Calling all Derby Roses

We're searching for blooming beauties for this year's Rose of Tralee contest.
Annabel Caulton met up with Erin Jennings, last year's winner of the Derby Rose competition.

St Patrick's Day may be long gone but Derby's Irish community are still in party spirits. The annual Rose of Tralee contest is creeping up on us and a night of revelry is planned for May 10th this year.

Eligible Roses must be between 18 and 25 years of age, unmarried and without children. Of course, you've got to be a girl and you have to have that all important Irish background, a rose isn't a rose without Irish roots.

Poise and personality
Contest organiser, Mary Murphy says: 'We're looking for girls with poise, personality, charm and natural beauty. The contest has been happening for over 40 years and the winner becomes an ambassador for her area and then hopefully for her country'.

Last year's contest was a sell out success and the bell of the ball for the evening was Erin Jennings of Stenson Fields.

Erin told us that the evening is a fantastic affair: 'The Irish community in Derby is relatively small but what it lacks in numbers it more than makes up for in strength. There's a huge feeling of friendliness on the night, both between the girls and the audience who all find themselves sharing drinks and swapping stories'.

Unfortunately our Erin didn't take the National title. Siobhán McCullagh from Tyne and Wear won on the night and went on to represent the UK at the huge annual festival in Tralee where she competed with girls from over 30 countries.

Erin was philosophical however: 'I have spent the year as Derby's Rose, it's been a great experience, I've grown in confidence and I've been promoted twice at work, I'm sure winning the contest had something to do with it'.

As part of her role Erin has appeared at quite a few local events throughout the year including the opening of O'Brien's coffee shop in Derby city centre and she did a reading at the Saint Patrick's Day mass at St Mary's Church.

And her advice for future roses? 'Go for it. Don't hesitate for an instant, it's such a rewarding experience. It gives you a real sense of where you came from. Just be yourself. If you have a happy face, a friendly smile and you're open and genuine on the night you simply can't go wrong'.