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Wizard says goodbye to Christchurch

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Wizard says goodbye to Christchurch

3News NZ

Cathedral Square's Wizard, Ian Brackenbury Channell (NZPA)

Cathedral Square's Wizard, Ian Brackenbury Channell (NZPA)

The iconic Christchurch Wizard is doing a disappearing act from his beloved city for good following Tuesday's devastating 6.3 magnitude quake.

Ian Brackenbury Channell planned to take his 91-year-old mother to Oamaru after nearly four decades entertaining crowds in Cathedral Square as the pointy hat-wearing Wizard, The Marlborough Express reported.

"'I'm very unhappy about what has happened to my lovely Christchurch," he said.

"I'm heartbroken. I love the buildings and the place, but so much of it has gone."

He said repairs to the city were beyond his "wildest powers".

The 78-year-old, who moved to Christchurch from Australia in 1974, said the quake was the last straw and it was time to retire and leave town.

"It's probably the end of an era for me. The town I love so much is gone.'"

Mr Brackenbury Channell said an arson attack on his home in 2003 and a lack of support from the council and tourism operators were also factors in his decision to leave.

NZPA

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Comments

6/03/2011 3:12:44 p.m.

Dove wrote:

Without wishing you any ill, my personal feelings are "Good riddance!" Why not go back to Australia?

2/03/2011 2:59:24 a.m.

Sam wrote:

From just outside Detroit -
Hate hearing this. Was part of Deepfreeze from 84'-87' and we spent many hours at the square enjoying The Wizard and his upside down (oops, sorry!) right side up map of the world. Was hoping to get to Christchurch once more before he was done.

26/02/2011 10:11:41 p.m.

Glocks wrote:

@ Tane: Maybe we could come and stay with you, bro? Name and address please....

(p.s. You might want to double check the spelling, otherwise we may have trouble finding you, you illiterate c*nt)

26/02/2011 7:05:06 p.m.

Christopher wrote:

The wizard used to sell upside down maps of the world, showing New Zealand at the top. Now his whole world is upside down, and It is doubtful that even a trip to Hogwarts could rekindle his powers.

26/02/2011 6:32:42 p.m.

Joe wrote:

Thats an aussie for ya. Times get tough, may aswell run

25/02/2011 10:27:46 p.m.

Lucas wrote:

NO! It is not understandable. The City and its people have given this busker a career and accolades for decades. For him to turn his back on the city is shameful. If he wanted to leave he could do so quietly but for him to say "The town I love so much is gone" is disgraceful. It has not gone, it is full of destruction, death, trauma and tragedy. And it will recover. It was wonderful for this lazy minstrel when things were fine, was it not? Go, just go - you are a despicable piece of humanity.

25/02/2011 5:47:07 p.m.

Greg wrote:

Sad but understandable at 78 years of age.
Hopefully he will return for guest appearances

25/02/2011 5:17:58 p.m.

Lucas wrote:

The "wizard" iconic has benefited the city but he has also benefited from it. This news is unhelpful and disgraceful. He owed it to the city to stay and be a source of inspiration, togetherness and hope. Like the rest of New Zealand is doing. If he didn't want to take the bad with the good and abandon the city he should have just left quietly - rather than allowing his fame to be yet another aftershock for Christchurch. His announcement is not helpful - he should be ashamed of his actions.

25/02/2011 4:59:00 p.m.

John John wrote:

Tane you f***ing peasant. For your words, it may be your turn to suffer. How's 'state house' life? Got a job yet? I suspect not. You are a bum. Your name says it all. I will pay your minimum wage to pick up dog sh*t for a living.

25/02/2011 4:41:15 p.m.

Uncle Arthur wrote:

Im an old sock just going out the back to do some stock orders. I lost a lot of money on the pokies last night at the Blue Fin and Im in a grumpy mood today