Dorothy – 05/12/97
Honouring the first Canterbury settlers Settlers Day on December 14 with a walk where they walked, and a visit to interesting Lyttelton grave sites.
The Commemorative Walk Each year Cantabrians mark Settlers Day by walking over the Bridle Path. This Bridle Path commemorative walk was initiated by the Mayor of Lyttelton in the late 1960s and has been held every year since then. The walk can be done from Lyttelton to Heathcote or vice versa. Walkers get a Commemorative Walk Certificate whichever way they do it. That is very appropriate because the early pioneers walked the track both ways many times. It was the only land route between Lyttelton and Christchurch from the time the first four ships arrived in December, 1850 until after numerous delays because of lack of funds the road over Evans Pass and through Sumner was completed in 1857.
Why “The Bridle Path”? The track got its name because it was so steep that the horses were led by the bridle. This precipitous narrow track must have been a sobering welcome for the new settlers.
Memorial to the pioneer women At the top of the track a small shelter offers the chance for walkers to rest. It is a memorial to the pioneer women. If they paused there on a fine day they would have had a magnificent view of Lyttelton Harbour, Mt Herbert, the swamp that was the site of the future Christchurch city, Pegasus Bay and the Southern Alps. The lonely prospect must have been dispiriting to women who had suffered seasickness on the voyage out, wore long hot Victorian clothes, and frequently were pregnant. It would have been still more discouraging in wet weather or in a strong nor’west wind.
Arrangments for this year’s walk Walkers are to meet at Pilgrims Rock, Oxford Street, Lyttelton, or at the Gondola Carpark, Heathcote between 9.30 and 10.30 a.m. on Sunday, December 14. Walkers are asked to donate a coin which this year will go to the New Zealand Foundation for the Blind.
Walking to Lyttelton could be followed by Grave Reminders Today’s walkers are not greeted by a lonely, undeveloped area. I suggest that you walk from Heathcote to Lyttelton, have lunch in one of Lyttelton’s cafes or take your own picnic lunch, and then at 2.30 join in Grave Reminders. That sombre title is the name of an informative historical walk around one of Lyttelton’s world famous cemeteries with local archivist, Jane Teal. You’ll see stunning views and hear fascinating facts. The walk costs $6.00.
For bookings or more information about this walk ring the Lyttelton Information Centre (03) 328 9093.
Readers, please add backchat telling us how your cities around the world celebrate their anniversaries.
