Historical Happenings
THE NEW BRIGHTON TROTTING CLUB
2 by Peggy Butterfield
From the 1870s horse races were held on the beach northwards from where the pier now stands . Mr Tom Free at the time owned the Bower Hotel and also a good deal of the sandhills property between the hotel and the sea . Recognising the disadvantages of beach racing , he formed the New Brighton Racing club , and at a nominal rental , let the club have the area now known as QE2 . A right of way was provided from New Brighton Road , as the area was just sandhills , manuka scrub , and tussock . In places , the sandhills were levelled and tracks cut through to make the race track . It was first used in 1886 for mixed galloping and trotting meetings . In 1890 it became the New Brighton Trotting club .
During World War two , they were forced to give the area to the military for army training . In 1948 the trotting club returned with a huge crowd in attendance . A brand new mile grass track , a new totalisator house and rails provided a first class venue where many famous horses raced and broke records . In 1963 the Christchurch City Council under Mayor Mr G Manning , bought the grounds for $ 75,000 and named it Queen Elizabeth 11 park to commemorate the royal visit . The grounds were then developed with athletic tracks , swimming pools and by January 1974 they were all ready to host the Commonwealth Games . QE2 was a very popular venue for athletes and families , until February 2011 changed all of that . We look forward to the future development of the area into schools and recreation areas again .
Jo Zervois has written a wonderful book on the history of QE2 and you can read this at the museum .
The New Brighton Museum still have a few 2017 calendars for sale . This year it is on old shops and shopkeepers- a real classic , in fact we have had to go into re-prints . $ 10 each or 3 for $ 25 The museum is open every day 1 to 3pm and they are also on sale at Hammer Hardware .
Also we are looking for some volunteers to man the desk one day a week and show people around . Someone with a love for New Brighton would be great . Pop in or ring Peg on 3884-286
Golden Oldie Movies every Monday at 1.30pm Come early for a cuppa and a chat . $ 2 donation . February Movies 6th Singing in the Rain , 1952
Debbie Reynolds , Gene Kelly , Musical 1hr 43min
13th Driving Miss Daisy , 1989 20th Cattle Queen of Montana , 1954 27th Thoroughly Modern Millie , 1961 ,
Morgan Freeman , Jessica Tandy , Comedy / Drama 1hr10min Ronald Regan , Barbara Stanwyck , Adventure 1hr 48m Julie Andrews , Musical 2hr 33min