THE Pop-Up Shop in Fore Street, Wellington, has been taken over by Wellingon Majorettes for two weeks.

The Majorettes will man the shop until Saturday, February 29. They are hoping to raise money for their trip to France in August. A group of 46 – including 30 performers ranging in age from 3 to 18 – are travelling to Lillebonne, Wellington’s twin town, for five days, staying with host families.

The Majorettes will be performing their routines on the streets of the town on two days. The money raised from the two-week tenancy of the Pop-Up Shop will help pay for coaches and the ferry.

The shop is now fully stocked with a colourful range of items, including gifts, games, toys, art and craft materials, bric a brac, books, kitchen ware, linen and second-hand clothes. Merlin’s Gifts have provided an extensive range of new items – all at very reasonable prices – which will add to the proceeds.

The Majorettes’ Leader, Louise Brierley who has been a member for more than 30 years, said, “The trip is over the August Bank Holiday weekend. This year we’re staying with families of rollerskaters as the Lillebonne Majorettes’ former leaders have only just returned from Bordeaux and are basically starting the group again. It’s an important and exciting journey for us as many of the group will be going to France for the first time.”

The Pop-Up Shop also has displays of the many events and Carnivals both at home and abroad in which the Majorettes have been involved over the last few years.