Tamsin Grainger is only 20 years old but has already achieved so much. After winning the title of Miss Gloucester, she then went on to attain the city’s highest ever finish at the Miss England contest and is now planning to set up her own charity to help children with dyslexia.

We caught up with her to find out what she gets up to on a rare day off.

What do you enjoy most about your role in Gloucestershire?

“I love the fact that I get to meet so many people from Gloucester. I love that we’re a city that promotes so much good, and every time I come into Gloucester I’m inspired by the community and what we do.”

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

“Well I very rarely get any spare time at the minute! I really enjoy watching a good film, or going for a walk with my dog. Obviously, I enjoy going and having a drink somewhere and socialising with my friends as well! I also teach karate so that’s a nice outlet too.

What’s your favourite place to visit in Gloucestershire?

“I love Gloucester Cathedral, I think it’s beautiful. Even just walking around the grounds is mesmerising.”

What’s your favourite place to eat in Gloucestershire?

“This is the hardest question because I love food! I love good pub grub, and there’s so many good places to eat in Gloucester. My advice would be to look out for a good pub or go down to Gloucester Docks and you’ll find somewhere right away.”

Do you support any local sports teams?

“I support Gloucester Rugby, although I don’t go to as many games as I’d like. My dad’s Welsh and my great uncle was in the England rugby team, so I’ve always been around rugby.”

What do you miss about Gloucestershire when you’re away?

“It’s homely, there’s people in Gloucester who will quite happily come and chat with you. I can have a conversation with someone in the street and not feel uncomfortable, in other places that just doesn’t happen. It’s the friendly, community atmosphere that I miss.”

Are you a film or a book person?

“It depends what mood I’m in! I love a good book, but I hated them for a long time as I’m dyslexic, so I really struggled with them. So I would probably say more a film person.”

What’s your favourite film?

“I think I would have to say Lord of the Rings. I’ve watched all of the extended editions and I’d love to go to New Zealand just to see where they filmed it. I also love all of the Harry Potter films.”

What’s your favourite book?

“Me Before You. They made it into a film, but the book was incredible. I got pulled into the story and finished it in 5 days.”

Do you have any pets?

“I’ve got one dog, he’s a rescue from Evesham Dogs Home. My family has always had pets, we’re big animal people!”

Do you ever attend any shows in Gloucestershire?

“I’ve been to the Everyman quite a lot, I studied drama and theatre at A-Level, so we did a lot of day trips there. I’ve been to war re-enactments in Gloucester which were amazing but never to the theatre.”

What achievement are you most proud of?

“My black belt is one of my greatest achievements, I was really proud of myself for doing that. I would also say getting to university just because I was told throughout my educational career that I wouldn’t get there and I like proving people wrong! I’d also obviously say being Miss Gloucester and coming 25th in Miss England because again no one thought I’d do it! The support from the community to get me there was incredible.”

What advice would you give to anyone struggling with dyslexia?

“Don’t ever let someone tell you what you can or can’t achieve. My advice for primary age children is to look at dyslexia as a superpower. It’s something that at first, you’re shocked at and can’t control, but you can harness it and see things in different ways. It can benefit you instead of holding you back.”