THERE was a sell-out crowd at Budehaven School for the second Bude’s Got Talent event on April 23.

Twelve talented performers including singers, poets, dancers, a marimba player and a glass walker competed at the event, which raises funds for Bude Sea Pool.

It was tough to decide who should win, but in the end the audience decided that Riley Gifford’s song, composed just five days before the event, was the winning act.

The 14-year-old singer/songwriter from Kilkhampton gave an emotional and heartfelt performance on piano of her own composition.

Runner-up was Kieran Wint, a multi-talented 17-year-old percussionist from Stratton.

Usually a drummer or saxophonist, Kieran delighted the audience with his performance on marimba.

The first act was Bude Jive Club — Dan and Jess represented the club and treated the audience to some very energetic jiving and kicked everything off brilliantly.

Yasmin Wilde, an actress, singer and mother from Bude, who has been a professional performer for 25 years, gave a rendition of Memory from Cats, which was powerful and emotional.

Alyssa Wint, a 14-year-old singer/songwriter/self-taught guitarist performed her own fantastic composition.

A poet from Bude, Helen Minazza, who has two self published books available at Spencer Thorn, captivated the audience with a selection of her poems.

Louis and Ed, both 13-years-old, also performed. Louis sang and Ed played guitar on their version of Whistle for the Choir by The Fratellis and received a brilliant reception from the audience.

CJS Dance, led by Charlotte Jenkins, exceeded everybody’s expectations with an amazing uplifting performance to various pieces of music — superbly executed.

The only full band to take part in this year’s show were Vista — a band of 12 and 13-year-olds from Budehaven School. They gave a rousing performance of Oh My Love by The Score.

The well-known singer/songwriter from Bude Gary McCausland blew everyone away with his own composition ‘Love Her Still’.

Isabella Serpentine Dancer, also known as Linda Hull, who has been teaching belly dance for many years, gave a stunning solo performance.

Those who could bear to watch ‘Splatt­mandu’, from Bude, saw him walking and lying down on broken glass while his assistant Che walked on top of him — a brilliant finale!

Mark Rosser, the runner-up from the first Bude’s Got Talent, opened the show, and Jonathan Stamp provided the half-time entertainment. The GMC Choir performed and entertained the audience while the votes were being counted.

The event raised £1,665 for the Friends of Bude Sea Pool, which will help with the on-going maintenance costs of keeping the amenity free for everyone to use.

Charity co-ordinator for the Sea Pool Fay Hargreaves, who said around 200 tickets were sold, added: “It was an absolutely superb night.”

Thanks were expressed to everyone involved, to the sponsors for donating raffle prizes and to the audience for supporting the evening.