Page 19 - link magazine

GROUP PROFILE 19

SPREADING

THE GOOD

WORD ABOUT

WEST SWINDON

Most Tuesday evenings of great and our colours are the
the year a deafening noise can be same as the GWR Railway. In
heard at Freshbrook Community fact we have two troupes - the
Centre; drums crashing, tinkling Revellers for the older girls and
sounds, feet stamping, people the Revellettes for the
talking - then silence sometimes. youngsters - we march together
Inside you will find over 60 and perform separately."
children enjoying themselves Currently 63 girls and one so many friends." The lone boy Majorettes welcomes girls who
and six adults overseeing boy practice regularly and six from Lambert
Close, want to join. "We can usually
ordered chaos. The GWR adults form the organising Freshbrook plays drums. "We take older girls straight away.
Majorettes are rehearsing. committee; "Over the last two have a good laugh going to the Younger ones might have to wait
Formed in February 1985, years we - the adults and different displays" said Darren a little while so that they can start
• GWR Majorettes are entering children together - have raised "and the girls treat me alright." together. We are looking for
their third summer season of over £2,000 to buy drums, bell GWR is not all about more musicians to join us, and
taking the good name of West lyres and flags. Brenda Bolton of marching, playing instruments here we can welcome boys. We
Swindon far and wide. Pearl Selby Crescent makes all the and practising. "We have would like to meet children with
Bridge, a pensioner who now uniforms which are loaned, with parties, jumble sales to raise a little musical experience but we
lives in Pinehurst, wanted to do hats, to the girls" said Pam. money and outings to build up can provide training if they are
something for youngsters and "This year we have introduced a group spirit", said Secretary keen".
brought the first parents different kind of hat. We used to Pam, "and we hope to hold The Majorettes practice on
together to organise the troupe. have cowboy hats to go with the another weekend summer camp Thursday evenings 6.00pm to
Most of that first season was western theme. We went to a • this year. All of us have a great 7.30pm at Freshbrook
spent practising and raising competition in Cheltenham last deal of fun, though as you might Community Centre. Parn Pixton
money, though by June they year when it tipped down with expect its hard work." As for can be contacted on Swindon
were out performing at fetes, rain. We could have discovered newcomers, Pam said the GWR 695317.
including the Freshbrook Fun the meaning of the ten gallon hat
Day Parade. but sadly they went completely
Pam Pixton, Secretary of soggy and the girls looked a bit of Hickmans
the GWR organising committee a mess."
described their activities, "Last The troupers enjoy GWR a
year we were performing twice a great deal. Mace bearer, Emma
month from June to September. Barrable, aged 13 from Westlea,
We appeared at most of the local described her role; "My job is to RENTAL 87
fetes and started going further keep the troupe in order when
afield. This year we're off to marching and to encourage good
Thorpe Park and Battersea Park behaviour" said Emma. "I like
in London. This is the first the GWR because it gets me out ½ Price Rental
season where we will have a in the summer and we visit
complete marching band with different places." Drummer
the troupe. We're the Great Belinda Flowerday from
Western Revellers because we're Bosham Close, Toothill agrees, 2mths for the price of 1
from the West, we think we're "It's really good fun and I've got
on production of this advert
22" Colour TV's from only £7.50
VHS Video's from only £10.95

TV & Video Packages at

discount rates

At Hickmans
10 The Mall
West Swindon Centre
On their first outing - June 1984
GWR Majorettes at Fanngdon Road Park, Swindon Tel 37973
Cowboy hats and new uniforms