Tours of ex-butchery at Hampden

Casey Borsboom of Oamaru fires up his forge at celebrations to mark 130 years since Hampden was...
Casey Borsboom of Oamaru fires up his forge at celebrations to mark 130 years since Hampden was proclaimed a borough. Photo by David Bruce.
"Butchering again" was Hugh Muldrew's reaction when he walked back into what was the Hampden Quality Butchery.

The butchery, now a house, was open as part of Labour Weekend celebrations to mark 130 years since the township was proclaimed a borough.

Mr Muldrew bought the butchery from George Nixon in 1952 and ran it until 1967, when he turned it into a processing plant for deer and game.

It continued processing until 1970, when it was sold to Wilson Neill.

Although now a private residence, the building still bears hallmarks of its day as a butchery.

The freezer has been converted to a small bathroom, and the rails which were used to shift carcasses still runs across the ceiling of the kitchen.

Mr Muldrew and Shorty Hyland, who worked with him as a butcher, showed people through the building and outlined its history.

Mr Muldrew worked at the Maheno Butchery before he bought the Hampden operation.

He used to milk the cows on their small holding early in the morning, run the butchery then come home at night to milk the cows again.

Celebrations organiser Ken Bridge said about 120 people registered for the weekend celebrations.

Events included a mini market and historical demonstrations, and a day of activities and competitions at Hampden beach with a historical flavour.

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