Blind woman wows street with singing on doorstep
A BLIND woman has left her neighbours – and thousands of strangers – amazed after singing her heart out on her doorstep during lockdown.
Anne Wilkins, from Bridgend, is a singing teacher and soprano who has performed all around the world – but, more recently, she’s swapped the stage for her doorstep.
She treated her neighbours to a couple of impromptu performances last week when everyone came out to clap for the NHS on Thursday evening, and the reaction has been absolutely amazing.
She’s stunned people with her lovely rendition of Over The Rainbow and has even performed with her West End actor neighbour Alyn Hawke.
Alyn, 30, who lives opposite Anne, said he suggested Anne sing for the neighbours because he’s always been a fan of her voice growing up.
He may have been the only person in the street who was aware of her talents, and their bond later resulted in them performing All I Ask Of You, from the Phantom of the Opera, together on the street.
Since the videos were posted on social media, they’ve been viewed so many times Anne can’t keep up.
“I’ve stopped looking at the number of views now,” said Anne. “It’s going higher and higher.”
Anne, who described herself as being in her mid-60s, because she “doesn’t think of herself as that sort of age” said she has been a singer for years, but not many people who lived around her actually knew this.
Discussing her life in music, she said: “I wasn’t very confident in school – I was in a choir but didn’t do many solos or anything. I had lessons then in my mid-20s.”
When asked about the doorstep performances, she added: “This is the first time we have ever done it. We only did it last week just because we thought it would lift the spirits of the neighbours and friends.
“We didn’t think anything would happen like this. It’s been an amazing reaction – I just couldn’t believe it. Some of the neighbours want more. We will do it again but we don’t do it every week because people get tired.
“I have been in situations in the past where people have said, ‘Do we have to have them again?’ – that sort of thing and I wouldn’t want to become that.
“The reaction has been wonderful because not a lot of them knew what I could do and now they do.”
She retired a few years ago after working as an administrative assistant for South Wales Police. Since then she has focussed more on her music and also spent some time volunteering for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), including teaching braille.
Anne said: “I’m totally blind myself. I’m a capable and independent blind person. I’m not one who needs this, that and the other.
“I just do things for them (RNIB) as and when I can.
“Family and friends reaction has been amazing. My family are scattered over the country, but they have reacted very well.”
RNIB Cymru director Ansley Workman said: “Anne is a true inspiration. Her love of music, teaching, travel and above all helping others has brought together so many blind and partially sighted people in Bridgend and across the country.
“We at RNIB Cymru greatly appreciate Anne’s years of hard work and dedication as a volunteer, teacher and campaigner.
“It is a testament to her character that even in lockdown she is using her talent to bring people together and spread joy.”