Having taken part in the Loyal Company of Town Criers' British Championships, held in Sleaford on Saturday 7th September, Bognor Regis' very own Jane Smith, accompanied by her husband Jonathan, took home the silverware for the 'Best Dressed Couple'.

Coming in 2nd place during the 2nd round of Cries also, it was a truly triumphant weekend for Jane, with this the latest in a fast expanding collection of silverware she has been awarded during her time as Bognor Regis' Town Crier -  she even appeared on the 6 o'clock news on 'BBC Look North'!  

Congratulations to Jane (and Jonathan) on this latest win! 

At the recent Armada Cup Town Crier Competition, which took place over three days in Plymouth, Kingsbridge and Dartmouth, our Bognor Regis Town Crier proudly received the prestigious 'Bob Kerswell Memorial Cup' for being the 'Best Ambassador' for her Town.

Jane was delighted to take part in the inaugural Chard Town Crier Competition last week, and was one of 16 Criers, along with their Consorts competing in a series of competitive categories. 

In another proud moment for Bognor Regis Town Council, Jane once again took home an award for the ‘Best Dressed Town Crier’.

Having made the livery herself, these accolades are always particularly pleasing to Jane.

On this occasion, the winners of the ‘Best Dress Couple’, also had their livery made by our Bognor Regis Town Crier - making it a double win for her!!

Jane has made herself a ‘regular’ at Competitions of the Ancient & Honourable Guild of Town Criers, ensuring Bognor Regis is represented all around the Country!

Well done Jane for this latest achievement and long may it continue!!

Our Town Crier, along with the Mayor, led the celebrations for the Coronation Concert & Big Lunch event held at Hotham Park over the Bank Holiday weekend. 

Opening the afternoon's entertainment with the official Town Crier Proclamation, to mark the Coronation of King Charles III, Jane compered the afternoon's events, which included live music performances, children's entertainment and a big screen showing of everyone's favourite bear - 'Paddington'!

With the sun beaming down on Hotham Park, the crowds gathered to enjoy their picnics with many staying on into the evening to witness the live broadcasting of the Coronation Concert from Windsor Castle!

A fabulous day all round... Bognor Regis certainly knows how to put on a party!!! 

With the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Hamza Taouzzale  

Christmas is coming to Bognor Regis and its been a busy weekend for the Town Crier! 

Attending the Ice Rink Opening on Friday 25th November, alongside the Town Mayor and Vice-Chairman of ADC, Jane couldn't resist taking to the ice for some photos!

Saturday 26th November saw the Town Council's 'Big Switch at 6' featuring this year's brand new Christmas illuminations! Following the countdown, the Town Crier, along with Town Mayor and cast of this year's Alexandra Theatre Pantomime 'Beauty and the Beast', officially switched on the lights, adorning the streets with sparkle and festivity!

Bognor Regis Town Council are brimming with pride to announce, that in recognition of her involvement in Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, our Bognor Regis Town Crier, Mrs Jane Smith, was invited to meet His Majesty The King, and other members of the Royal Family, at a Reception held at Windsor Castle on Tuesday 15th November 2022.

Jane wrote the official Proclamation, for the Late Queen's Platinum Jubilee, which, on Thursday 2nd June 2022, was read by over 210 Criers across the UK and Commonwealth. 

On the immense honour of meeting His Majesty King Charles III, Jane has said:

"What a very gracious and genuine man The King is - and for that moment in time, when we were talking to each other, I was the most important person in the room.  When you think of the thousands of people he must speak to all the time, to make each person feel like that is an absolute art. Thank you your Majesty."

On behalf of all at Bognor Regis Town Council, we send our congratulations to Jane and sincere thanks for all that she does to represent our Town of Bognor Regis. 

Our Bognor Regis Town Crier celebrated another success over the weekend, at the 69th National Town Crier Championships in Hastings.

Competing against 14 other fantastic Town Crier's, we were delighted to hear that Jane managed to defend her title of 'Best Dressed Town Crier'. 

This is the 3rd time in 5 years Jane has held the title - quite an amazing achievement indeed!

On behalf of all here at Bognor Regis Town Council, and I'm sure, the residents of Bognor Regis, CONGRATULATIONS Jane on another wonderful accolade!

Our Bognor Regis Town Crier was given the great honour of being personally invited to Italy last month, to participate in a three-day celebratory event for the 50th Anniversary of the prestigious Lord Byron College, Private School of English.

Having heard of her successes over recent months, the College organising committee contacted Jane, to ask her to take part in this important event- the only Town Crier internationally to be represented.

Joined on the trip by the Right Worshipful Mayor of Westminster, Jane was an integral part of the celebrations, including the Closing Ceremony and Grand Parade.

Here’s a selection of photos from what Jane herself has described as “a busy but extremely enjoyable trip, throughout which I was honoured to be representing our little Town of Sunniest Bognor Regis!”

 At 4.30pm on Sunday 11th September 2022, members of the community came together to hear the reading of the Proclamation of King Charles III, as our new Monarch. The Town Mayor read the the Proclamation to the crowds who had gathered outside Bognor Regis Town Hall, which also included Town Councillors, Town Council staff and our local MP. Partaking in proceedings was the Bognor Regis Town Crier, Bognor Regis Sea Cadet representative Cadet William Hardy and Gary Edgington MBE Commanding Officer. We were honoured to joined by Majors Matt and Sarah Butler, who offered words of comfort and by the Bognor Regis Salvation Army Band, who played a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. A video of the Proclamation can be viewed on the Town Council Facebook page HERE.

Floral tribute photo by Melinda Matthews

And it's another emphatic win for our wonderful Bognor Regis Town Crier, Jane!

Having taken part in the prestigious Armada Cup Town Crier Competition, which see Town Crier's from across the land compete over a three-day event, Jane was deservedly so awarded the prize for 'Best Dressed'. An accolade which is made even more deserving, considering Jane also made her own livery!

Jane and her fellow Criers, took over the Town's of Plymouth, Kingsbridge and Dartmouth, in this the latest Town Crier competition for 2022!

On this latest accolade, Jane said "There really was some excellent crying and very stiff competition. All of the venues were brilliant performances areas. It was my absolute pleasure to be able to represent our little town of Sunniest Bognor Regis once again!"

On behalf of all at the Town Council and I'm sure, our fellow residents, a big congratulations Jane and thank you for all you continue to do for Bognor Regis!

On Saturday 18^th June Bognor Regis Town Council hosted its first Town Crier Competition, which also happened to be the Guild Championship of the Ancient & Honourable Guild of Town Criers. 

Taking place at the seafront bandstand, Town Crier’s from across the land (and even as far as Canada), gathered in Bognor Regis to compete for a spectacular array of Guild trophies!

Hosted by Bognor Regis’ very own Platinum Jubilee proclamation writing Town Crier, Mrs Jane Smith, crowds gathered on the seafront to witness some fabulous cries from some spectacular Town Criers.

Competitors were marked on the accuracy of their cries, as well as their diction, inflection, volume and clarity, content and there were also prizes for the ‘Best Dressed Crier’ and ‘Best Dressed Couple’.

Awards were presented, following the competition, at The Regis Centre by the Town Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr. John Barrett and Ms. Carole Brett.

A big congratulations to all the winners, including John Collingwood, Town Crier for Bridport, who took home the cup for 1^st place!

Jane Smith, Bognor Regis Town Crier said of the event “The Town Criers, without exception, were thrilled by the venue and the wonderful hospitality along with the Town Council’s superb organisation. I would like to give thanks to our wonderful judges for giving their time and to all our generous sponsors. All in all - a fantastic weekend!”

Bognor Regis Town Council would like to thank Hazel Latus BEM, Gary Edgington MBE, Danny Dawes and Stevie Jones (Grandad’s Front Room), Lou-Lou Arram (‘Vintage by Lou-Lou’), Sarah Boote-Cook (Carnival Association), Jonathan Smith and Geoff Davis for judging the competition.

Thanks also to the Mayor’s Cadet AC Amy Wales, Town Force and Town Council staff and Councillors, Paul Wells and Alan Barber for their photography and of course, the sponsors of the competition:

Whittingtons Bandstand Seafront Kiosk

Bognor Regis Afternoon's WI

Bognor Shopmobility

The Regis Centre

RAFA Branch 381 (and everyone involved in the organisation of the Bognor Regis Armed Forces Day event).

Bognor Regis Town Council looks forward to welcoming the Criers back for another competition very soon!

For a photo slideshow of the competition, click HERE

At 2.00pm on Thursday 2nd June 2022, Mrs Jane Smith, Town Crier of Bognor Regis, read aloud the Proclamation she wrote, for the beacon lighting as part of The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.

 A large crowd of proud 'Bognorians' gathered at the Bognor Regis seafront bandstand to witness this historic and momentous occasion for Jane, the Town Council and residents of our wonderful Town.

Along with over 210 Criers from across the UK and Commonwealth, Jane delivered with pride  a moving and rousing rendition of her Proclamation.

 If you missed it or would like to witness Jane 'in action' again, click HERE for the Proclamation in full.

Congratulations Jane from all at Bognor Regis Town Council and thank you for being such an amazing advocate of our Town!

Further to our recent announcement that our very own Bognor Regis Town Crier, Mrs Jane Smith has written the Town Crier Proclamation for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, we are now pleased to announce that the official 'Guide to Taking Part' in the weekend of Celebrations for this momentous event, is now available to view and download from: queensjubileebeacons.com 

The Guide will be updated at the end of every month, to include any relevant updates and further information, as more local communities, individuals and organisations register to take part.

On 2nd June 2022 at 2pm, Our wonderful Town Crier, along with 145 other Criers throughout the United Kingdom and around the Commonwealth will be reading our Jane's proclamation - and we couldn't be prouder!

Bognor Regis Town Council were once again full or pride and admiration, as our wonderful Town Crier, Jane, was personally invited to attend the Tower of London Ceremony for the arrival of the Commonwealth Globe, for safe keeping at the White Tower, until the lighting on the Principal Beacon on June 2nd.

A MASSIVE Congratulations to Jane, who took home the 'Best Dressed Town Crier' prize at the 68th National Town Crier' Competition in Hastings, over the weekend!

Four year's on from last winning this coveted prize at her first Town Crier Competition, Jane was delighted to be named 'Best Dressed' once again!

On behalf of all at Bognor Regis Town Council, thank you Jane for continuing to do Bognor Regis proud!!

If you'd like to book our award winning Town Crier for an event, please contact the Town Crier's Secretary by emailing: rebeccavervecken@bognorregis.gov.uk or by calling: 01243 867744

It was fantastic to see our Town Crier, Jane Smith representing Bognor Regis at Town Crier competitions again! On Saturday 18th September, Jane took part in one of the largest competitions of its kind in the country - Ilminster! Parading from Ilminster Arts Centre to the Market Square, the streets were awash with colour and noise! Everyone at Bognor Regis Town Council wishes Jane all the best for the rest of the 2021 season! Here are a few photos from a truly enjoyable day: 

What an honour for our Jane to have been asked to appear for a second time, at the Original Pearly King's and Queen's Harvest Festival! Back for 2021, Jane was asked to indicate the start of the Festival and special Service (which also included a Christening!), with a rousing 'cry' outside the Saint Martin- in the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square. Surrounded by Pearly King's and Queen's donned in their traditional buttons and pearls, visitors in London for the London Marathon would have most certainly been bedazzled at their site! A big thank you to the Original Pearly King's and Queen's for inviting Jane and to our lady Town Crier herself for continuing to ensure Bognor Regis is firmly on the map!

 It is with great pride that our Jane was asked to attend the official Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival on 6th October 2019.

With an array of Pearly royalty behind her, Jane performed her cry in Trafalgar Square, to invite visitors to attend the prestigious Harvest Service.

Congratulations to Jane for this amazing opportunity to promote and show off our fabulous Town Crier and even more importantly- our Town too! 

BOOKING THE BOGNOR REGIS TOWN CRIER

Jane is available to attend a range of events including coffee mornings, fetes, festivals and parades. The role of Town Crier is a voluntary one and no personal allowance is received by the postholder from the Town Council.

Individuals/Organisations wishing to benefit from the services of the Town Crier are asked to contribute towards out-of-pocket expenses. Bookings within the six wards of Bognor Regis will be charged £20 plus VAT, payable in advance, to cover travel expenses and administration costs. Events outside of the six wards will incur an additional charge to cover travel expenses to locations further away.

If the event requires Town Crier services for over 1 hour then an attendance fee of £20 for each additional hour will be payable, in cash, on the day of the event. For events that are free for the public to attend, and that raise the profile of Bognor Regis , the attendance fee may be waived. However, the administration charge will still be payable.

Print a copy of the booking form here. Terms & Conditions can be found here.

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