WELLINGTON Majorettes are coming to the end of a busy year, with their final full performance on Saturday in the town centre for the town’s Christmas lights switch-on.

They have had a fantastic year attending local events, parades and carnivals, plus visits to local residential homes and a twinning exchange to France.

The team’s 2019 diary is already looking busy, with bookings for Taunton’s St Georges Parade, Bishops Lydeard Summer Fair, Ruishton Village Funday and Axbridge Blackberry Carnival, to name a few.

The team of 50 children and their parents will be helping Father Christmas and Wellington Carnival Committee next month at various locations, collecting for the carnival committee’s charities, which include the WHERE Centre and seven-year-old Finley, who has a life-limiting genetic disease, as well as many other local charities, organisations and schools.

The majorettes’ final fundraiser of 2018 is on Friday, December 7, when they hold their annual Christmas Bingo and Grand Draw at Wellington Rugby Club, eyes down 7.30pm.

Troupe leader Louise Brierley said: “The committee organises the annual bingo and aims to raise £1,000 to cover the general costs of the team. The most important expense is our insurance. Then we have the upkeep of our uniforms, instruments and equipment. The team are in desperate need of some new batons this year as they haven’t been replaced for 12 years. They will cost in excess of £800, so I hope we will raise enough to cover it all.”

Anyone who wants to join the team, book a performance for 2019 or donate a prize for the annual bingo, can contact Louise on 07796 933064 or e-mail [email protected]