In an English country garden-—almost

Press, 19 February 1986, Page 34

In an English country garden-—almost

Anyone who has visited the grand country mansions of England will know the feeling one gets in the gardens of Rangiora’s Coldstream Estate. You could almost believe you were in an English country garden of last century, sipping sangarees on the veranda or playing tennis on the lawn, before sitting down to a threecourse dinner served on Royal Doulton china. Although only five minutes from Rangiora and 30 minutes from Christchurch, the Coldstream homestead stands among ordered gardens and lawns, sheltered by majestic old trees, to create feelings of tranquillity and peace for the visitor. It was with these visions that a Christchurch couple, Peter and Cindy Nelson-Rookes, bought the estate last year and today officially open it as an exclusive tourist lodge catering for private guests as well as providing a

venue for conferences, weddings and special lunches. Originally built in 1862 for a wealthy Canterbury landowner, Mr John MacFarlane, the estate had undergone many changes before the Nel-son-Rookes “saw it advertised and fell in love with it” last year. Changes included almost a dozen owners, the addition of an upper storey in 1919 and the later addition and removal of eleven extra bedrooms at the rear of the house. Today the house retains its colonial charms; there are brass beds in the four bedrooms, a fireplace in every room, a huge kauri staircase, genuine antique furnishings abound and lavish meals magically appear from the kitchen at regular intervals. “There was a definite need for an upmarket tourist lodge in the area,” said Peter Nelson-Rookes, “a conference place with

a difference.” “Ninety per cent of all home-hosting houses aim for either budget travellers or cater specially for hunters, fishermen or whatever,” said Cindy. “Only a small group of us aim for the top end of the market and that puts us in a different league. “I think there is a demand for this type of thing. We can organise all kinds of activities for them or they can do absolutely nothing.” The activities available, virtually at the back door, include horse-riding, clayshooting, fishing, croquet, golf, tennis and farm tours. If guests wish, they can just stay and savour the pleasures of Coldstream’s gardens and walks. Peter, an enthusiastic gardener, has already planted extensive rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas and roses to complement the existing gardens. Beyond the gardens and

lawns, the tennis court and small lake, are the plantings of species trees, some that date back 125 years to the original owner. These trees, the mature elms, oaks, maples, cherry, lime and walnuts, which abound throughout the property, betray the estate’s English heritage. Perhaps the most spectacular trees are the huge macrocarpas on the back boundary — some of which have reached 13.7 m in girth. Cindy used to run an antique shop in Christchurch and has used her expertise and knowledge in this field to equip the house with authentic antique furniture and decor as would have been found there 125 years ago. Also an experienced cook, she will produce the meals for the maximum of six guests staying at the homestead but when large numbers are being catered for at weddings and conferences, Contin-

ental Caterers, of Rapgiora, will provide the food. The meals will concentrate on New Zealand gourmet fare such as local game and salmon, trout and crayfish, but if overseas guests wish to eat their "home” cooking for a change she will adapt her menus to suit. A marquee tent capable of accommodating 1500 people is available and will be used for larger events — two weddings have been booked already. “We have had great feedback already — the local people all appear enthusiastic about it,” said Peter. “The more we have gone into it, the more exciting it has become.” And for both of them it will be the realisation of their wish, to see a genuine colonial homestead, "a taste of our gracious past,” restored and shared with the public in its full former glory.