Young twirlers help make a difference with display

The cheque was presented recently by Laurels Matron Christine Boniface.

The Tornado Twirl-Stars a Hastings based majorette troupe training children from five years of age upwards.

The troupe has been running for two years and currently has 33 members.

Each year the Tornado Twirl-Stars take part in over 20 local performances and most recently entertained a large audience at the Laurels in their communal gardens, much to the delight of the residents who included a proud Great Gran and Granddad of one of the troupe members.

The Laurels generous sponsorship will help to boost the troupe’s transport budget and enable them to attend more local carnivals.

Baljit and Jas Thind, directors of the Laurels, based in Old London Road, commented: “We should value all ages in our communities, from the very young to the very old.

“Developing stronger connections between these older adults and their community can have tremendous benefits for young and old alike. Even older adults with serious memory loss or cognitive limitations can still enjoy a visit, even if they don’t recall it later.

“While a single visit to a nursing home is a valuable experience for children and will brighten the day for older adults, an ongoing visitation programme is most effective and we hope our sponsorship will go some way to allowing the troupe to visit even more local people in the future.”

The troupe was out in force last weekend taking part in the Hastings Old Town Carnival procession, with dancers wearing their distinctive red and black costume.

They also took part in the Bexhill Carnival in June.

Last year the dance group proved to be a popular attraction when they entertained people when St Michael’s Hospice held its Summer Fayre.

The Tornado Twirl-Stars is open to both boys and girls and no experience is needed.

Youngsters are taught how to use batons, flags, ribbons and pom poms.

The group has limited spaces available for when its new season starts in September. For more information on the group and details of how to join, please call 07873 471494 or mail [email protected].

If you would like to support the group, Asda supermarket, in St Leonards is currently helping to raise funds by providing a box where people can put green tokens they receive at the check-out for spending money.

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