Thame HAS Got Talent

November 15, 2009

With 32 acts to get through, it was tight timetable and the event was late in starting as it took some time before the capacity audience was seated in the banqueting suite. Tickets were sold out so those who turned up on the day had to stand - despite the Spread Eagle hiring in extra chairs to meet the demand!

The standard of performers was quite staggering and without exception entertained the lively and interactive crowd. There was a variety in, not only the type of acts, but in the ages of performers, covering the whole spectrum from 8 years to the over 65s. The audience too ranged from very young children to grandparents, and all those in between enjoying the wonderful talent on display.

The event got underway with a group of younger pupils from John Hampden School, who raised the roof with their demonstration of street dance, which earned them a richly deserved ‘highly commended’ award from the judges, and a promised visit to the school from Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes, a BBC Sports Presenter and Thame’s Got talent judge.

One of the judges, Rick Chase, from the Vocal Booth, said: “‘My overall impressionwas the very high standard of talent witnessed by all,which madea very difficult job for us judges to decide the final positions. I am especially impressed with the younger contestants who proved to everyone that they don’t spend all their spare time on the computer! They should be proud of themselves whether they won or not.

It was a refreshing change to see a real talent show rather than the Simon Cowell TV ratings show! I’m looking forward to The Vocal Booth studio session winner,Catherine Jacobs, coming along to record her CD, as she has such a huge voice for her small stature! Well done everyone!”

A huge thank you to all of the judges who gave up their afternoon to attend the event. Lizzie and Rick were joined by Peter Denton from Mix 96, Peter Farquhar, General Manager at the Spread Eagle Hotel, who sponsored the event by providing the venue free of charge, and Justin Shardlow from jltd, a local businessman.

Alison Isherwood, Project Officer for 21^st Century Thame Partnership, who helped organise the event, said: “A huge thank you to all the volunteers involved in many months of organising and on the day. Without them the event could not have taken place; to Matthew Cundy from Kismet Jewellers, who generously sponsored the winning prize of £200, won by folk singer/song writer, Evette Judge; to Michele Pethers from Crash Records whose expertise in the organisation of musical events was so important and who introduced Susi Jones from Orsum Events to assist with the event. A big thank you as well must go to Daryl Ridgely of the Wishing Well, who so kindly provided the PA system, lighting and backline free of charge, as well as being sound engineer for the day. He and his band also played while the judges consulted for the very difficult task of choosing the winners.

Karen Shardlow, from Florence Nightingale Hospice, was also one of the organising group of Thame’s Got Talent, which was very pleased to support this worthwhile cause, and The Phoenix Appeal, which also benefited from the event.

Evette Judge who won the event said "Playing at Thames got Talent was an experience! I was in complete awe at the quality and the amount ofperformers in attendance. I did think of backing out at one pointbecause of nerves but I’m glad I didn’t, when they called out the prizes and said thatwe had won I was absolutely Stunned. I can’t thank the Judges, organisers and the contestants enough. We had a great time."

The band Terrorfret won a photo shoot donated by Peter Wolfe, www.peterwolfes.com.

Richard Carr from BucksTV filmed the entire event, which can be viewed by going to www.buckstv.co.uk.

The Rockhopper Studio parked outside the Spread Eagle Hotel and a number of the acts took advantage of the recording opportunity. Go to www.rockhopper-talent.co.uk for more details.