PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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BAND CONCERTS On Sunday June 18th 1950 the new Hoe Marquee on Plymouth Hoe opened with a military band concert. During that first season the bands of His Majesty's Grenadier Guards, Welsh Guards and Royal Marines (Plymouth) were booked to appear as well as the Black Dyke Mills Band and the Foden Motor Works Band. It was also used for concert parties, orchestral concerts and plays. Admission cost sixpence for afternoon concerts, which old age pensioners could enjoy for just threepence. In the evenings there was a choice of the shilling seats at the front or the sixpenny ones at towards the back. As can be seen from the picture below, all the seats were at the same level. From then on all the army, Royal Marine and Royal Air Force Bands that existed after the Second World War played concerts in the big tent. For example, from Sunday August 1st 1954 until the following Saturday the pipes and dancers of the 1st Batalion, the Gordon Highlanders provided the entertainment. Performances were, as usual, at 3 and 7.15pm. August 2nd was the Bank Holiday Monday so naturally in rained. The following day the sun shone so the Band moved outside and played on the Hoe. The sun went in. On the Thursday evening there was a Grand Scottish Night, which included piping in the haggis. During the programme the City Entertainments' Manager, Mr Percy Cole, tried to make off with some whisky but was captured by Pipers R Pearce and J Smith, who tied him to the pole that held the marquee up over the centre stage. The Band of the Welsh Guards appeared the following week.
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