Radio Lollipop, Southampton made 2 return visits to Marwell Zoo at Colden Common, near Winchester on the 4th and 13th June 2004.
Friday 4th June was Dreamnight at the Zoo; an initiative started at The Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands in 1996. Dreamnight at the Zoo is designed to provide entertainment for chronically ill and disabled children. It is also an evening of enjoyment, education and a release from the pressures of the childrens illness, not just for them, their families too.
Radio Lollipop, Southampton provided the music and dancing from the grand entrance of the very stately Marwell Hall and was in very safe hands with the local fire brigade as neighbours. It was a gloriously sunny evening and the children and visitors enjoyed all the attractions and entertainment that was provided.
Sunday 13th June saw the annual mayhem of the Marwell Krazy Character Day and Radio Lollipop, Southampton was there to provide the music and compere the events.
The Grand Parade of characters took place in the scorching sun at 1.30pm on the lawn behind Marwell Hall and the characters included:
Sammy Saint, Gunnersaurus and Cherry Bear, the mascots from Southampton, Arsenal and AFC Bournemouth Football Clubs;
Brewster the Bear from Brewsters Restaurants;
Brodis Bunny form Brodis S.C.;
Topple from Go Bowling;
Hippo from Mere Communications;
Billy Blood Drop from the National Blood Service;
Tango, Morris, Tiger and Penguin all from Marwell courtesy of Top Star Management;
Matty, the Radio Lollipop Kangaroo; and
The star guest, Angelina Ballerina from Rainbow Productions.
The characters danced to the Radio Lollipop Roadshow and performed the Cha Cha Slide; 5-6-7-8; I am a music man and Bob The Builders Mambo Number 5. They then went to cool down with some cold drinks and shelter from the sun and then returned for the annual Marwell Krazy Character Football Match, compered and refereed by the Radio Lollipop, Southampton Chairman, Steve Read.
It was Southampton, captained by Sammy Saint versus Arsenal, captained by Gunnersaurus and the match kicked off on a very hot and sunny Sunday afternoon, in front of a capacity crowd.
There was a fierce battle in midfield and both teams managed to push forward, however the Arsenal defence was as tight as ever. Topple managed to break through a determined Southampton defence and made it 1-0 to the Arsenal.
A very biased referee (and avid Southampton fan) ensured many decisions went Southamptons way, however they could not get the ball into the back of the net and still trailed 1-0 at half time.
The referee made Arsenal change their goalkeeper at half time, as Gunnersaurus who is a huge dinosaur blocked the whole goal and it was Tango the frog who stood between the posts for the second half. Often it looked like the teams were playing rugby, with many scrums and diving on top of each other, however a break through came for Southampton and who should be there to slot the ball home for a Southampton equaliser, yes Matty (named after the Southampton legend, Matthew Le Tissier), the Radio Lollipop Kangaroo!!
The referee then hurried things along and the match ended up as a 1-1 draw.
It was a great afternoon, enjoyed by all concerned and Radio Lollipop, Southampton helped raise its profile, publicise what it does and raise money over the 2 Marwell events.
