This international competition will see 25 Town Criers and their escorts from the United Kingdom and Europe taking part in a colourful and noisy event that will attract visitors from far and wide to Alnwick.

In medieval times, Town Criers were the chief means of communication since many people could not read or write. Royal proclamations, local bylaws, market days, adverts etc were all proclaimed by a bellman or crier, a practice which has continued throughout the centuries.


 

Through the Loyal Company of Town Criers, an invitation has been sent to town criers in Britain and overseas to attend the 2008 championships in Alnwick, the County Town of Northumberland and the furthest northern location ever chosen to host the event. On Friday evening, the criers, together with their escorts, will be attending a civic reception in full regalia, to be held at The White Swan Hotel, who are generously supporting the evening and accommodation.
 
The competition on Saturday 5th July 2008 will be in two parts; the town cry (from the criers home town) will be judged during the morning. Lunch will be supplied to the criers by Blackmores of Alnwick. The second competition cry during the afternoon will be focused on a topic supplied beforehand.


 
The competition will take place in and around the Market Place and will be free to the public. A “peoples champion” is declared as a result of voting by the public. There will also be prizes for the best dressed crier and escort and the best ambassador for the home town. The prizes will be presented at a gala dinner on Saturday evening to be held at the Cook and Barker Inn at Newton-on-the-Moor, 6 miles south of Alnwick.
 
The entire weekend is funded by local sponsors including the town and district councils. Promotional and publicity support has been offered by Northumberland Tourism and One NorthEast and being the national British Championships and a highly visual event, we expect regional, national and international media interest, including coverage from both BBC and independent TV . There is already talk about a full length TV programme following the fortunes of a crier throughout the competition.
There will of course also be coverage by Alnwick’s own Lionheart Radio throughout the weekend.
 
If you are interested in joining the list of sponsors of this prestigious event, contact Anne Shilton on 01665 606093.