Hugh Farmer’s dream is to trace the history of the incense industry in old Hong Kong “because that’s how [the city] was named”.
The former English teacher turned historical researcher was referring to the “heung” in Heung Gong, the Chinese name meaning fragrant harbour that colonists adapted as Hong Kong.
This is part of the research he is conducting through the Industrial History of Hong Kong group that he established just over a year ago.
“I was very intrigued by the subject and there was no such group or society to join,” he said. “I felt it was an immensely important part of Hong Kong history which involved huge numbers of people here and which was being rapidly forgotten.”
Since it was launched in November 2012 the group has received contributions from academics and other people interested in the subject and sent out newsletters to subscribers. Farmer also posts articles and information on the group’s website, industrialhistoryhk.org.
Farmer said he had learned a lot about the city’s past.
One area was the textile spinning industry, which was launched in the late 19th century but didn’t get into its stride until after the second world war.