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A documentary on The Friendly Road Children's Choir and broadcasting minister Uncle Tom Garland.
The former minister Colin Scrimgeour or "Uncle Scrim" recalls early Auckland radio and station 1ZR, where The Friendly Road Church began broadcasting.
In 1933 the government nationalised the private stations and closed them, including 1ZR.
However The Friendly Road was so popular, mass protests demanded it continue. Uncle Tom's daughter Marie Garland recalls the thousands who turned out to protest at Carlaw Park and Auckland Town Hall.
Mr Charlie Pearson who owned station 1ZB, offered it to The Friendly Road for 50 pounds.
Marie Garland and Ian Shaw recall the choir continued, despite being off the air. Uncle Tom, as a registered minister, married thousands of couples and baptised babies. Ian Shaw met him as a small child and recalls becoming a regular on the radio programme talking to Uncle Tom on-air every week.
By 1937, four choirs were operating under "The Friendly Road" umbrella: The Sunday Morning choir, the Service of Song adult choir, The Merrymakers Friday evening choir and the Sankey Singers on Sunday evening.
Joy Gemmell recalls attendance at rehearsals and broadcasts was compulsory. In 1935, in the lead-up to the general election, the government blocked Uncle Scrim's broadcast, concerned he would endorse the Labour party.
In 1936 the new Labour government introduced commercial broadcasting, and Uncle Scrim was appointed as director of the new service. He ensured The Friendly Road programmes continued.
Uncle Tom Garland's daughters Molly and Marie recall the choir broadcasts, which included daytime performances in school holidays, as well as evening performances from the Auckland Town Hall.
In 1946 the choirs were invited to Wellington to perform for the British Sailors' Society to help raise money. About 150 children travelled by train and performed in the Town Hall. Broadcaster Merv Smith was one of the children and recalls the trip and the excursions laid on for the children, whch included free Frosty Jack ice-creams - on a stick!
The Garland sisters recall in 1953 during the Royal tour, the choir sang Christmas carols to the newly-crowned Queen Elizabeth outside Government House in Auckland. The choir's singing featured in the film of the Royal tour "Flight of the White Heron."
An archival recording of Uncle Tom introducing four boy singers on New Year's Eve 1950 - including 12 year old Jim Anderton, later an M.P. and President of the Labour Party. Jim Anderton talks about singing in the choir and notes David Lange was also a choir member.
Uncle Tom Garland retired at 85 in August 1962, with a farewell concert. His daughters recall how it sold out within hours. He passed away two years later.
The choir was taken over by Garnet Thirkell, who recalls the reaction after Uncle Tom's retirement. The choirs were combined, and in 1973 Arnold Thomas took charge. He explains there are few broadcasts today (1979) but they still perform concerts - including religious rock operas.