Assistance To Ferrymead Trust

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32117, 13 October 1969, Page 12

Assistance To Ferrymead Trust

What had been accomplished so far at the Ferrymead Historic Reserve was nothing to what would yet be done, a public meeting to launch the Friends of Ferrymead Fraternity was told on Saturday night.

I The project was a great enterprise, Mr G. S. Troup, i of the Ferrymead Trust, told | the 130 persons at the meetling of the new organisation, formed to assist the trust in developing and promoting the i reserve. j It could be compared with a rocket lifting off the ground, said Mr Troup. For a long Time there was just a fiezing of steam and then the rocket began to move up and accelerate at a terrific rate. Ferrymead was now at this accelerating stage, he said in 'an address on the future of the reserve. i For a long period the his-

tory of the pioneers at the site had been neglected, but “Reveille follows lights-out.” For what they Jiad done the early settlers deserved our respect and thanks, said Mr Troup. Officially opening the meeting, the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr A. R. Guthrey) said that Ferrymead was an inspiration 'for the future in reminding us of the splendid history of Christchurch and the achievements of the pioneers. The history of the city was fascinating and we could learn a lot from the pioneers. “I think it was Churchill who said we must look back before we look forwards,” said Mr Guthrey. “I cannot praise highly enough the achievements of the Ferrymead Trust. They have provided a tangible link with our history and this is very important They have already preserved and restored a wide variety of vehicles I which otherwise would have (been lost for ever. A centre of education and recreation I for all our citizens has been made available by members of the trust.”

Mr Guthrey said that Ferrymead was becoming a tremendous tourist attraction and he predicted that before very long it would be a magnet for overseas tourists and a “must” place for them to visit.

Ferrymead was an opport unity for people to come forIward and do something for the community. People from all walks of life had a chance to exercise their various talents in an unselfish way for the community. “I appeal to all people in Christchurch to support FerI rymead and give it the financial support it needs and deI serves,” Mr Guthrey said. Slides illustrating the past of Ferrymead were shown by the chairman of the Friends of Ferrymead Fraternity Committee (Mr W. J. A. Brittenden), who gave a brief talk on the history of the area. “It is a great pity that we don’t realise at the time how important a thing is and how much we are going to want it later on,” he commented. After the meeting further slides were shown by member societies of the Ferrymead Trust. The meeting agreed to a constitution for the Friends of Ferrymead Fraternity and it was decided to become an incorporated society. Officers elected were:—

Chairman, Mr W. J. A. Brittenden: committee, Mesdames G. R. Ciissold and D. G. Tennant, Messrs D. Tennant, K. H. Bartlett, C. B. McLachlan. R. R. C. Nixon, H. E. Scott, R. Silcock, M. Nicol and D. J. R. Ridder.