ILMINSTER NEWS: Oyez, Oyez, Oyez – town criers have something to shout about!

TOWN criers from around the region gathered for a competition worth shouting about on Saturday (May 13, 2017) in Ilminster.

It could be said that the town centre came alive to a cacophony of criers – although apparently the collective name for a group of town criers is a heard – as the fantastic costumed men and women gave some roaring presentations.

Ilminster’s third annual town crier competition was another great success and they marched down East Street with their escorts to the contest area at the Market House.

The criers first gave a cry in praise of their home towns and after a short interval – during which the Ilminster Majorettes performed – they came back to give a second cry based on the theme of “birds.”

PHOTO – TOP: South Somerset town criers (from left) Crewkerne’s David Craner, Ilminster’s Andrew Fox, Yeovil’s Bruce Trigger, Ilminster’s escort Julie Fox, and Chard’s Stuart Cumming.

PHOTO – RIGHT: The award-winning Ilminster Majorettes performed during the half-time interval of the town criers competition in the Market Square.

Town criers were also judged on their regalia and standard of turnout and there were prizes for the Best Dressed Crier, Best Dressed Escort and the Best Dressed Couple

Guests included the Mayor of Ilminster, Cllr Val Keitch, former Ilminster Mayor, Margaret Excell, and Hon Ewen Cameron of the Manor of Dillington.

The volunteer judges were Sergeant Major Paul Sainsbury of the Army Cadet Force; Andrea Jones, of Greenfylde First School; retired headteacher Iain Crabtree and Stephen Dixon and Chris Sainsbury.

The competition was hosted by Ilminster town crier Andrew Fox and his wife Julie.

Andrew said: “We must thank the Army Cadet Force volunteers for their help in creating the competition area and for acting as judges’ runners and the Ilminster Majorettes for their entertaining performance.

“A big thank you also to all the local businesses and traders who generously supported the occasion with donations and helped with facilities.”

The town criers and escorts had gathered ahead of the competition at Ilminster Bowling Club and they returned there following the contest for the results.

Results were as follows: Best crier – 1 Roy Goodwin of Ilfracombe, 2 Ken Knowles of Lichfield, 3 Les Ellis of Dartmouth. Best dressed crier – 1 David Greenway of Glastonbury. Best dressed escort – Bee Goodwin of Ilfracombe. Best dressed couple – Peter and Joan Dauncey of Melksham.

More photos can be found on these links.

Part One: http://www.ilminsterpress.co.uk/blog/2017/05/15/ilminster-town-criers-competition-part-1-may-13-2017/ .

Part Two: http://www.ilminsterpress.co.uk/blog/2017/05/15/ilminster-town-criers-competition-part-2-may-13-2017/ .

Part Three: http://www.ilminsterpress.co.uk/blog/2017/05/15/ilminster-town-criers-competition-part-3-may-13-2017/ .

Part Four: http://www.ilminsterpress.co.uk/blog/2017/05/15/ilminster-town-criers-competition-part-4-may-13-2017/ .

PHOTO – ABOVE: The Mayor of Ilminster, Cllr Val Keitch, is pictured with all the town criers and their escorts by the Market House.

PHOTO – ABOVE LEFT: Crewkerne town crier David Craner who was present, but did not compete.

PHOTO – ABOVE RIGHT: Ilminster town crier Andrew Fox who hosted the competition along with his wife Julie.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Army Cadets with the Ilminster town crier Andrew Fox.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Chard town crier Stuart Cumming in full voice.

PHOTO – ABOVE: Competition winner Roy Goodwin, of Ilfracombe, with his escort, Bee Goodwin, who won the Best Dressed Escort award.

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