POLICE restrictions and The Who pop group’s demand for a bigger stage may result in a heavy loss for the organisers of Saturday night’s dance at the Lanchester Polytechnic in Coventry.

The Students’ Union president, Mr. Nigel Cooper, said: “Until all the returns come in, we won’t know how big a loss was made.”

Normally, 1,150 attend college dances, but police insisted on limiting the number to 900 in the interests of safety. This meant a loss of revenue on 250 tickets.

The Who laid down stringent specifications for a new stage. This cost the Students’ Union £100. In addition, the group were paid £1,200 for appearing.

‘Great’ audience

Several hundred fans who had hoped to get in ringed the college during the 11-hour concert, while the 900 inside sat cross-legged on the floor.

In the dressing room afterwards, Roger Daltry, lead singer, said: “The audience were great. It’s a pity about the tickets — the more the merrier.

“But I suppose they would rather sit down with room to move than stand packed shoulder-to-shoulder.

“The organisation here was a lot better than in many places we play. We would consider playing here again.”

The group asked for a bigger stage as their act requires a lot of room.

NEW TURN IN TRAIN CRASH DEATH

THE saga of the death of the train driver, Bill West, has taken a fresh turn.

A top Ministry of Transport official has been asked to meet Mr. Ray Buckton, general secretary of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, about the facts surrounding the Wolverhampton to Coventry train crash last year.

Mr. West, aged 62, of Heathcote Street, Radford, died in the collision. An enquiry into the tragedy put the blame on Mr. West who, suggested a Ministry inspector, was hurrying back to Coventry in time for an important soccer match.

Dissatisfied with the inspector’s report, the union’s commit-

Turned away

Precautions taken by the college proved effective. Marshals lined all possible entrances and many non-ticket holders were turned away.

The Students’ union social secretary, Mr. Bob Jones, who arranged the group’s visit, said he was pleased with the concert. After the show, the group joined him in celebrating his 21st birthday.