by Peggy Butterfield
THINGS TO DO PLACES TO GO
5
Historical Happenings
Back in the day , it didn ’ t matter that there were no TVs , cinemas , cell phones and all the things modern people rely on for entertainment .
There was a great selection of picnic grounds in the east . In Wainoni there was the famous Bickerton ’ s Fun Park which operated in the 1880s and 1890s . I have written about this before , and we have a book dedicated to this in the museum library .
Next was the Burwood Tea Gardens in Lake Terrace Road . The gardens were open daily in 1906 with extra trams running to them on a Sunday . Celebrated for their afternoon teas of whitebait and strawberries , it was a popular place to visit for special occasions like the King ’ s birthday . They even had their own resident white swans , no doubt fed well on scones from the tea plates .
The Pines was another private place which opened up for picnic goers . This was situated on the corner of Palmers Road and New Brighton Road , and was accessed by rowers coming down from the city . Well known for delightful concerts throughout the summer . Once again whitebait was served as it was caught in copious amounts from the clear Avon waters .
And in New Brighton also in the 1880s and 1890s , was Bligh ’ s Gardens . These were huge pleasure grounds sited just behind Admirals Way . John Bligh brought plants and soil down the Avon in a small craft , and established a house and picnic gardens . Trees and plants were set out around garden walks , orchards , vineries , and greenhouses . Visitors would visit by boat , and could camp , fish , shoot , or practice archery . After the 1906 Christchurch International Exhibition , some of the amusements were transferred to Bligh ’ s including a helter-skelter . The house was destroyed by fire in 1909 ..
The museum has extensive files on this wonderland and its demise
|
MONDAY MOVIES at the Museum |
|
1.30pm every Monday |
Come early for a cuppa and a chat . |
$ 2.00 donation |
6th Don ’ t look Now , We ’ re Being Shot At 1966 Terry Thomas Comedy 2hrs 12min 13th Sing as We Go 1934 Gracie Fields , Stanley Holloway Comedy Musical 1hr 20min 20th Eddie the Eagle 2016 Hugh Jackman Comedy Drama True Story 1hr 46min 27 th Road to Utopia 1945 Bing Crosby , Dorothy Lamour Comedy Musical adventure 1hr 30min