A WEST Wiltshire-based group who raise funds for charity may have performed for the last time.
The New Male Majorettes – whose ages range from 16-81 – performed on Saturday at their awards presentation evening at the Spencer Sports & Social Club in Melksham.
They handed out a cheque for £1,500 to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, now based in Semington.
Cheques for £600 each went to the Nestle Pre-school at Staverton; the Green Shoots Day Nursery at Studley Green, Trowbridge, Stepping Stones in Trowbridge; the Devizes Opportunity Centre, and Larkrise Community Farm in Trowbridge.
But Danny Holton, 73, the group’s leader, says their fundraising efforts over the past 28 years may have come to an end if they can’t recruit more new members.
“Due to the lack of manpower, we are unable to take the New Male Majorettes forward to raise money for the children charities and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.
“We desperately require several new recruits to be able to perform at our regular venue and carnivals throughout the year.
“We require new personnel so we can carry on in the tradition of making people laugh.”
The troop dress in purple and white, complete with fishnet tights with garters, capes, white shirts and top hats.
They perform at local carnivals, fetes, fairs and private events to entertain the crowds and raise funds for children charities and the air ambulance.
Mr Holton added: “The troop has been going for the past 28 years and we don’t want to stop but we may have to if we can’t recruit more new members.
“Our performance on Saturday may well be our last if we don’t find between 10 and 15 more new members. We have 18 members but we need to find new members in order to carry on.
“There is no age restriction – we’ll take members from 15/16 upwards and our oldest member, Keith Hicketts, is now 81 knocking on 82.”
The original troop formed around 28 years ago and then disbanded. They re-formed under the name the New Male Majorettes and have raised around £85,000 over the past five years.
Anyone who wishes to join should contact Danny Holton on 07867 984239 or email ragdanr1@aol.com, or go to www.newmalemajorettes.co.uk
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