Photographs by Ben Black - please contact Ben (above) to order copies This selection of only part of Ben's photographs of the Sashing - please contact Ben direct for details. Thank you.
Shirley Dee is "sashed" as 19th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth by her predecessor Margarette Alcindor, 6th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth
And here is Shirley with the Sash
SHIRLEY’S TITLE SUCCESS IS DUE TO HER “MOTIVATION” Asserts photographer Ben Black who recommended her to the title
Former title-holders pledge to support Shirley “I am proud to have been the first African winner” – Margarette “The trip to Ghana was the highlight of my reign” – Shaherah “I remember fondly the appearances I made for charity” - Theresa
Shirley Dee’s reign as the 19th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth title-holder began officially when she was “sashed”on a wet and windy early summer’s evening at Windies Cove restaurant in Greenwich, south-east London. She was welcomed to the title by former holders Margarette Alcindor, Theresa de Roche and Shaherah Jordan. There were messages of support also from Hildah Mulenga, promoter of the Miss Malaika UK pageant, from Ireen Chikawashira, Deputy Miss Malaika UK, and, on behalf of the promoters of Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK, by Alafair Celestine, who among her own several titles is a former Deputy Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth.
Margarette, who performed the “sashing” of her fellow-Ghanaian, spoke with pride on being the first African contestant ever to win Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth. She recalled the “Golden Age” of the promotion and of the beauty contest industry, to which she saw many similarities today, and she was impressed by the high standard of beauty of the current contestants. Shaherah spoke with emotion about her own promotional trip to Ghana and the undying effect which that country has had on her. Theresa highlighted appearances she made for charity, particularly in association with other beauty queens. All pledged to support Shirley during her term of office.
The main difference in the Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth title’s development has been the enhanced African dimension. Even as recently as Shaherah’s victory in 2004 the “top three” places were taken by Caribbean contestants. In her own victory in 1986 Margarette was one of only two African contestants in the “field” of 18 contestants. Now in the last three promotions, including the special Silver Jubilee Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth show, there have been two African winners and four African runners-up.
Promoter Clayton Goodwin spoke of the pre-eminence of the Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth on account both of its longevity – as it had been contested first in 1981 – and that so many holders of other major titles had not been successful in their attempt to win the Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth crown. He referred, too, to the different qualities which the former holders present had brought to the title. Photographer Ben Black laid aside his camera for a moment to outline the qualities which he had noticed in Shirley – as, indeed, he had recommended her to the contest – and reasoned that “motivation” was the most important.
Shaherah Jordan, 17th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, arrives early to await her successor
Margarette Alcindor, 6th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, the first Ghanaian (and first African), to win the title greets her compatriot Shirley Dee
Theresa de Roche, 9th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, was the first to put Southeast London - and Grenada - "on the map" for the title
Shirley Dee, 19th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, listens to the words of her predecessors
Now it is official - Shirley receives the Sash from Margarette
And now the Tiara
Ireen Chikawashira, Deputy Miss Malaika UK, leads the congtratulations from guest beauty queens
Hildah Mulenga, promoter of Miss Malaika UK, came all the way to London from Southend-on-Sea to add her congratulations
Alafair Celestine, Deputy 17th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, spoke also on behalf of the promoters of Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK
Shirley Dee - the "Queen"
Theresa shares some thoughts with Shirley Dee
A whole heap of titles - Shaherah, Alafair, Shirley, Margarette, Theresa
"The Cast" - for the evening's proceedings
Shaherah welcomes Shirley and offers her advice
Memories are made of ..... beauty
Shirley greets the husbands of her predecessors
Did you guess that Esbun is married to Theresa ?
And David to Margarette ?
Julian and Shaherah seem to be a little shy - but then we did see their wedding photographs more recently
Oui, Shirley, c'est Le Guide du Londonnien C'est tres bon, n'est-ce pas, Isaac
With our apologies to our friends who can really speak French
It is a good job that Shirley does not mind posing - there will be a lot more in the months ahead
Well, Shirley, that's one way of finding somebody as beautiful as yourself
Ireen and Shirley face up to the camera, the world, and the imminent prospect of going out into the rain
Hopelyn Goodwin and Margarette's mother share thoughts on ...... no, we are not going to intrude
Shyraine Mubiana (left) - formerly commere, judge and contestant in Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth joins the party
Esther Banda, Miss Southern Africa UK, teams up with Shirley and Alafair
O.K. - if you insist, we must have the traditional beauties and the beast shot
Esther (Zambia) and Alafair (Trinidad & Tobago) ensure that Shirley does embrace the entire Caribbean and Commonwealth
Good night every-one ....... Shirley thanks representative of Windies Cove for another enjoyable evening
