Miss World in South Africa

Hello everyone,

I hope you have all had a lovely christmas 2008, and i wish you all the luck for the future in 2009.

Well what an amazing experience the last month has been. When i was sat on the plane flying out to South Africa i knew i was going to meet some amazing girls and together we share an amazing experience.

As soon as I arrived at the airport in Johannesburg I was collected by chaperones from Miss World who put us on the coaches where some of the other girls were waiting and we all got our first chance to meet each other and chat. Everyone was very beautiful, nervous and excited about the month ahead.

We were paired with room mates for the trip, mine was Miss Denmark, she is lovely and is now one of my best friends.

I remember going down for dinner on the first evening, all the girls looked so glamorous and seemed so tall!! I feel tall at home in England, but some of the girls are way over 6foot!!

Every day we had something different and exciting to do. The following night after we arrived we had the official Miss World welcome dinner where lots of guests were invited and we were introduced one by one on stage. We had a fabulous night, all the girls get on and we were all dressed in our ball gowns. Over the course of the month there were so many different activities we participated in, including, a photoshoot on Nelson Mandela Bridge, which they actually closed off so that we could walk along it! Also, we went to the beautiful state buildings in Pretoria, Freedom Park where we learnt about African dance and history and also to Soweto where we had lunch on the street where Nelson Mandela grew up. We experienced African street dance and learned some of their history and culture right from the heart of South African people.

The highlight of the trip for me was the Safari. We were taken off to the Kruga national park for a week long safari where we were taken for dinner on top of a moutain, breakfast at the best viewpoint, swimming in waterfalls and we got to meet cheetahs, lions, falconary with African Eagles and also see all of Africa's "Big 5" in the wild, which was just absolutely breath taking. We went on a midnight safari!! To top it all off we got to stay in tradditional africa mud huts in a Pedi village, where all the locals let us sleep in their homes for one night and we had to cook our own south african meals over a ground fire under the stars. Amazing.

After safari we went to Durban to a beautiful hotel by the beach. Here we had the beach beauty competition which was in a amazing location on a catwalk looking out onto the Indian ocean. After Durban they flew us by private jet to Mpumalanga, where we went to God's Window, which is a view out over the landscape which is supposed to look like the view that god must see everyday, it was breath taking.

When we arrived back to the hotel in Joannesburg for the final, we had to reherse most days and also have the talent round, the top model catwalk show, and sports day. At the sports day we had to make boats in teams, using cardboard, tape and bin bags, and then sail them down a river!! It was so funny and my team actually won one of the boat races without sinking!! I was so proud as my good friend Miss Iceland went on to win the Sportswoman award and make it through to the semi finals.

We also planted trees, went to the Zoo, had charity dinners, lunch at the famous Saxon Hotel, and lots of other lovely dinners and events. On the Friday, we had a full dress rehershal of the show, and i won!! It was hilarious as i had to wander up and down the stage pretended i'd won Miss World!! At least i got the feeling once!! Haha!

The month of the competition was an amazing experience and we all understood that like any competition, there can only be one winner. There were some life long friendships made there, and we all tried our best at the competition, but at the end of the day we didnt know what the judges were looking for. I wish the beautiful new Miss World, Kysenia, all the luck and best wishes in her new role.

For 2009 I have plenty planned with regional heats that everyone can enter commencing shortly after new year, my own radio show starting and also i have a wonderful trip to Thailand planned for Febuary!

Watch this space!

Love Laura xxxx

Busy Bee...

Hello everyone,

I hope you are all well and thank you for reading my blogs and following my progress throughout my year.

Since I last wrote, everything has been very very busy and I have been enjoying myself 110%. I have recently got back from an amazing trip to India where I took part in a photoshoot for Carlton. It was a pleasure to work for them and I stayed in a 5* luxury hotel, and was looked after like a princess. India is an amazing place and I hope to visit there again in the future.

I am currently trying to prepare my things for Miss World... I fly 2 weeks today!! I can't wait... what an amazing experience it will be. I have been lucky enough to been given lots of wonderful clothes, dresses by Marcalane and also including my main dress for Miss World which Eric Way has kindly designed and made for me... It's absolutely stunning and I can't wait to wear it on the night... You will have to watch on Saturday 13th December on Challenge TV, at around 530pm to see what it looks like!!

There has been so many other things that I have been upto, including charity events such as for breast cancer, photoshoot with Porsche for childrens hospital and various other events in which have been a great thing to be involved with. I endured a charity track day at Rockingham for Everyman where i got to race a single seater racing car, rally cars, go karts and off roading and my team won!!

A few weekends ago I went on a TV presenters course with the TV Training Academy, it was a brilliant weekend and I learnt so much about presenting, and what is write or wrong to do in front of the camera!! We recorded a showreel throughout the 2 days and it is brilliant! Thank you Brian. Please contact the TV training academy if you are interested at all in being on the TV! www.tvtrainingacademy.co.uk I would thoroughly recommend!

I have been in London a lot, I love it down there, and a lot of the work I have been doing is there also... A long with some mega parties! I actually had a photoshoot with Sentanta Sports to help support the England footy team, they were great shots!! I was also asked to be the christmas cover of Every Model magazine which i was really happy about.

There has been also various openings of department stores, including ones for Aguaclara and Helen-E make up. I have also linked with the charity BEAT, which is the main charity in conjunction with eating disorders and actually helps the sufferers and the families by providing help lines, up to date information, guidance and support. I feel that this charity is such as important one to support as girls and boys feel they are under constant pressure to be thin, when actually it all stems from the media influenence and looking at airbrushed pictures of unhealthy models! I have always been very comfortable with my own appearance, and accept myself for who i am. Everyone has highs and lows in their lives, but the most important thing is to stay posistive about yourself and enjoy what you do have. I believe everyone is beautiful, and beauty DEFINATELY shines from the inside, not only the outside. I really hope that I can project some of my posistive energy to others - Be kind, Be happy, Be truthful.

Last week I had a shoot for Hello magazine where they will feature a spread on me... This was so exciting and i actually can't believe I will be in one of my favourite magazines. The article should be out next week!

I have also been lucky enough to join as a member at the Home House private members club in London... What an amazing place and i will definately be using the gym when i'm there!!

Over the past week I have been filming a documentary about beauty pageants... It has been fascinating. I have also recorded my 'Top Tips Line' so that all of you wishing to enter this year should call up and listen to my tips so that you know what to expect from the competition and also some key things to remember... I listened to Georgia's last year and it really did help me in the competition!! The link will be on the Miss England website soon, so keep your eyes peeled for that!

Please keep following my progress and watching this space for what I am upto next!!

Lots and lots of love,
Laura x

Any enquiries please contact Angie on angie@missengland.info

My first month after winning...

Hello everyone,

Thank you so much for taking a first look at my brand new website!! Here you will be able to keep up with what i have been up to, and view all of my pictures in my portfolio. I will be up dating the website as i progress through this lucky year of being Miss England 2008!!

When i entered this year, i never thought for a minute i would win, (as i entered 4 heats this year and eventually won the fourth!) For all of the girls and myself, I think it's the fun of entering and having so much fun doing the pageants which drives us to keep trying. To be Miss England was something i have always dreamt about, but one of those occurrences which you think will never happen to you... But such things do happen to you if you try hard enough, and you really want it to happen. I feel so lucky everyday.

To win Miss Derby was such a surprise and i was over the moon that i was through to the Miss England finals this year, representing Derby. I was firstly in Miss England in 2005 as Miss Leicestershire, after those finals i went to University to study my degree, after finishing Uni this year i decided to give Miss England another go.

The three days of the Miss England final 2008 were filled with laughs, fun, good times and great girls. I'm not a particularly competitive person, but I love participating in the Miss England beauty pageants. My mum and grandma have always participated, with my mum having over 15 beauty titles in her time. My family mean the world to me, and my mum has helped and supported me throughout this experience... Thank you mum.

When the night of the final arrived, i was nervous and excited at the same time. I never thought for a moment that i would win. My parents have always told me to try my best at whatever i do and enjoy it... and that is what i did.

When the final 20 were stood on stage, i remember looking around thinking that it could never be me, all the girls were beautiful. As 3, 2 were announced, i thought there was no chance, but when my name was called i fell through the floor. For a moment i didn't hear my own name, or couldn't believe what i was hearing and remember my mouth dropping open and my hand was over my mouth for at least 5 minutes, i was so shocked!! From that moment on, the next few days were a whirlwind.

My best friends and my parents were there to share such a wonderful moment with me, my best friend flew from Holland to watch me in the final, and i remember she ran down the stairs with her arms in the air, to the front of the stage shouting, 'you've won, you've won!' That will be a moment i will never forget, whilst my other best friend Kate was stood there in shock, crying because she was so happy. My parents were beaming with happiness, which felt like an achievement in itself.

I was crowned, sashed and sat on the thrown... what an unforgettable moment. I still couldn't, and still can't believe it is actually me who has won! After the final and all photos were taken i went back to the hotel with my family and friends, i was so happy to be spending this special time with my family and friends which meant the most to me. I could hardly sleep that night as i was so excited about what will happen in the year a head, and how lucky and overwhelmed i felt.

The next morning I had a huge celebratory breakfast consisting of pancakes, pancakes and more pancakes! My favourite! From then, the phone calls from various press, TV and radios started and i arrived back home in the afternoon to photographers wanting pictures of me for the national tabloids! The whole week after winning the final was crazy and thoroughly enjoyable, i went on various radio stations, photo shoots and filming for ITV. The following week i opened HelenE's new make up stand in Debhemans was a lovely first public appearance for me as Miss England where i was welcomed by warm and kind people. I went on to have various photo shoots in London, such as with famous photographer Jeany Savage and then appeared at the Pure show modelling on the catwalk for Barbara Easton Jewellery at the Olympia in London. A few days later I had another photo shoot for Barbara Easton Jewellery with Tom Wren photography in which there were some beautiful shots.

Since then i have taken part in various big shows such as the Lingerie and Swimwear exhibition where i was representing Aguaclara swimwear, and also the Bridal show where i was first on to the catwalk for Marcelane designer evening wear. I also did a shoot for EM magazine (Every model) which is a huge industry magazine giving advice, exciting articles and interesting interviews covering every area and corner of the model and fashion industry. The photos are amazing, and you can see my interview and pictures in this months EM magazine which is out September 15th 2008.I have also had photo shoots for the new National Lottery Scratch card, and photosoots with various other photographers. I really enjoy modelling, and always have.

I have also participated in various other openings of shops, centres and focal points all over the country.

The most important use of my role is to help with various charities. I engaged in a photo shoot with top snooker player Mark Selby (a local Leicester gent) to help promote charity fund raising for the Children's Hospital Trust. We are both visiting a children's hospital at christmas in order to see the children and give them our love and christmas wishes.

I have just arrived back from a fun packed week at London Fashion week where I have been seeing various fashion shows and attending parties, and also took part in a show where i was on the catwalk modelling for various designers.

I have been looking forward to tomorrow for WEEKS! I am participating in a charity track day at Rockingham speedway for The Institute of Cancer Research's Everyman, Tache Back campaign where various celebs are participating to raise funds in co operation with the RAC rally team!! I love driving and can't wait to get my hands on the wheel of a fast racing car!!

I am looking forward to participating in the Miss World final 2008 which has been moved to South Africa on December 13th 2008. South Africa is a beautiful country in which i have always wanted to visit. .. I can't wait.

Things have been very exciting from the moment i won, and i can only thank Angie, the judges, my family and friends for all of their support.

Love Laura x

Miss England Diary 2008