Bognor Regis Town Crier Competition 2026!
Published: 22 June 2026
Photo: Town Criers, Mayor and Mayor's Cadet outside Seafront Bandstand
Bognor Regis Town Council was delighted to host its Town Crier Competition on Saturday, building on the success of the inaugural event in 2022 and the most recent competition in 2024. Set against the stunning backdrop of the seafront bandstand, the event welcomed Town Criers from across the UK and beyond.
Hosted by Bognor Regis Town Crier, Jane Smith, the competition attracted crowds of spectators along the seafront eager to enjoy the spectacle of 17 Town Criers, resplendent in their colourful regalia. During the first round, competitors proudly delivered cries celebrating their hometowns, before turning their attention in round two to the fitting theme of ‘Seaside Memories’.
Contestants were judged on the accuracy of their cries, as well as their diction, inflection, volume, clarity and content. Additional awards were presented for ‘Best Dressed Crier’ and ‘Best Dressed Couple’.
Following the competition, awards were presented at the Town Hall by the Mayor, Councillor Paul Ralph, alongside Bognor Regis Town Crier, Jane Smith.
Winners of the Competition were as follows:
Competition Results
Mark Wylie (Calne) – 1st Place
Mike Wabe (Watton) – 2nd Place
Paul Gough (Nuneaton & Bedworth) – 3rd Place
Best Content – Jon Borthwick (Lewes)
Best Dressed Crier – David Green (Torpoint)
Best Dressed Couple – Kurt De Smet and Karoline Decordier (Oudenaarde, Belgium)
Photo: Town Criers outside RAFA Club 381
Jane Smith, Bognor Regis Town Crier said of the event “I feel very humbled by the strength of the field of Town Criers who attended this year’s competition. It was wonderful to welcome our friends from Belgium, who proudly took home the ‘Best Dressed Couple’ accolade. Everyone had a fantastic time—some were visiting Bognor Regis for the very first time, while others were delighted to return. One Crier even took the opportunity to enjoy a dip in the Bognor Regis sea”!
Bognor Regis Town Council would like to extend its sincere thanks to the competition judges: the Mayor Councillor Paul Ralph, Kate Henwood, David Hole, Chris Larley and Jonathan Smith, whose time and expertise were greatly appreciated.
Special thanks also go to the Mayor’s Cadet, First Cadet Nevaeh Kane, the Town Force team and Town Council staff for their invaluable support throughout the day.
The Council is grateful to the Rock Choir for providing a rousing live performance while the judges deliberated, and to Darrell Hardy of Whittington’s Bandstand Seafront Kiosk for generously providing keepsakes for the visiting Town Criers. Thanks are also extended to Arun District Council, Dawnie’s Bakery, the RAFA Branch 381 for hosting the morning registration, and everyone involved in organising the Bognor Regis Armed Forces Day event.
Finally, thank you to all who attended and helped make the occasion such a success, and of course to the wonderful Town Criers who travelled to Bognor Regis to take part. We look forward to welcoming them back for another competition in the near future.
For more photos, visit the Town Crier Page which can be found on the Town Council’s Homepage, under ‘Our Town’ and ‘Town Crier’. Alternatively, visit our Facebook page:
