A COMMUNITY initiative has aided in the push to see Tenterfield’s most famed building resurrected for locals and visitors.
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After a lengthy closure, the Tenterfield Saddler has reopened its doors to the public on the back of orders from building owner Brian Meldon.
Renovation works and the ill health of its owner had forced the iconic building to remain closed since May last year.
During the initial process to bring it up to scratch Mr Meldon suffered a heart attack and spent three months in Prince Charles Hospital recovering from surgery.
On the mend, Mr Meldon said it was always his intention to see it reopen at some stage.
Tenterfield and District Business Association president Rebecca Carpenter said it was great to reach a point where travellers could begin dropping in again.
“This building really holds its own - it has put Tenterfield on the map and I have not met one person who does not know of its existence,” Ms Carpenter said.
“It is a true asset to Tenterfield and should be considered a national treasure - this is a good example of one of many positive things happening in our beautiful town”
- Rebecca Carpenter, TADBA president
“It is a true asset to Tenterfield and should be considered a national treasure - this is a good example of one of many positive things happening in our beautiful town”
“It is wonderful to see the doors open again, and even more wonderful that Brian’s health is allowing the doors to be open again,” she said.
One person all too familiar with the Saddler legacy is Aub Gillespie.
Mr Gillespie said he was thrilled to see the revival of a building he considered the heartbeat of Tenterfield.
“This building is so special - it means an awful lot to a lot of people. It has so many memories and it’s a credit to see it open,” he said.
Aub spent much of last Saturday greeting visitors to the Saddler with recounts of stories and history.
Sue Smith who has donated her time volunteering at the Saddler said it was incredibly beneficial to tourism in town to see the doors reopen.
“Once those doors are open of a morning the people just gravitate here, we see hundreds of people each day from all over the country,” she said.
The Saddler will be open three to four days a week at this stage with the possibility for more at a later date.
To find out when it will be open next, visit www.tenterfieldsaddler.com
