SHIRLEY DEE IS 19th MISS CARIBBEAN & COMMONWEALTH Ghanaian holds off challenge of the “Trini Twins”
Shirley Dee, a 20 year-old Law student at the University of Kent, has become the third Ghanaian to take the title when he won the 19th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth contest in the theatre of the Polish Centre in Hammersmith, West London. She overcame the challenge of 17 other contestants – including runners-up Jacqueline Baker and Michelle Supersad , both from Trinidad & Tobago – all recommended by established promoters. Her predecessor, Uchenna Obika, was on hand to “crown” Shirley and her deputies with cups and tiaras donated by Moneygram. The new Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth title-holder was recommended to the title by Ben Black Photography. Contestants represented the communities of Cameroon, Eritrea, Ghana, Guyana, Jamaica, Morocco, Nevis, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Ghanaians stand now with Trinidadians at three successes each as second equal to Jamaicans who dominated the early years and the era between 1996 and 2002.
Contestants on stage prepare for the opening of the show
Most Rev'd Dr Bancroft McCarthy declares open the 19th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth promotion
Cynthia and Agnes are here to welcome you
Getting ready for the National Anthem
Youth to the fore - representatives of Tabot Mix and Ecology dancers
Uchenna ponders the last moments of her year of office
National emblems on show as Archbishop declares the promotion open
The show was opened – as has now become the tradition – by Archbishop the Most Rev’d Bancroft McCarthy, after which the contestants drew lots for their order of appearance. The United Christian Harmony Group got the proceedings underway to a lively start. It was clear already that the capacity crowd which, as usual, was slow in building up to a bigger attendance than in recent years. “Old friends” could be seen early, including former beauty queen and model Beverley Heath, erstwhile international body-building champion Ian Dowe, and promoter Mrs Gloria Leslie. Trinidad & Tobago, Ghanaian and Zambian colours and emblems were prominent. For the first time in a long while the crowd flowed over into the upstairs gallery. Also present were the promoters (or their representatives) of Miss ACS UK, Miss Cameroon UK, Miss East Africa UK, Miss Malaika UK, Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK / CariVog International and Miss Zambia UK / Perryfield Promotion - as well as photographer Ben Black - all of whom had recommended contestants to the competition. The parade of contestants in dark jeans and white T-shirts - to ensure that all start the evening on an equal standing - was suggested by former Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth deputy title-holder Julia Bernard. For many years the "draw for numbers" was made from Hopelyn Goodwin's woolly hat - since lost on the London underground railway system. Dr McCarthy has performed the opening ceremony since 2004 - before then it was carried out usually by the mayor of the borough in which the contest was held or, in the days that the title was contested "at sea", by the captain of the ship. In one year both the Mayor of Harwich and the captain of the St Nicholas wanted to declare the show open, and it took some diplomatic skill in devising a form of words for each to say so that each thought that they were making the declaration.
The United Christian Harmony Group get proceedings under way
Ecology excite the eye and the ear
Tabot Mix highly individualistic
Rougz Salon show why they have won hair-styling awards
Remember when - Uchenna, Shaherah, Natalie, Theresa and Margarette recall the night they won the Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth crown
Shaherah doesn't forget the Moneygram balloon tree
Youth and experience – a “balanced billing”
Just as the public were settling to the apparently regular routine, the promotion showed its ability to surprise. The young Ecology dancers from Catford – following immediately the senior United Christian Harmony Group – provided the vitality of movement and zest, and the innovative presentation of Tabot Mix had to be seen to be believed. The audience were impressed with each and showed their appreciation. The Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth shows are again becoming known for the quality of the "first-half of the programme" attractions. The hair-styling display by Rougz showed why the salon and its proprietor / stylist Marcia Johnson are regarded so highly. Singer Angel J had time to provide a taster of what was to come later in the evening just before former title-holders – Margarette, Theresa, Natalie, Shaherah, Uchenna and deputies Alafair, Ropa and Patricia spoke about their memories of the title. All sympathised with the young ladies "behind the curtain" - but you could sense that they were dying to "give it one more try". Early promotions for the title opened with an Art Exhibition by celebrated Trinidadian painter Horace de Bourg, but have been suspended as a mark of tribute after Horace and his compatriot and successor Joseph Cromwell-Assee passed away within a few months of each other. Until comparatively recently former title-holders provided the fashion show to complement the contest. Now, however, it is considered to be more appropriate that the previous winners should be permitted to sit back and enjoy the evening and that the contest would find a better "balance" in music and dance in the first half of the programme.
One more pose before the curtain goes up
Natalie welcomes the representatives of two new countries - Morocco (Fatna) and Tanzania (Nadia) - to the competition
O.K. Natalie - let's get the show underway
Isaac takes a bow as the judging panel is introduced
Going the wrong way? Shirley Dee sets out to climb the ladder to success
Jacqueline is determined to maintain the traditional Trinidadian challenge
Uchenna and Natalie step up unrehearsed
Promoter Clayton Goodwin surprised Natalie and Uchenna by asking them to introduce and interview the contestants – it was not rehearsed – and they rose splendidly to the challenge (as would be expected from Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth title-holders). The judging panel comprised former title-holders Margarette and Theresa, journalist Isaac, former commere Shyraine, promoter Patsy, sponsor Anne Rose, and representative of the public JoAnn. The switching of first appearance to the swimsuit parade – in place of evening-dress – caught some seasoned supporters by surprise. It is usually possible to “pick” a potential winner at even this early stage, but not this year as all entrants impressed. A distinctive feature of the Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth promotion is that the contestants walk through the audience. Several said that they were encouraged by calls of support from family and friends - some even went as far as to telephone the young ladies still in the dressing-room to let them know how their rivals had fared and to advise on their own performance. Contestants asked for the "swimwear" and "evening-wear" parades to be reversed in order so that they could speak and be photographed after the decision in the latter. Like so many of the title's distinctive characteristics the parade "through" the audience derives from the days when the show was presented on the North Sea ferry between Harwich and the Hook of Holland. There the stage was separated from the audience by the d.j. "pit" and the ballroom so the contestants had to come from the stage to the public to be seen properly. The procedure has been retained because it gives everybody - even those seated at the back of the auditorium - and equal view of the contestants.
Guest beauty queens are invited to talk about their title
Amanda Hilaire - Top Model of Colour - trod these same boards in the special Silver Jubilee Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth two years ago
Tanya Bhattacharjee, Miss Asia World, wishes the title well
Established promoters are thanked for their support
Alafair Celestine interviewed the guest beauty queens, but while several such title-holders had been seen in the auditorium only Miss Asia World, Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK, Miss Malaika UK, Top Model of Colour took the stage. The promoters, or their representatives, of Miss Zambia UK, Miss Malaika UK, Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK, Miss East Africa UK, Top Model of Colour, the frormer Miss Global International and Miss Cameroon UK were invited to outline their future plans and promotions. Clayton emphasised how much the Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth owed to the support of the established promoters – as well as to the character of the contestants they have recommended. Alas Angela Cox, promoter of Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK, who had supported the promotion since the mid-1990s, was unable to attend due to an injury sustained while travelling a few days earlier. Angela arranged also the fashion shows which complemented the contests at the Wandsworth Civic Centre and Polish Centre in the early 2000s. Incidentally, Patsy White, a judge on this occasion, and herself a contestant in the 2nd Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, choreographed the show's accompanying dance and fashion entertainment in the 1990s. Promotions / enterprises who have recommended previous Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth winners include Owen Shaw Photography, Lads Construction, Miss Ebony Starlight, Leopard Music (Errol Jones), the Shady Grove club, Miss Class (Sandra Andrew), Miss Elegance (Mrs Kerr), Kashmeera Models, Carivog International (Angela Cox), Miss ACS UK (Jacqueline Matovu) and other winners have answered advertisements in the Gleaner and Voice newspapers.
Susan came all the way from Sweden
Ireen reminds the audience that it is Zimbabwe Independence Day
Have you come here to take my crown ? Uchenna inquires of Shirley Dee
The judges have a hard - but pleasant - task
Please - Is there still time to make an impression ?
Martina Moh puts in a word for Moneygram
Contestants show successfully “how to meet unexpected situations”
Uchenna and Natalie established an early rapport with the contestants as they paraded and were interviewed in either evening or traditional wear – “whatever you would wear to a formal reception” at your High Commission they were directed. Few contestants – if any – put a foot wrong even though they had not rehearsed for a contest which seeks to judge on how prospective title-holders meet unexpected situations. Members of the public showed particular interest in the 14 countries which the 18 contestants represented – Nevis, Tanzania and Morocco were represented in the final for the first time. With only three successful contestants to be called back the “biggest cheer of the evening” was, as usual, for the “fifteen who do not come back”. Some spectators recalled the "tight finish" the previous year which went to a "tie break". Because all contestants enter by recommendation, every one is expected to feature prominently on the judges' cards - and there are no longer one or two "favourites" as there were in some previous years when contestants were drawn from a less extensive geographical distribution. The declaration of the winner first - before the runners-up - which is the opposite of generally accepted practice derives from the days when the contest was held on the North Sea ferries between Harwich and the Hook of Holland. Then the ballroom lights were pre-set to go out at a set time - and the decision schedule was cut so fine - that photographers needed maximum time to "snap" the winner before (literally) "the lights went out".
Angel J relished "top of the bill" and showed star quality
The Manic Boyz win applause for an enthralling performance
Yes, you can have my title - Uchenna hands over to winner Shirley Dee
Angel J attains star status
Singer Angel J was so outstanding – “fantastic” as described by one of the judges – that it is a wonder that the panel could keep their mind on the job in hand. Angel J had performed at three previous Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth promotions but, now given top billing, took by storm the stage which she handed to the Manic Boyz dancers. No wonder that with Angel J and the Manic Boyz – and Ecology and Tabot Mix in the first half of the programme – the supporting bill to the contest was considered to be particularly high. And it was just as well, too, because the judges took longer than usual to announce their decision. Angel J is a specialist "wedding" singer - and the promoter dare not leave her out of future Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth shows. Future boxing celebrities Frank Bruno and Audley Harrison have been guests at Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth contests before they were known. Lord Avebury, a judge at the 2nd Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, was delayed by an urgent committee meeting in the House of Lords, but made amends by persuading a number of his "noble" friends to come along with him. Schoolgirl Karen Charlery sneaked into the Podium nightclub in 1984 to watch her sister, Lucia, 3rd Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, hand over the title to Hadda Haye: a decade later Karen, herself, was runner-up in both 1993 and 1995.
Isaac claims the privilege of conducting Shirley Dee's first press interview
The 19th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth and her deputies adjust to their new roles
It's a happy evening for Ghanaians
Photographers rush to the stage
Yet when they handed up the result it was seen that the verdict had been well worth the deliberation. No 13 – Shirley Dee – was received as winner to widespread acclaim. While waiting for the verdict she had left most of the other contestants still in the wings and sought the sanctuary of the dressing-room from which she was summoned promptly. As Shirley Dee and runners-up Jacqueline and Michelle were sashed and crowned a flock of photographers (amateur as well as professional) rushed to the area in front of the stage. Martina Moh presented the crowns and cups on behalf of Moneygram, and Ann Rose Mordi of Jewellery by Anne and Georgina Jarrett of Evoke Leatherware made presentations to the winner. Dr McCarthy represented Cockspur Rum and the Windies Cove restaurant. Other awards had been donated by the Mahogany Model Group and Ben Black Photography. Second-placed Jacqueline Baker and third-placed Michelle Supersad ensured that one or more Trinidadian has been in the "top three" in five of the last six contests - the exception was last year when there was no representative from the twin-island state.
