The morning of Saturday the 20th July 2024 dawned bright, sunny, and most importantly, dry, meaning that the Calne Town Crier competition would be able to take place back at its usual pace on Beach Terrace, overlooking the Marden River. Those criers that had attended the Guild Championships in Calne last year were particularly grateful to be outdoors this year!
The competition was taking place as part of Calne’s Priestley 250 celebrations, commemorating two hundred and fifty years since Dr Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen while living in Calne. As such, the afternoon cry was on the theme of Oxygen.
Thirteen criers processed to the competition site and the day began with Round One, the Home Town Cry. Each crier had been asked to provide a short introduction, and the host crier, Mark Wylie, was well engaged vocally, crying out what in some cases was little short of War and Peace! Round One was followed by a half hour break, and then Round Two began.
The competing criers were not required to theme their cry on Dr Priestley or his discovery, however most chose to do so. There was one notable exception, where the cry informed the assembled crowd about a music album by Jean-Michel Jarre from a good number of years ago.
The occasion attracted a good crowd for both rounds, and the whole thing was ably and brilliantly overseen by Peter and Joan Dauncey, the former crier and consort from Melksham. At the end of round two the winner was announced to the crowd. The remaining places and Best Dressed winners had to wait until we retired to the Town Hall for a well deserved lunch.
So, to the results:
- Winner: Paul Gough from Nuneaton and Bedworth
- Second: John Griffiths from Sleaford
- Third: Peder Nielsen from Bromyard & Winslow
- Best Dressed Crier: Ed Christopher from Hamilton, Bermuda
- Best Dressed Consort: Liz Ellis from Dartmouth
- Best Dressed Couple Les and Liz Ellis from Dartmouth
A huge thank you to all involved in making the occasion such a success, especially the Calne Mayor, Cllr Jon Fisher and his wife, the Mayor’s Consort Tara Fisher, and everyone at Calne Town Council, without whose support the competition simply would not have happened.