SPINNING flags, sabres and rifles are among the props that feature in a dance which a Billericay troupe is hoping will earn it international success.
Mayflower Performing Arts, which will celebrate its 40th birthday in May, just can't stop winning prizes in a form of American dancing known as colour guard.
Most recently they came home with three firsts from the Winter Guard United Kingdom Northern Regional Competition in Stoke-on-Trent on February 24.
This follows another competition on February 10 at the same venue, in which the group scooped two firsts and one second place.
The group's chairman, Veronica Hope, said: "It's been a really good year for us so far.
"At the northern regional competition, we got a first in Cadet Class – the youngest group aged six to 12, a first in A Class – the middle group aged 13 to 17, and a first in World Class – the oldest group aged 18 up to 25.
"All three guards winning at one competition is a first for Mayflower in its 40-year history."
The group, which practices at Sunnymede Junior School, in The Meadow Way, Billericay, and De La Salle School, in Basildon, is made up of 46 dancers aged five to 25.
The dance which they practice originated in the US and it involves spinning flags, sabres and rifles.
Mrs Hope said: "It's not baton twirling, it's a proper form of dance which comes from American drum corps which were led by a colour guard and some would carry flags."
On April 13, the group's World Class dancers will be travelling to Dayton, in Ohio, to compete at the World Colour Guard Championships.
Mrs Hope said: "We have the British championships just before the world championships on April 6, so we are very busy getting ready.
"There will be 38 of us travelling to America and 19 members performing across five days.
"We have reached the final of the World Guard Championships three times since 2003, so fingers crossed."
To mark its 40th anniversary, Mayflower Performing Arts is hosting a celebration at Billericay Football Club, in Blunts Wall Road, on May 25.
Tickets for the event cost £5 and it will feature a guest band and videos and memories of the group over the years.
Mrs Hope said: "We used to have a display band when we first formed in 1973 which ran up until 2000 when we lost the music side but continued with the colour guard.
"Members of the group are mainly based in Billericay and the surrounding area and many are the second generation whose mums or dads used to march in the display band.
"We have always performed colour guard which really took off when a separate competing circuit was set up from the band in 1979."
Club membership is open to all those aged four and upwards.
No experience is necessary as full tuition will be provided by trained staff.
For more information about the troupe, e-mail Veronica Hope at vphope@gmail.com or visit www.mayflowerperformingarts.org.uk
For tickets to the anniversary event, e-mail tracey@suett.com
