Quinssa Events

HOPA/Quinssa 1950 Lions Tour to NZ Evening

Thursday 2nd June 2005 at The Stoop, 7:30pm

We are having another event with the Harlequin Old Players Association (HOPA) on Thursday 2nd June at The Stoop. This one will be showing a newly produced film of the 1950 British Lions trip to New Zealand. As well as the newsreel footage there is also 'home' footage of the players relaxing between games. HOPA are hoping to be able to get some of their ex-Lions along (chosen from the likes of David Marks (Lions tour to NZ in 1959); Bob Hiller (Lions tour to NZ in 1971; Peter Winterbottom (Lions tour to NZ in 1993); Jason Leonard) for a Q&A session after the film.

They will be showing a newly produced film of the 1950 British Lions trip to New Zealand called 'The Singing Lions'.

"The Singing Lions" recalls the 1950 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia. It captures the essence of this tour when players played for the love of the game and made friendships and gathered memories that have lasted a lifetime.

The 1950 Lions were the first British Isles tour to New Zealand for 20 years, the first Tour after the Second World War, the first to wear the familiar Lions red jerseys and the first to be popularly known as the Lions. The arrival of this tour created huge excitement amongst rugby supporters throughout New Zealand and their welcome was overwhelming wherever the Lions went. They are known as the 'Singing Lions' for, wherever they went, their choir (all the tourists) would readily entertain their hosts.

On the pitch, their back play entertained the crowds and bedazzled the opposition. In the tour party were some of the greatest backs ever to play rugby such as Jack Kyle, Ken Jones, Bleddyn Williams and Lewis Jones. The tradition was set for open, adventurous rugby that is the hallmark of the Lions.

This 'digital book' is a two disc boxed set comprising a DVD and a CDROM. The DVD gives you the chance to enjoy the experience of the 1950 Lions tour through an eighty minute film that includes archive footage, some of it not previously seen, the memories of those that took part and the songs they sang. With player profiles, match reports, tour statistics, memorabilia, music and further film clips, the CDROM is fully interactive, allowing users to easily move around, find what interests them and quickly link to related topics.

The profits from the sales of "The Singing Lions" will go to three rugby charities: The Lions Trust, The Wooden Spoon Society and the New Zealand Rugby Foundation. It costs £20 and can be bought at the Official Lions online store at www.lionsrugby.com  

There is little recorded anywhere about this tour ˆ this package is a "must see" for any rugby enthusiast world wide - a unique insight into how rugby was played over half a century ago.

HOPA are hoping to be able to get some of their ex-Lions along (chosen from the likes of David Marks (Lions tour to NZ in 1959); Bob Hiller (Lions tour to NZ in 1971; Peter Winterbottom (Lions tour to NZ in 1993); Jason Leonard) for a Q&A session after the film.

It should be a fascinating evening that will give an insight into how the Lions tours have changed over the last 55 years. The film has been endorsed by the 2005 British Lions and the proceeds from the evening and from the sale of the DVD will go to a variety of rugby charities.

Everyone is welcome so bring your friends. The entry price is £3 for Quinssa members and £5 for non-members.