AECC Wedding Exhibition

Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th November from 1 – 3.30pm both days I was guest model for La’Orr Boutique and Dedicated 2 Weddings, wearing a stunning wedding dress very similar to the one I was featured wearing on the front cover of Dedicated 2 Weddings Autumn / Winter magazine.
The dress bodice alone cost thousands as it is encrusted with Swarovski crystals and really has to be seen close up to be appreciated.
As Miss Commonwealth Scotland I have recently been chosen to represent La’Orr Boutique as The Face of La’Orr and they are designing a unique purple silk and tartan dress for me to wear when I am crowned Miss Commonwealth Scotland for the 2nd year at Miss Commonwealth International the London Palladium where I am also singing.
The Wedding Exhibition was huge and I received a lot of feedback and hopefully some future work too.

Fireworks Display

Banchory & District Round Table asked me in my capacity as Miss Commonwealth Scotland to light the bonfire for the fireworks display at George V Park on Saturday 5th November…….{of course!}
This is the 400th Anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot and promised to be bigger and better than ever with fireworks by Fireworks Scotland .
The countdown at 6.30pm got the celebrations underway. Weather was perfect, a warm and clear evening, most unusual for Bonfire Night!
I must admit to being nervous about lighting such a huge fire, but I needn’t have worried. I got a very large fireproof glove and a long flame torch. There was a ring of petrol doused sawdust right round the fire. It was very impressive when lit after the countdown.
When the fireworks started I glanced around at the spectators and couldn’t believe the amount of people who had come out. There were absolutely thousands of people and I believe a record crowd.
Donations throughout the event were collected with money going to local charities and worthy causes including Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Team who desperately require an outdoor defibrillator. They got it! The event raised a staggering £6500.

Prepare to Party

Wednesday 9th November in aid of Aberdeen Macmillan Cancer Relief saw another ‘Ladies Night’ at Ardoe House Hotel. The event covered everything the lady needs for the party season ahead, from lingerie, footwear, hairstyling and spa treatments. There was also be a fashion show where again I guest appeared as Miss Commonwealth Scotland, modelling fantastic eveningwear from Frox and Indigo as well as lingerie from Frou Frou. This event raised £2800.

The Féisd at ÒranMόr

This event in aid of Craighalbert Centre for children with motor impairments and Scottish Huntington’s Association on November 10th I sadly had to turn down as I have so much on all over Scotland at present.
A prestigious dinner in Glasgow’s West End I hate to miss, especially when it is for a charity I try and support as much as I can. It is so difficult sometimes when I am working as well as trying to support events.
I was sad to miss rubbing shoulders with Muriel Gray, Kaye Adams and former Scotland football manager Craig Brown.
ÒranMόr is a meticulously converted church which boasts artwork by Alistair Gray but hopefully I will get the chance to visit at a later date.

Night of Stars 

November 12th and off to Bathgate to take part in the Night of Stars. This event at the Cairn Hotel was part of Festival4Stars where finalists performed at this glitzy gala dinner attended by celebrities and local music agents and producers. As a previous finalist and supporter of Festival4Stars charities I was to sing at this event in aid of Children’s hospitals. Festival4stars has raised over £21,000 throughout the country.
It was a brilliant evening with a wealth of talent of all ages. I must confess that although I love singing I am always a nervous wreck before these events. What if I forget the words etc., But I have been assured if you don’t get nervous then it is time to quit.
Little did I know that someone from a very well known agency had been requested to attend the event to some and hear me. He was very impressed and came to discuss business afterwards. Fingers crossed……………………………...

Touch of Tartan Ball

 The Children 1st Touch of Tartan Ball is renowned as one of the glitziest nights in Aberdeen. And what a night!
The Beach Ballroom was buzzing on November 18th and as Miss Commonwealth Scotland I was treated in real VIP style. Shauna Shand really looked after me and introduced me to the special guest for the evening, Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen and his wife Jackie. We instantly hit it off. Many photos were taken of Lawrence and me while I was modelling the Banchory Bangle which as being auctioned.
I met up with the Lord and Lady Provost again, which is always nice as they always make me feel welcome.
The meal was absolutely superb, the guest lovely and the steel band made for a wonderful tropical atmosphere.
My job was to go round all the tables showing off the bangle and the beautiful necklace donated.
The event raised a record and staggering £88,000 ! I really hope that in my capacity as Miss Commonwealth Scotland for another year that I get the chance to attend this event next year, one of the most memorable to date…………………

Maud Christmas Fayre

The first thing to say about this event was IT WAS FREEZING!
I had been asked to officially open the event early on November 19th, but having had a late night at the Touch of Tartan Ball I had to decline. However I agreed to come up in the afternoon and pull the raffle.
In minus 6 conditions I didn’t realise that not only was it the worlds longest raflles………Boy there are some very generous people up in Maud, but that the event was to take place outdoors!
Hundreds of prizes drawn and what seemed like several hours later, I think most went away with at least one prize. My feet were frozen to the ground but I am sure lots of money was made for their worthy cause, The Maud Christmas Lights! 

Alessandra’s Birthday Party

This was something a little different. I promised a friend I would sing at her daughter Alessandra’s 4th birthday party {20th November}.
Not quite sure how it would go, I needn’t have worried. Children’s parties are so different nowadays and all the children know the pop songs so well now.
So after the usual party games and some food, I was introduced as Miss Commonwealth Scotland and Barbie. The girls got up and danced, the boys ran about. When I was finished singing, Alessandra gave me a lovely bouquet of flowers. It was lovely and the innocence of children leave you feeling far more appreciated than many adults do. One little girl even came rushing up to give me a hug and a kiss. Then as I was leaving everyone started waving and calling ‘Goodbye Miss Commonwealth Scotland’. It was fantastic.

Aberdeen Christmas Light Parade

This weekend was my busiest to date. I had just half and hour to get into town to join the Light Parade after singing at the party.
I had been asked to go as a Snow Queen, so the new cream coat with big fur collar came in very handy. I was to ride in the horse drawn carriage with the Lord and Lady Provost and two children for Linn Moor Residential school, Ciaran Williams and Steven Brodie. This was to be at the front of the parade.
The carriage would be followed on by an open topped bus and the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk and then the Dutch School. They had ‘Nottinghill carnival’ animals, clowns etc., which towered into the sky. They were amazing and so real looking. It was really impressive.
We were very lucky to get a very mild evening. The minus conditions lifted just in time and it was clear and dry.
As the Parade set off I was to wave my magic wand under each tier of lights as we went under and the lights would come on.
Most of them did thank goodness. They were beautiful. The Provost remarked on there being the biggest crowds he had seen. There were thousands of people.
The Parade went down the length of Union Street to Castlegate and then all involved were invited to a party afterwards.
I felt very honoured to light the city’s lights this year and it feels very surreal seeing them on and knowing you did.

Aberdeen Cyrenians Christmas Box Appeal

Last year one of my first engagements as Miss Commonwealth Scotland was for a photo call for the Aberdeen Cyrenians for the homeless. Organised by Tricker PR they asked me again this year if I would like to help.
In the past I have helped the charity for the homeless by donating food parcels, fronting their Hat and Scarf appeal and Christmas Parcel appeal and of course last year I took part in the Big Sleepout and presented the awards later in the year.
Naturally I was happy to help promote the charity again. This time for their Christmas Box Appeal. The Cyrenians distribute gifts to local homeless individuals over the festive season. The gifts can be food, hats, gloves, socks etc., and even luxury items like bars of chocolate.
Most people forget that we are not all so fortunate to have homes, heating and food and not everyone on the streets is a drug addict as so many think.
The photo shoot saw me dressed as Mrs Claus, {and quite a sexy one at that I may say}, jumping out of boxes, sitting on them etc.,
Whichever photo is chosen I hope that the appeal helps this worthy charity to providing a little sparkle to some of the homeless over the Christmas period.

Miss Commonwealth International

Many of you may be wondering how I got on at Miss Commonwealth International on 27th November. As you are aware I was being crowned Miss Commonwealth Scotland for the 2nd year and had also been asked to sing at the start studded event at The London Palladium.
A week before I was due to travel to London I received the shock news that the event had to be postponed until July 16th 2006.
This was completely out of the control of the Commonwealth International Organisers and happened because several of the Commonwealth countries were still awaiting visas for their girls {as well as their chaperones} to travel.
As their countries Governments also sponsor them, this was not in order either and there was nothing else to do but postpone the event until all the red tape was sorted.
The High Commissions of the countries involved were in talks daily to the Miss Commonwealth International Organisers but to no avail.
As it happens it is good news for me as it further extends my title time allowing me to continue even longer with all my charity work and other opportunities now coming my way.
It has allowed me more time too to get organised and more time to breathe. As November has been the busiest moth for me with the run up to Christmas it actually after the initial shock, was a huge relief. I no longer had to rush for dress fittings and it has enabled my sponsors and dress designer more time to get things in order.
So July 16th seems a while away but I know with the speed this past year as Miss Commonwealth Scotland has gone, that it will be round before I know it.

The Mall Trinity Road Train Launch

Once again for the second year, Linda Stewart of The Mall Trinity asked if I would like to help launch their Christmas Road Train. As part of the Three Festive Winter Weekends, the Road Train is always a popular event.
Our main street in Aberdeen is closed at the weekends for the three weeks on the run up to Christmas and the Road Train is available to anyone to go up and down the street.
This year a girl who had featured in the local papers was asked to join me along with some of her friends from the children cancer ward at the ARI.
Jessica Webster is only 8 and has endured radiotherapy and is still undergoing chemotherapy for her condition, Ewing’s Sarcoma, a cancer which attacks bone and soft tissue.
We were also joined by the Lord and Lady Provost and the children were treated to the first train ride of the season along with Santa of course.

Evening Express Christmas Carol Concert

I was invited to the Carol Concert on December 7th and joined Evening Express Editor Donald Martin and his other invited guests to a soiree before the event. The concert was fantastic and perfect for getting anyone into the Christmas Spirit. It is heart warming to see so much musical talent in Aberdeen. I particularly liked the electronic chimes and must admit I hadn’t heard anything like it before.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable concert and all in aid of charity. It raised several thousand pounds.

Cyrenians Christmas Box Appeal

The Bon Accord Centre held an appeal for The Cyrenians Christmas Box Appeal where it invited everyone to donate presents for the local homeless.
The event ran from the 12th – 19th December and every day invited celebrities arrived to donate their presents.
I arrived on the 16th and to my surprise the Grampian TV crew were waiting to film.
I was joined by the Aberdeenshire Lord Provost, Raymond Bissett. It was the first time we had met so we had chance to get to know each other.
It is always strange being filmed but always good to see the finished result which went out on North Tonight that evening.
The Christmas Box Appeal was extremely successful and the generosity of the people of Aberdeen and Shire is always heart warming.

So now it was time to put my feet up for a well earned break over Christmas and New Year.
With engagements already booked well into 2006 I am sure I will have plenty more news to report.

Until then may I wish everyone who visits my website a
HAPPY NEW YEAR !