Club History
At a Saturday afternoon club at the Gorleston Pavilion during the winter of 1979/1980 a group of girls were asked if they would like to form a troupe of marching girls. Their mentor, June Sheard, initially did this to stop them from becoming bored, but they continued to practice and gradually gained more members. They were eventually launched on an unsuspecting world as the Cliffside Community Association Marching Girls and took part in their first demonstration at the Gorleston Raft Race in 1980. They joined the B.M.B.T.A. (British Majorette Baton Twirling Association) in March 1984 and began some serious baton twirling training. The Troupe eventually took the plunge and entered for the individual competitions in January 1985 and had minor successes.
The B.M.B.T.A. became the B.B.T.S.A. (British Baton Twirling Sports Association) and the troupe became known as Cliffside Royalettes. Along with many other troupes Cliffside Royalettes did their share of Summer Fetes and gave demonstrations to raise funds for further training and equipment. This was done with the view of eventually getting to the top in the sport of Baton Twirling.
First Parade at the Gorleston Raft Race in 1980
During the 1980’s the Troupe decided to form a band. During this period they had a ‘walk on’ part in a film called ‘Defrosting the Fridge’ starring Joe Don Baker. This was filmed in and around Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and Lowestoft about a group of people from Lowestoft playing American Football. The band also led the official opening parade of the second bridge at Great Yarmouth in 1986. Carried out in very strong winds the band members were in danger of being swept over the side of the bridge.
Throughout the years Cliffside Royalettes athletes have continued to take part in B.B.T.S.A. competitions whether they were Individual, Team, Open or European selections. Throughout that time they have continued to improve their performances and have become champions in various events. Their first team championship was in 1990, their first individual champion was in 1991 and their first open champion was in 1999.
Novice Troupe champions 1990
During the half term holidays in October every year the B.B.T.S.A. hold a week’s festival of Baton Twirling comprising team and individual competitions and training. Cliffside Royalettes first took part in this event in the mid-eighties, travelling by train to Scarborough. Since then they have taken part in every week’s festival taking in such exotic locations as Caister and Hopton Holiday Camps.
In 2000 the club had two of its athletes in the England team for the first time, they went to Germany to compete in the European championships. Since then another six athletes have gone on to represent England at international competition, travelling to Italy, Slovenia, Ireland and Canada.
Novice Group Champions 1995
Since its creation June Sheard, Mickie Davies, Stephanie Annison and its current Club Leader Sue McWilliam have taken on the management of Cliffside Royalettes. All have worked very hard to ensure that the Club remains an active part of the B.B.T.S.A. and B.B.T.S.A. Region 15.
If any girl or boy would like to try their hand at Baton Twirling come along to one of the training sessions on a Tuesday or Thursday night. The Training Venue is at Wroughton Middle School, Burgh Road, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Please contact Sue McWilliam for more information.
