Hope Place, Saladero

On Saturday 4th November 20 Past Finders and 5 adults set off at 9am heading to Saladero. The group where very enthusiastic and start singing along to their favourite tunes. From the back you would hear the occasional "are we there yet!". Two hours and we arrived, welcomed by Lucy Ellis. After a quick freshen up the group set off on foot to Hope Place. It was a little windy, so a few puffs getting up the slope before descending down to Hope Place. 

Tasmin and Paul strategically parked the cars out of the wind and unloaded. The 'Big Picnic'! One of the Falkland Islands traditions. We all sat in what would have been the store building, built in 1849. 

Sandra talked to the group about Hope Place which is an historic site and an important part of our heritage. 

In 1849, Samuel and Alexander Lafone, set up a skin salting works at Hope Place. The area now bears the name, Lafonia. Salting works is known as 'Saladero'. Mr R.A. Williams was appointed the manager and accompanied by 100 people with various skills, arrived on the ship 'Napoleon' to set up the settlement. The ships timbers were used for housing. Among the workers were South American cattle hands (gauchos) who were expert horsemen. Also, family's women and children. There was also many nationalities' working at Hope Place at the time.

Houses were built of stone, wood and turf. Many turf walls and corrals were built around Lafonia to keep the herd of cattle in. The hides were used for horse gear and turf huts. Stanley was provided with beef and cows for milking.  Problems developed within the business and challenging conditions. The brothers sold their shares to the Falkland Islands Company in 1851. 

John Powenall Dale and his wife previously manged a business in Uruguay for the Lafones 

Thank you to all Volunteers for all your help, always appreciated.