Heritage Bus Trip Saturday September 14th, 2019 Organised by Historic Places Mid Canterbury

Leaving Ashburton at 9.30am from outside Ashburton District Council building.

First stop Geraldine:Here you will have time to browse the town centre, its col-lection of unique and interesting shops and/or relax in one of the many cafés, perhaps sample a tasty morsel or two

Second stop Timaru— Speights Ale House (Landing Service Building":
Enjoy a two course meal and tea/coffee (included in your ticket price) in the historic sur-roundings of the Speights Ale House.

Speaker and Tour—David McBride, an eloquent and knowledgeable local Ar-chitect and chairman of the Timaru Civic Trust will talk about the history of the Landing Service Building, the campaign to save it from certain demolition and its restoration which has turned it into a real commercial success story. David will then take us on a guided walking tour around the town centre, where we will visit many of Timaru’s architectural gems.

Miaflora—Winchester— We will stop at Miaflora Garden Centre and Café on our way home. Here you can indulge the wonderful garden and art, wander the garden centre or have a coffee in captivating sur-roundings!

Back in Ashburton around 5pm

Members $50 each, non members $65

(Membership per annum is $30 individual, $45 family. Member-ship supports our projects and advocacy work. It may be added to bus trip payment if you wish to become a supporter.)

Interested please call Julie Luxton on 027 303 8834 or jules.glassart@xtra.co.nz

HPMC-Bus-Trip-Sept-14-2019-Timaru-MembersDownload

“Revamped digital library of archaeological reports launched” HNZTP Media Release

" ....The revamp of the library has made it more accessible, speedy, modern, and user-friendly. Perhaps the biggest change is that users can now download the reports themselves instead of emailing to request the reports they wanted. ..."

" ... The online library will be accessible to anybody who has access to the internet around New Zealand and the world, and the information will be available 24/7 – potentially a valuable tool in protecting archaeological sites.

Users of the digital library can search reports by keyword – including geographical location – as well as other filters like report date, author, iwi, year published and territorial local authority. ..."

Media Release as follows:

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Bishop’s decision to demolish the Basilica, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch- Historic Places Canterbury Media Release

Historic Places Canterbury Media Release: 

5thAugust  2019

Bishop’s decision to demolish the Basilica, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch-

Mark Gerrard Chair of Historic Places Canterbury:

“Historic Places Canterbury is very disappointed to hear that Bishop Martin has chosen to demolish one of our finest neo-Classical Buildings.”

“The Basilica is one of New Zealand’s most iconic and beautiful neo-classical buildings.”

“George Bernard Shaw preferred the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch to our Christ Church Cathedral.”

“Historic Places Canterbury is surprised the Bishop appears to have lost faith in the cost of restoration of this unique beautiful heritage building”

“The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch has for many generations been a beacon of faith and inspiration. Today we are left with the impression that cost and location are more important considerations.”

"Christchurch has lost many special heritage buildings under the CERA Section 38. CERA’s legacy still lives as it is being used to demolish a heritage building and bypass the RMA. "

Mark Gerrard
Chair Historic Places Canterbury

“Fight looming for Catholic church over decision to demolish Christchurch’s Catholic cathedral” The Press Online

"Fight looming for Catholic church over decision to demolish Christchurch's Catholic cathedral" The Press Online

"Heritage advocates are vowing to fight a decision to demolish Christchurch's historic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. ..."

" ... The decision has upset heritage advocate Anna Crighton, who said there was outrage in the community and she was ready to fight for the building's survival. ..."

" ...Her stance was supported by Historic Places Canterbury. 

Chairman Mark Gerrard said the organisation would be exploring all means to fight the proposed demolition. 

"Historic Places Canterbury is surprised the bishop appears to have lost faith in the cost of restoration of this unique beautiful heritage building."

The cathedral had been a beacon of faith and inspiration for many generations, he said.

"Today we are left with the impression that cost and location are more important considerations." ...

https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/114751340/a-fight-is-looming-over-the-decision-to-demolish-christchurchs-catholic-cathedral

"Cash donated to Christchurch Catholics not ring-fenced for heritage church restoration" The Press online article.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/114798349/cash-donated-to-christchurch-catholics-not-ringfenced-for-heritage-church-restoration

“Heritage Buildings and Sites Reference Group” Historic Places Canterbury Public Forum Submission to The Social, Community Development and Housing Committee Christchurch City Council

Historic Places Canterbury Public Forum Submission to

The Social, Community Development and Housing Committee 

Christchurch City Council

31 July 2019

Councillors,

Thank You for hearing our Public Forum Submission

Historic Places Canterbury (HPC) wishes to request that the CCC set up what we are provisionally calling a "Heritage Buildings and Sites Reference Group”.

HPC considers a Reference group with appropriately qualified individuals would be useful for the CCC Staff and Councillors wishing to seek advice from those with heritage expertise.

It could be useful for a number of roles such as:

  1. Advising on the Provincial Council Buildings (replacing its defunct(?) Advisory Group), 
  2. Review of Policies for District Plan Statements of Significance etc.
  3. Peer reviewing the work done for the District Plan,  
  4. Heritage Buildings under EOI. The Reference Group would be useful for providing feedback/comment on the development plans where seeking public comment is precluded under the Tendering Process.
  5. Provide independent advice to the Councillors
  6. Provide commentary where a full Engagement or Consultation is not practical or where expert advice is sought.

HPC wishes to nominate Dr Ian Lochhead,  Dr Anna Crighton,  Dr Lynne Lochhead, Katharine Watson and a Ngai Tahu representative as members of the Heritage Buildings and Sites Reference Group.

Forming such a Group would be an implementation of the much lauded CCC Heritage Strategy where there is recognition of the importance of the heritage expertise held in the community.

HPC notes the success of the Victoria Square Reference Group where the Plan was refined after Consultation and the feedback/comment was sought on the Design decisions etc in the restoration / construction. 

(The CCC you will recall recommended the Group be kept so it could have a role in the restoration work.)

Mark Gerrard
Chair Historic Places Canterbury

“Christchurch’s Antonio Hall ravaged by fire as heritage fans fear ‘demolition by neglect'” The Press Online

"Christchurch's Antonio Hall ravaged by fire as heritage fans fear 'demolition by neglect' " The Press Online

" ... Ross Gray, deputy chairman of Christchurch Civic Trust and Historic Places Canterbury, said the mansion's potential destruction was "very sad to see". ...

" The building had a lot of potential as a significant asset for the city. All credit to the local neighbours for the work they have done to try and preserve it." ...

https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/114210871/antonio-hall-ablaze-in-christchurch

“La Sagrada Família (Episode 281- 99% INVISIBLE). Kiwi Architect Mark Burry’s Involvement Covered.

"La Sagrada Família (Episode 281- 99% INVISIBLE)"

"... In 1977, a 20 year-old architect named Mark Burry went to Barcelona to study Gaudí. By accident, he met the two elderly architects who were directing the construction project. ...

" ... They pointed Burry to the broken models and asked him to join the team. ..."

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“More owners of heritage buildings discover quake upgrade fund” Stuff Online Article.

"More owners of heritage buildings discover quake upgrade fund " Chris Hutchings Stuff Online Article:

"Increasing numbers of heritage building owners are tapping into money from the Government's Heritage Earthquake Upgrade Incentive Programme, known as EQUIP.

As well as providing grants for work, owners are now also eligible for professional advice grants, to provide up to half the costs of seismic assessments, conservation reports, and architectural and structural engineering plans. ..."

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/114701897/more-owners-of-heritage-buildings-discover-quake-upgrade-fund