Gordon Vogtherr : Almost 100 years of Bacon and Ham Curing in Hastings

Gordon Vogtherr : Almost 100 years of Bacon and Ham Curing in Hastings

Well-known local Hastings business Holly Bacon Co Ltd has been in family ownership since it was started by Carl Vogtherr in 1914. Carl originated from Germany, but he immigrated to England to avoid conscription, and to learn a trade. Carl apprenticed to become a pork butcher, at which he became very successful.

As an avid fancier of dogs, birds and fowls, Carl was chosen to be judge of Rough Coated Collie Dogs at the Berlin Dog Show in 1907.

When ill-health caused Carl to retire from his butchery, an uncle suggested he move to New Zealand to recover. Carl and his family arrived in Hastings in 1913, and his health recovered sufficiently to once again start in business as a pork butcher, amongst other things.

Gordon will talk about his remarkable family, which is one of the few remaining businesses in family ownership in Hastings from the beginning of last century.