Media Release: 24th March 2015
From: “Victoria Square: No Need For Change”
Victoria Square: No Need For Change is a coalition of the Christchurch Civic Trust, Historic Places Canterbury and concerned individuals.

Subject:
Yellow Ribbon Picnic @Victoria Square
12.00-2.00pm Saturday 28th March 2015

“Victoria Square No Need For Change” is inviting Christchurch residents to bring their lunch or just turn up and enjoy Victoria Square this Saturday between 12.00- 2.00pm.
We are calling this informal gathering of residents a “Yellow Ribbon Picnic”.

Mark Gerrard (Chair Historic Places Canterbury) says:
“We are asking the residents of Christchurch to come down and enjoy the award winning Victoria Square between 12.00 and 2.00pm this Saturday. We are calling this informal gathering a “Yellow Ribbon Picnic“.

“By turning up with your lunch, sitting and enjoying this much loved space you will be telling CCDU there in no need for change. The message sent will be clear “Victoria Square No Need For Change Leave It Alone”. “

“The Yellow Ribbon is a symbol of love and it describes the passion for Victoria Square this City’s Residents feel for this special space. You only have to read the letters to the Editor or listen to TalkBack radio to know the majority of this city’s Residents want Victoria Square to be left alone. ”

“We ask that you come down and enjoy this much loved space and by doing so, you are sending a message to CCDU. We urge that you take special care not to damage or mark the trees, the statues or the grass lawn. Leave only footprints take only photos.”

“Whilst there are not formal activities planned we will have CCDU questionnaires available and will be encouraging the Residents to fill them in.”

“This is a chance for kids and their parents to show they want the trees, heritage statues and Victoria Square kept as it is for our future generations.”

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Subject:

Victoria Square Public Forum:
Tuesday 7.30 Pm Knox church 31st March 2015

Residents of Christchurch are invited to attend a Public Forum on Victoria Square to be held 7.30pn Tuesday 31st March at Knox Church Centre.
The organisers wish to thank:
Christ Lynch for agreeing to be Moderator,
The Panelists: Grant Edge Landscape Architect who co-designed the current layout of the current Victoria Square,
Dr Geoffrey Rice- author of a history of Victoria Square
Neiel Drain- who held the position of CCC Director of Parks and Recreation.

Neil Roberts (Chair Christchurch Civic Trust) says:

“The Panel has been set up with experts who will inform and encourage debate. In Chris Lynch we have a Moderator who is fair but inquisitive. It should be a great evening.”

“The Public Forum has been set up so Residents can question and actively debate the future of Victoria Square. Whether you supported CCDU’s plans or passionately opposed them, the Forum is a chance to part of the discussion. Lets be honest Christchurch loves a great debate! ”

“The Christchurch Civic Trust has a proud history of facilitating informed debate in Christchurch. This Public Forum is an event that we should have had at the beginning when CCDU first thought of changing the existing Victoria Square.

“Now that CCDU has stated it is starting with a “clean slate” this is good time to hold a Forum on Victoria Square.”

CCDU have been invited to send a representative to the meeting.

The Meeting will have a brief presentation by the Panelists followed by questions from the floor.
The aim of the meeting is to provide a background for Christchurch Residents when they write to or fill out the CCDU Questionnaire.

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