Lawrence daffodils to return

Weatherstons Brewery and Daffodils Trust members (from left) Quentin Currall, David Barkman, Mel Foster and trust chairwoman Simone Budge with future generation helper Henry Homer (6) (front) at the site of the former Weathersons Brewery and daffodils. Photo / Samuel White

The stage is set for the reopening of the Wetherstons brewery ruins and daffodil planting near Lawrence.

A trust was formed in 2008 to help develop the site of the former Wetherstons brewery and daffodil plantings.

This led to the scenic attraction being opened to the public for several years.

However, the project stalled and a new trust was formed in 2016.

The 10ha site boasts a rhododendron forest, scenic waterfall and hundreds of daffodils in open paddocks.

The newly formed Wetherstons Brewery and Daffodils Trust will open the historic site for the first time in two seasons on Saturday, September 9.

Trust chairwoman Simone Budge said the site of the Wetherstons brewery once attracted thousands of people, the daffodils proving to be a popular feature.

Even she was surprised at how beautiful the daffodils were when she first saw them.
"I was gobsmacked. I thought it'd look pretty. It's just amazing."

The daffodils were first planted in 1895 by the ancestor and namesake of one of the trust members - Ben Hart.

Hundreds of bulbs were imported at "great expense from Holland and elsewhere", Ms Budge said.

Mr Hart's ancestor's enthusiasm had been passed on to his children and the plantings expanded to cover most of the site surrounding the brewery.

Although the daffodils were yet to bloom, the trust had been busy preparing the site for visitors in time for its opening.

The brewery, which operated from 1884 until 1923, was once part of a thriving township comprising stores, banks, a school, smithy, hotels and gambling dens.

Now only the ruins of the brewery and some town buildings remain.

The trust has a long-term goal to restore some of the buildings at the site in the hope of returning the attraction to its former glory.

Ms Budge said the trust had some "amazing plans and ideas", including turning the site into a wedding and party venue.

The land is still in the hands of the Hart family and is owned by latter-day Mr Hart.

The trust will hold a working bee this weekend to prepare the site.

samuel.white@odt.co.nz