In 2017 Winter Guard United Kingdom introduced its own Hall of Fame as a way of honouring the “legends” of the UK Winter Guard activity ensuring they are remembered for the indelible impressions they have left on the UK activity.
Candidates were nominated and seconded before being discussed by the Hall of Fame assessment team and we are proud to announce that the successful candidate for 2025 is Rob Swindells.
Congratulations to this worthy “Legend” and there was a formal induction ceremony on Saturday 5th April 2025 at the WGUK British Winter Guard Championships
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ROB SWINDELLS
Rob Swindells became Corps Directors of the Kidsgrove Scouts (alongside his dad, John Swindells) in 1990, when he was just 17 years old. From this point on, he dedicated his life to both Drum Corps & Winterguard.
His relentless passion for our unique activities, has not only impacted lifelong members, but has drawn new people into the activity, as well as mentoring and developing both leaders, instructors, members alike.
Rob began his Winterguard journey in 1996 when he taught and designed for Liberty Colourguard with Martin and Sharron Ibbs. He has taught and designed for various Winterguards over a vast number of years, outside of his own organisation. He designed and directed for all the Kidsgrove Scout winterguards since they first entered competition in 2000. Following many years of directing, teaching, designing; mentoring for various organisations, he then realised that he could offer his experience and give back to the sport in judging.
Following covid, Kidsgrove Scouts sadly did not come back out as a competitive unit, but Rob continued to give up his time as a judge, designer and mentor, and has done this ever since.
Over the subsequent years Rob worked with other organisations to design and mentor, ending with Commodores, where his now teenage daughters are marching. His Integrity around how he can judge, teach and mentor, is testimony to how amazing & dedicated he is.
Rob started judging for WGUK in 2012 and during his time training offered numerous guards mentor tapes, which they all highly praised and were grateful for him spending his own free time to help them. After being accredited as a judge he quickly found his feet; becoming a trusted member of the judging team while still teaching his own organisation & helping to mentor various other organisations.
He now also facilitates Spintastic and judges training sessions, booking and lending his school facilities and dedicating his free time to help so many others in the organisation.
The Hall of Fame Committee are proud to recognise Rob Swindells for his remarkable commitment to the Winter Guard Activity within the United Kingdom and induct him into the Hall of Fame.
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To find out more about the WGUK Hall Of Fame including how and when you can nominate and the criteria required visit https://wguk.org.uk/wguk-hall-of-fame/.
