The Ramsgate Court finished their year in office by helping at St George’s Church Choral evening called “It’s a Love Story”, which was held on Saturday February 15, 2025. The event was very well attended despite being a freezing cold evening. The Court gave everybody a warm welcome as they entered the Church, and later they helped with the raffle.
On Saturday March 1, 2025, the Court of 2024 stood down at the Miss Ramsgate Selection and Dance 2025. It was a very enjoyable evening at the Manston Sports and Social Club. We had some lovely girls enter the competition and they made it a hard job for the five judges who had to pick out the best candidate as Miss Ramsgate.
The judges this year, were new to Ramsgate. They were Mrs Val Habbershaw, Chairperson from Dover Town Carnival; Miss Paige Barkham, Miss Ramsgate 2008; Ms Lynn Turner, Community Engagement Officer for the Ramsgate Tunnels; Mrs Louise Scott, Dover Carnival Association and ex-member of the National Carnival Guild; and lastly Mr Alan Watson, a longstanding friend of the Carnival and a member of the Police Pantomime, which was recently shown at St Lawrence College. Unfortunately, Alan was unable to attend, but his sister, Miss Sundae, arrived to take his place, dressed in her full Pantomime finery, which lightened the building tension in the room.
The contestants had spent an hour in the afternoon talking to the judges, so that the judges were able to assess their personality and conversational skills.
In the evening, the contestants came back dressed in their finery, and they each took to the stage. One at a time they made a short speech about themselves and their favourite place in Ramsgate. Mr Ralph Hoult OBE, Master of Ceremonies for the evening, then asked them some questions. Mr Hoult has been supporting our organisation for several years. The judges were able to assess the contestants’ confidence, and deportment as well as their speeches.
We were very lucky to be supported by our Carnival friends and nine other Courts came from across Kent. Our Court has made many good friends across Kent and Essex. When our Court made their final curtsey to their parents and our President and Vice President, Mr Trevor and Mrs Mandy Shonk, they handed back their crowns and sashes to their parents and there were lots of tears. This is always an emotional time, as the girls do not like to leave.
As the evening came to an end the Chairs were set up for the crowning. The Chairman pulled the envelope from his pocket and read the results:
- Deputy Queen, Kayla Armer (Miss Ramsgate 2024. It is customary to give this role to a retiring queen).
- Ramsgate Princesses, Chloe Berry and Brooke Stokes (Both Ramsgate school girls).
- Miss Ramsgate 2025, Annie Johnson (A popular choice shown by the applause that ran around the hall).
Annie led her new Court around the floor where the visiting Courts had lined up in a circle to congratulate them all. There was disappointment and tears from some of the girls who did not get selected, but they should hold their heads high and be proud of themselves for what they have achieved by being brave enough to enter.
Their first appointment will be in a couple of weeks’ time, when we will travel to Sheppey to support them as they choose their new Court.