GIRLS’ MARCHING

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26683, 18 March 1952, Page 2

GIRLS’ MARCHING

DUNEDIN TEAM TO VISIT BRITAIN Thirteen Dunedin girls will soon be on their way to Britain to demonstrate the sport of marching, which originated in New Zealand, and in the last few years has won great popularity throughout the Dominion. The tourists are the Blair Atholl team, of Dunedin, and, though their visit to England and Scotland is primarily a private venture, it has the full support and active assistance of the New Zealand Marching Association. In everything but name Blair Atholl will be a New Zealand representative team. The tour of England and Scotland has been arranged through the New Zealand Marching Association by the Central Council of Physical Recreation.

Marching provides the backbone of the displays to be given by Blair Atholl. but they also have an extensive repertoire of Highland dancing, and at least one of their items mixes marching with dancing. The whole idea is that of Mr Cameron, a 57-year-old engine-driver, who came from Doune in Perthshire 30 years ago. Mrs Hastings will accompany the team as chaperon, and the sixteenth member of the party will be Mr A. Hastings, the team’s secretary.

There are only 10 girls in a marching team, but Blair Atholl have 13, partly to enable them to give more spectacular displays, partly to give some reserve strength in numbers. Leader of the team is Shirley Leith, an 18-vears-old machinist. Most of the girls are 18 years .old, but one, M. Rogers, at 15 is still a schoolgirl. The oldest girl is only 23. Ten of the 13 are typists or office workers.