WELLINGTON Majorettes have once again been on tour to Wellington’s twin town of Torres Vedras in Portugal for its annual carnival, which this year had a Magic & Fantasy theme.  

Twelve members of Wellington Majorettes were joined by Mayor of Wellington Cllr Janet Lloyd and her husband Ian, and three carnivalites – Nigel Phillips of A&A Carnival Club, who entered Wellington Carnival with Cuthbert the Caterpillar, Ashley Guise of Mendip Vale Carnival Club and James Nelson of Harlequin Carnival Club. 

The Majorettes represented Wellington in five carnivals and a performance during their five-day stay in Torres Vedras. The first carnival took place with more than 6,300 youngsters from 72 schools entering the children’s event dressed as fairies, magicians, rabbits, wizards and goblins, to name a few. The weather was perfect, although the drummers thought 26 degrees in February was a little over the top!

The majorettes dressed in sparkly magician’s assistant’s outfits, while their leader Louise Brierley dressed as a magician and the two-parent helpers as bunnies in hats carrying the majorettes’ banner.

The main carnival was opened by the Carnival King and Queen, who are both men and elected by the public. Two local samba bands, the school band – which plays the bagpipes – and Wellington’s small majorette band provided the music for the arrival.

All the groups marched through town, followed by thousands of revellers, to the Municipal Building where the Mayor of Torres Vedras, accompanied by Janet Lloyd, waited for the carnival to be officially opened. The main part of Torres Vedras is closed to the public during carnival, however.

The carnival attracts more than 500,000 visitors during the week, with spectators paying six euros a day to enter. The evening procession starts at 10pm and usually gets taken over by a ‘Party Bus’ about midnight. This is an articulated vehicle with a live band and DJs which drives around the carnival course with revellers dancing behind it until at least 4am. Music stages around the town host a variety of DJs.  

Louise Brierley said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for our team. It is nothing like our carnivals in the UK, and I believe all the members gain something from the experience, children and adults alike, whether it’s the obstacle of the language barrier, the different culture, trying new food, being part of the team and making new friendships and memories that will last forever.” 

Majorette Elinor Rylatt, 13, from Court Fields School in Wellington, said: “The most daunting part of the trip was when we were asked to perform for the seniors of Torres Vedras. We thought we were going to a residential home like we do here in Wellington but we were led into a massive pavilion with more than 2,000 seniors from the town and expected to put on a show. We managed to do it. We had to, as we were representing our team and town. It was the most amazing feeling when they all cheered and applauded us when we finished.”

During the visit to Torres Vedras the team were treated to a visit to the Duke of Wellington’s Manor House, where they had a traditional Portuguese three-course dinner. This was followed by a visit to a local vineyard. The afternoon ended with a civic ceremony. The Mayor of Torres Vedras gave a speech thanking Wellington’s Mayor and her husband, Wellington Majorettes, the Carnival boys – namely ‘Lightmen of Wellington’ – and guests from Germany and France for attending Torres Vedras Carnival 2020, and he invited representatives to return to Torres Vedras Carnival next year. 

Wellington Mayor Janet Lloyd gave a speech in Portuguese, thanking the council and twinning groups for their kind hospitality.

n Anyone interested in joining or booking Wellington Majorettes should contact Louise Brierley on 07796 933064 or by e-mailing [email protected]