Back in August 1983 over 200 girls from all over Dorset high-stepped into the  South of England Drum Majorettes Competition at the Christchurch Show, sponsored by the Evening Echo. On the first day the winners of the novice section were the National Velvet troop from Weymouth, with Sandford Majorettes coming in a close second and Bournemouth Majorettes finishing in third place. On the second day of competition the winners of the Senior open section were the Goldstream Majorettes, second prize went to Shaftesbury and third were the Barranettes from Southampton. The event was organised by Christchurch and Boscombe Majorettes leaders, Mr and Mrs Ronald Moreby.