DANCE and drumming proved a winning combination at the Fearnehamme’s Got Talent contest when children from The Dance Movement’s after-school club at Potters Gate Primary School won the competition.

The school’s dance club and taiko (Japanese drumming) club produced a collaborative piece which they performed to an audience of school children, teachers and judges.

Seven boys and girls from Potters Gate Taiko Club and four from Potters Gate Dance Club performed the carefully co-ordinated piece, called ‘Taiko in Motion’, where they flawlessly synchronised drum rhythms with dance moves, impressing the judges.

“I think it’s fair to say that the judges were stunned with the group’s performance,” said Rachel Palmer, programme director of The Dance Movement, which runs Potters Gate Dance Club.

“Every dance move and every beat of the drum was performed with intent. Syncing a dance with such a strong piece of music is very challenging, particularly for young performers. Myself and Mark Alcock, from Farnham Taiko Club and who runs the school’s taiko club, are extremely proud of the children’s achievement.”

The judges were impressed with the children’s passion and skill, describing the show as “incredible” and commenting that they were “stunned” at how focused the dancers and drummers were throughout.

Taiko drumming uses traditional drums to produce highly rhythmic and energetic pieces. Potters Gate Taiko Club promotes the benefits of taiko among children as encouraging team work, focus and discipline as well as being great fun.

The Dance Movement is a not-for-profit community dance group which runs a range of classes in the community, including the Potters Gate Dance Club, as well as at its studio at Farnham Maltings.

Both Farnham Taiko and The Dance Movement regularly perform at community events in the Farnham area.