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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 7 2013
• A lifelong love of cricket • Book donations boost burnt library’s stock
Stunning sandcastles at New Brighton Photos P14-15
New columnist Tom Frewen P4
Saving red-zoned plants P24
Sir Cliff voices support for Christchurch Jessica Schaap | jessica.s@mainlandpress.co.nz Jo Kane | jo.kane@ctv.co.nz
PATIENTS and staff at the Canterbury Charity Hospital met British pop legend Sir Cliff Richard on Friday when he visited the hospital as a follow-up to the donation he made to the organisation in 2012. Sir Cliff was in Christchurch to perform at the CBS Arena and made time during his short visit to look around the hospital. “I think it’s fantastic,” he said. “I’ve been to many places where the local community have supplied something that’s needed by the people of that community and usually it’s the people of the community that pay for it, so it’s always very nice to come and support someone like that. “Whatever reason, if people can’t afford any treatment at least you know there’s a place you can go to right here.” Long-time fan Charlie Batterbury went to the Charity Hospital to see Sir Cliff and said he had enjoyed last Thursday’s concert. “He was just so agile all over the stage, just as he’s always been.” Sir Cliff attributes his agile and healthy body to his dietary plan. “If you want to feel good and look good you’ve got to work at it. I have a dietary system, it’s not really a diet, it’s a regime of eating certain things. I think if you don’t abuse your body it helps a bit. There are certain things I’ve never done, which are smoking and drugs.” Sir Cliff said some of his songs had become part of people’s memories. “We as pop singers and rock singers have this privileged position of being part of people’s psyche. They can remember Star struck: Sir Cliff Richard with Canterbury Charity Hospital volunteer receptionist Ann Crawford. Photo: Jessica Schaap what it was like during Summer Holiday
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time.” Sir Cliff said his fans had been staunchly loyal and no more so than in Denmark, England and New Zealand where there had been a definite difference in the support for him and his band The Shadows. “They’ve always been really supportive. They [his New Zealand fans] have enjoyed the fact that I was able to progress through my career and they have grown with me.” Back in Christchurch he hated the idea of the cathedral and the beautiful city being demolished. Despite that, he had been pleasantly surprised. “If you didn’t know there used to be a building there, everything still looks wonderful,” he said. “All of the shops are made of containers and it looked fantastic. I think you should keep it that way.” He was impressed by Christchurch people. “We’ve seen no moaning faces and everywhere we have been, we have been dealt with politely, and smiling faces, saying this is something we are going to get over. So, a salute to you all,” he said. Dubbed “the British Elvis”, Sir Cliff has reportedly been the only singer to have had a number-one single in the United Kingdom for five consecutive decades and is the third top-selling singles artist in UK history. The 72-year-old’s music career has spanned 54 years and shows no sign of ending. This year he plans to go to Nashville in April to make an album of his rock songs, and make a DVD of his Sydney concert, the same concert he performed in New Zealand.
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