VGT 2015

The sixth Vale’s Got Talent, organised by the Vale of Belvoir Rotary, was well received by a judges often remarked that their “task was getting more difficult” by the minute.  There were 4 dance acts, 3 singer-song writers, 9 soloists (including Tanya Tamara Pearce an Opera Singer from Aslockton), 1 duet and a choir.

Mary Bridge-Collyns gave thanks to both Tesco at Radcliffe and Wetherspoon in Bingham for their invaluable sponsorship of the event, together with local businesses which have advertised in the three programmes. She stated that she had been impressed with all the talented people who have entered the competition and looked forward to meeting some of them again for our 7^th Vale’s Got talent in 2016, and thanked the audience. “Tonight” she said “there are many mums and dads, grandparents and friends giving these contestants support. We also have members of the public who look forward to this show each year and ask me when it is going to happen. We are delighted with the positive feedback that we receive and we’ll carry on with this annual competition while-ever it receives support from our communities.”

This year the prize fund was divided a little differently with three acts receiving commendation awards and cheques for fifty pounds. Coppelia Dolls a trio of dancers from Bingham School of Dance gave a delightfully witty and complicated dance routine;

seventeen year-old Amy Helen O’Donnell Keane sang one of her own compositions and was told by the judges that she has a great talent and should “keep on writing”;

Eleven year-old Alfie Sharp, a self taught pianist gave a confident and soulful performance of his own interpretation of the Ben E King classic “Stand by Me”.

Third place was awarded to Emily Brown, from Melton, who has been singing since she was 13 and was entering the completion for the third time. She gave a controlled, confident and competent performance and was told that she “really meant that one” and this year she was rewarded with her second prize place out of her three appearances.

Second place was achieved by Holly Fallon who re-worked the old classic, Fame, and made it contemporary. She has a wide vocal range and was complimented on her dynamic performance and her natural, relaxed and confident image. It was clear that Holly was “born to perform” as she made full use of the stage and engaged with her audience. Currently Holly attends Redhill School of Performing Arts, regularly performs gigs in the East Midlands and is working on her first album.

Brooksby Mellton College won first place. They were the final act of the evening and they just electrified the room from the moment they hit the stage. It was difficult to know where to look as there was something happening in every corner of the stage and “Fly Dance” was full of energy as they danced their hearts out with their acrobatic moves. It was an appropriate finale for an excellent array of talent.

Yolanda Offodile, the team’s spokesperson said that dancing with FlyDance was like being part of “one big family”. “Everyone is so enthusiastic about dance and our tutors, Jade Yeow and Catherine Webb push us to make it all happen”. Yolanda told me that the tutors show them the loose chorography and the major moves but then they, as students, polish the act, “We chose our clothes and decide what our characters are like” she said with a cheeky wink.