Date:
LCCSSC Final 2007 Performers Huddersfield's Leo Brazil, who won the Ecofest heat, was most people's hot tip before the contest began. However, there was the unknown factor of the Alford contingent and a very strong looking line up to contend with. Accordingly, the event organizer, Bob Cairns, had chosen a very experienced panel of judges consisting of John Pape (Jolly Brewer, Lincoln), a highly respected veteran multi-instrumentalist, Susi Mulligan (Ecofest, Badger Farm), the lady behind the Ecofest and the Small World Festival and Michel Ducas, an acclaimed event organizer himself. Unfortunately, the beginning of the evening was tinged with sadness as it was announced that the much loved Andrea Ferguson had had to withdraw due to a family breavement. However, Zeph, who finished fourth in the Ecofest heat, had agreed to take her place, so we began with a full contingent of nine contestants. The enormity of the task facing the judges became all too apparent during the first round which was stamped with strong performances, the quality of the song writing being particulary impressive. Emer O'Neill, who had come all the way over from Belfast, was perhaps a trifle over ambitious in her choice of an opening song and sadly she fell at the first hurdle along with Heidi Layton, leaving Cat as the sole representative for the fairer sex. By now we were packed together like sardines around the 'stage' and after an intense second round the worthy Alford contingent fell by the wayside along with Mark Jones. As we entered the final round, Leo Brazil was still going full steam ahead. However, Darren Halford and Zeph were not about to go down without a fight and Cat was still courageously flying the flag for the girls. Four excellent performances followed, with each artist receiving whoops of encouragement and thunderous applause from their respective band of supporters, and it must have been very difficult for the judges to choose between them. However, eventually Leo Brazil was declared a worthy winner, with Zeph in second place and Darren Halford in third whilst Cat must have considered herself most unfortunate to finish only fourth. Final placings Many thanks to all the performers who treated us to an excellent evening's entertainment and though there will be no doubt be some disappointments and possibly a few regrets, they should all feel proud of theirselves. Many thanks also to Music Makers for their generous sponsorship, to the panel of judges who faced an unenviable task, to Bob Cairns who superbly fulfilled his role as compère, to Pete O'Hara for a magnificent job on the sound desk, and, last but not least, to Emma Chapman and her Jolly Bar Crew who worked tirelessly all night to keep us well watered. |
