GET your earplugs ready as Alcester gets set to once again host the Heart of England Town Criers’ Championship.
Now in its 41st year, in all 13 competitors will be battling it out for the honour of being crowned the winner and to get their hands on the trophy and a cash prize.
The entrants, who include two women town criers, come from across the region including Sandbach, Sandwell, Shipston and Royal Wootton Bassett, while last year’s champion Peder Nielsen from Bromyard will be back to compete too.
Organiser Vaughan Blake said the judges, made up from members of the Court Leet and the Mayor, would be looking for a lot of personality as well as a loud voice.
“Each town crier does two cries which they write themselves – one on their own town and the other on Shakespeare,” he said.
“It’s not about shouting as then you lose clarity, it’s about having a loud, clear voice.”
There are also marks for diction while marks are lost for straying from the script or using the wrong words.
Each town crier will be expected to dress in their normal attire, that is, in frock coats, with a prize for the best dressed competitor.
The event is next Saturday (April 15) starting at Alcester town hall at 12.45pm with a procession to Malt Mill Lane where the competition, presided over by Alcester’s own town crier David Parkes, will commence at 1.15pm.
It promises to be a colour and exciting pageant and everyone is invited to go along, soak up the atmosphere, and have a great time.
