A.T.C. DANCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 3, 24 July 1946, Page 5

A.T.C. DANCE

LOCAL SQUADRON FUNCTION INTERESTING PROGRAMME One of the most successful and enjoyable dances of the season took place in the Winter Show Buildings last Friday evening. The event marked the third aniversary of Squadron 35 of the Air Training Corps in Whakatane. Nearly five hundred patrons attended, and to the music of Freddie Burt’s Cabaret Orchestra passed the evening in the swing and sway style of both modern and old-time dances.

The programme which had been laid out for the evening was varied and attractive. In some cases a complete break from the usual manner of announcing and running the individual dances was made, and a touch of novelty brought in. The whole function was bright and attractive from beginning to end, and the crowd entering into the spirit of the occasion, was in a happy mood. The decorations adorning the interior of the building were colourful and appropriate. Flags and bunting formed the background, whilst the letters A.T.C. in coloured lights held pride of place above the orchestral dais. On either side hung the banners of Squadron 35 and the Basketball Girls Marching Team, with which body the dance was held in conjunction. \ The supper, which was run buffet style, and served by the Basketball girls, was very tasty, and was thoroughly enjoyed. Distinguished guests in the persons of Squadron Leader Neal, Commanding Officer, Auckland Wing, A.T.C. and F/O de Jeux, Adjutant of the Auckland Wing attended, whilst members of the Rotorua Squadron A.T.C. were also present Late in the evening, proceedings were halted for a short period whilst the various awards and promotions gained by cadets of the local Squadron were officially presented. F/O de Jeux congratulated each lad as he (the recipient) marched up to the microphone. Those who received awards or promotions were as under: Promotion to L.A.C., Cadets Dunning and P. Lyon; Promotion to Corporal, L.A.C. Brian Fitzgerald; Promotion to Sergeant, Corporal Bernard Knight, Cadet Honours Board, L.A.C. Clive Dunning; Flight Honours Board, ‘C’ Flight under Sgt Knight. A brief address by F/O S. Whitworth, O.C. Squadron 35, in which he thanked the public for their support concluded the ceremony. A number of novelty dances and competitions were run during the evening, the winners of these being as under: Monte Carlo, Mr M. McRae and Miss J. Rogers; Statue Waltz, Mr W'. Usmar and Miss Gwen Kenyon; Lucky Spot, Mr Conn and partner; Silk Stockings (2 competitions), Mr Usmar and Mrs Fitzgerald; Goose, Mrs Prisk; Tobacco, Mr V. Mead.

A further novel touch was added to proceedings when the power was cut off at 12.30 p.m. Five emergency spotlights had been erected and these were switched on a few seconds after the hall had been plunged into darkness. Although the light from these was dim in comparison it was quite sufficient to dance by, and provided a new experience for the majority of patrons. The music for an enjoyable extra was supplied by Miss N. West (piano), Mr G. West (string bass), and Mr A. Armstrong (drums). The National Anthem concluded the function.