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March Fest
MarchFest is Nelson’s hip harvest hop festival, celebrating the top of the South Island’s status as New Zealand’s premier hop growing and craft beer brewing region. The 2011 MARCHFeST is sub-titled 'the craft brewing revolution continues' in a reference back to 2008 when the inaugural MarchFest was announced as the vanguard of the 'craft brewing revolution'. In three years we have gone from 4 to 12 beers/ciders being created for this event by local craft brewers!
Grand Mansion Plays Many Roles
Lynda Papesch visits a house which, after five generations, is still central to the lives of a Nelson family.
Sitting majestically just inside the entrance to Nelson's Founders Park, Duncan House has numerous tales to tell, if only it could speak.
Its origins are hard to see now but Duncan House was initially built on Hardy St during the 1860s as a humble two-bedroom cottage for a local winemaker, Mr Franks. The front yard was planted in grapes – variety unknown – and the cottage was home to Mr Franks, his wife and two children for some years.
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, various alterations saw it evolve into a two-storey house, then a private hospital, before being bought in 1902 by JR Dodson Brewery owner Henry Duncan, the grandfather of Founders Brewery owner John Duncan.
When Henry died, his sons Richard and Sholto flipped a coin to decide who would take ownership. Richard won the toss and another chapter in its history began.
More than a century later, John Duncan – Richard's nephew – and his wife, Carol, continue the family's close association with the house, with Mrs Duncan running her catering, functions and high teas business in what was originally the dining room.
The couple have had a long association with Duncan House, dating back to when it was still at 376 Hardy St and home to "Uncle Richard and Aunt Bea".
In those days it was a palatial 16-room mansion with an all-weather tennis court, a flourishing vineyard, extensive gardens and its own library, thanks largely to Henry Duncan and his wife, Eugene, (nee Hayter), who had hired an architect, "Mr Houlker", to carry out extensions.
Mr Houlker designed the large bay windows on both levels, added a library and a large veranda at the front, which is how John and Carol still fondly remember Duncan House.
"It was always a grand house; especially by standards in those days," he said. "I often stayed there as a boy, in a room upstairs and remember having great fun pushing the buttons to ring the bells for the servants, then hiding," he grinned.
His wife's introduction came when she moved to the area after they met and then married. "Bea (nee Lucas) loved to entertain; she was very involved in Nelson society and often held social gatherings there," says Mrs Duncan. Many of the bone china cups, saucer and plate sets that she uses for her high teas today were Bea's, and other memorabilia from the house's heyday also take pride of place in the dining room. After Richard died, the house was sold in the 1980s to Nelson lawyer Charles John Harley.
Ad Feedback Earmarked for demolition to make way for "modern development", it faced an uncertain future until 1985 when a conservation-minded group persuaded Mr Harley to donate it to Founders Heritage Park.
"Of course, only about a third of the house made the trip – in two pieces – and even then it almost didn't get there," Mr Duncan says, recounting that during the journey along Atawhai Drive the ground collapsed under the weight of the house and it almost fell off the back of the truck.
Slowly, however, in 1986 Duncan House was relocated to its present site at Founders. The exterior features remain unchanged as do many internal features such as the staircase, wood panelling and window frames.
During the last three decades Duncan House has seen a variety of uses including that of post office, display room and school. Mr and Mrs Duncan's daughter, Rosie, attended Founders School at Duncan House and now their grandson, Alfie, is at school there and three of their adult children work at Founders too, continuing yet again the family connection.
Eleven years ago Founders Brewery and cafe was established just down the path from the house. "History repeats itself," says Mr Duncan, who set up his new brewery the same distance from Duncan House that his grandfather's JR Dodson and Sons brewery had been when it was in Hardy St.
Being able to work close to and in the family ancestral home is a bonus for the couple. "It's quite a unique place," says Mrs Duncan. "A home away from home."
- Nelson
Sitting majestically just inside the entrance to Nelson's Founders Park, Duncan House has numerous tales to tell, if only it could speak.
Its origins are hard to see now but Duncan House was initially built on Hardy St during the 1860s as a humble two-bedroom cottage for a local winemaker, Mr Franks. The front yard was planted in grapes – variety unknown – and the cottage was home to Mr Franks, his wife and two children for some years.
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, various alterations saw it evolve into a two-storey house, then a private hospital, before being bought in 1902 by JR Dodson Brewery owner Henry Duncan, the grandfather of Founders Brewery owner John Duncan.
When Henry died, his sons Richard and Sholto flipped a coin to decide who would take ownership. Richard won the toss and another chapter in its history began.
More than a century later, John Duncan – Richard's nephew – and his wife, Carol, continue the family's close association with the house, with Mrs Duncan running her catering, functions and high teas business in what was originally the dining room.
The couple have had a long association with Duncan House, dating back to when it was still at 376 Hardy St and home to "Uncle Richard and Aunt Bea".
In those days it was a palatial 16-room mansion with an all-weather tennis court, a flourishing vineyard, extensive gardens and its own library, thanks largely to Henry Duncan and his wife, Eugene, (nee Hayter), who had hired an architect, "Mr Houlker", to carry out extensions.
Mr Houlker designed the large bay windows on both levels, added a library and a large veranda at the front, which is how John and Carol still fondly remember Duncan House.
"It was always a grand house; especially by standards in those days," he said. "I often stayed there as a boy, in a room upstairs and remember having great fun pushing the buttons to ring the bells for the servants, then hiding," he grinned.
His wife's introduction came when she moved to the area after they met and then married. "Bea (nee Lucas) loved to entertain; she was very involved in Nelson society and often held social gatherings there," says Mrs Duncan. Many of the bone china cups, saucer and plate sets that she uses for her high teas today were Bea's, and other memorabilia from the house's heyday also take pride of place in the dining room. After Richard died, the house was sold in the 1980s to Nelson lawyer Charles John Harley.
Ad Feedback Earmarked for demolition to make way for "modern development", it faced an uncertain future until 1985 when a conservation-minded group persuaded Mr Harley to donate it to Founders Heritage Park.
"Of course, only about a third of the house made the trip – in two pieces – and even then it almost didn't get there," Mr Duncan says, recounting that during the journey along Atawhai Drive the ground collapsed under the weight of the house and it almost fell off the back of the truck.
Slowly, however, in 1986 Duncan House was relocated to its present site at Founders. The exterior features remain unchanged as do many internal features such as the staircase, wood panelling and window frames.
During the last three decades Duncan House has seen a variety of uses including that of post office, display room and school. Mr and Mrs Duncan's daughter, Rosie, attended Founders School at Duncan House and now their grandson, Alfie, is at school there and three of their adult children work at Founders too, continuing yet again the family connection.
Eleven years ago Founders Brewery and cafe was established just down the path from the house. "History repeats itself," says Mr Duncan, who set up his new brewery the same distance from Duncan House that his grandfather's JR Dodson and Sons brewery had been when it was in Hardy St.
Being able to work close to and in the family ancestral home is a bonus for the couple. "It's quite a unique place," says Mrs Duncan. "A home away from home."
- Nelson
HIGH TEAS Menu/Newsletter
DUNCAN HOUSE
AVAILIABLE ALL YEAR
Devonshire Tea - $14pp
Traditional English scones served with local preserves and freshly whipped cream
Tea sandwiches
English Breakfast or Earl Grey Tea
Pomeroys Filter Coffee
Victorian High Tea - $25pp
A Traditional High Tea Presented on Vintage China with a selection of the following:
Tea Sandwiches – club & pinwheel sandwiches
Tea Cakes – Rosewater or lavender
Lemon Curd Friands
Petite Savouries
Chocolate Treat
English Breakfast or Earl Grey Tea
Pomeroys Filter Coffee
Bookings Essential
Minimum of 10 – up to 25 Seated
To Book: foundersbrewery@xtra.co.nz
Phone Carol – 548 2478
High Tea News
Our Mid Winter Christmas Menu has ended, but it is not too early to book in for Christmas 2010. We will have a set Christmas High Tea Menu - available for Lunch or supper, $35pp. Don’t be disappointed – Book Now!!!!
*New Spring Menu Coming Soon for September and October, focusing on Fresh, local, & or organic food*
At the moment I am busy putting together some ‘one – off’ evenings at Duncan House, where you can book in to, no need to worry about numbers. It will be ‘first in- first served’ with numbers limited to 25. Here is a sneak preview of what I am working on:
Supper with a Clairvoyant - Have fun with your girlfriends, optional Tarot Card reading
Tea Tastings – We have so many great teas available right here in Nelson, here is a chance to try some new ones and learn the art of tea brewing.
Cocktail Party with a Twist – You get to learn how to make them as well as drink them (of course!)
Learn How To Evenings: Is there something you always wanted to know how to do? My ideas are – Play Bridge or Mah-jong – Cake decorating – Flower arranging – Patch work – Knitting – herbal medicine – The art of relaxation..Your ideas please
All served with a High Tea Supper On these nights the Brewery will be open for your partners – Beers, platters & maybe cards?
AVAILIABLE ALL YEAR
Devonshire Tea - $14pp
Traditional English scones served with local preserves and freshly whipped cream
Tea sandwiches
English Breakfast or Earl Grey Tea
Pomeroys Filter Coffee
Victorian High Tea - $25pp
A Traditional High Tea Presented on Vintage China with a selection of the following:
Tea Sandwiches – club & pinwheel sandwiches
Tea Cakes – Rosewater or lavender
Lemon Curd Friands
Petite Savouries
Chocolate Treat
English Breakfast or Earl Grey Tea
Pomeroys Filter Coffee
Bookings Essential
Minimum of 10 – up to 25 Seated
To Book: foundersbrewery@xtra.co.nz
Phone Carol – 548 2478
High Tea News
Our Mid Winter Christmas Menu has ended, but it is not too early to book in for Christmas 2010. We will have a set Christmas High Tea Menu - available for Lunch or supper, $35pp. Don’t be disappointed – Book Now!!!!
*New Spring Menu Coming Soon for September and October, focusing on Fresh, local, & or organic food*
At the moment I am busy putting together some ‘one – off’ evenings at Duncan House, where you can book in to, no need to worry about numbers. It will be ‘first in- first served’ with numbers limited to 25. Here is a sneak preview of what I am working on:
Supper with a Clairvoyant - Have fun with your girlfriends, optional Tarot Card reading
Tea Tastings – We have so many great teas available right here in Nelson, here is a chance to try some new ones and learn the art of tea brewing.
Cocktail Party with a Twist – You get to learn how to make them as well as drink them (of course!)
Learn How To Evenings: Is there something you always wanted to know how to do? My ideas are – Play Bridge or Mah-jong – Cake decorating – Flower arranging – Patch work – Knitting – herbal medicine – The art of relaxation..Your ideas please
All served with a High Tea Supper On these nights the Brewery will be open for your partners – Beers, platters & maybe cards?
NEW RELEASE
Anniversary Blonde on tap & selling fast, better get in quick!
Anniversary Blonde (very special edition) is a robust golden lager, with plenty of body,
a great hop aroma, and beautiful lingering hop bitterness, and to balance the weight
of the extra ingredients we have increased the strength of the beer to 5.4% ABV.
Anniversary Blonde (very special edition) is a robust golden lager, with plenty of body,
a great hop aroma, and beautiful lingering hop bitterness, and to balance the weight
of the extra ingredients we have increased the strength of the beer to 5.4% ABV.
Catering Brochure
AT LAST! finally I have my Catering Brochure completed. Thanks to all the people that have requested information from me! It is located under Cafe. check out our Facebook for pics from my High Tea Opening......Carol
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News
CAFE REOPENING
Our cafe is openig up for the season on Wednesday the 31st of August.
We will have fresh scones and muffins as well as a new changing daily menu.
The cafe will be open from 10.00am toll 4.30pm with food avaliable from 10.00 till 3.30pm
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Brewery eZine
