Welbourn Terrace

 
There is a connection between Rev. Henry Handley Brown and Welbourn Terrace which takes its name from the adjacent Welbourn School and the suburb in which it is located. The school was opened in 1932 by Percy H. White, chairman of the Taranaki Education Board 1920-1922, and was named in honour of Rev. Henry Handley Brown. The terrace itself was opened in 1972, and coincided with the development of the State Highway 3 motorway. It is unclear when exactly the suburb became known as Welbourn but the school’s history provides an insight into why this area is named as it is.

Rev Handley Brown was born in Welbourn Village in South Lincolnshire. He arrived in New Zealand in 1859 with his family. He soon settled in New Plymouth and became a prominent clergyman in Taranaki who officiated at 2145 baptisms, 224 marriages, and 292 burials in the region and was well respected throughout Taranaki.

The village of Welbourn in Lincolnshire has its origins back to the 11^th century. A village called “Wellebrune” was documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 and describes a manor, probably “Welbourn Manor”, in which the family lived. Today the manor is an established residential care centre, and still is a prominent landmark in the village.

Rev Brown, purchased several acres of land on upper Carrington Road, on which he built a resplendent home and called it “Welbourn”, capturing the essence of his beloved childhood home. Here he also opened the first version of “Welbourn School” to assist employees of the family sawmilling business to educate their children. This Welbourn School closed in 1877 and schooling in the area was transferred to Carrington School. In later years when the Carrington School closed, the school hall was relocated to the current Welbourn School, which opened in 1932. It is still popular with the local community.

This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.