Meet THe team

Pat Spencer – Troupe Leader

Hi. My name is Pat and I'm the troupe leader of Blaze. I have been part of Majorettes for the past 25 years when my youngest daughter decided she'd like to become a majorette. After a few years, myself and a handful of friends decided to form Blaze, little did we know that we would still be running, not only a successful troupe but one that feels like family all these years later. I have three daughters all of who are previous majorettes and two of them are now trainers.

I have 9 grandchildren, when I'm not working in the toy department of Upminster's local store I am with my grandchildren, whom I get to see most weeks. My youngest granddaughter is now a majorette, and I am so proud of her, just like I am of all the boys and girls that are part of Blaze and just love seeing them perform, although sometimes I'm not sure who gets more nervous, them or me!

This is why I have previously taken part in the adults novelty display at the UKFM's national competitions. I found that challenging enough and that was just 1 routine I had to learn, my majorettes have to learn several for one day!

Lorraine Vincent -Troupe Treasurer

Hi. I'm Lorraine and I'm the Troupe Treasurer. I've been with the troupe since the beginning and have fulfilled various roles within the committee including fundraiser, secretary and now treasurer.

Whilst I've never been a majorette myself, I've supported my daughter Julie since she decided she wanted to become a majorette when she was 9 years old. Never in a million years would I have predicted back then, that over 30 years later, what an important part of our lives it would become. I am now proudly watching my three grandsons and granddaughter following in her footsteps.

I was also rewarded with a Jack Petchey Outstanding Leader award in 2009 for my contribution to the Troupe. I've also been known to take part in the adult novelty groups for fun so I do have a few trophies of my own!!

I'm retired now but I used to work in a primary school as a teaching assistant. Now I get to look after my grandchildren while Julie is at work. I just love spending time with them and consider myself very lucky to get to spend time with them almost every day both at home and at majorettes.

I've made many friends during my time in the majorette community and am always so proud to watch our young boys and girls as they progress into young men and women. They never cease to amaze me with their hard work and determination and more importantly the way they work together and help one other. They really are a credit to us.

Steve Thomas - Troupe Chairperson

Hi. I’m Steve and I’m the current Chairperson of the Troupe. I work in the Charity, Volunteering and Corporate Responsibility sector.

My first introduction to the world of baton twirling was in India while I was on a volunteering project when I watched Julie teaching the local women and children how to twirl. I was completely blown away by how easy she made it look.

I couldn’t be prouder that my boys have taken up the sport. I just love the fact that they are challenging the gender stereotype that Majorettes is a female-only sport and they are actively encouraging more boys to participate. My eldest son Thomas was the first, and to date only, male twirler to be awarded the title of UKFM Mascot for the 2016/2017 season and also the UKFM Overall Male Twirler for the juvenile age group in 2018. Whilst his younger brother Oliver has been selected as a Sports Ambassador at his school, representing the sport of baton twirling.

I don’t pretend to know a lot about majorettes but one of the things that impresses me most about Blaze of Upminster is just how much it feels like a family. The committee, trainers, parents and majorettes are so welcoming and willing to help one other.

Julie – Troupe Trainer

Hi. I’m Julie and I’ve been a Trainer at Blaze of Upminster since the Troupe was formed in 1997. I’ve been involved in majorettes since I was 9 years old. From the first moment I picked up a baton I was hooked! I love all aspects of twirling but my favourite equipment has to be Mace and Baton. I achieved the level of Supreme 3 and Mace Major as well as passing the UKFM judges course way back in 1998.

I became a trainer at 15 years old and since that time I have trained boys and girls at Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Championship level in one baton, 2 baton, mace, flag wheel, ribbon and pompoms. I’m even now training the children of some of our former majorettes, including my own 3 children – now that makes me feel really old!!

Outside of majorettes I work in the City and also run a small charity that works with some of the world’s most disadvantaged children in Africa and Asia. I can always be relied upon to find room in my suitcase for my baton and have had the privilege of teaching the art of baton twirling to children in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Kenya and Cameroon, much to the amusement and bewilderment of the local chiefs/tribespeople!

I’ve been lucky enough to have been placed in many competitions over the years in Solo, Duo, Trio, Group and Troupe events. My biggest personal achievement was being awarded the title of Miss UKFM 1999/2000 where I spent the year travelling with the UKFM to all their regional and national competitions. I was also awarded the Jack Petchey Outstanding Leader Award back in 2007.

My proudest majorette moments by far involve watching my 3 children following in my footsteps. My eldest son Thomas was the first, and to date only, male twirler to be awarded the title of UKFM Mascot for the 2016/2017 season. It was a trip down memory lane for me taking him to all the UKFM competitions, seeing him up on stage presenting the trophies to his fellow majorettes as I had done 18 years earlier.

I love being a part of Blaze of Upminster and the wider majorette community. There’s been so many happy memories, laughter, tears, lasting friendships, and more broken nails and bruises than I care to remember but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Cheryl Reeve – Troupe Trainer

I'm Cheryl and I am one of the original 3 trainers at Blaze. I took a break after a few years to concentrate on raising my 2 sons; in particular, supporting the eldest in his racing career from Karting to Clio cup. I was never too far away though and remained friends with many of my majorette family and was always around supporting Blaze where I could. As my boys got older and more independent, I realised how much I missed being a part of Blaze and the wider twirling community and I was welcomed back to Blaze in 2016, first as a helper and then as a permanent trainer. During break times I will most often be found having cuddles with one or more of the many babies we have in our Blaze family!

I started twirling in 1987 at the age of 14. I am advanced standard and one of my biggest achievements was being one of a group that won 1st place in the NBTA National Championships back in 1992. I've also been known to come out retirement in more recent years to take part in group competitions if we are low on numbers.

I'm so proud of all our boys and girls who work so hard at training and who look out for each other and support each other through thick and thin.

Amy Carter – Troupe Trainer

I'm Amy and I was the first majorette to be registered with Blaze. I became a majorette at the age of 5 when a school friend invited me along to her troupe, I instantly loved it. My favourite piece of equipment was Mace but apart from ribbon I like all the different pieces of equipment. I hold supreme 3 in the baton grade, as well as Pom, wheel, flag, mace 1, mace 2 and mace major. I have won many trophies and medals over the years at both regional and national levels in solos, duos and groups, I've even been known to come out of retirement to compete in groups when our seniors have needed me.

A personal achievement of mine was when I won my baton solo at the UKFM national competitions and became championship level at the age of 13. I became a trainer for Blaze at the age 16 and have loved training the majorettes over the years, they make me proud every time I see them perform both at competitions and displays. In the last few years this has also included my own daughter, who takes after her mum with her dedication, commitment and competitiveness.

Away from majorettes I am a busy mum of 4 and you can often find me on the sidelines cheering my sons on while they play football, much to my husbands embarrassment.

Emma Eve – Troupe Trainer

Hi my name is Emma and I was one of blazes first majorettes, I was number 3! I reluctantly became a majorette after I was asked to stand in at training when different members was unable to attend, this lead to me actually taking part in the competition and after that I was hooked. By the time Blaze was formed I’d already been a majorette for 4 years and absolutely loved it, flag and 2 baton became my favourite pieces of equipment and I reached supreme 3 in the baton grade plus wheel, flag, mace 1 and mace 2.

At the age of 16 I became a trainer for Blaze whilst still competing myself. Over the years I have won numerous trophies and medals at both regional and national competitions within the UKFM but the one I am most proud of is when in 2016 I was awarded the title of Miss UKFM; it was a huge honour to represent the federation and my troupe.

As a trainer there is nothing better than seeing my majorettes go out and perform the routines they’ve worked so hard at training to perfect; my favourite is the troupe display, seeing all the different ages perform together is just amazing and never fails to make me feel proud of them. Away from majorettes I am a proud mum to 3 boys.