N.Z. BAND’S TOUR OF BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27071, 20 June 1953, Page 2

N.Z. BAND’S TOUR OF BRITAIN

Better Audiences In Midlands

ACCOMMODATION PROBLEM (Special Correspondent N.ZJP.A.) m DERBY, June 11. The accommodation arranged for the New Zealand National Band for its week’s stay in Birmingham was so* poor that the entire band protested strongly and demanded better quarters. After some delay new accommodation was found in four other hotels where the facilities were greatly improved, but the cost to the band has been touch higher than originally intended.

The agent who arranged the booking was assured that the accommodation was Suitable, bbt when the band arrived in Birmingham to start its provincial tour with concerts in the Midlands, members found they were crowded together in cramped conditions. Some had to sleep on a balcony where there were few facilities for storing their instruments and personal baggage. The rooms now Srovided are adequate for their needs, ut the disadvantage of members staying in four hotels is that the bandsmen are scattered instead of being one complete unit.

In future a checjc will be made of all accommodation m places where the band will be staying for any length of time before it arrives in that town. Since leaving London the bandsmen have played to far larger audiences, and this has been a tremendous boost to their morale. The outdoor performances and street marches have helped considerably to swell the,attendance at night concerts. This was proved in Birmingham. The band took part in the city’s Coronation procession on the morning after it arrived. The bandsmen marched with 7000 troops and six other bands. They had a great welcome from the large crowds lining the route, and later in the day when all the bands taking part entertained at various parks in the city, 20,000 Birmingham folk travelled out to Lightwood Park, about four miles from the centre of the city, to hear the New Zealanders.