TOWN criers from all over the country came to Middlewich at the weekend to compete in the British Town Crier Championships.

The prestigious championships were held in Southway throughout Saturday, September 26, running alongside the Makers Market, and town criers from around the UK were impressed with the welcome.

East Riding of Yorkshire crier Michael Wood won the championships and thanked the town for his enjoyable visit.

“I wanted to say thanks to the town of Middlewich for staging such a great event,” Michael said.

“The involvement and enthusiasm of Mayor Ken Kingston and Mayoress Suzanne Johns was infectious. Indeed, the hard work and organisation of the event by all those involved from your town council was first class. The welcome by Middlewich residents was equally heart-warming.

“The time and effort of those who volunteered for the difficult task of being judges can never be appreciated enough, but the ultimate honours must be given to your town crier and escort, Devlin and Jenny. Although relatively new to the world of town crying they have contributed so much in such a short time.

“On the Sunday morning before departing, my wife and I walked the canal paths. Competition or not, we know we would like to return to Middlewich to experience one of your FAB weekends in what is a ‘fab’ little market town.”

After the success of the championships in Middlewich, plans are in place for a town crier ccompetition to be held in Middlewich every year. 

Middlewich town crier Devlin Hobson said: “It went very, very well, we all had a really good time. All the criers said how well it was organised and how well it went in general.

“I’m not just being biased but out of all the competitions I have done in this country, Middlewich stands out because the town prides itself on events.

“We are looking at making it an annual event here in Middlewich and adding it to the long list of annual events we have here.”