Oyez! Oyez! World Town Crier Tournament to begin in Chester today (Wednesday, August 20)!
The city streets will be full of sound for a week as 24 criers from 10 nations descend on Chester to compete. The contest has taken place in the city before, in 2001, 2004 and 2010.
Chester town crier David Mitchell said: ‘Chester has earned an excellent reputation for putting on a well-organised competition and our historic city provides the perfect backdrop for such an event. Some criers have applied to return for the fourth time, so we must be getting something right.’
Criers have entered from England, Wales, Ireland, Germany, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the Channel Islands and the USA.
The competitors include seven past or present national champions, and five past or present world champions, including the reigning world champion; Chris Whyman of Kingston, Canada.
The tournament will take place over three rounds each with its own sponsor and theme.
On Wednesday, August 20, at 12 noon, the criers will assemble in Town Hall Square to compete in the event, sponsored by the Coach House Inn. Competitors are required deliver a Hometown Cry, extolling the virtues of their hometown and inviting the hearers to come and see it for themselves. Thwaites’ famous shire horses and dray will be in attendance.
The following day, the criers will return to Town Hall Square at noon to lay the law down, sponsored by Taylor Brown Solicitors,
The final round takes place at noon on Saturday, August 23 in Abbey Square, sponsored by Hunters Chester Land Rover.
At the end of the three rounds the scores will also be combined to produce the overall placings and Tournament Champion.
The criers will be in Chester for a week, and will take part in activities other than just the competitions.
After the competition on Thursday afternoon the criers will literally shout from the rooftops of Chester Cathedral about the spectacular new attraction, Cathedral at Height.
Chester has been able to secure this event thanks to the generosity of the Chester Hotels Association.
Admission is free.
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