Oyez, oyez, oyez, can you hear me at the back?

Watton was proud to host it’s first Town Crier Competition on Saturday with eight Town Criers from around the country bringing amazing colour, and not a little sound, to the town.

Each Town Crier gave two ‘cries’ one on their ‘Home Town’ and one on ‘What women wish men knew’ or vice versa! The competition was tight but the overall Winner was Adrian Holmes from Sandwell in the Black Country with Paul Gough from Nuneaton & Bedworth taking second place and Robert Needham from Colchester third. Robert’s was also voted the and ‘Best Themed Cry’ which the ‘Best Home Town Cry’ went to John Griffiths of Sleaford. There was a special award for the Crier who overall, throughout the day was the ‘Best Ambassador’ for Town Crying and this went to Adrian Holmes – pictured below with Watton Town Mayor Sue Hebborn & Watton Town Crier Mike Wabe.

Overall Winner Adrian Holmes, Watton Town Mayor Sue Hebborn & Watton Town Crier Mike Wabe. Picture by Sue Dent

Watton Town Crier Mike Wabe organised the event with Watton Town Council and made sure that everything ran smoothly on the day, he said “It’s been a real pleasure to welcome my fellow Criers to Watton. They have given us a fantastic show and it was great to see that this ancient tradition is still going strong.”

Prizes were awarded by Watton Town Mayor Sue Hebborn who said “The Town Council is so pleased to have Mike as our Town Crier and greatly value the support that he gives to events and activities in the town throughout the year. We were very happy to work with him to support our first Watton Town Crier Competition.”

As well as Watton Town Council the event was supported by local businesses including H.Brett & Son who created the trophies, Broom Hall Country Hotel where some of the criers stayed, MrJ Cars for transport, the Kings Arms for lunch and 864 Squadron RAF Cadets for helping with the set up on the day.

‘God Save the Queen’