BROOMFIELD: Blue Falcons gymnasts mark 35 years

THERE cannot be many residents of mid-Essex over a certain age that have been to a fete or carnival and not seen a display by the gymnastic display team the Blue Falcons.

The 2008 season was the busiest ever with up to 60 team members at a time completing 17 displays as far afield as Hampshire, where they performed at the world-famous Aldershot Military Show.

The 2009 season is already almost fully booked.

The team's expertise has been widely recognised by the military, being invited to perform at various forces events such as beating the retreats, military festivals and three consecutive Royal Tournaments.

Also it is probably the only civilian team allowed to wear the White Ensign on its kit – an accolade bestowed by the Royal Navy in recognition of the work the team has done with the Navy over the years and as a tribute to the high standards it has achieved.

The Blue Falcons team has appeared on television numerous times, and has raised up to £40,000 for charity.

Members are also the current Guinness World Record holders for the highest number of vaults completed in one hour – 5,695 by 10 gymnasts – over one piece of equipment.

Hundreds of young people have been members of the Blue Falcons since it was formed in 1974, with a prerequisite for joining of reliability, honesty and dedication – not gymnastic ability – and a strong connection with Chelmer Valley High School, Broomfield, where the team is based.

Most Blue Falcons are pupils – past or present – but some are siblings of pupils or children of staff.

Mick Ford, was a PE teacher at the Technical High School when he decided to start up a squad based on the army-style of synchronised vaulting.

He said: "I wanted to do something different from other schools. We had around 12 sign up initially. Once we had a few displays under our belt the popularity grew and more pupils wanted to join."

Now semi-retired, Mick, who went on to become a senior manager at the school, continues to coach the squad two nights a week.

Never a gymnast himself – his sport was football – he never ceases to be amazed how the Blue Falcons rise to every challenge set – including vaulting over the school mini-bus – one of the highlights of their current display.

He says: "I tend not to show them how to do a move, but the youngsters are fantastic in the way they are able to interpret my instructions."

The squad was at first an all-boys team, with girls joining in the mid 1980s.

The Fledgling Falcons were set up 14 years ago as a recruitment and training base for the team.

Fledglings have to undertake a demanding induction course before graduation to the squad. Last year around a dozen 11 and 12-year-olds completed this stage and graduated. Currently there are around 50 students on the induction course.

The Fledglings are managed by the Blue Falcons' longest serving member Gary Steggall. Now in his 40s, he is known as The Bouncing Bomb and was in the squad almost from the start.

Mick is adamant that without the team's adult support group the Blue Falcons could not function. He said: "I am a great believer that the more adults who give up some of their spare time to work with young people, the less social problems involving young people there would be.

"We are tremendously lucky that we have many fantastic parents and friends who are willing to help in so many ways.

"We also receive great support from the Chelmer Valley High School, the Essex Youth Opportunity Fund and other organisations.

"As we prepare for our 35th season, we do so with confidence and optimism. We trust that our displays will continue to entertain and enthral whenever we perform and that the Blue Falcons will continue to represent the school with pride."