Brent Knoll singer Gracie Wickens-Sweet impressed the crowds with her powerful voice and won a talent show held during the run-up to Burnham-On-Sea’s Christmas lights switch-on during Saturday.
Her confident performance of ‘Over the Rainbow’ got the most cheers from the crowd during the first ‘BOS Factor’ talent competition held in Victoria Street as part of a day of entertainment to mark Burnham’s festive switch-on.
The entrants performed their singing and dance routines in front of the crowds, whose reaction was assessed to choose a winner.
Video highlights of the BOS Factor competition:
The final sing-off, held immediately after the festive lights switch-on, saw 84 year-old Dennis Salmon give a super rendition of ‘On the Street Where you Live’, but the crowd picked Gracie as the overall winner.
A £50 cash prize was awarded to Gracie by the contest’s sponsor, Burnham’s Home Hardware, and presented by Burnham’s MP Tessa Munt and the shop’s owner Phil Hemming, pictured right.
Phil from Home Hardware said: “We were really pleased with all the acts – there was a great range of entertainment and it was difficult to pick a first place because of the high quality, but Gracie was a very deserving winner. We thank everyone who took part.”
Tessa added: “I was honoured to present Gracie with the winning cheque. She is such an amazing, confident performer whom I am sure has a bright future ahead of her.”
Burnham-On-Sea Chamber of Trade, which organised the event, said the contest will be returning at next year’s Christmas lights switch-on.
MC Matthew Hardy guided the entrants through the early heats of the contest
Jordan Biggs gave a confident display of street dancing
84-year-old crooner Dennis Salmon sang ‘On the Street Where you Live’
The entrants competed for a place in the final heat later after the switch-on
