A&P ready replica slaughterhouse

A replica of a vintage butcher shop pays a moving tribute to the founder’s beloved wife.

Milton slaughterhouse owner Rex Spence came up with the idea to build a replica 1930s butcher shop about seven years ago, but plans to start the project in 2020 after the death of his wife Joyce. I was moved by that.

Two years later, the vision he shared with Joyce has come to fruition and will be officially unveiled at the Tocomilo A&P Show on December 10th.

Spence, 77, said the replica shop was named R&J’s Butcher in honor of his wife.

“There is a long history of notable butchers here in the Bruce District, which continues today with Tiny Agnew and his team.

“Given that he could not have chosen one of them without risking offending the others who helped him get the project off the ground, Joyce was adamant about the idea from the beginning. He was a staunch supporter, so I decided to pay tribute.”

He said the two-room replica building had so far cost about $70,000, much of it being a “passion project” that he personally funded.

“But without a lot of help from the locals in terms of discounted materials, volunteer skills and labor, and donations of time, crafts and knowledge from the wider community, we wouldn’t be able to do it.” I couldn’t get it done.

The store was the same as two of Spence’s childhood favorites in Haitangata.

It also serves as a new museum of the artefacts of many of his butchers, previously exhibited in a museum adjacent to the South Kill slaughterhouse on Route 1, just north of Milton. increase.

“There are some very interesting things here for people to see and enjoy, and lots of historical photos and materials to browse.

“For example, I repurposed a bicycle wheel and attached a Walters wheel with ribbons hanging to a small motor to act as a fly deterrent. I’m not sure how effective that was, but it was very Excellent, an example of the ingenuity of the people of the time.”

The slaughterhouse is behind the Tocomilo A&P Showgrounds, owned by the South Otago Heritage Society.

Spence said the association plans to add more buildings to make the heritage village a tourist attraction.

This will take advantage of the expansion of the nearby Clutha Gold Cycleway from Lawrence to Waihola, which will be completed next year.

“I think the fire brigade is planning to house a vintage collection next door.

Meanwhile, Mr. Spence was looking forward to greeting the locals next weekend.

“It’s a shame that Joyce can’t come here and see it come to life. She would have been proud and delighted.”

richard.davison@odt.co.nz