Outing to Rokeby Park and the Blaauwkrantz Bridge

Abstract

The article describes an outing of the LAHS on 21 July 2022 to Rokeby Park Church, followed by a picnic tea and talk at the Blaauwkrantz Bridge. Rokeby Park was so-called by George Dyason, the leader of a 1820 Settler party, in honour of Lord Rokeby of Kent, where Dyason came from. The church was opened with great celebration on 2 October 1884 (the same year as the train came to Port Alfred), and the original miller-style lamps (possibly brass - or silver-plated pewter), pupil books, carpet and cushions were still there in 1984 when it celebrated its centenary. These lamps still hang there today, looking well-loved; one notes, too, the attractive wooden cutout details on the ceiling. In fact, the church is beautifully kept thanks to the families in the area.