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The renovation, which involved stripping the house back to its framing, re-lining, re-wiring, re-plumbing and re-roofing, has made it a finalist in the 2021 Canterbury Heritage Awards in the “domestic saved and restored” category. Michael Barker said the awards were not just about architecture but also about the preservation of social history, which he and Brigitte had emphasised in their stewardship of the home, which has a category two listing with Pouhere Taonga Heritage New Zealand.
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Brigitte Barker did not want traditional chandeliers, and opted for this modern version. The Barkers have been in the region for five generations, with the fruit company being Geraldine’s largest employer.
The builder was Rene Voets, with input by conservation consultant architect Tony Ussher. The cottage has a Category 2 heritage listing with Pouhere Taonga Heritage New Zealand. Its extensive renovation has made it a finalist in the 2021 Canterbury Heritage Awards, in the “domestic saved and restored” category. The house is at the beginning of the Bridle Path, the track taken by early settlers over the Port Hills to Christchurch. The trek from Lyttelton took about four to five hours in the mid-19th century.
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This photograph of Lyttelton, showing Islay Cottage at left, is thought to have been taken in about 1905.