Villa turns another page
Plenty to enjoy in this historic home that has been renovated but has its integrity intact, writes Penny Lewis
The beautiful villa called Rotherdene on the corner of Summer St and Calliope Rd is one of those magical century- old homes set in rambling gardens that’s full of nooks to explore. Home for the past eight years to Tania Nevill, Andrew Cole and their children, twins Will and Georgia, 18, and 11- year- old Johnny, the villa set on more than a quarter of an acre has five bedrooms, three living areas and even a turret for panoramic views. The expansive grounds, which include Andrew’s impressive potager vegetable gardens, are also a soothing place to be.
But the Cole- Nevill household is a sociable one, so there has been plenty of noise here, too. Tania recalls one Boxing Day get- together, when “about six or eight families” were visiting. There was a multitude of kids playing cricket on the lawn as their parents relaxed on the deck on the other side of the house.
“The kids had been playing cricket and then Will set up an amp and they were all dancing,” Tania recalls. “We have lovely neighbours but someone must’ve had a bad Christmas because noise control came and shut down the kids’ party. Us adults still had our own party, but noise control wasn’t worried about it.” There have been lots of fun family times. “Devonport is the most amazing place to raise a family. Everything is here,” says Tania.
“There are the beaches, rugby and cricket clubs and a ballet school. The kids have been able to wander down to Devonport and go to the park or go to Stanley Bay wharf.”
From the wharf, it’s a quick trip on the ferry to the city if Tania and Andrew want to head out to dinner. Andrew also catches the ferry to commute to Working Style, the clothing company Tania cofounded with a business partner nearly 30 years ago.
In recent years Tania and Andrew have renovated Rotherdene, working to remove 1970s alterations. The house works extremely well for modern family living, but its integrity and character are still intact, with gracious light and airy rooms that open on to a wrap- around veranda that spills on to the expansive lawn, scene of the noise- control visit.
“This is my haven,” Tania says of her house. “I love the sun and one of the most important things with the renovation was it had to be sunny.”
Tania and Andrew are only Rotherdene’s third owners — and were lucky to learn something of its history in 2009 when grandchildren of the original owners, the Bunbys, paid a visit and shared memories. In notes sent to Tania, David Williams said Grandpa Bunby was a dentist.
David and his sisters Mary, Winifred and Hilma wrote of the orchard and croquet lawn that were part of the estate but are now occupied by neighbouring houses. Grandpa Bunby, who died before the children got to know him, had the first car in Devonport, said Winifred.
She also recalled their mother, Isabel, telling them about the horse and cart that used to come and empty the contents of a “large can” each night. Hilma said the name Rotherdene was a derivative of Rotherham and Doncaster in England, where her grandparents were born. “The tower” was Hilma’s favourite place as a child.
“It was quiet and you could be alone and not have to be on your best behaviour.”
The tower continues to be a hidey- hole at Rotherdene, generations later. But it’s now time for Rotherdene to have its fourth owners. Tania and Andrew have bought some land where Andrew has more space to develop his love of horticulture.
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126 CALLIOPE RD, DEVONPORT SIZE: PRICE GUIDE: INSPECT: TENDER:
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