Miss Mansfield Grace Turner looks back on the first half of her reign

A quartet of Miss Mansfields - from left, newly crowned Grace Turner, contest Organiser and 1989 winner Tricia Mapletoft, outgoing title holder Alice Kurylo and Alicia Caley from 2011

Here Grace looks back on fast-paced first half to her tenure and looks ahead to an exciting second six months - which will include jetting across to Mansfield, Ohio, in America for its beauty pageant.

Six months ago I never would have thought my life would have changed so much as it did on the 2nd November 2013.

I’d always wanted to do Miss Mansfield but never thought I was right for it, after a very nervous walk to the salon I handed my picture in and so then it began. Hearing my name felt something of a dream, and I question myself did they really just call me name?

I’ve won Miss Mansfield and I was determined to make the most of my year and do everything that I could.

Already in the past six months I’ve been able to attend balls, events to raise money for local charities.

I’ve been able to get involved in so much such I never thought I could.

The Big Snore was a great experience and I had a lovely time meeting new people.

Wild Warrior was a fun and extremely tiring day which, if I hadn’t won, I’d have probably never of done.

For my 20th birthday, I switched on Mansfield’s Christmas lights, not many people could say that, what a great birthday.

Christmas is my favourite time of the year and I spent a lot of time with everyone at Portland College going to balls and days with them which was lovely and so special.

Now I’m looking into my last few months and I’m more excited then ever. In June, I will going to Mansfield in Ohio, America, to attend their state pageant,meet local people and get a feel of their town and an insight into Mansfield there compared to our Mansfield here.

I’m looking forward to representing everyone here and I hope I do a good job.

I have a midnight walk with the Stags to raise money for the Rainbows charity and a memorial ball for James Bulger.

I also have a skydive to prepare myself for and my final ball as Miss Mansfield to raise money for my chosen charity, the Little Princess Trust, as well as all of those I have so much more too.

Miss Mansfield has changed my life and I don’t regret entering at all, if I didn’t I wouldn’t be able to experience all of this and meeting the amazing people I have.”