Spectrum 024. The Band of Hope

Rights Information
Year
1972
Reference
313769
Media type
Audio
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Rights Information
Year
1972
Reference
313769
Media type
Audio
Categories
Documentary radio programs
Nonfiction radio programs
Radio programs
Sound recordings
Duration
00:27:14
Credits
RNZ Collection
Broadcasting Corporation of New Zealand (estab. 1976, closed 1988), Broadcaster
Owen, Alwyn (b.1926), Producer

Spectrum was a long-running weekly radio documentary series which captured the essence of New Zealand from 1972 to 2016. Alwyn Owen and Jack Perkins produced the series for many years, creating a valuable library of New Zealand oral history.

This documentary traces the history and work of the children’s temperance organisation, The Band of Hope, in New Zealand. It includes studio reconstructions of the meetings and personal recollections from 1900-1905.

The programme opens with a reconstruction of the temperance song ‘Some Folks Do’, followed by a brief overview of the organisation in Britain, its importation to New Zealand, the following attempts at introducing prohibition, and its eventual collapse.

Various personal recollections from unnamed participants follow, describing the Band of Hope’s ties to the church, what it was like to participate, and what children were taught.

The programme then features a recitation of ‘The Public House Bar’ - a song used to teach children the perils of drinking. Further interviews with unnamed participants follow, giving further examples of songs.

A reconstruction of the ‘pledge’ participants took to abstain from alcohol is featured, followed by a brief interview with Mrs Fitness and several others. A song example titled ‘Give Up Drinking’ is played, set to the tune of A ‘Long Way to Tipperary’.

Finally the programme covers the dissolution of the Band of Hope - with personal recollections and a recitation of ‘The Gilded Palace’. The programme ends with an example of the Band of Hope’s ‘Warcry’.

The songs and recitations in this programme were performed by John Gordon and youth members of the St Philips Anglican Church, Stokes Valley.

Technical direction by Sue Belford, produced by Alwyn Owen.