Palladium beckons for talented youngsters

Three school children have won scholarships which will see them take to the London Palladium later this year.

The three winners with Deputy Mayor Cllr Linda Silver, Yvette Statham (back) and Liz Paffley (front) from Hertsmere Borough Council and Warren Bacci from Top Hat Stage School

Hertsmere Borough Council teamed up with Top Hat Stage School in Potters Bar for the second year running to offer annual scholarships at the talent school as part of a health and welfare drive in the borough.

Open auditions were held earlier in the month and Warren Bacci, Principal of the school, thanked everyone for entering. "It was very hard for us to pick from the hundreds of applicants. I would have picked them all if I could, but the three winners impressed me so much and I am so excited about developing them - I think this will just be the beginning for these talented youngsters."

The winners were Amy Phillips, aged eight, from Pope Paul School, George Brown, aged nine, from Wroxham School, and Alexander Timotheou, aged 12, from Dame Alice Owen School. All three live in the Potters Bar area.

Amy's mum Denise said: "We are so delighted and we are so looking forward to the whole Top Hat experience." George's mum Michelle said the scholarship meant a lot to George and that it would be "an absolute dream for him." And Alexander’s dad Tony said: "It's always been an ambition of Alex's to be famous one day! He said that if he makes it big, he would look after us!"

As well as getting classes at the school for a year, the three winners will be taking part in a charity event at the London Palladium in July which will raise money for Breast Cancer.

The winners were presented with their certificates in a small ceremony on Friday by deputy Mayor Cllr Linda Silver. She said: "This is a fantastic scheme the council runs and we are lucky to have such a school on our doorstep. I hope the children make the most of this opportunity and I look forward to watching out for them on the big screen in the future!"

For more information about Top Hat Stage School call 01727 812666.