Former princess made new Miss Beccles as carnival royalty is crowned

Miss Beccles 2017, Samantha Chapman. Picture: Paul Feek. (Image: Archant)

Samantha Chapman, 22, will take over from last year's winner Stephanie Tsang in representing Beccles at various events throughout 2017.

She was chosen by a panel of judges at the Beccles Carnival selection afternoon on Sunday at Beccles Public Hall.

She said: 'I am delighted and overwhelmed to be representing our wonderful town. I am really looking forward to the forthcoming year and meeting lots of new people along the way at different events.

'I was Beccles Carnival Princess in 2004 and it is such an achievement to now be Miss Beccles. I'd always wanted to enter Miss Beccles but due to work commitments I have only just been able to do so.'

Miss Beccles 2017, Samantha Chapman. Picture: Paul Feek. (Image: Archant)

Miss Chapman works at Baileys in Beccles, and likes animals, waking and keeping fit.

Eleven-year-old Esme Jermany and 10-year-old Lily Gordon were also chosen as this year's carnival princesses.

Esme attends Beccles Primary Academy and enjoys gymnastics, dancing and singing. She said: 'I've never felt so happy and proud I thought I was dreaming.' And Lily, who attends Albert Pye Primary School and enjoys drawing and dancing, said: 'I felt really proud to win but very surprised as it was my third time I had entered. I am really looking forward to attending all the events during the year, and helping raise money for our chosen charity.'

Due to having no entries in the prince competition, the carnival organisers asked last year's prince Josh Brabben to continue his role for another year.

The nine-year-old, who attends Reydon Primary School and enjoys football and swimming, said: 'I was honoured to be chosen as Beccles Prince again this year. I am really looking forward to attending the carnival's and riding on our lorry in the parades.'

Josh, along with last year's princess Brooke Lay, crowned the new princesses and outgoing queen Stephanie Tsang crowned the new Miss Beccles.

Beccles Carnival coordinator Annette Tackley presented Stephanie with a replica trophy and certificate and the outgoing princess and prince with the prize money cheques.

She said: 'It was lovely to see one girl re-enter the princess competition again this year after not being successful in the past and then win this year. It shows if you re-enter you do stand a chance of getting picked the next year as we always have different judges.'

Their first official duties will be on Saturday, June 24, when they will be attending Beccles Hospital Fete selling Beccles Carnival programmes.

The group have also chosen individual charities to raise funds for throughout the year.

Samantha will be raising funds for Beccles Children's Home, and said: 'Hopefully it will change the lives of vulnerable children and help rebuild their childhoods. I want to feel as though I'm helping to change a child's life even if it's just a little bit.'

Princesses Esme and Lily have chosen Beccles Hospital. They said: 'They do a fantastic work and we will all need them at some point.'

And prince Josh will be donating to Beccles Lido. 'I love swimming and I really enjoy spending time down at the swimming pool in the summer with my older brother,' he said. 'It is something that the Beccles Lido committee have worked so hard to keep and it is lovely to have this in Beccles. I also enjoyed watching the triathlon last year which they organised.'

Funds raised last year were presented to Horse Rescue Fund, Beccles Lions, East Coast Truckers children's charity, Beccles Cricket Club and Beccles Scouts.

The Beccles Carnival organisers want to thank the judges, all the contestants and last year's queen, prince and princesses for representing Beccles.

This year's Beccles Carnival weekend is being held on August 19 and 20.

To find out more visit www.becclescarnival.co.ukAnyone who would like Miss Beccles and her attendants to visit an event can call 01502 715671 or email becclescarnival@outlook.com