Discover The Delights Of Peeling Back History
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The Old Sod Hut Is Built – 1862
Captain James Penfold first took to the sea at the age of fifteen. As owner of the schooner ‘Excelsior’, Penfold took on contracts for the delivery of goods between New Zealand and Australia. In 1862, he sailed to Christchurch, with a cargo of hardwood sleepers for Ferrymead and became shipwrecked on the infamous Sumner Bar. …
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The Theatre Royal Opened – 26th December 1861
On 26th December 1861, what would become the Isaac Theatre Royal opened on the opposite side of Gloucester Street, and was known as the Canterbury Music Hall. Just a simple barn-like structure, it was less than two years later when it was renamed the Royal Princess Theatre. This was to honour Princess Alexandra of Denmark …
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Canterbury Horticultural Society Was Formed – 10th December 1861
On 26th December 1862, the newly formed Christchurch Agriculture, Botanical and Horticultural Society put on their first horticultural exhibition. Gardeners and florists were encouraged to bring in samples of their plants and produce with prizes on offer. About 2000 people attended, mostly made up of ladies. This took place in Cathedral Square, opposite the western …
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John Robert Godley Died – 17th November 1861
My hat is off to John Robert Godley who turned his passions into actions, founded an association that convinced some of the biggest names of England’s upper class to part with their money, traveled half way around the world into the unknown, offered a face to face assurance to our first Cantabs, worked 15+ hours …
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