The National Town Criers’ Championship returned to Rye on Saturday October 11 with 19 participants, including three from Belgium and one from Canada. The event started at the town hall at 11am, before moving to the Gun Gardens where the public was also encouraged to take part.
The skies were grey but no-one noticed as the town of Rye was flooded with all the colours of the rainbow as the town criers from around the world paraded through the streets, Ryebellion Drummers acting as their escorts, everyone in wonderful finery.
Paul Goring and a team from the town hall masterminded the event to perfection.
After the parade the first round took place, each crier extolling the virtues of his or her hometown. Then at lunchtime, Martin Bruce led them through the streets of Rye like the pied piper, singing and playing his concertina to a sprightly drum beat.
The Mermaid Inn laid on an amazing meal for the criers and the four judges: Cllr Andy Stuart, mayor of Rye; John Case; Revd Fiona Gill, and honoured guest the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, Sir George Zambellas. This video gives a flavour of the day
In the afternoon, round two was on the theme of peace but before it began, members of the public were given the opportunity to have a go, ring the bell, and declaim “Oyez, Oyez, Oyez” as loudly as they could! The winner reached 117 decibels with two very close contenders on 115. There were three child competitors and young Annabel won. It took some courage to stand and perform in front of a large crowd but all those taking part carried it off really well and were all winners, really. There will be an article about this next week and an accompanying video.
Whilst the judges were deliberating, Martin Bruce, the Rye Harbour Shantyman, sang The Town Crier, a piece specially composed for the occasion and followed that with a series of well-known sea shanties, the audience joining in the choruses with spirit.
What a day, what a triumph.
Here are the winners:
1st Kurt de Smet, Belleman van Oudenaarde
2nd John Griffiths Griff, Sleaford Town Crier
3rd (joint) Mark Wylie, Calne; Jon Borthwick, Lewes
Best Dressed Crier: Kurt de Smet, Oudenaarde
Best Dressed Consort: Jonathan Smith, Bognor Regis
Judge’s Choice Trophy: Jon Bartholomew, Bexhill
Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, Sir George Zambellas, said after the event: “I very much enjoyed being a judge. The Confederation of the Cinque Ports is proud of its criers and so this was a wonderful opportunity for me to hear and see their skills and those of others from all over the country and around the world.”
Thank you Charlie Gould for coming and taking photographs for me. It is wonderful to watch your talent grow.
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Clear Air Flying , Charlie Gould .
Many thanks to all our generours sponsors / facilitators / helpers:
Cllr M Boyd; Mr E Fisk; David Angell/Wordsmith; Harbour Videography; W Tollett; The Mermaid Inn; The River Haven Hotel; Jeakes House; The George; A Rye Good Time; Adams of Rye; Sussex Medal Services; Mark Baker/Cratch; Artwrite; Rye & District Rotary Club and, of course, Rye Town Council!
The visiting criers were very impressed with Rye!