Boscombe's Terrific Talent

Last weekend saw the Sovereign Shopping Centre in Boscombe come alive with the Coastal Bid’s ‘Fashion and Talent’ events.

The Centre was full of visitors, which saw an adult fashion show on the Friday, a children’s fashion show on Saturday and then the talent show live final on the Sunday.

The adult fashion show integrated clothing from local high street shops, New Look, Primark, Bon Marche, Store 21 and Peacocks, and vintage stores from What Alice Found and local charity shops, and fabulous costume from Hierarchy Costume. Local councillors Jane Kelly and Christopher Wakefield also joined in with the fun and strutted their stuff on the catwalk.

World cuisine restaurants from the local area formed a bustling food court, including Koh Thai Tapas, Urban Beach, Little Pickle Deli, Gurkha2, The Garden Café and BB’s Coffee and Muffins. The evening included live art, and performances from Lewis Jordan Brown, a rock and roll pianist, and Harmony Twist, a local urban choir, both of whom reached the final of the talent competition.

The Talent Show Live Final took place on Sunday, with fantastic performances by all the acts. Suzy Wheeler of Strawberry Fields Represents, Alun Williams from the Coastal BID, Councillor Jane Kelly, and a representative from student radio Nerve FM formed the judging panel. Third place went to the fantastic singer Ella Brookes. Jim Van Waltsleben, an incredible local rapper, reached second place, and the Boscombe’s Got Talent winner was singer, song writer and guitarist Wesley Bennett. His amazing voice won him £200 and first place in the Coastal BID’s first ever talent show competition.

Clare Belmont added: “The Sovereign Shopping Centre was a hive of activity all weekend. From fashion to food, we have displayed a taste of the many wonderful things Boscombe can offer. The local community and visitors alike thoroughly enjoyed being a part of a positive creative atmosphere, with some incredible talent!

“The events, funded by the Coastal BID, achieved its aim of attracting visitors, and capturing the fantastic opportunities and activities available for young people to get involved in.

Alun Williams, Manager for Bournemouth’s Coastal BID said, “The fashion show and talent competition introduced many new people to Boscombe. It provided them with great, enjoyable experiences which we hope will bring them back again to the area to shop and to sample the wide variety of excellent cafes and restaurants”.

As well as the adult fashion show and talent contest, Saturday saw Titan the Robot performing for crowds in the Sovereign Shopping Centre, and a children’s fashion show. Again the events drew a large crowd in the Centre, and the event was an overwhelming success.

Throughout the whole weekend, money was being raised for the Jon Egging Trust with half of the Coastal BID Fashion Show proceeds being donated to the Trust.

Centre Manager Ray McGlynn was incredibly pleased with how well all the events went: “I am proud to have been a part of this week of events. It really has shown what Boscombe has to offer, and also supports the wider community through presenting opportunities to local young people, and through our continued support of the Jon Egging Trust.”

To find out more about the Sovereign Shopping Centre, visit www.sovereignshoppingcentre.co.uk

Pictured: First place, Wesley Bennett