Sixteen year-old Jenny Yip was selected to become Burnham-On-Sea’s new Carnival Queen on Saturday evening (July 30th).
At a packed ceremony in Burnham’s Princess Theatre, the King Alfred School student was chosen by a panel of five judges to lead this year’s carnival parade.
Burnham Lions Club, which organised the event, said it was delighted with the support for this year’s competition, which saw six girls running for the role of Queen (pictured right) and 20 for the two positions of Princess.
New Queen Jenny told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I am completely surprised to have won and also incredibly honoured. The excitement is now really starting to build for the big day in November.”
The judges also selected this year’s two Princesses, who will accompany the Queen, as Catherine Tolley (9) and Alyssa Jarvis (8).
During the evening, each of the nominees was asked a series of questions to assess their personality by commentator Russell Dyson followed by a further question from the judges, who included Malcolm Borland, President of Burnham Carnival Association, Julie West from N-Hance Hair Studio, Mayor Michael Clarke, Lucy Gunter from the Lucy Gunter Dance School and Lions President Scott Walsh.
Scott told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We had a great turnout this year and a very high standard of entries. The girls answered the questions really well and it was a wonderful evening all round.”
“The voting for the position of queen was incredibly close, which demonstrated the high standard and tough decision we had. We are delighted with the final choice and Jenny will be a superb queen.”
He thanked the panel of judges, DJ Paul Hayle, commentator Russell Dyson, and Highbridge’s Lucy Gunter Dance School, who performed a dance routine during the interlude.
The selection of the queen is the first event during the run-up to the 2011 Highbridge and Burnham Carnival, which will be held on Monday November 7th.
RELATED LINKS:
Burnham-On-Sea Carnival 2011
The Princess nominees waiting to hear if they had been selected
And the queen nominees faced a nervous wait to see if they had won the crown
Last year’s Queen Anna Kevan and Mayor Michael Clarke congratulated Jenny
The judges – Malcolm Borland, President of Burnham Carnival Association, Julie West from N-Hance Hair Studio, Burnham’s Mayor Michael Clarke, Lucy Gunter from the Lucy Gunter Dance School and Lions President Scott Walsh
The Lucy Gunter Dancers impressed the audience with their performance during the interval (Pictures: Burnham-On-Sea.com & Mike Lang)
