Marching trip abandoned

Press, 10 May 1982, Page 26

Marching trip abandoned

A severe lack of communication -and insufficient time to raise funds have combined to force the abandonment of the proposed trip to the United States by New Zealand's champion senior marching team. . Newmans Acme Pioneers, the Christchurch team which was invited to march in the Independence Day parade in Utah, and to follow that up with a guest appearance in the 600th anniversary celebrations of the city of Philadelphia, has . dropped all plans to make the trip. While the lack of response to cables and letters by the American promoter was a major factor, Mrs Trish Flanagan, the founder, leader and instructor of the team, also gently chided her national association. “We were not told until Monday of last week, officially and in writing, that we

could proceed with fund-rais-ing. I just laughed at the thought,” said Mrs Flanagan. The unnamed promoter was in New Zealand in November last year and, at the behest of the New. Zealand Marching Association, invited Pioneers. • The Christchurch team then had to take the unusual step of seeking permission from the N.Z.M.A., which in turn sought assurances and more background, none of which were forthcoming. Mrs Flanagan said the United States Embassy was approached, but showed no im terest. Accommodation in the United States was one big worry, said Mrs Flanagan. “We didn’t want to get there and march, and then be dropped with nowhere to stay. Also, this guy was not interested in us if we would not use his travel agency,

and we had one here who was prepared to help us raise funds. “Now we’ll just have to sit back and wait for another invitation. We’ll stay New Zealand champions until it does,” promised Mrs Flanagan.