Mrs Heritage insisted we go to the Farmers Market last weekend. The wind was straight off the Urals, or perhaps the snow-topped Oberon Plateau. “I wanna get some bacon and some cheese”, she said. So, I’ll be putting another log on the fire?” said I. Hurrumph!
On your left as you go through the gates to the Showground, that wonderful Bathurst heritage asset, is the caretaker’s cottage. All you heritage affectionados know that you don’t have to turn to page 560 of Volume II of Graham Lupp’s wonderful Building Bathurst book to know all about this 1885 James Hines-designed two-storey asymmetrical Picturesque building, reminiscent of pattern book plans. “The roof is in sheet metal tiles, pressed to simulate a Marseilles pattern”. The description at the time went on “a very handsome building in red brick, picked out with white, and somewhat Elizabethan in appearance.” Don’t know about Elizabethan though.
The Bathurst Times on 10 April 1885 speculated about its first occupant …“As the person appointed to take charge of the grounds will live rent free, and have very little to do, the situation may be eagerly sought.” Sounds perfect, I’d say.
What most of us don’t know is that nearby in 1885 was a bandstand, with latticed sides and “very artistic”. I think its base can still be discerned under the grass between the caretaker’s cottage and the pavilions – have a look. But the structure has disappeared, and anyone knowing of its current whereabouts is encouraged to contact the showground office.
Thought of the week … “the whole precinct is worth preserving”
