Tuesday, 15 March 2016

A blue greyish lamp post in our garden


There were oil lamps in the streets and candles in the churches and it was reported that the ladies complained of the candle grease "falling on their wearing apparel". 
The Council embarked on a scheme for electric lighting, at an estimated cost of 19000 Pounds. The work was carried out by Messrs Morley and Dawbarn of London and Johannesburg. 
Mrs Caskie, wife of the Mayor of the day, turned on the lights at a banquet in November, 1904. 
Six beautiful street lamps were donated to the town. 
The according to word-of-mouth it was donated by the British Monarchy.
These  stunning street lamp took poll position in front of the Town Hall. 
When we moved to Harrismith there were still 2 lamps standing 
Some years ago we were driving though town and saw four guys rolling this base of a lamp.
The base of the street lamp 
After a couple of minutes Hennie was convinced he could save the old street lamp. 
In the same year the then museum had to be moved. This was a main . . . main job. There was an old ox-wagon that needs to be removed. Under the ox-wagon a lot of broken pieces of a street lamp, was hidden. 
The then committee entrusted the broken bits and pieces to us. We learnt that it was destroyed by a truck. Biebie de Vos - our town historian - helped with a picture of the original street lamp. 
 Hennie started the restoring the lamp.  

In the words of Mother Teresa
If you want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. 
To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.

Bits and pieces put together 
A couple of years ago this pieces was entrusted to us when it was hit by a truck
"May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out"

JRR Tolkien

A picture of a street lamp in Madison Avenue dated 1924.
This was part of the inspiration 
Bits and pieces 
Hennie started to renovate it as time was available.
He had to make new pieces where pieces were missing.
Painfully he managed to restore it

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of
creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness. 
More detail of the bottom tulip shape 





Wonderful to see it standing in our garden
Thanks for visiting and may you have a wonderful time
Love from South Africa
Sandra

12 comments:

  1. You're kidding!!! He did a fantastic job! Wow! You have a lovely home too:) Thank you for sharing this at Rustic Restorations Weekend!

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    1. Thanks for the motivation in your comment. Thanks for hosting a wonderful tea party.
      Sandra

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  2. Hello Sandra
    What a great job.....just wonderful :)
    and do not miss the.....

    B
    L
    O
    G
    P
    A
    R
    T
    Y
    T

    it is FUN :)
    WELCOME
    Håkan ( The Roseman)

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    1. Hi Hakan
      Thanks for your wonderful comment and the invitation.
      Have a wonderful day

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  3. I'm so glad I found you through Open House Party. The love and care you show with the light restoration and your amazing home is truly inspiring and I'm following you now! ~ Maureen

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    1. Thanks for your wonderful comment and for following. Enjoy the week ahead. Love from Sunny South Africa

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  4. WoW! What a wonderful transformation and what a wonderful treasure you now have!

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  5. How beautiful it is! Thanks for joining me at HSH!
    Sherry

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  6. Dear Sherry thanks for your comment. Greetings from South Africa

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  7. Uff! es preciosa. Puedo ver en una de las fotografías el porche restaurado ( es así?), resulto muy bonito.

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    1. Hi Carmen
      It was a big effort to renovate our porch. But lucky we can now sit back and enjoy it.

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