Trouping the colour

Echo clipping 1985

Showing the Flag: Coun Ray Howard presents the majorettes with their Union Jack Badges, before the troupe heads for Holland.

Canvey majorettes are leaving for Holland this weekend to represent Britain in a European festival. And Tory Coun Ray Howard presented the island’s troupe with union jack badges to wear with pride in De Ftling on Sunday-

The troupe comprises 41 girls and two boys aged between eight and 18 and for many of them entering the International Festival for Majorettes also means travelling abroad for the first time. Coun Howard said: “I told them all it was a great achievement to have been chosen to represent the UK

One of the attractions they are looking forward to is the Dutch troupe who aim to parachute into the arena, and then put on their display.