Miss Africana UK 2024
Photos by Patrick Trollope

ON 8 December 2024, The Black-E in Liverpool celebrated African culture, heritage, beauty, and empowerment, by hosting:- Miss Africana UK.

This stunning event showcased talented African women from across the UK, honouring their culture, talents and beauty.

The Black-E Liverpool is well known as a hub for the global majority communities within the City Region and the performing arts community, providing the perfect stage for this inspiring event.

The event lasted over 3 hours with live performances mixed in with the competitors rounds, that included traditional African dress and African dress inspired outfits, a talent round and a question and answer round.

The event, was organised and run by Pacesetters Business & Entertainment, who put on a host of African culture inspired events within the North West of England, including Liverpool's Liverpool Afro-Cultural Carnival. Also helping with the event was Dove Ross-Williams, who was the Creative Arts Director.

The event not only had fantastic fashion that not only honoured African culture with pride, but they also gave those attending a taste of the culture as well, with fantastic African cuisine being offered to those attending.

The results:-

• Miss Africana UK  2024 is Tofunmi Akingbala.
  

• Bekie Marial Miss Africana UK 1st Princess Miss Africana UK.
  

• Tasha Musanhi 2nd Princess Miss Africana UK.

Well done to all those who took part in the event.

Judges included both:- 2nd Princess of Miss Mrs Africa UK/Ireland 2024, Doreen Ujama Hengari, and Miss Liverpool City Region 2024, Charlotte Grant,

For information on how to enter in 2025 and to find out more about Miss Africana UK please visit:- MissAfricana.UK.

HMS Prince of Wales visits Liverpool
Photos and videos by Paul Frost

THE visit of HMS Prince of Wales and her 800 crew members took place from:- 1 December to 10 December 2024. The visit of this iconic Aircraft Carrier, that is 1 of the Royal Navy’s biggest ships was organised by the Royal Navy in partnership with Liverpool City Council and Global Ports Holding. The visit allowed her crew to engage with local schools, community projects and also receive freedom of the City of Liverpool.

Sadly, the visit of the 65,000 tonne warship did not go to plan, thanks to Storm Darragh. The high winds and rain, on the 7 December 2024 resulted in the cancellation of that days public viewing. As the storm approached Capt Blackett said:- "We are not going to be able to get you on board tomorrow. It's unsafe, and we're going to have cancelled opening of the ship to visitors on Saturday. The weather does improve on Saturday night, and we are still planning to open the ship on Sunday. For those of you who have tickets on Sunday, we'll look forward to seeing you on board."

It was not all bad news as people could still look at her from the the Pier Head as Her mooring was on the Liverpool Cruise Terminal and all the other events and activities went to plan. This included a a special service at Liverpool's St Nicholas Church to sign the Freedom of City Book, on:- 6 December 2024. This was followed by a fantastic paraded through the City, with a salute at the Liverpool Town Hall.

Even as she departed, the Liverpool Cruise Terminal, bound for Portsmouth, where she will begin preparations for her maiden deployment in the spring, a firework display was held, making for amazing memories for the crew, but also fantastic photo opertunities for the pubic on both sides of the River Mersey.

Over her visit Paul Frost followed Her visit for us sent us these photos and video, that can also be located on his YouTube Channel and on his Flicker profile.