... and Elm Grove farm also turns 160

GATHERING: The 160th celebration partygoers outside the historic woolshed on Elm Grove.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

As well as being Greytown's 160th anniversary this year marks the same milestone for Elm Grove, the Kempton family farm on the rural road that takes the family name, Kempton's Line.

Elm Grove is one of three farms in Wairarapa to remain in single family ownership for more than 100 years, thereby qualifying for the prestigious Century Farms and Stations Award.

The farm dates back to 1854, four years after the Matthews family founded Waiorongomai at Western Lake, but five years before the Campbell family farm at Mt Bruce started in business.

To mark the 160th anniversary a party was held at Elm Grove on March 15.

Barry Kempton, great-great-grandson of Thomas Kempton snr, welcomed around 140 guests who filled the historic woolshed and overflowed into marquees in the paddock.

Guest Lynne King said it was a "spectacular affair" involving family friends, relatives, neighbours, former workers, farming colleagues and people with business connections to the farm.

"Barry related some of the history of the farm, everyone shared memories, talked to people they hadn't seen for years and enjoyed a barbecue meal.

"Rob Yule and his team did their usual superb job of catering and volunteers ran the bar and handed around nibbles," she said.

Takings from the bar went to the fund for a cochlear implant for Lily Hooper of Greytown and to Greytown Early Years.

A rolling display of photographs showed pastoral scenes of the farm, people, dogs and machinery from the past and the magnificently renovated 149-year-old homestead.

Musicians Jamie and Nick Morrison were crowd pleasers with their beautiful acoustic music, and guest Christine Pitt did a great karaoke spot. At dusk a bonfire was lit in the paddock, and thankfully Cyclone Lusi was nowhere to be seen. From Thomas Kempton snr the farm passed to his son Thomas jnr then to Frank, Victor and on to Barry Kempton.