Pak Sha O Ha Yeung Farm

Sat, 10/17/2015 - 16:03
Date picture taken
1 Nov 1987
Author(s)

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This place was in the news recently because it was restored by its tenant, a former RHKP officer called Toby Emmet(?)

Hi Phill

I knew Toby Emmett through orienteering and he generously hosted me during my Hong Kong holiday in late 1987.  Since the late 1980s we've lost touch.  One day Toby took me to the farm.  I am pretty sure that it was where I have added the marker on the map as it was on the right hand side of the road heading north and there were several flat fields right next to it as you'll see on one of my other photogrpahs.   The farm house was to the right of that photograph. On Google Earth, there doesn't seem to be any sign of or room for any fields at the place further North and on the opposite side of the road - but it's possible that I'm worng.  At the time, Toby had just a small building at the farm and he kept rare species of chickens and ducks behind the farm house.  I remember that Toby hoped to be able to become the tenant for the whole farm one day, so it seems that his dream became reality. Good for him!  It's quite possible that I have got the name wrong.  Maybe you'll have to go out there and check it out for certain!  Best wishes Andrew

Andrew

What a nice coincidence that you know him. Here is the recent SCMP article on him: http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/1862089/expats-who-revived-hong-k…

 Actually, I think you are right, I checked the map and Ha Yeung is the place you have marked - I'm not sure why I thought it was the other place...I think perhaps Google Maps lists it as the place further up?

Cheers

Phil

Hi Phil

Yes, an unexpected coincidence.  Thank you for sending the very interesting link to the recent SCMP article.  We  lost  touch when Toby moved from the island to live in a condo 'somewhere in the New Territories'. His tenancy at the farm was of the small two storey building just to the left of the main ancestral hall.  There's a piece of red wood in front of its door on two of my photographs.  Another photograph shows a rear view of the ancestral hall and Toby's home. Restoring the old buildings and collecting and saving ancient artefacts must have given him a very enjoyable and worthwhile retirement. Good luck to him and the others who are trying to preserve something that in modern Hong Kong can so easily be destroyed by thoughtless developers.  Best wishes Andrew