THE community spirit in Middlewich has once again been lauded after the British Town Crier Championships.

The competition was held on Saturday, September 26, and the secretary of the Loyal Company of Town Criers, John Robinson, said Middlewich was one of the best towns to host the competition.

John said: “Although I live but a hefty stone's throw away in Biddulph, I have to say that I've never stopped off in Middlewich, but merely driven through on my way to other destinations. What a fool I've been.

“Throughout the day the people of Middlewich were tremendous in their vocal support of all the criers, the warmth of the welcome from shoppers and shopkeepers, stallholders and passing members of the public ensuring that we all felt right at home in Middlewich.

“In twenty-one years of crying for Biddulph I have only missed two British Championships, and so I can say without fear or contradiction that I have seen and sampled the highs and lows of hospitality. Middlewich is definitely up there on a high.

“May I offer warmest congratulations to your town council for their foresight in supporting Middlewich town crier Devlin Hobson and his wife Jenny in their quest to bring the championships to Middlewich. And yes, I will stop off in Middlewich next time, instead of driving on through.”