’s Open Day on Sunday 10 April.
A number of the villagers
are throwing open their homes, their school, their hall, their church and their
studios to allow you to peek inside and see how they now live, work and play in
an historic gold town.
Imagine the town as it was….and then see the buildings now.
Most
of the buildings open for viewing were constructed between the 1870s and the
1900s and have seen generations of families through their doors. Some were
almost in ruins when they were lovingly “adopted” by people with a passion and
on Open Day they wish to share this with you. Many years of painstaking
restoration and preservation (and never mind the dollars!) have gone into
conserving these buildings as useful and comfortable dwellings.
They are not museums, they are everyday buildings, still being used for their intended purposes and now all the more treasured for being so. Some have the “mod cons” but these are skilfully integrated into an eclectic environment where they seem right at home. “Why didn’t I think of that?” will be your constant comment.
What will you see? Well, remember your school days, come and
visit our school and see how education has changed in an electronic environment
yet still retains an historic link to a school that was built in 1872. A church
with no electricity? – not a problem, Ted lights the myriad of kerosene
lanterns that add a reverent atmosphere to an evening ecumenical service. A cottage
with the bathroom “out the back” means that it is a place to escape to and
relax in a lingering tub. Leave the mobile phone on the dining room table; it
probably won’t work out there anyway!
View the family portraits in the Royal
Hall and watch out as their eyes follow you around the room…Visit the artists
who have given up city life for a brief tree change to absorb the creative
atmosphere once enjoyed by Donald Friend, Margaret Olley and many others. Wander down the streets that will be
alive with autumn colour. Don’t forget your camera and a good pair of walking
shoes.
This is your opportunity to speak to these people, who are
proud of their village, in a relaxed friendly atmosphere and ask them the
questions that have surely arisen as you wander around town. Volunteers will be
available at all venues to guide you to your next place of exploration. C’mon
in!
BUILDINGS OPEN ON THE DAY
THE ROYAL HALL
MURRAYS COTTAGE - Bathurst Regional Art Gallery Residency
ENGLISH COTTAGE - Home of Hill End Press
CARVER'S COTTAGE
HAEFLIGERS COTTAGE - Bathurst Regional Art Gallery Residency
DENNINGTON COTTAGE
LA PALOMA POTTERY
ST PAUL'S CHURCH
HILL END PUBLIC SCHOOL
ACKERMAN COTTAGE
FOR BOOKINGS: To experience this great day out on Sunday 10 April 2016 are essential and can be made by phoning
Registration and
payment is at the Royal Hall in Beyers Avenue, next to the Royal Pub.
Cost: $25.00 per
person/$18.00 concession.
(Sorry, cash only on the day)
(Sorry, cash only on the day)
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