PLANS PROGRESS FOR SECOND TC CHAMPIONSHIPS

Following the success of Melksham’s first Town Crier championships in April, it is hoped it will be possible to run next year’s contest on Sunday 4th July 2010.

Melksham Town Crier Peter Dauncey told Melksham Independent News that a lot will depend on the availability of the venues and on raising the necessary funding.
He said, “We already have over half the money promised from an anonymous source. This year’s competition attracted 21 criers and 14 escorts in complementary dress. It is hoped next year we will also have town criers, or bellmen as they are known, from the European Continent.
“We already have enquiries from two Belgium criers. Next year we will also have with us the immediate past world champion, the British Guild champion and possibly the current European champion.”
Peter and his wife Joan have been having a run of success themselves again this year, with Peter gaining 2nd place at Bromyard, Yeovil and Llandovery in the Welsh open Championships.
He was runner-up in the South of England Championships at Windborne Minster, where he and Joan also won ‘Best Dressed Couple’ as they did at Frome. Peter continues to be voted best dressed crier on a regular basis even though he claims that his 16-year-old uniform has seen better days.
Joan and Peter are always busy, but still find time to represent the Melksham town they have adopted and will be competing at Knighton on the 22nd of August, Lladrindod on the 23rd August and Topsham on the 29th August. They will also be representing Melksham at a festival in Ghent, Belgium, on the 20th September.

Melksham's town Crier Peter Dauncey is a very experienced, being the immediate past Chairman of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers and has twice been a finalist in the Town Crier's World Championships.

He was originally the Town Crier of Bromyard and Winslow appointed by the Town Council in 1994 and has been the Herald to The Bishop of Hereford, Honorary Town Crier of Bainbridge and Winslow in Washington State USA as well as being the Crier Public of Athis de Lorne in Normandy.

Peter is currently the Town and Manorial Crier of Melksham in Wiltshire and has credits for numerous TV appearances all over the world. Although he has appeared before Royalty, Heads of State and Prime Ministers no function is too small.

Joan in her magnificent complimentary costumes has accompanied Peter all over the world. She is a "people person" with great public relations skills and at competitions has been voted best dressed escort on many occasions, including best dressed Escort in the Ancient and Honourable Guild.