On the 16th March the Dorset Town Criers gathered to celebrate Dorchester’s Mayor Alistair Chisholm’s retirement from town crying.
Alistair is a multi-British and National Champion and even won the COVID Silent Cry championship based on content. A comedian, a hoot, a man of many talents, who has given great service to his community and fellow criers.
The criers gathered for coffee in the snug at the Vivo Lounge, where we all caught up and gave tribute to Alistair, followed by the Dorset Criers’ competition in Brewery Square.
It was great to see Melvin Gudger, as judge and co-ordinator, visiting David Craner, and Mel Knapp, widow of Kevin Knapp, town crier of Sturminster Newton, and her daughter Karen, who presented the best dressed trophy.
The criers were Andrew Fleming Swanage, Chris Brown, Wimborne, Jacquie Hall Wareham, John Collingwood Bridport and Liz Rawlings, Blandford Forum.
Congratulations to Liz for winning the Stanley Mansbridge Trophy on best content cry. Great vocabulary! Liz’s cry will be framed and presented along with the beautiful walking stick we gave him.
Jacquie Hall won the coveted Kevin Knapp memorial trophy for Dorset’s best dressed Crier.
Thank you to Hannah Fleming-Hill who took photos and videos of us all to mark the occasion. Oyez