Beauty pageants can be regarded with suspicion in the modern age, especially with regards to whether they promote old-fashioned perspectives of women.
But contestants at Miss Manchester and Miss Greater Manchester 2020 have cited the experience amongst their proudest ever moments.
Many participants (including the likes of Manchester’s own Akisha Jade) recognise the contests as offering routes to self-confidence – as they aim to inspire, motivate and empower other women to be themselves and become involved in community projects.
One of the 2020 finalists for the Miss Greater Manchester competition, Esme Holliday, has spoken out about how the pageant has given her an opportunity to truly “make a difference.”
Esme Holliday
The 19-year-old is currently a student at the University of Salford studying TV and Radio production, and is originally from the Lake District.
Speaking to The Manc, Esme explained why entering this pageant was so important to her, whilst illustrating some of the ways these types of competitions have transformed in the current climate.
“It is so much more than just a pretty face nowadays,” Esme tells us.
“Cheryl Broadfoot [the host] wants to change the face of pageants and make sure that it is not just whoever looks the prettiest, you need to work hard and be dedicated to actually making a difference in the world”
Each contestant must find their own sponsor at the contest – which is advertised on their individual sashes.
Esme chose ‘A Skye Full of Stars’ – a charity set up in memory of her close friend Skye Mitchell who sadly died in a fatal car accident in 2017.
Skye had been in many beauty pageants, even becoming Miss Junior North West, and her and Esme had always planned to take part in a contest together.
Elle for Elle works to support female refuges who have escaped from domestic abuse in the UK and globally, with finalists collecting toiletries and essential items to help those fleeing from their homes.
The girls have also raised over £11,000 for One Woman At A Time, an organisation that works with women in Kenya, India and the UK who are at risk of forced marriage, Female Genital Mutilation and domestic abuse. The money raised has already gone towards providing a new water tank and brighter lighting at a refuge in Kenya.
As well as raising money for charity, the contestants also compete in rounds. So far, there has been a radiant smile round, one for sharing your story, and a talent section.
Esme decided to stray away from the popular talents of singing or dancing and rekindled with her love of playing the trumpet for her talent entry. Other girls did some acting, dress-making and even balloon modelling!
Upcoming stages include a sustainability round (which involves creating an outfit from recyclable materials) and then the public vote.
If she wins, Esme says she would like to carry on the work of previous Miss Manchester champion Suzy Bamgose – who dedicated herself to working against homelessness in Manchester.
Esme is also keen to raise awareness of logging off from social media and highlighting the dangers of comparing yourself to a stranger on Instagram.
Alongside the Miss Greater Manchester competition in 2020, there is Miss Cheshire, Miss Lancashire and Miss Manchester. A Mr Manchester was announced earlier this year.
Winners can go on to compete for Miss England – and the last time a Mancunian was crowned champion was way back in 1965.
The finals take place in September, and whilst the organisers are keeping a close eye on developments given the current climate, the Miss Manchester community is keeping its fingers crossed that the awards ceremony won’t have to be a virtual one…
Tatton Park makes decision to temporarily close gate after visitor is attacked by rutting deer
Emily Sergeant
Tatton Park has made the decision to temporarily close one of its gates after a member of the public following a ‘recent change in deer activity’.
It comes after ‘a couple of injuries’ despite warnings and a large amount of signage across the park.
The decision to close the Knutsford gate had to be taken by Tatton management with input from Cheshire East Council’s health and safety manager, and its director of growth and enterprise, along with ‘expert advice’ from the leading deer vet who works across many deer parks in the UK.
The Knutsford gate will be closed to pedestrians and vehicles ‘until further notice’, but the Dog Wood entrance and the main Rostherne entrance will remain open.
Tatton Park cited a current ‘larger number’ of stags than usual found feeding on fallen acorns near the Knutsford entrance, and an overall ‘recent shift in our deer herd’s behaviour during the rutting season’ as the reason for the gate’s closure in a statement shared to social media this week.
Rutting season – which refers to the autumn deer breeding season, typically from late September to early November in the UK – is when deer herds may exhibit aggression if approached.
“If you come across wild deer whilst visiting, we strongly advise you take an alternative route,” the park said in its statement.
The park’s Operations Team added in a statement, as reported by the MEN: “Despite all warnings, a large amount of signage, staff being on hand to advise people to avoid the deer, and all efforts to try to re-route people and get them to stop approaching the deer, we have unfortunately had a couple of injuries.”
One of the ‘injuries’ referred to was an incident involving 67-year-old man named Rod Savage, who was reportedly hurled up in the air after a large stag suddenly appeared and charged at him with his antlers, puncturing his stomach.
Tatton Park temporarily closes its gate after a visitor is attacked by rutting deer / Credit: Diana Parkhouse (via Unsplash)
The terrifying ordeal happened just 300 yards inside the Knutsford entrance, contributing to the gate’s temporary closure.
Tatton Park has now issued warnings and advice to all future visitors.
People are being told to ‘never walk between the deer’ and ‘never put yourself between deer and a fence’, while always maintaining a safe distance of 50m or more when possible, and ultimately remaining vigilant and fully-aware of your surroundings at all times.
“We’ll be monitoring the situation daily and continue to provide updates,” the park concluded in its statement on social media.
“We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.”
Featured Image – Diana Parkhouse (via Unsplash)
News
Shocking new study reveals that almost 100 people a day are caught drink-driving
Emily Sergeant
Nearly 100 drivers a day in Britain have had ‘drink-drive endorsements’ added to their licences in the past three years, a shocking new study has revealed.
Alarmingly, it’s people between the ages of 25 and 39 that are the most frequently penalised for drink-driving – with around 48,000 drivers in this age bracket being handed endorsements, followed closely by 40,000 drivers aged 40 to 65.
In contrast, only 15,000 drivers aged 17 to 24 were penalised, and a mere 3,000 over-65s received points on their licence between 2022 and 2024.
It’s all according to a study by road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, using data obtained from the DVLA via a Freedom of Information request.
A shocking new study has revealed that almost 100 people a day are caught drink-driving / Credit: Pexels
Drivers caught over the alcohol limit face automatic licence revocation, potential imprisonment, and unlimited fines, while the endorsement remains on a driving licence for 11 years.
Another shocking revelation from the study is that fatalities linked to drink-driving have climbed over the past decade, peaking in 2022 at the highest level in 13 years – with the RAC saying this trend ‘raises alarms’ about the effectiveness of current road safety measures.
RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis called it ‘completely unacceptable’.
“These disturbing figures show the twin evils of driving under the influence of drink and drugs are behind a frightening number of lives lost on the UK’s roads every year,” he commented.
A third of Brits want police to immediately ban drink drivers at the roadside / Credit – Vladimir Proskurovskiy (via Unsplash)
“A new approach to tackling these repugnant crimes is desperately needed. We hope this will be a key part of the Government’s forthcoming road safety strategy, [as] we’ve consistently been calling for a change in approach when it comes to reducing alcohol-related road deaths, as it’s clear the status quo isn’t working.”
The RAC has been campaigning for courts being given the powers to mandate the fitting of alcohol interlocks (‘alcolocks’) to offenders’ vehicles to prevent them driving drunk again.
It is also ‘supportive’ of the police being given the powers to immediately disqualify any driver who fails a drink or drugs test at the roadside.
Jess Walmsley -
25th June 2020 
