Georgia Mann, a Year 12 student at Norton Hill School, has been awarded the Richard Jones Memorial Cup for her outstanding performance at the annual Rotary Talent night. The show, which took place at Writhlington’s Dragonfly Theatre last Friday, 16th March, is the fourth one organised by the Midsomer Norton and Radstock Rotary Club.

Georgia had been a runner-up with her previous entries, so when the judges declared her the overall winner, it was a particularly special moment for the talented young singer.

Georgia, who performed the song ‘Evermore’ from the musical, Beauty and the Beast, says she has been encouraged to perform by her school, and hopes one day to sing in London’s West End. Winning the Rotary Talent Show will help when applying for drama college, which is her ambition after leaving school.

The Talent Show is a showcase for the area’s emerging performing talent for eleven to eighteen-year-olds. Tina Veater, who organises the event, said: “It is a great stepping stone for young people to start performing. All of our performers was superb, and we had a great variety of vocal, rapping and dance performances this year.”

Judging this year were local dance supremo, Sue Hill, Honky Tonks singer, Ian Hobbs, Vivienne Moon, who leads the Sing Your Heart Out Choir and Bristol singing talent, Samantha Lindo.

Other notable acts were Savannah Mann and Lola Woolacott, who won Best Performance and Evie Bodman, who received the Best Vocalist award. Tia James was given a highly commended award by the judges for her superb stage presence and rap.

This year’s Rotary Club President is Ian Huxham. He said: “I am always proud to preside over our club events, but I was particularly impressed with the Talent Show this year. The sheer courage of the contestants to get on stage and perform is inspiring. With a variety of excellent performances, the well-deserved winners and our judges all made for a really fun evening.”

For Georgia though, it is off to the shops with her £50 prize money. She said: “I’m going to treat myself with some new clothes.” Her persistence has, indeed, paid.

The evening raised £1,000 for local charities supported by the Rotary Club.