OVER the years, the Miss West Lothian event has raised tens of thousands

of pounds for a huge variety of

charitable causes. And during the course of the year, contestants will often carry out a number of events in aid of the chosen charity, as well as giving time to help other worthy causes. This year, as well as helping raise money for the West Lothian breast cancer charity Bosom Buds, we will also be helping wrap presents for the West Lothian Toy Appeal. The Miss West Lothian contestants have a long-standing relationship

with the West Lothian Toy Appeal and we hope to strengthen that even further in the coming years. We normally raise money for different charities every year, although the main criteria is that the money raised must be used in West Lothian, as it has been given by citizens of West Lothian. Suggestions for charities are always welcome, but we do not normally make a decision about the chosen charity until at least midway through the year. So contestans should now keep it uppermost in their mind that the whole purpose of taking part in Miss West Lothian is to

benefit other people less fortunate than themselves. Of course there is a winner, but every contestant is equally important, given that all girls are making the same contribution towards the event. Girls who do not make it through

to the stages of the final ten are encouraged to stay behind and support those who do. As we said, everyone who takes part in Miss West Lothian is a winner, but charity is always guaranteed to come out on top. And that’s they way we plan to keep it . . .

JUDGE Maria Przybylska is well known to all this year’s finalists, having worked

with them at the recent Miss West Lothian workshops at Grand Central.

Possibly less well known to the girls is David Park, owner of Park Digital.

However, David is one of the most experienced of all Miss West Lothian

judges, and has been a member of the judging panel for each of the last five

finals. As well as being a judge, David is one of the event’s main sponsors

and provides all the much-needed photocopying for Miss West Lothian. There are a total of 18 judges on the night, from a variety of backgrounds. The chair of the judging panel is Charles Earley, whose role is to oversee the marking on the evening. It’s a points-based marking system and with 18 judges, Charles has a demanding job on the night. Please be patient, as it is time consuming adding all the judges’ marks up

No photos please - we’re judges

ENTRY on the evening will be £6, with all proceeds

going to this year’s nominated charity, Bosom Buds. Each finalist can purchase two tickets, which will then guarantee seats at the front for the purchasers. For everyone else, it’s a case of pay at the door on the night. The event will be broadcast on all The Club’s large-screen TVs, meaning a good view of proceedings from every vantage point. Once the event gets underway, at 8pm, there is virtually no halt in the proceedings until the new Miss West Lothian is announced, probably somewhere about 11.30pm. However, this year, we will be having a very short interval, during which we

will carry out a prize draw raffle, with the proceeds from that also going to the charity Bosom Buds. A generous donor has also given us a signed, framed Rangers top, which will be auctioned on the night, with the money raised from that also going to Bosom Buds. Girls are encouraged to bring as many supporters as they can, and with marks awarded for audience reaction, it’s in their own interest. Supporters can make banners, t-shirts, badges etc. and whatever they think might help cheer on their favourites. We would ask, though, that every girl be given encouragement and supporters should not be negative towards any other contestant as it’s all for

charity.

Pay at the door

Charity is always the winner at Miss West Lothian

GIRLS might be wondering how, with so many girls taking part in the final, the judges

will remember them. In fact, it’s very simple - it’s a numbers game. Girls will be allocated a number, chosen at random, on the night of the rehearsal, This will be the order in which they come out in front of the judges on the final night. Contestants will then be divided into three or four groups and will first come out indivually, and then as part of their group. At that stage, there’s no difficulty with identities, as compere Alan Scott will name each girl individually as she comes

out. However, once all the groups have come out in front of the judges, there is a final chance for the panel to adjust their marks. At this stage, every girl will come back out as part of one large group, to give the judges a last look. Almost every judge makes minor adjustents to their sheets at this stage, adding a marke here and there and taking away the odd mark in some cases. To aid with identification, girls will be given a cardboard number, so judges will know who they are. Make sure you show your number clearly to the judges, or your number could be up for a top ten place.

It’s a numbers games for the finalists on the night

Contact Eddie on 07963 483 442 to help with promotional work

11 NovemberEdition 5Miss Print

The Newspaper for Miss West Lothian entrants