Can you spot the best dressed lady?
LADIES DAY MAKES ITS GRAND RETURN IN FINE STYLE
A COUPLE who are dotty about each other enjoyed a double celebration at Ladies’ Day in Newcastle on Saturday.
Lindsey Bamborough was picked as the winner of the day’s best-dressed competition after impressing judges in a stunning black and white polka dot outfit. And she revealed she was already enjoying a special day as she and husband Chris were celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary.
“My heart is going, my tummy is flipping!” she said after being handed a gift bag of prizes, not even knowing what it included. The annual competition prizes, which this year went to all 10 finalists, are often a big draw for entrants and include jewellery, beauty treatments, spa days, hotel stays and festival tickets.
The couple, from Woolsington near Newcastle, had picked a trip to Ladies’ Day as their anniversary celebration and revealed that after devoting all their time to their sons – 10-year-old Connor, who has special needs and disabilities, and Flynn, aged three – and the lockdown, they decided it was time for some treats this year. “We’ve never had babysitters before,” said Lindsey. “But we decided to bite the bullet and come out and have fun!”
She said she had bought her fortiesstyle dress from Boohoo and Chris, as a suprise, had ordered her a black and white hat to top off the look. “I’d been going to go for a black one but he had a hat made to match as a surprise – he’s so sweet!” said Lindsey.
Chris then complemented his wife’s look with his spotted tie and socks.
As he watched the Style Awards announcement, he didn’t initially realise his wife had won, thinking
she’d made second place. The delighted couple then were deciding how to celebrate – they might go on to Jesmond said 42-year-old Lindsey – until 9pm, before their return home. “I wish I was like Cinderella!”
Lindsey added: “I’ll have a stiff drink to calm down!” and joked of her win: “Obviously I’ll have to sign some autographs!”
Glamorous outfits transformed Gosforth Park into a sea of colour as Ladies’ Day made its return in trademark style following the pandemic.
The return of the sporting and social highlight of the year saw the crowds in buoyant mood as queues built up before doors opened at 11am.
Sunshine and cloud – then showers – were the forecasters’ predictions but it seemed nobody much cared what the weather might have in store.
For many, Ladies’ Day is an excuse to dress up, get out and about with
friends again and make the most of what is – like June’s Plate Day – one of Newcastle Racecourse ‘s biggest events of the year. The atmosphere was building as crowds mingled outdoors and in the bars ahead of the 1pm start of the day’s eight races.
A group of friends from Gateshead were among the racegoers who said: “It’s just nice to have a reason to dress up!” Among them was Debbie Belle, who was delighted to have chance to dig out a dress she’d bought pre-covid. “I’ve never worn it,” she said while friend Barbara Gates said: “I’ve had mine 15 years!”
She added of Ladies’ Day: “It’s all about the atmosphere for me.”
Meanwhile, for the first time since 2019, Newcastle’s Pride march returned to the city centre – and thousands revelled in an party atmosphere as they made their way from the Civic Centre to Exhibition Park. Marchers
came from all walks of life. Those enjoying the festivities ranged from toddlers to the older generation and an inclusive event saw trans rights affirmed and campaigners raise awareness of just how diverse our community is.
There were some familiar faces – drag performers Danni Delonco and Titania Gemini were having a ball, while fundraiser Colin Burgin-plews, better known as the Big Pink Dress had ditched pink for a fetching rainbow number – but for many it was their first ever Pride march.
The march began at the Civic Centre and passed along Northumberland Street and Blackett Street before turning back up Percy Street and heading towards its finale at the Town Moor.
Billed as lasting around 50 minutes, this years Pride took far longer as thousands of brightly dressed people snaked their way through the city.