From farm to crown: Miss Manchester 2026 challenges beauty stereotypes

Clare Hopwood, Miss Manchester 2026, has been using her title to do more than turn heads.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Tameside Reporter, she spoke about farming, mental health, apprenticeships and the challenge of proving that a beauty queen can also be a hands-on worker in the real world.

From farm to fame 

Clare said she still can hardly believe she won the Miss Manchester crown, describing the experience as something she is “still pinching” herself about. Her journey into pageants began only about a year earlier, after her aunt encouraged her to try something new and build her confidence. That last-minute leap, she said, has already changed how she sees herself and the opportunities open to her. 

What makes her story stand out is the contrast between the glamour of pageantry and the reality of daily farm life. Clare works early mornings feeding cattle, checking animals and helping on the farm before heading off to her accountancy job. She said people are often surprised to hear that someone with a Miss Manchester title is also working in agriculture, but that contrast is exactly what she wants to challenge. 

Breaking the stereotype 

For Clare, the title is not just about appearance. She said one of her main messages is that people should not be boxed in by stereotypes, whether that is about farming, beauty pageants or what a woman “should” look like or do. She believes beauty comes from within and that modern social media often feeds unrealistic ideas about image and success. 

That is why she returned to social media after taking part in Miss Manchester. Rather than using it only for glamorous photos, she wants to show the full picture of her life, including the muddy, wet, unfiltered parts that come with farm work. In her view, that honesty matters because it lets people see that confidence and authenticity can go hand in hand. 

Life on the farm 

During the summer, Clare said she is often up around six or seven in the morning and begins the day by checking on the cows before heading to work. Her message was simple: “You never stop,” she said, summing up the demands of balancing farm work with a full-time career 

She also spoke about the wider pressures facing farmers, saying the sector has been at the forefront of public discussion in recent years because of rising costs and deeper uncertainty. While she praised public awareness around farming struggles, she also noted that many people still do not understand just how difficult the job can be until they experience it themselves.  In her view, financial pressure is one of the biggest reasons many farming families are under strain. 

Mental health concerns 

Clare did not shy away from talking about the emotional toll of farming. She said mental health is becoming a more visible issue in the industry and one she has experienced personally. With the pressures of keeping livestock, managing crops and worrying about the future, she warned that something will eventually have to give unless more support is made available. 

She argued that the farming community needs to be more open about these difficulties and more willing to support one another. Family, friends and local networks all play a vital role, she said, but there is also a need for spaces where younger people in particular can feel understood and included. Clare suggested that young farmers’ groups and community events could help bridge that gap. 

The next generation 

A recurring theme in the interview was the importance of helping younger people feel less isolated. Clare said that when she was at school she often felt like the odd one out because her classmates did not understand farm life. Bringing friends to the farm, she said, could sometimes create a barrier rather than a connection, simply because they were unfamiliar with that way of life. 

That is why she wants more opportunities for young people to meet, learn and share experiences around farming. She believes that creating spaces where the next generation can talk openly would help build confidence and reduce the sense of being different. For Clare, community support is not just helpful, it is essential. 

Apprenticeship route 

Clare explained that she had originally wanted to study accountancy at school but did not get the grades required, so she took a different route through work and training. After trying several jobs, including some in law and pub management, she eventually found the apprenticeship route that led her into accountancy. 

She said that if a younger version of herself had known an apprenticeship was possible, it could have changed her path much earlier. That is why she now strongly supports apprenticeships as an option for people of any age, not just school leavers. In her view, they offer practical experience, avoid student debt and allow people to move at a pace that suits them. 

Advice to young people 

When asked what advice she would give to someone unsure about their next step, Clare said the most important thing is to think honestly about what suits you best. She acknowledged that some careers, such as medicine, require university degrees, but argued that many others do not. In those cases, she believes apprenticeships can be a smarter, more flexible alternative. 

She also made the point that university is not the right fit for everyone and that people should not feel trapped by a path they are unsure about. If someone tries university and decides it is not for them, she said, they can change direction without losing everything. That flexibility, she suggested, is one of the strongest arguments for broadening how young people think about careers. 

A title with purpose 

Clare said she does not want Miss Manchester to be something she simply “leaves at the doorstep.” Instead, she wants to use the title to visit schools, colleges and community groups, speaking to young people about confidence, opportunity and self-belief. For her, the crown is a chance to make a difference rather than just a personal achievement. 

She described herself as “just an ordinary girl,” but one with the determination to prove that anything is possible. That message was clear, don’t let other people define what you can be and don’t assume that a single label tells the whole story. For Clare, the real achievement is not only winning a title, but using it to encourage others to believe in their own potential.