BANK Holiday Monday will see the swan song of what has become an annual bumper charity karaoke competition in an Ipswich town centre shopping mall.For the past four years, the Tower Ramparts Centre has hosted regular singing competitions but Monday will be the last as the area where it takes place looks set to be taken over by a new mall café.

BANK Holiday Monday will see the swan song of what has become an annual bumper charity karaoke competition in an Ipswich town centre shopping mall.

For the past four years, the Tower Ramparts Centre has hosted regular singing competitions but Monday will be the last as the area where it takes place looks set to be taken over by a new mall café.

Over the years various talent competitions have been run at the centre in conjunction with The Evening Star and Klowns Karaoke with much success and manager Mike Sorhaindo said they want this finale to be the biggest and best yet.

"Leyla Houssein from Klowns is willing to provide her outfit for the day. We will be holding the event at Tower Ramparts main promotional area outside Littlewoods on Monday, between 12 noon and 4pm with the junior section being held from midday until 2pm," said Mr Sorhaindo.

He said that there will be no great formalities to the contest but he is asking for a minimum £1 donation from all singers toward Suffolk Accident Rescue Service, the charity which will benefit from the event.

There will also be a collection going round the viewing public to add to the takings for SARS.

There will be two age groups for the competition: under 15 and adult. Judging will take place within each category by centre management and talent scout, Dereck (CRT) Cockerel of Euroscene entertainment agency. Prizes will be awarded to winners of both categories.

Some of the past winners at the centre include Catherine Corbett, Lea Butcher, Gina Marie and Trevor Sone, some of which have gone on to further their singing careers after being discovered at Tower Ramparts.

This will be the last event of this scale to be held in the main promotional area said Mr Sorhaindo, as there are plans to develop the area where the competition will be held by creating an exciting open air 100-plus seater mall cafe.

"We are led to believe that planning consent has already been given for the new concept and is planned for opening prior to the Christmas trading period.

"There is no need for entrants to pre-book, all they need to do is turn up to register prior to start of each category, for example, before 12 noon for juniors and before 2pm seniors, to guarantee a place in the competition," he added.

Tower Ramparts will be open to the public on Bank Holiday Monday from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

"So why not take in a bit of retail therapy and shop while being entertained by some of the best talent in the area," said Mr Sorhaindo.

"This event is normally well received and there is a great following from parents and friends of those competing," he added.

Weblink:

www.towerramparts.com