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“Jimmy’s a Charmer”

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Description: These images were taken by the Evening Standard on the 10th of February 1984 - the first of which was published on the 11th. They depict the crowd attending a promenade concert by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra held at Pascal Street Stadium. Former United States president Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn attended teh second half of the performance.

The published caption read: "THREE thousand people had a rollicking old time at last night’s promenade concert in the Pascal Street stadium. Part of the audience responds to conductor Ron Goodwin’s invitation to clap in time to the music."

The article “Jimmy’s a Charmer” was written by Warren Barton:

“GENIAL Jimmy Carter smiled, waved and chatted his way through the first few hours of his weekend visit to Palmerston North last night Palmerston North last night.

The relaxed former President of the United States and his charming wife Rosalynn earned a standing ovation from 3000 people at the first official engagement of their stay - a promenade concert by the NZ Symphony Orchestra.

The Carters arrived at half time and the audience rose as a body to applaud the visitors who acknowledged the greeting with smiles and waves as they walked to their seats at the centre of the vast Pascal Street Stadium.

Mr and Mrs Carter reacted to British conductor Ron Goodwin's good humour and the orchestra's fine performance with laughter and appreciation.

At the end Mr Carter was first to his feet. He strode forward to greet Goodwin and demonstrate his appreciation of the concert.
…”

Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter jnr) served as the 39th President of the United States of America, between 20 January 1977 and 20 January 1981. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 for his work in conflict resolution and advancing human rights in the decades since serving as president. His wife Rosalynn Carter (nee Smith) spent 5 decades advocating for causes in mental health and caregiving support among many others. Together, they founded the Carter Center – which works today to foster world peace and health programmes. Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100 on 24 December 2024. Rosalynn passed a year earlier, on 19 November 2023.