Ross Phoenix Majorettes recently returned triumphant from the European Majorette Championships, as runners-up in the Senior Military Small Group category.

Having beaten teams from Slovenia, Luxembourg and Germany, they were narrowly pipped to the Gold Medal position by a much older and more experienced Croation team.

Tracie Cox, the girls' trainer said, 'All of the girls gave 110% in their performance and I really couldn't have asked for more from any of them. I hope they are all as proud of themselves as I am of them.

We have gone from not qualifying for the past two years to coming second in Europe. That is a huge achievement!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped us to raise the money to enable the girls to take part. Businesses, organizations and individuals in Ross-on-Wye were so generous and we are all very grateful'.

The girls will now begin training for next season, and hope to qualify to take part in next year's European Championship which is to be held in Italy.

Above: A collection of musicians at the Malt Shovel, Ruardean at the start of Ruardean Folk Club's monthly session of music, stories and poetry.

Right: At the Leadership Trust, Ross-on-Wye, ex-SAS diver and 'Pink Lady Challenge' transatlantic canoeist, Pete Bray who, along with Mark Stubbs, John Wills and Jonathan Gornall attempted to break the North Atlantic rowing record. The four men were rescued by a passing cargo ship when they got caught up in Hurricane Alex. Having left Newfoundland in June of this year. They had rowed over 2,000 miles across the Atlantic, in the more difficult direction, west to east when disaster struck on 8th August and their craft broke up. Pete helped to save the lives of the other crew members by diving to get the life raft.

Pictured here, in a canoe which was used purely for the photograph - one which he would probably not put in the bath, let alone the Atlantic, Pete is with Jo Jones of the Leadership Trust and Ted Knight - Hereford Sixth Form College and member of the 'Under 16s GB Slalom Canoe Squad.

I believe that Pete plans to canoe the Bering Straits, between Alaska and Russia next year. I expect you'll be needing more protection than that umbrella there, Pete!

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank Ross Rugby Football Club very much for kindly making a donation towards the huge running costs of this web site. During the four years Wyenot.com has been on line, yours is the first such gesture from any organization or individual in Ross-on-Wye and I am truly grateful! I am afraid that I do not know much about rugby but wish you good luck for the coming season and I will come and photograph you again when your new shirts arrive or if you have an important match.

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