PREFACE: The Rules Committee was formed to propose a list of Rules and Regulations concerning Town Crier Competitions to the Membership of the Ontario Guild of Town Criers, and offer guidelines and suggestions to the Organisers of Town Crier competitions.

ARTICLE A: GENERAL

These are the Competition Rules and Regulations of the Ontario Guild of Town Criers, hereinafter called the Rules. The Rules are set out to provide a standard and framework to assist the Competitors, Judges, Scorers and Organisers of a Town Crier Competition.

B-1 The order of Criers shall be determined by lot, by one of the two methods outlined in sections B-1(a) and B-1(b) below. « «

B-1(a) The names of the competing Criers are printed on separate sheets of paper and placed in a hat or other suitable container. A neutral party randomly draws the names from the hat or container. The order of selection determines the Criers' positions in the Competition.

B-1(b) The names of the competing Criers are printed on separate pieces of paper and placed in a hat or other suitable container. Numbers corresponding to the number of Criers, are printed on separate pieces of paper, and placed in a second hat or suitable container. One name and one number are randomly drawn from each hat or container by one or two neutral parties, and matched. This procedure is repeated until all the names and all the numbers have been selected. The matched names and numbers determine the Criers' positions in the Competition.

B-2(a) One Cry Competition:

Order of cries determined as in B-1(a) or B-1(b).

B-2(b) Two Cry Competition:

Order of cries determined as in B-1(a) or B-1(b).

B-2(b)I Where the number of Criers is even, the top half of the order shall be moved to the bottom half for the second Cry.

B-2(b)ii Where the number of Criers is odd, the order of Criers shall be divided as closely as possible to half, with the lesser number being in the first part and the greater number in the second part. The top part shall be moved to the bottom for the second Cry.

B-2(c) Three Cry Competition:

Order of cries determined as in B-1(a) or B-1(b).

B-2(c)i Where the number of Criers is divisible by three, the first third shall become the last third for the second cry, and shall become the middle third for the third cry, the order being maintained.

B-2(c)ii Where the number of Criers is not divisible by three, the order of Criers shall be divided as closely into thirds as possible, such that the least number are in the first part and the greatest number are in the last part. The first part shall become the last part for the second cry, and shall become the middle part for the third cry, the order being maintained.

B-3 In order to be counted in the final standings, a Crier must compete in all cries. All cries shall be counted.

B3(a) All Competitors must be prepared to cry when they are called.

B-3(a)i Should a Crier not proceed when called, that Crier shall be called again after ten seconds. Should there be no response after a further ten seconds, there shall be a third and final call. If there is no response within ten seconds after the third and final call, that Crier shall forfeit that cry. A penalty of two marks shall be deducted for each additional time the Crier is called. The deduction of these marks shall be the responsibility of the Senior Judge.

B-3(b) Unexpected Criers, may participate on an exhibition basis only. Such Criers are permitted to cry only at the first of each cry.

C-5(d)i A bell, or any other article left on stage by a Crier, shall be removed immediately upon completion of the cry. The erring Crier shall be penalised two marks for that cry. The deduction of these marks shall be the responsibility of the Senior Judge.

C-5(d)ii Two marks, to a maximum of ten, shall be deducted for each time the Crier's voices cracks. The deduction of these marks shall be the responsibility of the Senior Judge.

C-5(e) The total points of all cries shall be added and the Crier with the highest grand total shall be declared the winner.

C-6 Placing:

I For a Three Crier Competition

First Place only shall be awarded.

II For a Four Crier Competition

First and Second Places shall be awarded.

III For a Five Crier or More Competition

First, Second and Third Places shall be awarded.

C-7 Appeals shall be directed to the Senior Judge, who, in consultation with the other Judges, and if necessary the Host Crier, shall make a decision.

ARTICLE D: LENGTH OF CRY

D-1 The length of a cry shall be from one-hundred words to one-hundred and twenty-five words.

D-2 The number of words shall be counted from the first oral sound to the last oral sound.

D-3 For the purpose of these Rules and Regulations the year shall be counted as one word.

e.g. 1993

Nineteen Ninety Three

One Thousand Nine Hundred And Ninety Three etc.

Numbers shall be counted as one word thus $700,000 is two words as is seven hundred thousand dollars.

Roman numerals shall count as one word. Thus George Ill is two words, as is George the Third.

D-4 Hyphenated words shall count as one word.

D-5 An individual oral sound shall be considered as one word.

ARTICLE E: SUBMITTED CRY

E-1 All cries shall be submitted for auditing.

E-2 An additional Judge is required to audit a submitted cry.

E-3 The cry shall be submitted to the Audit Judge immediately prior to proceeding to the stage.

E4 One mark, to a maximum of ten, shall be deducted for each word that violates the set word limits.

E-5 One mark to a maximum of ten, shall be deducted for each word that deviates from the submitted script.

ARTICLE F: SUPPLIED CRY

F-1 Where a cry is supplied by the Host Crier, all Criers, who have not yet performed, must be sequestered out of hearing range of the performing Crier until after they have competed.

F-2 The Host Crier shall make it known if openings and closings are to be added to a supplied cry.

ARTICLE G: GENERAL RULES

G-1 Uniforms shall not be judged, as there can be no standard criteria for judging.

G-2 Loudest Cry may only be judged by the use of an electronic decibel level device.

G-3 Two raised surfaces (e.g. table, stool, etc.) shall be placed on the stage for the convenience of both left and right handed Criers who would prefer not to bend to place the attention getting device on the floor. The use of these surfaces are not mandatory.

G-4 Criers shall not wear badges, awards, medals, pins. etc. that could by mere display influence Judges. This is to apply, at all times during the Competition, until after the last Crier has completed the last cry.

G-5 Competing Criers must provide proof of current dues payment to The Ontario Guild of Town Criers.

G-6 During a competition, introductions of Town Criers must include only names and communities represented. Background information may not be introduced until after the Scorers have completed their final totals.

G-7 Assistants to the Crier (Escort, Page, Apprentice, bird, animal, etc.) are permitted, but shall not be allowed on stage.

ARTICLE H: JUDGING GUIDELINES

{ref. C-5(c) and C-5(d)}

H-1 Submitted Cry - refer to Article E.

H-2 Attention Getting Device:

The Attention Getting Device, whether a bell, drum, horn, gong or any other device, is the first notification that a Crier has a message. Marks should be assigned according to the following criteria:

H-3 Deportment:

The judging of deportment begins when the Crier is introduced and ends when the Crier has left the stage. (Historically a Town Crier was the Official Representative of the Local Authorities and this should be reflected in the individual's deportment). The following criteria should be considered when marking:

1. Confidence - A Crier whose presence is positive and self-assured deserves more marks than one who appears shy or unsure.

2. Appearance - An ill-fitting uniform or ill-suited appearance should be reflected in the score.

3. Appropriate movement. A Crier dressed as a soldier should move in a Military Manner; a Crier dressed as a gentleman should move as a Gentleman. Whatever image is to be projected should be reflected in the Crier's movements.

H-3(a) Articles Left in Performing Area:

A bell, or any other article left on stage by a Crier, shall be removed immediately upon completion of the cry. The erring Crier shall be penalised two marks for that cry. The deduction of these marks shall be the responsibility of the Senior Judge.

H-4 Sustained Volume:

Although the three "Oyez's" may be louder than the body of the cry, it is important for a Crier to be heard throughout the cry. Consistency of volume must be maintained, except where fluctuations have been purposely used for emphasis or style.

H-5 Call Content:

The message is the most important part of the cry. The following criteria should be helpful:

H-6 Clarity:

To be understood, the content must be heard clearly. The following criteria should be taken into account:

H-6(a) Two marks, to a maximum of ten, shall be deducted for each time the Crier's voice cracks. The deduction of these marks shall be the responsibility of the Senior Judge.