Tiverton Town Crier Competition 2011

OYEZ, oyez for Wootton Bassett as their town crier beat stiff competition to become champion in the Tiverton crier's competition this weekend.
Nine town criers from Bideford to Swindon visited the town on Saturday 8 October to compete and were judged by Mayor Cllr Neal Davey and chairman of the Royal British Legion Ramsay Hutchison.
Owen Collier from Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire said he was delighted to win here in Tiverton: "This is a town with a big heart, and we're always looked after here, so I'm delighted to win here in Devon," he said.
Owen who became the town crier in 2005 added: "I think they had excellent judges, although whether you win or lose, it's nice to meet other town criers on the circuit - winning is always a bonus."
Shoppers in Phoenix Lane stopped to watch battle commence as the town criers read out a proclamation about their town.
Criers were judged on areas including voice projection and clarity, and a separate cup was presented to Mike Bishop from Frome who was awarded the prize for being the best dressed.
"I like to think, and I'm quite proud of the fact that I am one of the very few town criers who make their own costume.
"Until five years ago I'd never touched a sewing machine in my life, but I started making costume for a carnival, and it snowballed from there.
"I've been a town crier for over five years and when I first started as a town crier I never thought I'd enjoy it so much. When all the criers meet up at an event like this, it's like a family coming together."
The event took place at noon and was compered by Witheridge town crier Frank Housam who could not enter due to Tiverton being his resident town.
The first competition of its kind was held in 2008, but it hasn't got any easier for judges to pick a winner.
Tiverton Mayor Cllr Neal Davey said: "It was interesting to hear a group perform in a competition which I have never experience before.
"It was a very difficult competition to judge this morning as there are some very accomplished town criers.
"I think we had a very worthy winner and the judges all agreed on who came out on top, but it was very tight."
Cllr Elaine Trump who helped organise the event and was an adjudicator on the judging panel added: "I thought it was real good fun, and I think the standards this year are a lot higher then when I was mayor in 2008.
"There's a lot of hard work behind it as we have to book the town criers at least a year in advance, then we have to make sure the traffic is calm, and we also need to involve more people in the town.
"I think next year we'll have to try and get people of Tiverton more involved and enthusiastic about the event as it's certainly something to shout about."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Tiverton
• Honiton
• Swindon
• Wootton Bassett
• Bideford
• Saltash
• Frome
• Chard
• Dawlish
• Seaton
• Town Crier
• Competition
• English
• England
• Tradition
• Traditional
• Owen Collier
• October
• 2011
• Lews News
• Lewis Clarke
• Ceremonial
• Proclamation
• Civic
• Mayor
• Regal
• Shouting
• Loud
• Oyez
• Devon
• Parish