24 Sep 2014

Christchurch cenotaph still off-limits

4:15 pm on 24 September 2014

The president of the Christchurch Returned and Services Association is disappointed the cenotaph in Cathedral Square is still out of bounds.

The cenotaph had been the site of Anzac Day commemorations for 73 years before the February 2011 earthquake.

Peter Dawson said it is important that the RSA has access in time for next year's Anzac Day which marks 100 years since the Gallipoli campaign

Mr Dawson said he is still waiting to hear back from the Anglican Church Property Trustees about a proposal to relocate the cenotaph to Cranmer Square, after the trustees told him there was no room for the cenotaph as part of a redeveloped cathedral.

"We're disapponted wiht the importance of the time coming up now, where next year we'll be reflecting on the centenery of the Gallipoli landings and Anzac Day, that we won't have access to our spirtual home."

But the Anglican Church said Mr Dawson is mistaken and there has been no request to move the cenotaph as part of a redeveloped cathedral.

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