Pen-y-bryn remakes lost cathedral

The Christ Church Cathedral, one of the most iconic images of 2011, has been returned to its former glory - of sorts - for Christmas in Oamaru.

Pen-y-bryn Lodge owners James Boussy and James Glucksman have recreated the building for their annual gingerbread house project.

The beautiful church, which once stood proudly in Cathedral Square, was devastated by the Canterbury earthquake on February 22 and the aftershocks that followed.

Mr Glucksman said they had been creating gingerbread masterpieces since 1997.

Included in their repertoire has been the Royal Palace Temples in Thailand, Potala Palace in Tibet, the Moscow Cathedral of the Saviour, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and their own home last year.

"We came up with the idea to do the Christ Church Cathedral on February 23," he said. "When the second quake hit we thought 'definitely'."

The mixture took six batches of their secret gingerbread recipe to create. Mr Glucksman makes the dough and Mr Boussy pieces the house together and pipes the intricate pattern.

"The construction took about five days," Mr Glucksman said. "It has a special meaning."
 

Pen-y-bryn Lodge, where the gingerbread house is on display, will be taking donations towards the rebuild of Christchurch.

Viewing is by appointment.