Cemetery tours to visit historic Christchurch graves

16 October 2008

This year’s Spirited Cemetery Tours, part of Christchurch City Libraries Heritage Week 2008, will visit the mass grave of victims of the 1947 Ballantyne’s fire, among other historical graves.

The tours will be led by Librarian Richard Greenaway, recipient of the Canterbury History Foundation’s 2008 A.C. Rhodes History Medal.

Like the libraries’ other Heritage Week 2008 activity – an historical photo competition – the cemetery tours will focus on the 1940s to 1970s and visit the graves of people who held prominent positions in Christchurch during this time.

The photo competition is also focussing on this era. It opened last month and members of the public are invited to enter photos from this time, with a digital camera and photography vouchers up for grabs.

Photos can be entered in one of the following seven categories: fashion, transport, buildings and streets, sport and recreation, occupations, events, and everyday life, before October 22. Visit christchurchcitylibraries.com/events/competitions for entry details.

“We’re seeing a great response to the competition. The photos coming in are a fascinating insight into Christchurch’s recent history. They’re being exhibited at libraries throughout the city and we’ll announce the winners on 28 October,” says Christchurch Central Library’s Aotearoa New Zealand Centre Team Leader Annette Williams.

Photos entered to date can also be seen on the libraries’ online photo album: flickr.com/photos/christchurchcitylibraries

People wanting to take part in the one-hour cemetery tours should be at the:

• Bromley Cemetery on 18 October at noon,
• Ruru Lawn Cemetery on 19 October at noon,
• Memorial Park Cemetery on 25 October at noon.

For more information visit christchurchcitylibraries.com/events/competitions, or contact the libraries’ call centre on 03 941 7923 or library@ccc.govt.nz.