Hermitage Academy and Helensburgh Community Council hosted the Helensburgh’s Got Talent competition on Friday evening, writes Nigel Millar.
It was one of those magical evenings that happen only rarely. Nine competitors sang, danced and played for more than two hours cheered on by an enraptured audience of parents and friends.
First prize winner Eilidh Gammons with judges Elspeth Davis, Donna Hicks and Nathan Press (Photo: Brian Averell)
Chris Forth (Photo: Brian Averell)
The evening started with the Academy’s 'Poetry Group Hermitage' and ended with a rousing version of The Animals' hit, House of the Rising Sun.
In between we were enchanted by a Celtic Harp, sang along to cover versions from Elvis and Dove Cameron, were amazed at a Sailor’s Hornpipe by a seven-year-old and sat back and enjoyed a wide range of musical entertainment.
Debi Ronain (Photo: Brian Averell)
Eilidh Gammons (Photo: Brian Averell)
The members of Poetry Group Hermitage (Photo: Brian Averell)
Helensburgh’s Got Talent was a competition and there were three popular winners. The £100 first prize went to Eilidh Gammons with her virtuoso Highland dancing which ended with a high leap followed by the full splits – and for which there was a complete hush from the audience amazed at what they had witnessed.
Jenna Erlank (Photo: Brian Averell)
Judges Elspeth Davis, Nathan Press and Donna Hicks (Photo: Brian Averell)
Kezia Conran (Photo: Brian Averell)
The £75 second prize went to Kezia Conran with her exquisite, blues-themed performance on the clarsach, and the third prize of £50 went to the six-member “Poetry Group Hermitage” who, for the first time, were performing as an ensemble.
The MOJ Band (Photo: Brian Averell)
Nigel Millar from Helensburgh Community Council (Photo: Brian Averell)
Olivia Moffat
What really enthralled everyone there was that every performer, bar one, is still at school. They grasped the opportunity Helensburgh’s Got Talent gave them with both hands and did themselves proud with the excellence of their performances.
The town is lucky to have this rich vein of talent in its midst. But there are many more young musicians, dancers and other performers artists waiting in the wings eager to showcase what they can do before a wider audience.
Skye Worcester (Photo: Brian Averell)
Comperes William Harrison and Archie Blackburn (Photo: Brian Averell)
The competitors, hosts and judges take a group curtain call (Photo: Brian Averell)
Helensburgh Community Council is committed to giving them the opportunity to do so. They are worth it and have our continuing support.
Photos: Brian Averell
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