Contents:
- Editor's welcome
- Crimble Hall
- Shelby Bros Take over The Wellington
- Hairdressing Trend - Grey is the new blonde
- The Medicine Tap
- Rochdale Online
- Interview with Gwen Raby »
- Rochdale Town Hall
- Woman Of Rochdale 2018
- Choice of homes in Rochdale town centre to be transformed
- Between The Vines
- Shop ‘til you Drop
- Get up to speed with Brown’s Cakes
- Magical Moths
- Sophie Cox
- Hot Topic: Lisa Stansfield
- Summer – Time to spring into action with Dr Chauhan
- You get a lot for your money with the new Audi Q5
- Rochdale Food & Drink Festival
- Victorian buildings uncovered in Rochdale town centre
Summer 2018Interview with Gwen Raby
Beauty queen from Rochdale who is pursuing a career in modelling after reaching the Miss England Final
It’s coming to the end of your year as Miss Southport. What sort of things have you been getting up to?
I turned the Southport lights on with East 17, and walked in the Derian House Fashion Show. I judged ‘best dressed’ at the Southport Flower Show, went to the Formby festival, the Woodvale Rally, the Bolton Food and Drink Festival, and a café opening.
What have you enjoyed most about your year?
I’ve loved my involvement with charity events plus helping and encouraging others. I would look up to the girls with titles whilst I was competing, so it has been nice to be an ambassador for them.
After raising almost £5,000 in the last three years whilst working towards various titles, it has been great to still be involved.
How did it feel to make the final 50 contestants of the Miss England Grand Final in 2017?
I had the best time. Whilst I didn’t manage to achieve my dream of being in the top five, just being there was a dream. I think I was one of the top fund raisers and I placed in the top 15 for the ‘Miss Beautiful Hair’ award.
I’ve had so many amazing opportunities since then, even representing Southport and the contest at the launch of new clothing company ‘MeSheMe.’ I walked in their London show and modelled for their website, a real push for my modelling career.
How did you get started in pageants?
Having low self-esteem and a lack of confidence, I decided to go for it after hearing they boosted confidence. It definitely changed my life for the better. The more I competed, the more I wanted to use the title for good, and I started my ‘Big Up Sista’ campaign.
Tell us more about ‘Big Up Sista’.
The media portrays this ‘perfect image’ of how girls should look, so I ran workshops talking about the importance of self-love and positive body image. I showed schoolgirls edited and unedited photos, so they could see that everybody has imperfections.
I am proud to have used my titles to promote a cause that means so much to me; I don’t think I would have had the courage to do so otherwise. Starting out, my aim was to help other young girls that struggled in the same way and I am happy I’ve achieved this.
What’s next for you?
It saddens me to say I have hung up my pageant shoes, at least for now, whilst I focus on my modelling career. I have loved being involved with the Miss England organisation, who have helped me believe in myself enough to pursue this career path.
Right now though, it’s time for me to focus on my dreams. I will also be spending a year in Australia next year, something I have always wanted to do.