Minniesdale House re-roofed

Historic Minniesdale House will get $15,000 to help replace its roof and improve its weather tightness.
Auckland Council’s Planning Committee approved the funding from the 2017-18 Regional Historic Heritage Grants Programme.

Minniesdale House was built in 1868 for Edwin Stanley Brookes Senior and his wife Jemima.

Edwin was a Nottingham lace and hosiery maker. He became involved in recruiting protestant non-conformist emigrants from England to settle in the area as part of the Albertland Special Settlement Scheme.

Edwin later became a reverend and conducted services at nearby Minniesdale Chapel.
Rodney councillor Greg Sayers is pleased that the grant will ensure the long-term survival of the historic house, saying it’s a tribute to the adventurous families who helped settle and develop the Albertland District.

“It’s wonderful that because of this grant a remarkable Wharehine building will remain standing as a proud landmark for future generations,” he says.

Linda Clapham, who lives in the home and owns it in partnership with other family members, is also delighted by the grant award.

She says the corrugated iron roof is leaking and has not been replaced since the 1950s.
“It’s a wonderful property and we are anxious to make sure it keeps on keeping on,” she says.

Later this year, celebrations are planned to mark the home’s 150th birthday.

There were 25 applications for funding from the heritage grants programme and Minniesdale House was one of only eight that were approved.   Planning committee chair Chris Darby says the grants programme encourages Aucklanders to be more involved in the care of heritage sites and places.

He says the successful projects approved for grants include some of Auckland’s iconic heritage buildings.