It has been a few years since the Guyanese community in the United Kingdom were treated to a show of talent, beauty and finesse. All roads led to the Brixton town Hall last Saturday night (17th November 2012) as Kaiteur Entertainments pulled out all the stops to stage a long missed, Miss Guyana UK Pageant 2012.
Pageant Director Tracey Benjamin. Photo courtesy Albert St Clair
Typical of Guyanese people the men were dressed in their Sunday best some looking more elegant than James Bond 007, while the women were not to be left out as they donned incredible dresses, single piece, two piece and even three piece outfits.
Contestant Escort Ashane
It was truly a night to behold and the atmosphere was set for an event that has been long accustomed to very large expectant audiences given the reputation of the calibre of the show.
Pageant Director Felicia Benjamin. Photo courtesy Albert St Clair
The main organisers Tracey and Felicia Benjamin ably assisted by Lorraine Williams, Contestant Liaison and Mentor; Herman Nurse, Floor Manager; Ashane, Contestant Escort along with Gillian Bernard and Neville Johnson, the presenters delivered a show that arguably ranks among the best beauty pageants staged so far this year.
Presenter Gillian Bernard and Neville Johnson. Photo courtesy Albert St Clair
With a strong and supremely experienced panel of judges the contestants and the audience were sure due care and attention would be exercised to ensure the most deserving contestant won.
Floor Manager Herman Nurse. Photo courtesy Albert St Clair
The panel comprised Angela Cox Director for Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK, Angel Sinclair Director for Models of Diversity, Beverley Fraser Miss Guyana UK 1996, Bonnie Lock International Super Model, Nick Reynolds International Award Fashion Photographer, Duke Chaudhray London Fashion Production Executive, Sherine Brand Director Brand-U, Dr Patrick Williams Adjudicator and Enjane Rhule Assistant Adjudicator.
Contestant Liaison and Mentor Lorraine Williams. Photo courtesy Albert St Clair
Adding to the splendour of the evening was a touch of regality as His Excellency the High Commissioner for Guyana and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Mr Laleshwar Kumar Narayan Singh graced the venue with his presence and delivered an excellent pledge of support to the organisers and the pageant while complementing them on a job well done.
Choreographer Reuben P. Joseph.
In spite of the many standees the general atmosphere was one of optimism and excitement as a sense of camaraderie between those seated and those standing saw some folks sharing seats and taking turns to sit. In the end everyone saw and enjoyed the show and united in praise for a well thought out program.
His Excellency Mr Laleswar K. N. Singh, High Commissioner for Guyana
Though there were many segments that stood out for creativity and impact, the best by far, judging from everyone’s was the James Bond simulation section where the hunk like escorts of the contestants appeared dressed as the legenday Ian Flemming figure 007 and struck cheeky poses with their assigned contestant to the theme song of James Bond provided by the experienced DJ Shogun. This segment was incredible to watch and clearly showed the level of creativity and imagination invested in this come back Miss Guyana pageant.
Shows such as this cannot survive without corporate support with the main or title sponsor being Caribbean Airlines. Other sponsors include Panache Occasions, Grace Foods and M.A.H Bros Cash & Carry and SnowflakeGems to name a few.
Zena Bland
SnowflakeGems provided a special gift to the first runner up winner, Miss Zena Bland, at the end of the pageant. This bespoke design and gemstones used in this jewellery gift was specifically created to represent the land and people of Guyana .
Farah Sattaur
It is also meant to be worn with pride and used as a stepping stone for Miss Bland to speak about the attributes of Guyana when people ask about this jewellery as she wears it. She is a worthy contestant winner as during the question and answer segment of the pageant she stated that she wants to promote a more positive image of Guyana. After the pageant she was telling us that she loves speaking to people with every chance she gets about her native land.
Tamika Price
In summary a good time was had by all and the general concensus is that the event was a success and should return bigger and better in 2013. CaribDirect.com congratulates the team on a superior job and look forward to working with the team again next year!
Franchescia Byam
Yolanda Camacho
Savitrie Ramlagan
Lianka Duberry-Lawrence
Yolanda Camacho
Savitrie Ramlagan
Savitrie Ramlagan
Zena Bland
Tamika Price
Lianka Duberry-Lawrence
Savitrie Ramlagan
Tamika Price
Tyla Brown
Yolanda Camacho
Zena Bland
Tariq Mcleish with Farah Sattaur
Jahmal Germain with Franchescia Byam
Lianka Duberry-Lawrence with Adrian Vincent
Jahmal Germain with Franchescia Byam
Alpha Kargbo and Savitrie Ramlagan
Ashane Deacon with Tyla Brown
Ricardo Farquharson with Yolanda Camacho
Imran Laeeq with Zena Bland
Saxophonist Anthony Price
Reigning Miss Trinidad and Tobago 2012 Queen Janelle Fraser
Guyana High Commissioner L.K.N Singh
The lovely Gillian Bernard doing her thing
Franchescia Byam
Jahmal Germain
Lianka Duberry-Lawrence answers her question with partner Adrian Vincent in background
Alpha Kargbo and Savitrie Ramlagan
Alpha Kargbo
Tyla Brown
Tyla Brown answering question
Tamika Price
Liam Brown
Yolanda Camacho
Ricardo Farquharson
Imran Laeeq with Zena Bland
Tariq Mcleish
Tariq Mcleish with Farah Sattaur and Jahmal Germain with Franchescia Byam
Jahmal Germain with Franchescia Byam
Lianka Duberry-Lawrence and Adrian Vincent
Alpha Kargbo and Savitrie Ramlagan
Alpha Kargbo with Savitrie Ramlagan and Liam Brown with Tamika Price
Liam Brown and Tamika Price
Ricardo Farquharson with Yolanda Camacho
Ashane Deacon with Tyla Brown
Imran Laeeq with Zena Bland
Jahmal Germain
Tariq Mcleish with Farah Sattaur
Adrian Vincent with Lianka Duberry-Lawrence and Alpha Kargbo with Savitrie Ramlagan
Past Queens: (L-R) Berlinda Constantine Miss Guyana UK 1994; Beverley Fraser Miss Guyana UK 1996; Cindy Humphrey Miss Guyana UK Runner up 1995; Rose Shepherd Miss Guyana UK Runner up 1994;
Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK 2012 Janelle Fraser and Nicole Wallace, Miss Caribbean and Commonwealth 2012
(L-R) Shanita Baldeo, Miss Guyana UK Runner up 1996;and Natasha Chin Miss Guyana UK Runner up 1998;
Guyanese artiste Shelly G
Final five; Farah Sattaur, Yolanda Camacho, Tamika Price, Zena Bland and Tyla Brown
First Runner Up Zena Bland and Second Runner Up Yolanda Camacho
Pageant Director Felicia Benjamin dresses Queen Farah Sattaur
A proud Farah Sattaur the new Miss Guyana UK 2012
Zena Bland and Yolanda Camacho flank the new Miss Guyana UK 2012 Queen Farah Sattaur
