Return of town crier championships gives Alcester something to shout about
HER Majesty the Queen was praised for her 70 years of service to the nation during the Heart of England Town Criers’ Championship in Alcester last Saturday (16th April).
After a two-year absence due to Covid, town criers travelled from all over the land to be in Malt Mill Lane where they were welcomed by spring sunshine and Alcester Town Crier, David Parkes, who set the benchmark for the competition’s judges.
However, as hosts, that was the only cry Alcester was allowed in the contest – the rest of the day was down to the other town criers who came from Shipston, Warwick, Bromsgrove, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Tetbury, Sandwell, Haslemere, Bromyard, Bishop’s Stortford and Bognor Regis.
Keeping with tradition, each competitor was allowed two cries. The first is a shout about the great attributes and attractions of their hometown while the theme for the second cry was, appropriately, about Her Majesty the Queen and the forthcoming platinum jubilee celebrations.
The competition looked like it was going to be too close to call… it wasn’t easy for the judges to pick a winner but one finally emerged in the form of Sandwell’s town crier, Adrian Holmes, who was followed by Peder Nielson from Bromyard and Winslow and Michael Reddy from Warwick who finished third. The best dressed town crier was Jane Smith from Bognor Regis.
“It was so wonderful to be together again,” said championship chairman, Vaughan Blake. “It felt virtually normal and really good to see the town crier tradition being carried on by our contestants.
“Historically, the crier tells townspeople about important news like royal births and royal engagements. Only those who are members of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers can take part in the Heart of England Town Criers’ Championship.”
The occasion would not be complete without refreshments and sustenance for the town criers and of course the gathered crowd, and these appetising treats were to be found at the Malt Mill Centre run by Beryl Lammas, where tea, cake and bacon sandwiches were available.
And once the contest was completed there was also a three-course lunch at Alcester Town Hall.
