Page 18 - link magazine

18
DAY INTHE LIFE
THE G.W.R. MAJORETTES-

REPRESENTATIVES FOR WEST SWINDON

Nearly every Saturday
and often Sundays,
over 70 children from
West Swindon visit
events all over the
south and sometimes
further afield.
Pam Pixton, one of the
three Majorette
organisers, gives us an
idea of what happens
on their trips.
On summer weekends in
many of the homes in West
Swindon there is a buzz of
activity. The hunt is on!
"Where are my daps?",
"Anyone seen my socks?",
etc. This can only mean one
thing. The G.W.R. Majorettes
are marching today.
Sometime later people
armed with boxes, batons,
and maces descend on
Freshbrook Village Centre. The Majorettes line up for their annual photograph with the Mayor and Mayoress of Thamesdown,
Will the coach be on time and
has everyone turned up? Councillor and Mrs. Jim Cordon at the Freshbrook Fun Day
We're off surrounded by
uniforms swinging from the
racks and if anyone has for- give everyone a break. What have to wait until after our Time has come to make our
gotten anything it is now too a shock for other travellers as first display. way back to the coach and the
late. We hurtle down the we form an instant 54 person The coach is now a hive of changing process begins
motorway to the strains of queue. activity as daps are whitened, again. The second display
Kylie Minogue singing "I We arrive at the Bath and hats brushed, instruments goes well.
should be so Lucky" from a West Show and the coach strapped on etc. We don't We have a final look round,
cassette at the front accompa- bounces its way into our re- have to be quite as fussy to- a roll call, then with all pres-
nied by a lusty rendering of served parking spot. The day as we would for a compe- ent we join the queue to leave
"One man went to mow" mace bearers and trainers go tition when a speck on a dap the show grounds.
from the back. off to inspect the display field means one point lost! It's a good journey home
"How much further," is and to work out the best route The majorettes readily form with everyone in fine spirits
now being asked and, as a few from the coach. up. "Majorettes attention," after an enjoyable day out.
of the children (and adults) "Can we have our lunch the drums strike up and we're Some even manage to sleep
are now feeling travel sick we now?," is the plea as soon as off. We march down to the despite all the chatter.
pull into a layby with toilets to we're off the coach, but we arena with people scuttling A raucous chorus of "For
out of the way. (There's no he's a jolly good driver,"
stopping us now). strikes up so we must be in
A good display and back to sight of the Windmill and
Technicians the coach. One majorette feels nearly home. Its now a tradi-
Electricians faint and has to be carried - tion to render this song.
she's heavier than she looks! We pull into Freshbrook
Skilled/Semi Skilled The majoettes change into Centre where parents are
HGV Drivers their bright red tracksuits, waiting to collect their chil-
Warehouse Staff which makes them easier to dren. Tired but happy we
see, and we all sit on the grass disembark and the adults
Labourers Machine Operators to eat our lunch. gather up the assortment of
Contact Andrew Mercer After lunch we break into articles left behind.
Storm Management Services groups and look round the Another day over in life of a
show. Collecting badges, majorette - still its another
27 Commercial Road stickers hats, etc., as we go, we day tomorrow!
Swindon (4)
make our way past the stalls
Tel: 481301 and tents. To join the GWR Majorettes,
telephone Pam Pixton on
695317. (There is a waiting list)