A True Romance.
In the early years of the 20th century, the Finch family emigrated from England and bought a home and eight acres of land on Victoria Rd West, in Birkenhead.
They called their home Clovelly in memory of days spent in Clovelly in Cornwall.
The eight acres that Mr Finch bought are now part of Kauri Park reserve. Over the years, his orchard and much admired garden has had houses built on it and the clay track that was then Victoria Rd West is now Rangatira Road. At number 28 is a two storied villa that the Finch family would recognise as their beloved home.
Another storey has been added, yet the house looks much the same today as it does in photographs from the period, and the Norfolk Pine that Frank Finch planted when his son Kenneth was born a hundred years ago, is still standing guard over the street.
Of course, Clovelly has been modernised and updated in the last century and today is a warm and welcoming home. Worn by the feet of dozens of families, the floorboards glow with the patina of age. Even surrounded by 21st century appliances in the country-style kitchen, one can easily imagine family life here before the First World War.
What was once the formal parlour is nowadays the light-filled living room. There are now 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms for the family accommodation.
Mr Finch's orchard may have long gone but there is still a small cottage garden to inspire make-believe games.
Handily placed at Verran's Corner, 28 Rangatira Rd has recently been used as an international guest house and is available for sale by Auction.
Saturday 12 November 3-30pm on site.
Romance remembered, romance revisited
They called their home Clovelly in memory of days spent in Clovelly in Cornwall.
The eight acres that Mr Finch bought are now part of Kauri Park reserve. Over the years, his orchard and much admired garden has had houses built on it and the clay track that was then Victoria Rd West is now Rangatira Road. At number 28 is a two storied villa that the Finch family would recognise as their beloved home.
Another storey has been added, yet the house looks much the same today as it does in photographs from the period, and the Norfolk Pine that Frank Finch planted when his son Kenneth was born a hundred years ago, is still standing guard over the street.
Of course, Clovelly has been modernised and updated in the last century and today is a warm and welcoming home. Worn by the feet of dozens of families, the floorboards glow with the patina of age. Even surrounded by 21st century appliances in the country-style kitchen, one can easily imagine family life here before the First World War.
What was once the formal parlour is nowadays the light-filled living room. There are now 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms for the family accommodation.
Mr Finch's orchard may have long gone but there is still a small cottage garden to inspire make-believe games.
Handily placed at Verran's Corner, 28 Rangatira Rd has recently been used as an international guest house and is available for sale by Auction.
Saturday 12 November 3-30pm on site.
Romance remembered, romance revisited