‘Crying out loud!’

Town criers from across the world have started to arrive in Montgomery for what promises to be a colourful weekend to remember!

The Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers has planned this year’s Guild Championship of Town Criers with Sue Blower (pictured), the charismatic Town Crier of Montgomery for the last 22 years.

Twenty-three criers from all over UK are expected to take part, with three from Canada, Australia and New Zealand, along with their partners, already touching down to enjoy some warm local hospitality.

It promises to be a wonderful and colourful spectacle which is open to the public to enjoy from 10am on Saturday, running through to 5pm. On Sunday, there will be a colourful parade at 10am into church to take the morning service and all are welcome.

“It promises to be a wonderful weekend and I would like to thank everyone who has supported me in making this event happen,” said Sue.

“Come down and enjoy an old tradition that is still thriving. It will be a lot of fun with some very colourful characters joining us over the weekend.”

The international criers were welcomed by an official reception this week and Paddy-Ann Pemberton, from New Zealand, who will be helping Sue to host the event, said: “It is a great privilege to be invited to return to Montgomery to support Susie with this competition.

“As a former Town Crier of 20 years in New Zealand, I appreciated her coming to support me by competing in the World Tournament in Central Otago in 2015.

“I am looking forward to meeting old friends and making new ones over this coming week in your delightful town and surrounds.

The Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers Championship will take place on Saturday 14th September in Broad Street, Montgomery. (See other posts for more!)

PICTURE: Peter and Judy Campbell (Australia), Montgomery Mayor Rob Harper, Daniel Richer dit La Flèche and Julia Dudley (Canada), Paddy-Ann and Rod Pemberton (New Zealand), Deputy Mayor Claire Weston.