CHILDREN at a borough school welcomed celebrity guests to judge their annual talent show.
At Windmill Primary School, the judges took their seats; Sue Jackson (founder of the Wokingham in Need charity), Cathy Valentine (Circus Scene), Mandy Dodd (The Victory Theatre Project), Shelley Otway-Wood (Steppin’ Out Stars of Tomorrow), Sangeeta Bhabra (ITV Meridian television presenter) and Wokingham Town Mayor Cllr Alwyn Jones.
Around 26 children performed in front of their school friends and families, including a choir that sang during the interval while the judges made their decision.
Assistant headteacher at the school Poppy Bond said: “The children are very excited today.
“The competition is fierce and we’ve got some really polished acts.”
The children had been rehearsing since January for the event.
Leading the panel of judges was Sangeeta Bhabra, regional news television presenter for ITV Meridian.
She said: “I live in Wokingham so to be asked to judge something so local and so important for the community means a great deal.”
When asked about the criteria she would be looking out for in the acts, Sangeeta responded: “Inner confidence – that’s the thing.
“Don’t be like everyone else, I want somebody who’s got a unique quality, something that you can’t quite put your finger on.
“Something a bit different.”
The event held a range of acts; singing, dancing, and comedy as well as some combination performances – one example was a child singing Pitch Perfect’s When I’m Gone, as their classmate performed the film’s cup song.
Poppy added: “I can’t tell you how proud I am.
“It’s so special for the children to perform not only in front of pupils and parents but a celebrity panel of judges, who will give them feedback.
“It makes them feel so good, so empowered and so special.
“For me, this is our most important event of the year.”
To have Wokingham Town Mayor judging was also a boost for the young entertainers.
Cllr Alwyn Jones was very pleased to be attending and said: “This is one of my favourite places.
“Windmill School is a great institution because it includes children from all walks of life.”
Cathy Valentine runs Circus Scene, and said she was delighted to be on the panel.
“It’s a privilege to see kids getting up on stage, having a go, being enthusiastic, and giving it their all,” she said.
Also judging was founder of Wokingham in Need charity Sue Jackson.
Sue works closely with Windmill School and is currently helping to install a sensory nature garden to benefit pupils and the community.
“Windmill School’s talent show is an absolutely wonderful event,” she said.
“We have been involved with it for a couple of years now and it’s lovely to see how the children are progressing.”
For information, visit: windmillschool.org, wokinghaminneed.com, Circus Scene’s Facebook page, and Victory Theatre Project’s Facebook page.
