Miss Ramsgate 2023 – Lana Pearce
Hello. My name is Lana Pearce and my carnival journey started when I was 12 years old, and I was asked if I would like to be Junior Miss Ramsgate for that year as an experiment for the town.
Due to Lockdown, I took part in four carnivals that year and went to various town events including litter picks. I even had the honour of attending the celebrations for the 200 Year Royal Harbour Anniversary event where I helped welcome other Carnival Courts from Kent to the town and harbour. During that year I met so many new people and had lots of wonderful experiences that I didn’t want it to end.
In March 2022, the Miss Ramsgate selection dance took place, so I decided to enter for the senior competition where I was so happy to be crowned Ramsgate Princess, 2022. We had an amazing year filled with road trips to places as far away as Essex and attended many events in Ramsgate town, especially over the Jubilee weekend.
After another great year, I entered for the Miss Ramsgate, 2023 competition and couldn’t quite believe it when my name got called to be Miss Ramsgate that year. Within my incredible year as Queen, I made lifelong memories alongside my amazing Court and many other carnival Courts across Kent and Essex.
I attended many carnivals and travelled as far as Witham and Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex, not forgetting opening a burrito shop in the town centre, dressing up as teenage mutant ninja turtles for the Halloween games for the Courts and lots of dancing after the parades! I also had many other amazing experiences such as laying a wreath on Remembrance Sunday remembering those who serve/had served in the armed forces. I attended many events across Ramsgate whilst celebrating the crowning of King Charles III where there were parades through the town. This was quite an honour.
These had been the most wonderful three years of my life, and I was then crowned Deputy Miss Ramsgate, 2024. With not wanting my love for carnival to end, I entered for the Court of Kent 2024, and had the biggest smile on my face when I was crowned Court of Kent Princess for this year.
I am very excited to be representing my town and county this year.
Written by:
Lana Pearce
Court of Kent Princess 2024
Miss Ramsgate 2023
Miss Ramsgate 2022 – Lucy Woodward
On Sunday March 10, 2019, I put myself forward for the position to be chosen to be part of the Court of Ramsgate. I had never done anything like that before but I remember seeing all the beautiful girls on the floats waving at the carnival as I sat on the curb as a little girl, wishing one day I could be chosen too.
So, I prepared a speech and picked out a dress, I was shaking so badly with nerves, and I remember having tears in my eyes afterwards, thinking I had ruined the chance, but the judges saw something in me and chose me to be one of the Ramsgate Princesses.
I remember being on cloud nine for at least a week, making sure I had all the dates for carnivals free for the whole year, and seeing all the other events I could take part in. Picking out my dress was a surreal moment, it was so pink and beautiful, and I felt like a real princess. It boosted something in me I didn’t know I had. That year I remember attending all the town services, all the carnivals across Kent, and finally being that girl on the float.
I knew I couldn’t let go, so I did my best again and put myself forward for another chance and I was yet again chosen for another year. Due to Covid, I was kept on up until the start of 2022 and during that time, I knew after all the events that I was ready to go that extra mile again.
So, I put myself forward one more time, hearing my carnival friends cheer me on as I got up on that stage and read my speech, with the confidence I had gained in the last three years, I was crowned Miss Ramsgate 2022 and I had never felt so proud of myself than I did in that moment.
To be able to choose a white dress and be the girl who had to lead her Court and make sure everything was perfect was amazing. Being Miss Ramsgate gave me the confidence to be a great leader but also show teamwork. We travelled to many places, had many laughs, and all the while, I felt like the most beautiful girl on the planet!
I was heartbroken when my year was coming to an end and I had come to the realisation that I wouldn’t have plans like this every single weekend and being able to see my friends at the court all the time, but I knew I had had the best years.
Then two years later in 2024, it was two days before the selection closed for the Court of Kent, and something inside me told me I had to apply. I knew not to get my hopes up, but I also knew if I didn’t try, I would kick myself. This time it was the most nerve-wracking experience I have ever had, but I did it, and my name was called to be the Princess of Kent, alongside my best friend. I had now been given the chance to do it all over again, but this time I was not only representing my town, but also my county.
My dream has come true all over again, and I’m so proud of myself and how much this experience has given me and helped me.
These are memories I will cherish forever.
Written by:
Lucy Woodward
Court of Kent Princess 2024
Miss Ramsgate 2022