Miss Cheshire, Natasha Hemmings, an English literature student at Nottingham University was crowned Miss England 2015 at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
Thousands of applications were made for this year’s contest. Through regional heats and finals that number was whittled down to fifty-two, who took part in the grand final. Judge Kirsty Heslewood, a former Miss England herself, said “Natasha has worked very hard and she’s already done lots of charity work and she’ll represent England well at Miss World.”
The road to the final is a long one for the girls taking part. These days it’s not just about looks and how they’d like to change the world, they actually have to prove they’re doing something positive, whether it’s highlighting social issues or doing charity work.
All fifty-two of the contestants had high hopes as they put their best smiles and high heeled feet forward to impress the judges. The field of fifty-two was then cut down to
fifteen, then to the top five. Miss Nottingham, Rebecca Drysdale was named runner-up. Sophie Smith, Miss Cheltenham, came third.
Of course where there’s a winner, you also get disappointment and tears. Jade McQueen, a former contestant on the X Factor and representing Surrey, told Pukaar News she didn’t win because she didn’t fit the profile of what a Miss England should be. Miss Leicestershire Holly Desai, having given it her second shot this year, said she would now leave the pageant to others and concentrate on her acting career.
Winning Miss England is also a passport to the Miss World contest which this year takes place in China in December, so for Natasha and her family, they’ll have to juggle the duties of being a reigning Miss England with preparations for the global event. Winning the title also has it’s perks. In addition to the title, Natasha won a package of prizes, including a luxury holiday and a wardrobe of evening wear.
Music used: Music: A New Beginning – Bensound.com
