Hey Future Royals! The people's choice competition is starting in ONE MONTH! You will need to complete this form before 7th June! Big loves! Natalie

Please note that this is subject to change and as a result we respectfully request our contestants to allow us some flexibility. Day one - Friday 15th July 9am - The Newton Room - Check in and registration 9.30am - The Newton Room - Introductions and Icebreakers 10.30am - The Theatre - Introduction and opening number rehearsals* 11am - The Newton Room - Interview hair and makeup (bookable service) 12.30pm - Break for lunch - Light refreshments served in the Newton Room 1.15pm - The Theatre - Modelling / Coaching workshop* 1.15pm - 4pm - Studio 4 - Interviews* 2.30pm - Full Show Run Through 4.30pm - Mindset Workshop *Contestants may be pulled from rehearsals and workshops for hair and makeup or for interview slots Day two - Saturday 16th July 9am - The Newton Room - Station and Dressing Room allocation 9.30am - Eco wear presentation rehearsals 11am - Full show run through 1pm - Break for lunch - Light refreshments served in the Newton Room 1.30pm - Newton Room and Dressing Rooms - Hair, Make Up, Get ready 4.45pm - The Theatre - Roll call and places 5pm - The Theatre - Show Time 7.30pm - Crowning and Pictures Winners to remain for titleholder meeting, headshots and press on morning of Sunday 17th July. Light refreshments will be provided on both competition days. If you have specific dietary requirements, please bring refreshments with you as although we do our best to accommodate, we cannot guarantee availability.

Please could all finalists complete the following form. Many thanks! <3 https://www.cognitoforms.com/MissVoluptuousPageants1/SelectYourDivision

On International Day of the Girl we are celebrating girls' right to education and highlighting the need to eliminate all forms of discrimination against girls. During October, we want to help combat period poverty - please donate sanitary products to your local Hygiene Bank by visiting https://thehygienebank.com/give-products/

On August 19, we are paying special tribute to the real-life heroes who have committed their lives to helping others in the most extreme circumstances throughout the world. Being a humanitarian doesn’t have to mean traveling to a war zone — the point of humanitarian aid is to alleviate people’s suffering and maintain human dignity. There may be plenty of options for you to do just that close to home. Try volunteering at a homeless shelter, a nursing home, a hospital or a place that serves underprivileged children. You could also contact local shelters or women's refuges to see if there are any items they are in need of.

The October International Grand Final has been postponed because with just three months to go, the borders are still closed to 50% of our contestants and covid cases are on the rise around the world. This does mean that the UK finals will be impacted. The International final has been postponed to April 2022 and therefore UK finals will have to take place after this date. I know it's frustrating, believe me I do, especially if you've been waiting since last year to actually compete, but we have to do what we can do, and make arrangements around what we can't. I cannot guarantee that the finals will take place in the same location - I am still exploring options and will update you as soon as I can. If we postpone UK finals for the same amount of time as Internationals have been postponed, this will take us to the end of June. I appreciate your patience at this time and I understand it's difficult having unanswered questions, but this is all the information I have at this time. I wanted to be able to give you solid dates and locations, etc, however due to the timeframe of Internationals and 27 incredible women across the world preparing and digesting this information, this is the best I can offer you at this time. Please do not make any announcements about these changes at this time. Many thanks, Natalie

JUNE SERVICE PROJECT - Volunteering JUNE CHARITY - Royal Voluntary Service 1-7th is Volunteer Week - Volunteer every day for 7 days! You may chose any seven days in June. This can be using Q4Volunteer.com if you wish. This month we also celebrate World Environment day, the most important day on our calendar for Environmental impact, which takes place on June 5th. Please organise a beach or park clean this month; this only needs to be for an hour if you've not much time. Get friends, family and children involved, but please make sure you socially distance and wear a mask if necessary.

MAY SERVICE PROJECT May is National Share A Story Month, as well as 2nd - 8th May being Global Education Action Week. We'd like you to collect donations of children's books; the can be new or gently used, should be current titles and may be educational books such as encyclopaedias and atlases, fiction, non fiction and picture books. They can be suitable for children up to age 14. Please send these directly to me; I will post up my address. These will be donated to Books2Africa. If you are in Ireland, you may choose an alternative organisation that may benefit. xxx

Hello beauties! I just wanted to remind you all of some things that are expected of you as finalists! This is the first year in which we are going to International and the past four years I have worked extremely hard to get to this point. It does mean, however that the expectations are extremely high - That's why it's super important to us that we ensure you are ready for life as a Miss Voluptuous Queen. As a finalist, it's your job to be ready to take on that responsibility. Here's is a reminder of what we expect from finalists... MAKING APPEARANCES An appearance is any location that you appear in your sash to support or promote your platform or to support/promote Miss Voluptuous Pageants. Some delegates may attend charitable functions wearing their sash. Others may ride in parades, while others may visit their local dignitaries promoting their platforms. Appearances may also be done online! All delegates are encouraged to support community events and promote their charity first and foremost. Delegates should compile appearances together in a folder, photo album or scrapbook, numbered, with a short summary of each appearance. These will be submitted on pageant weekend and viewed by judges. APPEARANCE ETIQUETTE Miss Voluptuous delegates must be “fashionably groomed” when making public appearances; taking note of wardrobe attire, hair, manicured hands, feet, and makeup. Dress for the job you want; Miss Voluptuous Queens are expected to make an effort. The system is a pageant first and foremost, and a polished appearance shows that you really care about your image, and the image of the system. You are competing to represent your Nation; please present yourself appropriately! Simple but styled hair, natural makeup and a presentable outfit goes a long way. Judges will be looking at your appearances - make sure they see YOU as a Queen. We do not expect our delegates to publicly drink alcohol, smoke, use inappropriate or offensive language or otherwise behave in a manner that could be deemed damaging to the Miss Voluptuous Pageant Brand. You should maximise the opportunity to promote yourself and the pageant; delegates who make the most effort throughout their time as a finalist will be eligible for the Pageant Spirit award. We also have a Publicity award. Remember, we are looking for a delegate who can represent her nation - and that requires a level of commitment. SPONSORS We cannot provide incredible prizes without our sponsors, and finalists are expected to make the effort to promote them. Remember, nothing is for nothing - you are working towards and incredible prize pool and without the sponsors that wouldn't exist. How well you shout about the sponsors will go a long way in you gaining sponsorship again in the future, whether for Miss Voluptuous Internationals or otherwise. We as pageant girls NEED our sponsors, especially when you get to international level - so make a good impression. Sponsors do have the right to withdraw their support at any time; imagine if they chose after your crowning to do so because they didn't see you promote them! As a sponsor myself, I know that I would be less inclined to gift those who couldn't make the time to share my business with her followers and friends. General Advice You are competing for a place at an International Pageant and the International Titleholders who you will be joining in Nashville are watching you. We have a duty to make sure the UK is seen a fierce contender for the international crown! Your online image is imperative - from photos to posts, please make sure you are showing yourself in the best light. That means being a little more selective about what you share with the virtual world. Obviously, this is all general advice, and I communicate these things because I want you all to present your best selves. I cannot make you take note. However, I also cannot promise that when selecting a titleholder to go to international that these things will not be taken into consideration. We have, in the past, come very close to a point tie, in the event of which it is up to the director to award the title. Should that decision have to be made, the above will be a huge factor! This is your opportunity - give yourself the best chance of grabbing it <3

Q Is the deadline for the final payment due on the 30th July or 23rd August? A 23rd August. Q Do we need to get prior permission from you in terms of each business we write to for sponsorship, each appearance that we do, etc.? A No - just give us a heads-up if you get a sponsorship offer. Q Do you have any examples of appearance books? A I will add some photos! Q Are we doing an Opening Dance number? If so, would we be required to dance in heels, and how hard would the choreography be? A You don't need to wear heels and the choreography will be very simple walking patterns with minimal dance moves. Q In terms of loaning an Opening outfit, do I need to contact Apples and Pears prior to the final? A No; We will get that sorted. Liz brings all of her dresses Finals weekend for you to choose from. Q Will we be sent over the Bio Sheet that we need to complete? A Keep an eye out on here; it will be posted on Friday. Q In terms of sponsorship, will there be advertising space to offer businesses in the form of a programme or the website, or is it just reserved for our own social media page? A We will help you to advertise your sponsors on our official facebook page.

Here is your list of things you need to bring with you! Documents highlighted on the post {Paperwork} in the Important Information section of the forum! Photo ID Proof of charity funds raised (if applicable) Appearance / platform book or folder Proof of heritage if applicable Shoes for stage outfits Comfortable rehearsal shoes Smart casual rehearsal outfits - please remember judges may be present Interview wear Fashionwear and accessories Ecowear and accessories Gown and accessories Under garments - ie seamless pants, strapless bras etc Lunch for both days - due to health and safety we are unable to offer buffet style food as with previous years. We will offer individually wrapped refreshments I hope this helps! <3 Natalie x