ILMINSTER NEWS: Town criers have plenty to shout about

SHOUTING galore could be heard in Ilminster yesterday (Saturday, May 7, 2016) as the second-ever town criers competition took place in the town centre.

The competition was hosted by Ilminster’s very own town crier Andrew Fox and around 15 of his colleagues came from far and wide to take part.

The deserved winner was Christian Ashdown, from Haslemere, in Surrey, while Mike Bishop and Joan Dauncey took the prizes for Best Dressed Crier and Escort.

Runner-up in the competition was David Turner of Tavistock, while third spot went to Chard town crier Stuart Cumming.

Ilminster’s Andrew Fox said he was delighted with the success of the competition and thanked all the town criers for competing and everyone who supported the event.

PHOTO – TOP: The competitors gather at the Ilminster Arts Centre.

PHOTO – RIGHT: Ilminster town crier Andrew Fox and his wife Julie Fox.

The first-half of the competition saw the town criers parade from the Ilminster Arts Centre down to the Market House where each competitor made a “cry” about their home town.

They then broke for lunch and during the break there was more entertainment including a display by Ilminster Majorettes.

The second-half of the contest saw the town criers able to give a “cry” with the theme of “my favourite things.”

Lord Cameron of Dillington and the Deputy Mayor of Ilminster, Cllr Tony Walker, were among the spectators while a judging panel included Emma Jane Taylor, Rev Nigel Done, Linda Piggott-Vijeh and Flt Lt Colin Parkinson.

Mr Fox would like to thank Ilminster Chamber of Commerce, Ilminster Rotary Club, Ilminster Town Council, Ilminster Arts Centre, The Retreat, John Excell, Experience Ilminster and Ilminster Tesco for their support.

He would also like to thank those local businesses who supported the competiton programme with an advert.

More photos from the competition can be found in this gallery: http://www.ilminsterpress.co.uk/blog/2016/05/08/ilminster-town-criers-competition-may-7-2016/ .

PHOTO – ABOVE: Chard town crier Stuart Cumming (left) and David Craner, town crier of Crewkerne and Seaton.

PHOTO – ABOVE: Competition winner Christian Ashdown, from Haslemere, in Surrey.

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