TALENTED Evesham teenagers were among the winners at this year’s thrilling conclusion to Wychavon District Council’s W-Factor competition.
Pershore’s Number 8 Community Arts Centre was packed for the finale which saw 16 young people from across Wychavon compete in front of family and friends to be crowned a winner in one of the five categories.
Judges, including dance specialist Emma Ford and singer Tracy Norman, found it challenging to select the winners and praised all who took part for the high standard showcased during the event.
Ciaran Baker from Evesham and a pupil at St Egwin’s Middle School walked off with the honours in the under 15s singing category and judges praised the 12-year-old for his ‘great natural talent’.
De Montfort School student Matthew Scott, 18, wowed the judges with his excellent vocals in the over 15s singing category in his first performance in front of a packed audience.
“The honour of winning the W-Factor will be with me for the rest of my life,” he said.
” Sharing the enjoyment I had with so many talented young people has truly showed me how important an event such as the W-Factor can be and I hope others who enter the competition in years to come find it just as exciting as I did.
“I cannot wait for the opportunities which come after the competition. The W-Factor truly is where dreams are made.”
The ‘lovely harmonies and great voices’ of Evesham teenager Joshua Harris and Lucy Gidley from Droitwich saw them scoop success in the ensemble category while Evelyn Gill from Droitwich Spa High School won in the drama section of the popular competition.
Scarlett Godwin and Gracie Ball from Bredon Hill Academy put their best foot forward to waltz away with the dance competiton honours with judges praising their ‘great fluidity, levels of movement and staging’.
Jenny Davis, arts development officer at Wychavon District Council, said: “It was a fantastic evening and the competition was as a tough as ever. The talent and passion of the young people taking part was evident to all.
“It’s been wonderful to see the performers grow in confidence following on from the auditions. Although not everyone could be selected as a winner, every participant has achieved so much by getting through to the final stage of the competition and we would want to encourage those that didn’t win to try again next year.”
The W-Factor winners will receive assistance with further training and will be invited to perform at events across Wychavon throughout the year.
