Star Tavern at Cape Foulwind near Westport (Freedom Camp)
The weather took a turn for the worse when we left Nelson to travel West and eventually down the coast. This area at Cape Foulwind was a fascinating community
that was originally set-up around the local cement-works – Holcim -which was
closed-down only a few months ago.
The pub grounds we stayed at used to be the local community hall and was old and dated and full of historical clues into the past, including this old photo:
When we arrived there was a local pony-club event on in the paddock with all kinds of contraptions used for riding and racing. Lots of space nearby for Dizzy to run around. And some interesting beaches to explore nearby (with care though, as this place is heavily poisoned).
The cement factory has (err hum) 'generously' sponsored some community facilities including a park and a walking-track, with the aim of leaving a "positive impact on the land and population". The nearby seal colony was now able to be viewed, thanks to this investment in a new track, which ended in the inevitable 'signpost selfie' opportunity...
However, the industrial scars on the landscape remain, with overgrown unused rail tracks, piles of rocks and large chimneys from the cement ovens still very much in everyone’s view. This made me wonder about (one of)our home-town(s) Rugby, where the cement factory also dominates the area. What would happen to that community, should the cement factory also close-down?
Reading the recorded anecdotes from the historical collection of past living conditions of the cement workers’ families was heart-breaking. For instance, the toxic cement dust was a constant problem inside their houses due to gaps between the floorboards and no carpets to protect them. The cement company’s response to their workers’ complaints? They were provided with a free broom to sweep-up the mess. Mmmmm seems like a few decades have past but not much has changed in the views of corporate health and safety responsibility in New Zealand, and of the dangers of toxic substances...
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| Tavern-dog: inside the 'rustic' Star tavern at cape Foulmead. |
The pub grounds we stayed at used to be the local community hall and was old and dated and full of historical clues into the past, including this old photo:
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| The cement-works was the major employer in the area since the 1960's |
The track nearby around the coast has fallen away in a recent slip, but the remaining views across the ocean were magnificent – even on this cold, blustery day!
When we arrived there was a local pony-club event on in the paddock with all kinds of contraptions used for riding and racing. Lots of space nearby for Dizzy to run around. And some interesting beaches to explore nearby (with care though, as this place is heavily poisoned).
The cement factory has (err hum) 'generously' sponsored some community facilities including a park and a walking-track, with the aim of leaving a "positive impact on the land and population". The nearby seal colony was now able to be viewed, thanks to this investment in a new track, which ended in the inevitable 'signpost selfie' opportunity...
However, the industrial scars on the landscape remain, with overgrown unused rail tracks, piles of rocks and large chimneys from the cement ovens still very much in everyone’s view. This made me wonder about (one of)our home-town(s) Rugby, where the cement factory also dominates the area. What would happen to that community, should the cement factory also close-down?
Reading the recorded anecdotes from the historical collection of past living conditions of the cement workers’ families was heart-breaking. For instance, the toxic cement dust was a constant problem inside their houses due to gaps between the floorboards and no carpets to protect them. The cement company’s response to their workers’ complaints? They were provided with a free broom to sweep-up the mess. Mmmmm seems like a few decades have past but not much has changed in the views of corporate health and safety responsibility in New Zealand, and of the dangers of toxic substances...
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