Miss Ramsgate Court 2025

The 2025 Ramsgate Town Court have made a busy start to their year in office.

They were selected at the Miss Ramsgate Selection Dance on March 1, 2025. The chosen Miss Ramsgate was Annie Johnson, she had already been a Princess in 2024. The judges selected her for her personality, natural appearance, deportment and conversational abilities. The previous year’s Queen, Kayla Armer, was selected as Deputy Miss Ramsgate. The two Princesses, Brooke Stokes and Chloe Berry were chosen by the five judges. Two weeks after the selection a Deputy Princess, Shannon Granger, was selected. The Court was completed by appointing a Ramsgate Mascot, Leah Pearce.

Their year of office started the week after they were crowned, when they were invited to attend the selection of Miss Sittingbourne 2025. The Courts of each town attend the other towns across Kent, to give support to the contestants. Friendships can be developed, some of which can last for several years. After Sittingbourne came Sheppey and Lydd Club Day, as well as the selection for the Court of Kent Queen.

The Court also did a lot of walking. They “beat the bounds”, meaning they walked round the boundaries of the old Parish of Ramsgate, something organised by the Ramsgate Tunnels. They also took part in the St. George’s Church Spring Parade, parading through the town. The Court also completed a sponsored 10-mile walk, organised by Minster Carnival Association, to raise some money to assist with the expenses for the coming year.

This year there were to be a lot of events to attend because of it being the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and the 85th Anniversary of Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of the troops from the beaches of Dunkirk. The Court attended the VE day celebrations in the Ramsgate Tunnels; people dressed up in 1940’s clothing and danced to live music. The atmosphere in the tunnel was great, and at 9pm the commemorative beacon was lit on the main sands. The next day local organisations put up stalls and displays for Local History Day. The girls of the Court really enjoyed it, learning more about the town they are ambassadors for.

On May 16 to 18, some of the Dunkirk Little Ships along with the Medway Queen came back to Ramsgate. The girls found it hard to comprehend that number of soldiers rescued. The commemorative events continued with the girls taking part in parades and a church service. Prince Michael of Kent unveiled the commemorative plaque at the harbour. The Court stood near to the Prince, it is something they will remember, along with meeting the Lord High Sheriff of Kent and the Deputy Lieutenant of Kent and other dignitaries.

They were grateful to the Mayor of Ramsgate who had invited them to take part in these events. The Court saw the Little Ships leave and return to Ramsgate after the vessels had been to Dunkirk.

Once the activities had concluded for VE day and Operation Dynamo, the Court returned to help and serve Ramsgate, starting with the Bucket and Spade Run, for vintage vehicles which are driven to Ramsgate and then gather on Government Acre for the public to view them. The Court presented the ‘Queens trophy’ to the owner of the car, which they thought was the best one. This year the trophy was won by Mr Ian Ford with his pale blue MG car.

The Court attended their first carnival on June 21 at Lydd. The girls were excited to see the 2025 float, which had been designed and constructed by Roger and Marion Pearce. The theme this year was Sunflowers. The girls were overjoyed when the float was unveiled, and they were very happy and enjoyed the day. Chloe and Brooke were placed first for the Princess Pairs competition, Annie got third in the Queen of Queens competition, and the whole Court including Leah, our mascot, won first in the best visiting Court of the Day.

June 28 saw the Court on parade again for the Armed Forces Day Parade and Service. On July 5, it was Ramsgate Day and the Court helped on the Miss Ramsgate Stall. They had been asked by Thanet District Council to interview all the stallholders at the Teenage Market, to gather feedback.

I will report back on Ramsgate Carnival in my next article. But, apart from Carnivals, they are set to visit Wantsum Lodge Care home, for their Summer BBQ, to help at the Ramsgate Bowls club Tournament and help sell raffle tickets to raise funds for the Sepsis Charity football match at Ramsgate Football Club.

They are not beauty Queens, nor do they only sit on a carnival float, as many think that’s all they do. They are ambassadors for our town, they are asked to help out at events, and serve the Ramsgate, but yes, they do like riding on their float and talking to people. Come and chat to them when you see them.

Written by:
Marion Pearce
Miss Ramsgate Court Manager