... I have so many wonderful memories from my childhood as a majorette. I so enjoyed being with other children that when I reached the age of 14 I became a voluntary youth worker and completed night classes to become qualified. Working as a youth worker at a youth club was very rewarding.  I managed to complete my phase 1& 2, Smitt & basic child counselling course.  I became involved in the youth education services taking part in all different projects, such as being a co-ordinator of the Duke of Edinburgh awards.  I continued to do this until I reached the age of 21 when I then worked in theatre for about five years.

After meeting my partner of 12 years and settling down in Wootton Bassett, I found a majorette group, which had just formed in Swindon.  I called the lady who was running it and she asked me to go a long and help.  To my surprise, I was asked to take the group over, as the present person could no longer continue to commit to the group. 

The group was in its very early stages of being a team.  I used to drive from Wootton Bassett to Covingham Junior School on a Sunday morning for practise.  It would take me two trips with the equipment in my small Suzuki Swift.  I had twelve members at this point.  Not one member could play an instrument and a display was not clearly defined.  After lots of research of the law and requirements of running a voluntary group, I was on a roll.  I worked really hard at obtaining information on which way to go to make this group successful.  I now realise the implications of taking on a project of this size - so much responsibility.  Also, I have to admire what Pam & Rick Jackson of the Swans did for our team as a child.  I would call them heroes now, I have the greatest respect for them and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

In 2001, the Bluebelle Majorettes became established, with pompom team, small band & two mace bearers (drum majors).  The team grew, so I needed so much more help; at one stage, we had over fifty members. We decided to move training to a bigger venue, as well as a different training day to meet our needs

I wanted the girls to have somewhere they could learn new skills, such as: social, musical, drill, respect, confidence, and how to be part of a team, to feel secure and have lots of fun and most of all have wonderful memories, as I have, of being a majorette.

I wanted all children to have the choice of becoming a majorette, not just the ones whose parents could afford it!  We constantly raised money to get new instruments and uniforms.  Unfortunately, we never met the criteria for grants and funding so it was tiresome at times to raise money.  We had children coming from all over Swindon and further a field.  Our name was getting out there, the girls worked hard on a Friday night for two hours. Many parents over the years have had a big part in making Bluebelle’s work!  I wanted to offer the team more so we started to incorporate education trips and charity days into our diaries.

Its now 2010 and I have been running Bluebelle Drum Majorettes for 10 years now, I love it.  Becoming BRONZE MEDALIST AT THE EUROPEAN OPEN MARCHING SHOW BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS was my most memorable time in majorettes. In ten years over 200 members had taken part in Bluebelle Drum Majorettes.

The one thing that I wanted to achieve by all this was to create good childhood memories.  I have many members from the past confirming this; so I can safely say, as a team with team-leaders and parent helpers, we made it and are still going strong.  I have met some amazing friends through all this.  I have extended family; I feel very pleased and honoured to be part of a great successful team.

In between all this, I managed to have three wonderful children.  I still have to work for a living to provide for my family, as all my work with Bluebelle’s is voluntary. Most of my working life I have been in management in the public sector.  After having my last child I now work as a reception shift leader in a large hotel and conference centre.  This fits in with my family, as well as majorettes.

I am very proud of what Bluebelle’s has become and I hope we have many more years to come.

I pay special attention to thanking all those who have made this possible and who are continuing to take Bluebelles a step further, to an even greater level.