Town reveals hidden talents

8:30am Monday 28th July 2008

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The star quality of Abingdon's residents shone through at the final of the town's talent competition.

Scores of people watched 13 finalists battle it out on stage to prove they had the talent to make it as showbiz stars.

More than 200 people cheered and applauded as they watched harpists, singers, magicians and belly dancers strut their stuff in the midday sun on Saturday during Abingdon's Got Talent.

And at the end of the show three winning contestants - one for each age category - were crowned champions.

Harpist Jay Boender, who cut short her holiday to take up her place in the final, won the under 11s category with her variations on a Welsh carol, while Edmund Quigley won the 12 to 17s section with his magic tricks.

The 12-year-old John Mason School pupil said: "I just went up there and had fun and tried to entertain everyone.

"I did a couple of my simple routines, the ones which were most effective.

"It is amazing - I did not expect to win, to be honest, but I am really pleased about it."

And Paul Burkett picked up the over 18s title for his rendition of Take That's Shine.

The 33-year-old, of Daisy Bank, Abingdon, said he had been practising in the car on the way to work as a computer support engineer at Bicester Village.

He said: "I was struggling with it to be honest. I had been practising going to work and back on my iPod but I think I nailed it.

"It is great to have won. My head just seems to be spinning. I am really pleased, I am chuffed. It is nice to get the recognition that I am not just a karaoke singer.

"I said a few words to the crowd and I got a good response."

The competition, in Abingdon's Market Place, was organised by Abingdon Town Council and judged by Abingdon Mayor, Patrick Lonergan, Geraldine Peers of BBC South, Mary Green of ITV Thames Valley news, Eileen Bagshawe of Abingdon Drama Club and Julia Howson from the Stagecoach Theatre Arts group.

Belly dancer Kay White, 49, was part of the Ashnah dancing trio who were named runners-up.

She said: "I cannot believe how much talent there is around."

Paul Mayhew-Archer from Drayton - co-writer of television comedy The Vicar of Dibley - compered the event and asked the winners to turn on the town's Christmas lights at a special ceremony in November.

He also handed out the prizes, all donated by the town's Upper Reaches Hotel, including an overnight stay for two and a lunch or barbecue to share with friends.

Amy Wilson, of Fitzharry's Road, Abingdon, was one of those watching in the crowd.

The 15-year-old said: "It was immense. I liked it because towns do not always get together like this It shows Abingdon has got talent."