Thame HAS got talent !

IT was standing room only at The Spread Eagle, Thame, on Sunday (15/11/09) for a capacity audience who wanted to see if indeed, Thame?s Got Talent!

The 300 strong audience ranged from very young children to grandparents, and all those in between who had come to enjoying the musical, dancing, circus skills, poetry and gymnastic talent on display.

The high standard of the performers was quite staggering and they all, without exception, entertained the lively and interactive crowd with a variety of acts, by performers as young as nine years-old, right through to the over 65s.

YOUNG DANCERS RAISE THE ROOF

The loudest cheers of the afternoon went up for a group of younger pupils from John Hampden School, who with their demonstration of street dance, earning them a richly deserved ?highly commended? award from the judges, and a promised visit to the school from Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes, CBBC and Sports presenter, and Thame?s Got talent judge.

WHAT THE JUDGES THOUGHT

Another of the judges, Rick Chase, from the Vocal Booth, said: “My overall impression was the very high standard of talent witnessed by all, which made a very difficult job for us judges to decide the final positions. I was especially impressed with the younger contestants who proved to everyone that they don’t spend all their spare time on the computer! They should all 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!”

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.

THANKS FROM THE ORGANISERS

“I was so proud of what we have achieved,” said one of the event organisers, Matthew Cundy, Chair of local business group, Thame First. “What started as a fun idea last March has produced a community event, solely funded by the generosity of local businesses and produced by volunteers, and with the help of Alison Isherwood from 21st Century Thame Partnership without whose support the event would never have happened.

“The aim was firstly to keep Thame on the map as a vibrant community whilst having a bit of fun, and the messages of thanks that we have received since Sunday, coupled with offers from local business who want to be involved next year has been quite overwhelming and made all the hard work worth while.”

Alison said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers involved in the 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