Rye hosted the 71st National Town Criers’ Championship on Saturday October 12.
The day dawned and the heavens opened, much to the dismay of both Paul Goring, our very own town crier, and the organising team at the town hall. However, help was at hand since as the rector, Paul White arrived the rains stopped. How good to have someone with friends in high places.
Ryebellion Drummers began playing at 11am and by 11:15am, when the group of contesting town criers assembled for their group photograph outside the town hall, there was a large crowd watching. The collective noun for town criers is a ‘bellow’ and certainly there was much melodic bellowing and bell ringing throughout the day.
Ryebellion escorted the criers to the Gun Garden and round one began with the town criers showcasing the community they represent and the highlights that it offers. Paul and Arabella, his deputy town crier, took turns in introducing each town crier using a mini bio. that the candidates had sent to Paul in advance. Some of them were so funny: here is an example from Mark Wylie. “Our next contestant represents Calne in Wiltshire and describes himself as follows: part-Scottish, part-Welsh, part-English, part-French, he has inherited the least commendable components of each. Mean to a fault, liable to burst into song without warning, aloof and condescending, this mild-mannered man from Calne in Wiltshire has few redeeming qualities, except perhaps his extraordinary self-awareness. Faster than a speeding building; able to leap whole bullets in a single bound – please welcome Mark Wylie.”
And John Griffiths from Sleaford, Lincolnshire. “Our next competitor has served in Her Majesty’s armed forces and is a proud and handsome Welshman whose passion (apart from the wife) is his Ford 2.8 litre V6 engine trike. He settled in Sleaford, Lincolnshire over thirty-five years ago. It has been said that he is shy, quiet, barks like a dog, cries like a baby and sings like a tenor. And when Sleaford advertised for a replacement town crier in 2014, he was bombarded with text messages saying ‘You have a big mouth – go for it !!’ so he did, and here he is. Representing Sleaford in Lincolnshire, please welcome John Griffiths.”
Each town crier starts with the traditional “Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!” (except Kurt from Belgium, who speaks Flemish) but observe and listen how each one is unique in the video below.
After a wonderful lunch at The Mermaid Inn the “bellowers” were escorted back to the Gun Garden by Martin Bruce singing shanties and playing his concertina.
Round two of the cries followed with the subject “Tradition”. Tradition means something different to everyone and we heard the cries with interest. Rye itself is steeped in traditions which now include hosting the annual National Town Criers’ Championship.
Jessica Neame, on behalf of Rye Town Council, said: “We are grateful to all those who helped to make Saturday’s competition such a success – not least our generous sponsors, Rock Channel Marine, W Tollett Building Plumbing, Heating and Electrical contractors, the Mermaid Inn and David Angell; to Rye and Winchelsea Rotary Club for providing marshalls; and to all those who travelled from far and wide to compete. The whole event was a riot of ringing bells, colourful outfits and loud voices! We are already looking forward to next year’s competition on Saturday October 11, 2025.”
Rye Town Council is keen to ensure the future of the National Town Criers’ Championship in its new home here in Rye. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities for next year and beyond, please contact Jessica Neame at townhall@ryetowncouncil.gov.uk to express your interest and find out more.
The judges, Paul White, Isabel Ryan, Mayor Andy Stuart and former mayor Rebekah Gilbert had a difficult job this year to choose the winners as they were all brilliant. Judging was based on volume, diction, clarity and inflection.
Congratulations to all. The winners were:
1st: Mark Wylie, Calne, Wiltshire
2nd: Paul Gough, Nuneaton & Bedworth, Warwickshire
3rd: Jon Bartholomew, Bexhill, Sussex
Best-dressed crier: Jane Louise Smith, Bognor Regis
Best-dressed consort: Faye Thompson, Petersfield, Hants
Judges’ choice award: Jon Borthwick, Lewes, Sussex
Well done, Arabella: your witty introductions and sense of fun and enthusiasm made everyone smile and your support for Paul was evident throughout the day. What a great deputy you are.
Final congratulations must go to our well-loved town crier, Paul Goring, for organising such a great day and helping to carry on this amazing tradition here in the heart of Rye. It was a triumph, Paul: well done from all of us who attended and from those who took part.
If you want to learn a bit more about the history of town criers, this is very comprehensive
https://notesfromtheuk.com/2021/05/07/a-quick-history-of-town-criers/
There was a special guest appearance from Sheep on loan from Concepts.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .