Larissa Hirst

While one woman holds the title of Miss England for the year, there is an army of supporters, of loyal friends and family, who have supported them. After all, it is a team effort.

So I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank my supporters. Thank you for fundraising with me, and text voting for me. Thank you for cheering me on during my charity runs and helping with my eco-wear. Thank you for all the support, and not thinking I am crazy when debating different shades of red for a dress. Thank you for taking me to places to help with my campaign. Thanks for coming to shoots, photographing me and giving me opportunities I didn’t even think I could get! Thank you for being so supportive, both physically being there and mentally. You all know who you are!

This year more than ever, I have faced questions about why I would want to re-enter the Miss England contest. And I have found it hard it, especially from some of those closest to me.

The contest has been in one way or another part of my life since I was 19 years old, so it would feel like a big hole in my life if I gave it up altogether. And I think that is the best way of describing it to people. If you told a football fan they weren’t allowed to support their team anymore, how would they feel? And someone who loves cooking or baking, if you told them they couldn’t go in the kitchen more, how would they take that?

I wouldn’t say Miss England is a hobby, but it has been part of my lifestyle for a long time now. It has made me really aware of how we can help others every day in small and large ways, and opened up lots of doors and opportunities for myself.

No matter what, I will always be involved in some way. But if the age limit has been raised, then why not go for it? I believe in taking every chance possible, and yes there was some self-doubt. What happens if I don’t get a grand final spot? What happens if I don’t do as well as last year? What happens if people don’t think I am good enough?

When I first started with Miss England, I was a teenager and I was very afraid of what people thought of me. I am the type of person who really wants to be liked, and my boyfriend would probably say I am a bit of a people pleaser. But now I am older, I kind of don’t care anymore. If people judge me for doing this, and for coming back, so be it. I am not scared. It is an opportunity to embrace.

And what has really spurred me on is messages not just from my supporters, my close friends and family, but from other contestants. I have received amazing support from girls in the Miss Hampshire contest – Channon, Isobelle and Yasmin as well as all the other girlies. I have seen such lovely comments from Hayley, a former Miss Hants, and Laura my catwalk buddy from 2015, as well as messages of support from Natalie and Rachel – both fellow Miss England 2015 alumni. I have had chats at great length with a number of girls, like Miss Sussex Lucy Kent,  my two Charlotte’s Miss Surrey and Miss Rickmansworth, and Abi Hill the new Miss Northumberland. Abi and I go back years and just prove that girls keep fighting for the opportunities our competition gives us.  Just this week Miss Cheltenham 2^nd RU Amy Brown wrote a brilliant blog mentioning myself and that gave me a real self-esteem boost.

There will always be doubters, even those who love you may slip and start to worry. Miss England takes up a lot of time, and it takes dedication from them too. But they are only caring about you, making sure that if you do trip and fall, that they can be there when you dust yourself off. It takes real guts to enter Miss England, but it also takes nerves of steel to be there throughout a girl’s journey. It is gut wrenching to watch your loved one on stage I imagine. So thank you for caring and thank you for all your support.

And as for those doubters who just doubt, just stand back, watch me take a chance, and see me shine! :)

Update: I sent this to my boyfriend and he responded with:

So, we all thought I was retired. I was quite happy watching the contestants of Miss England this year and was looking forward to chilling out a bit.

However, when I handed over my Miss Hampshire crown, I did start to get a bit twitchy. I mean, since I was 19 I’ve been involved in the organisation, either as a competitor or behind the scenes helping with the regional heats. It was the end of an era really, which is probably why my farewell speech was rather emotional (apologies to my partner Ian and judge and Miss England regional heat organiser Kerry Heslewood for making them cry!).

Soon after my handover though I was given the chance to be in the Miss England Semi-Finals, because I made the top 15 in 2015 by winning the Brainy Beauty Award. Most award winners are offered spots to come back and compete as they placed, but at first this wasn’t an option for me because I was initially too old. Then Miss World changed their age range to 16-26, so I was once again eligible.

I felt that twitch again when I saw that change and considered my options. It is hard to put yourself out there again, heck, I have been a Miss England finalist three times already. Even those closest to you start questioning why you want to give it another shot.

The first time I got through was in 2011 representing Dorset. I was a teenager, in the middle of a really difficult year of university, with two jobs and a number of internships. I couldn’t believe I had actually got through, and it was a big learning curve. I was like a rabbit in headlights, and that first taster made me realise just how much work and dedication it would take to win Miss England.

Then in 2014 I got my second shot as I came runner up in Miss Hampshire. I progressed through the semi-finals and gained a spot in the grand final! I also placed in the top 10 in talent which was amazing as I had never performed my talent, bellydancing, on stage until then!

In 2015, in my final year as I was turning 25, I finally won my home county of Hampshire and made the top group in a number of rounds at the finals, including Eco-Wear, Billion Dollar Smile, Sportswoman and Popularity. And then of course I won the Brainy Beauty round which consisted of a general knowledge test. Making that top 15 was the second best highlight of my year; the best being told my boyfriend was in remission with his cancer.

I am eternally grateful to the Miss England organisation for giving me those chances, and I was happy retiring with a top 15 placement to my name. But I am not the type of person to give up, and I can never say no to an opportunity. So when I got a message about Miss London on Facebook, at the same time I was given the semi-final place, and that Miss World had upped their age, I kind of felt like things were pointing me in the direction of one last chance.

If I had given up at the first hurdle, I wouldn’t have raised £3,000 last year for Beauty With A Purpose and Southampton Hospital Charity. I wouldn’t have ran a half-marathon, and I wouldn’t have been able to visit the children’s ward at the hospital and hold an arts and crafts day. I wouldn’t have been in newspapers, magazines and on the TV and radio. My family and I probably wouldn’t have held a garden fete either nor would I have trekked Nottingham for the Wheelchair Awareness Challenge and I wouldn’t have got to play wheelchair rugby with the England team. And I don’t think I would have slept homeless for charity, which was possibly tougher than that half-marathon.

I have been pushed to the limit and done things I never knew I could. And that is the reward of perseverance. Because of these endeavours I have presented fashion shows and county fetes, modelled L.K. Bennett clothing and Clinique, and been gifted lots of great experiences and items including a trip in a Bentley, handmade unique jewellery by Imagination by Cara and a beautiful Mon Cheri dress to wear.  

A few nights ago a friend rang and we discussed me entering the contest again. They said I was addicted to Miss England which struck a nerve. I understood where they were coming from. They could only see one side; that I was putting myself out there once again, and might get knocked down. Some people find that really hard – I certainly used to be scared of failure. My friend was talking about the other contestants and how good they were, some they have never met! My reaction made me think about why I really wanted to try again. Did I want to beat these other girls? No, it has never been about that for me. But do I think I am the best person for the job? Right now yes.

In 2011, when I first got involved, two girls both didn’t make that final; Kirsty Heslewood and Charlotte Holmes. They both went on to win in 2012 and 2013. Some girls only have to try once or twice to get through, and even win Miss England. For others and myself, I know that is not the case. I wasn’t born a winner – I have to try 110% to get something.

I do believe I would be a great ambassador for England and it has taken many years, of being knocked down and then picking myself back up again, and now I can finally begin to say it out loud.

As part of my entry into Miss London, I require a sponsor. For £250 I can offer you my services in marketing, modelling, writing, editing and presenting in return for your support. My sponsor will receive coverage in my blog as well verbal mentions at the final on May 6^th and me wearing their sash. Their logo will also feature on the Miss England and London website.

Please email larissa_19_90@hotmail.co.uk if you’re interested. 

Pictures by Davud Freeman Photography.