Christchurch participation in Sir Ed’s state funeral

17 January 2008

Christchurch will bid farewell to Sir Edmund Hillary through a live screening of the state funeral at the Christ Church Cathedral and Square on Tuesday January 22.

Live transmission from TVNZ will play on a giant screen in the Square and a smaller one inside the Cathedral to connect Christchurch to the Auckland state funeral ceremony starting at 10.30 am.

The Dean of Christchurch, the Very Reverend Peter Beck, on the invitation of Sir Edmund’s family, will be taking a prominent part in the Auckland service at St Mary’s in Parnell.

Sir Edmund’s involvement with the Antarctic programme drew him frequently to Christchurch.

The Cathedral Square programme of the 2008 World Busker Festival will be reallocated temporarily to cater for the service and all roads to the Square be closed off for the duration.

The Festival performances for that day will move to the Peacock Fountain and the Kids Pitch will move to the Arts Centre North Quadrant.

“We are making appropriate changes to the venues to enable the Square to become a peaceful and quiet place for as many people as possible to reflect on the incredible life that was Sir Edmund Hillary,” says Mark Hadlow, Christchurch City Council’s Events Production Team Manager.

The Square on Tuesday will be a special place to be at and to pay respects to one of the world’s greatest and most modest of heroes, says Mr Hadlow.

Sir Edmund Hillary will lie in state in Holy Trinity Cathedral on Monday January 21. The Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral, the Very Rev Ross Bay will lead the Tuesday service.

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