VISITORS from Wellington Majorettes have been enjoying carnival in Torres Vedras, Wellington’s twin town in Portugal.

It is the third time the group, just home after a five-day visit where they played drums and glockenspiels in the event, has represented Wellington.

Torres Vedras welcomes more than 350,000 people to celebrate the carnival, which lasts six days, and everyone gets involved, even if that is just by wearing a funny hat, wig or scarf or dancing behind the ‘Party Bus’. 

The Wellington party is always welcomed and very well looked after by Torres Vedras Town Council, twinning association and fire brigade, among others.

The carnival always has a theme and this year it was ‘Ocean’, the event featuring numerous mermaids, lifeguards, sailors, sea animals – and the Pirates from Wellington!

The Pirates theme tied in perfectly with three friends representing Somerset Carnivals.

Nigel from A&A CC, who entered Wellington Carnival with his amazing train as Pablo’s Circus, made a large pirate skull which lit up. Ashley Guise from Mendip Vale CC, who carnival-goers may have seen on the Guy Fawkes circuit, and James Nelson from Harlequin CC, who was seen in Wellington last year dancing through the town’s High Street in Beautiful Creatures, both dressed as pirates, too. 

The team took part in five carnivals over the weekend, the first on Friday morning alongside 8,000 children from all the schools in the county.

The same team plan to return in 2019 and are already encouraging other members to join them.

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

For the full story see this week’s Wellington Weekly News.