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Miss Hastings keeps her crown



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Published Date:
15 July 2008
Miss Hastings will not lose her crown despite posing topless in an series of erotic photographs.
The Observer revealed on Friday how budding model Gemmaine Baughurst was advertising her services through a collection of topless photographs on two modelling websites.

Gemmaine, who is also the Hastings Old Town Carnival Queen, said she was available for a range of modelling jobs, including lingerie, glamour, nude and artistic nude.

However, she does make it clear she is not interested in any work of an adult nature.

One of the websites has since taken down her profile, which included topless photographs, but the second website, which showcased similar images, remains online.

Gemmaine was unveiled as the new Miss Hastings in April after two previous failed attempts at getting the coveted crown.

She will remain in her position after the committees of both the Carnival Association and Hastings Week endorsed her as Carnival Queen and Miss Hastings following emergency meetings.

Dozens of people have contacted The Observer since the initial story went online - with most offering their support to Gemmaine. Many were quick to praise the good work she has done with local charities argued that she is a good role model and figurehead for the town.

Others mentioned her plans to raise cash for Huntington's Disease Association by taking part in a forthcoming charity event and said she should not be attacked for trying to pursue a career in glamour modelling.

One family friend has even set up a group on social networking website Facebook urging people to head down to Hastings Town Centre tomorrow (Wednesday) at 6.30pm wearing "knickers and bras, shorts and tops" to show support for Gemmaine.

What do you think about the decision? Is Gemmaine a good role model? Leave your comments or messages of support for her below.

The full article contains 306 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 15 July 2008 12:08 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Hastings
 
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Hastingsblue,

feels like a medieval witchhunt 15/07/2008 13:13:43
this whole story is a storm in a D Cup. So called big news in a small town , were the local press trying to recruit an angry mob?.

A young girl promotes herself for her chosen type of work. So What! the only people hurt here are the ones hurt by the "News" paper people. I suggest you print your apology and move on to your next Victim/Story

2

Ex-disgusted,

Hastings 15/07/2008 13:38:23
The local press got its angry mob. Unfortunately for it, it was united against the local press. What was the Observer thinking, did it take leave of its senses for a moment? The facts of the story were true but they were slanted in such a prurient, skewed (and journalistically inept) way I'm not surprised that everyone has rushed to Gemmaine's defence. This story raised my hackles simply because it just was so patently UNFAIR. Its good to see the carnival committee understands the mood of the town better than the Observer does. To make amends, I suggest the Observer makes a donation to a charity of Gemmaine's choosing, prints an apology, and then learns from the experience.
3

That's wrong,

Bexhill 15/07/2008 14:02:38
So the carnival committee were not as 'shocked' as you made out.
Is this piece an apology or a story?
4

Vinnie Ton,

Hastings 15/07/2008 14:16:32
I don't know why everyone is so uptight towards the newspaper. They just reported a set of facts. There was no comment involved, so of course there should be no apology.

People are upset purely because this story came to light in the first place, and Miss Hastings has been embarrassed. That's just bad luck and sour grapes.

Hopefully lessons will be learned from this - like if you're representing our town at children's carnivals nationwide, keep your clothes on.
5

janandnigel,

sevenoaks kent 15/07/2008 14:37:50
Maybe I have as much time on my hands as the rest of people that make comments .I am glad she has kept her crown after all it was for beauty not representation of a town i am proud of her and so should the people of hastings.oh and by the way its not Gemmaine that should ever feel embarrassed it should be the paper for publishing it and the people that were on the witch hunt
An apology should be made and as for the Hastings Carnival committee A BIG WELL DONE for seeing it through and making what was the right decision. Well done to everybody for taking the time.
6

Ex-disgusted,

Hastings 15/07/2008 15:04:44
Comment was implied by the paper's choice of words: 'seedy' 'exposed', the gloating descriptions of the poses, and the snide picture caption "we protect Gemmaine's modesty" over an unlicensed and modified picture. None of that was what you would call neutral reporting, was it?
7

batm,

Hastings 15/07/2008 15:42:06
It is such a relief to hear that Gemmaine will still be Quuen. Now we can get on with a carnival that EVERYONE will enjoy!
8

Darryl,

Hastings 15/07/2008 16:51:38
I don't know what all the fuss is about.

Good luck Gemmaine.

Its clear the Observer has a page 3 syndrome obsession.

Yet stories such as our MP voting for the continuation of the disgusting " John Lewis List of MP's expenses" go unreported. If the Observer wants to be taken seriously it needs to get its act together !

9

bart simpson,

15/07/2008 17:08:20
Yeah good luck Gemmainne...

If it was up to the Hastings Observer and the council, the only royalty we would hear about, would be
'' The Drama queens at the Town Hall'', and their photo opportunies....

Gemmaine is much better looking!
10

kim66,

hastings 15/07/2008 21:59:47
Thank goodness that people do no believe everything they read, and still have the ability to look outside a biased and unprofessional journalists story. well done Gemmaine just hope you get the appology the observer owe you. Thank you to all our family for your support, love and wisdom, and to all in the Hastings carnival who have supported us through this time, also a big thankyou to all involved in Hastings week but mostly as always to the general public who have really been fantastic in their love support and kindness from Gemmaines mum and Gemmaine xxxxxx
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