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Indianapolis Star
a day ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
'85 years of history': The Boston Crusaders win their first DCI World Championship
Lucas Oil Stadium echoed with applause on August 9 as announcers declared that the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps had been crowned the winners of the 2025 DCI World Championship — an achievement 85 years in the making. The Boston Crusaders, founded in 1940 and a founding member of Drum Corps International, have spent the 53 years since the competition began chasing the opportunity to be dubbed one of the best drum corps in the world. The closest the Boston Crusaders had ever come was in 2022 and 2024, coming in second behind the Blue Devils three years ago and the Bluecoats last year. 'Winning this World Championship is surreal,' said Boston Crusaders executive director Chris Holland in an interview with DCI. 'For the performers who made this happen, this is all about them. We're a proud organization with 85 years of history, but that 85 years is about creating an experience for them. What they did this summer, what they did in Indianapolis, is pretty incredible.' Many in the audience, on the field and in the announcer booth cheered loudly when the Crusaders were announced as this year' new champions. "I think that was the loudest crowd reaction to a show I've heard since Spartacus in 2008," said Dan Potter, one of the DCI announcers. Typically, the team that wins the General Effect and Visual award is dubbed the winner of the show, according to Steve Roinero, one of the announcers of this year's DCI World Championship. However, this year's General Effect and Visual award went to the Bluecoats from Canton, Ohio, who wound up losing the championship to the Boston Crusaders by 0.175 points. The Boston Crusaders also took home the awards for best color guard, best brass and best percussion. For the last two and a half decades, the Boston Crusaders had been within striking distance of earning a spot on the winners' podium, usually finishing somewhere in the top 12. But since 2022, the Boston Crusaders have shown why; they have the reputation of "the corps that would not die." "Part of our core song is 'We will never die,' and we try and portray that every single day," said Boston Crusaders drum major Wes Booker. "Every rehearsal, we push our best and every show we give everything we've got."
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Abandoned Pontins camp handed 'top holiday spot' prediction in major update
The abandoned Pontins holiday camp near Camber Sands, just over the Kent border, could be set for a new lease of life as discussions over its future get underway An abandoned holiday camp may soon be transformed into a new holiday destination, as discussions over its future get underway. The disused Pontins holiday camp near Camber Sands, just over the Kent border, has remained empty since its sudden closure by owner Britannia Hotels last November. The shutdown has significantly affected the local community, with residents reporting declines in employment, business activity, and visitor numbers. Once priding itself on nearly 30 locations across the UK, Pontins has now dwindled down to just two surviving resorts: Suffolk's Pakefield Holiday Village and Sand Bay Holiday Village in Weston-super-Mare. However, at a meeting in December, representatives from Rother District Council and Hastings and Rye MP Helena Dollimore met with Britannia Hotels to discuss redevelopment plans. Councillor Christine Bayliss, deputy leader and cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, said she felt encouraged by the meeting. "The closure of the holiday park last year was a shock to everyone, including the council, which owns the site's freehold," she said. "We've been actively seeking clarity about its future." According to Bayliss, Britannia Hotels confirmed its intention to redevelop the site into a holiday destination and expressed willingness to collaborate with local stakeholders, including the district council. 'Pontins has been a key destination for Camber, and we recognise its vital role in the local economy,' she added. 'We're optimistic about working together to restore Camber Sands as one of the region's top holiday spots.' Currently, the site is fenced off, with only security lights illuminating the empty premises. Once capable of hosting up to 3,000 guests, the holiday park also featured a Nisa Local shop, which closed in September. The Camber Sands closure coincided with the shutdown of another Pontins site in Prestatyn, Wales. However, Britannia Hotels recently confirmed that redevelopment is already underway at the Welsh location, with plans to reopen it in the near future. Pontins Holidays confirmed the closure of the locations in November 2023. Sharing a statement on social media, they said: "Important announcement. We regret to inform you that our parks in Prestatyn and Camber Sands will be closing with immediate effect. Customers whose bookings will be affected by these closures will be contacted by our team and refunded. We apologise for any inconvenience caused." Pontins holiday camps were initially the brainchild of Fred Pontin, who opened his first Pontins in a former US army base in Weston-super-Mare in Somerset in 1946. Over the years, the holiday camp magnate bought more camps, expanding his empire to 30 sites at its peak. Smaller and less expensive than Butlin's holiday camps, Pontins had Bluecoats to entertain guests as opposed to the Redcoats of its major rival. TV stars who learned their comedy trade as former Bluecoats include Bradley Walsh, Shane Richie, Bobby Davro and Lee Mack.
