The Yorkshire town criers hoping to be named world champion later this year
It will be to some extent a busman’s holiday but the town criers, who keep an ancient tradition alive, will have a good time nonetheless.
Lesley Cutts and Terry Ford – who hold the titles for Halifax and Otley respectively – will be in Chester to compete in a global tournament later this summer.
Some 25 town criers from across the globe will descend on the city in September for the World Town Crier Tournament, organisers Marketing Cheshire said.
The details were announced, fittingly, by Chester Town Crier David Mitchell.
“This event will be loud, will be colourful, it will be eccentric, and it will be free,” he declared.
Competitors spanning England, the Channel Islands, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, the United States and Australia will go head-to-head from September 22-26, with each crier judged across three rounds on a different theme.
Mr Ford is one of the most decorated town criers in the country with over 50 victories since he became the Otley Bellman in 2011.
In his role he plays a civic duty in the town and can be seen on many occasions walking around Otley in his blue, white and black regalia, carrying his bell and exercising his duties, from delivering messages and communications, to leading church and other parades.
He also makes proclamations on behalf of civic and charitable organisations and has appeared in several of Otley’s tourism promotion films over the years.
He says singing training has helped with voice projection and he says at 73 his voice is holding out well.
“It is a great honour to take part,” he says. “This competition is a privilege to take part in. It isn’t held every year because it is so expensive to run.
"If I win, I may end up retiring as world champion which would be fantastic. I have always said I would carry on until I’m 80.
“The first competition I did was in Bridlington for the 900th anniversary of the Abbey and I came second. I was bitten by the bug and have had some success.”
Mr Cutts has been a Halifax Town Crier since 2001, Bellman of the Borough of Calderdale since 2003 and Crier to the Town Council of Hebden Royd since 2012.
He is chairman of the Loyal Company of Town Criers and has run his own competitions including the Loyal Company of Town Criers British Championships three times.
He likes to write cries with humour in them, feeling it entertains the crowds.
Now semi-retired, he works part time as a health and safety assistant.
The opening round features a hometown cry, with competitors showcasing where they come from. Judging criteria cover vocal proficiency, confidence and bearing, content, and audience engagement.
Rounds take place at Town Hall Square, Eastgate Square and Exchange Square.