With the support of the Parkinson Trust, David Bundy has driven the restoration of the old Blacksmith's Shop, built on Gebbie family land sometime after the construction of the Wheatsheaf in 1875. The first we hear of the Smithy is an advertisement in The Press, July 1889.
Wanted known - J. Bryden has started a Blacksmith's Shop, Head of the Bay, Teddington, where he hopes to receive a fair amount of patronage.Once the hotel was constructed and the road around the harbour opened up, this would have been a busy junction with farmers driving stock from the peninsula to market in Christchurch (via Dyers Pass or by sea from Teddington). It is likely that J. Bryden did get a 'fair amount of patronage'.
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| Smithy later in life when it was used as Ra Blatchford's contracting headquarters
Restoration of the building is almost complete and if you go past on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday you will likely find retired blacksmith Les firing up the forge. He will welcome you in for a look and a chat.
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