Delighted Birmingham Rose 2006 Lisa Taylor pictured receiving a Perpetual Waterford Crystal Rose Bowl from John Fitzgerald (Minstrel Music)

LISA Taylor, a 24-year-old schoolteacher from Yardley, has been crowned as the Birmingham Rose of Tralee 2006.
The contest to find Birmingham’s entrant to go forward to the Midlands’ Rose final in the summer took place at Vaughan’s Private Members’ Club in Hall Green on Saturday April 29.
In all there were ten contestants and Maria Cleary from the Birmingham Rose of Tralee Committee said she was sure the judges had a difficult task picking a winner from an impressive line-up.
Lisa will now be an ambassador for Birmingham and the Birmingham Irish community and act as a role model for young Irish women.
A teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes Junior School in Yardley Wood, Lisa is a regular visitor to Ireland. Two of her grandparents came from Wicklow and the other two hail from Mayo and Roscommon.
Maria Cleary said: “We had ten ambitious but warm contestants that entered the competition and I am sure the decision was a hard one for the judges but a triumphant Lisa Taylor emerged as the winner.
“I would like to thank all our sponsors, each and every one. Without them there would be no event and also our compere, Sir Bob Dowling, headteacher at George Dixon School.
“On behalf of the committee we would like to wish Lisa every success as she goes forward as the Birmingham Rose of Tralee to the Midlands Summer Ball and Selection.
“We are sure she will be a fine ambassador for the city of Birmingham.”
The Midland Rose of Tralee Ball takes place at the Renaissance Hotel Solihull on July 1 and tickets for this popular event are expected to sell out fast. They cost £40 and are available by calling Maria Cleary on 0777 9358123 or Teresa Melody on 07966 286453. Maria and Teresa are also interested in hearing from any potential sponsors who would like to donate prizes for the evening.