Bognor Regis hosts second-ever Town Crier Competition!
Published: 24 June 2024
On Saturday 22nd June, Bognor Regis Town Council hosted its second Town Crier Competition, following the success of the inaugural competition in 2022. Once again taking place at the beautiful seafront bandstand, Town Crier’s came from far and wide to take part!
Hosted by Bognor Regis Town Crier, Jane Smith, crowds gathered on the seafront to witness the fantastic spectacle of 14 Criers, dressed in their colourful regalia, proclaiming proudly about their hometown, during the first round, and ‘something important to them’ for the second round.
Competitors were marked on the accuracy of their cries, as well as their diction, inflection, volume and clarity and content, with prizes also awarded for the ‘Best Dressed Crier’ (which was a very close call indeed!)
Awards were presented, following the competition, at The Town Hall, by the Mayor Cllr. Miss Claire Needs and the Bognor Regis Town Crier. A full list of the winners is as follows:
1st Place (and Best Dressed) John Griffith from Sleaford
2nd Place Mark Wylie from Calne
3rd Place John Bartholomew from Bexhill-On-Sea
Best Content David Green from Torpoint
Jane Smith, Bognor Regis Town Crier said of the event “We had a fantastic day, and it was an absolute pleasure to host and introduce to Bognor Regis, our amazing Town Crier’s who all do a wonderful job of representing their hometowns. Thank you to all who came to take part, those who watched us on the seafront and everyone involved in putting this together. A great time was had by all!”
Bognor Regis Town Council would like to thank the competition judges; Stevie Jones and Eve Hunter, Carole Brett and John Barrett, Jonathan Smith, Alan Spencer and Gary Edgington MBE.
A special thank you to the Mayor’s Cadet AC Ashley Wightwick-Hotston, our Town Force team, Town Council staff and Councillors and Alan Barber for his photography.
Thank you to the Bognor Regis Concert Band, Darrell Hardy (Whittington’s Bandstand Seafront Kiosk), Arun District Council, Dawnie’s Bakery, Arundel Trophies and Engravers and of course the RAFA Branch 381 and everyone involved in the organisation of the Bognor Regis Armed Forces Day event.
A final thank you to everyone who came to enjoy the occasion and of course the wonderful Town Crier’s who came to take part, we look forward to welcoming them back for another competition very soon!
