Something to shout about on Festival Market Day

Published: 08 July 2014

Town Criers from across the country descended on Lichfield for the second Lichfield City national competition held on Festival Market Day, Saturday, 5 July.

Twelve Town Criers rang their bells and paraded in colourful costumes around the city centre to the delight of all. The competition took place at Speakers' Corner where the criers were challenged to give two performances, the first being a cry about their ?Home Town' and the second on the theme of the ?Great War'. At 84 Cyril Richardson, Bell Man for Great Barr was the oldest entrant and Martin Wood from Shrewsbury at 7' 2" the tallest town crier in the world!

After much deliberation the judges awarded the 2014 trophy to Peter Taunton from Stafford, with second prize to Martin Wood and third to Adrian Holmes of Sandwell.

Lichfield City Council would like to thank Reverend Ian Hayter, John Brough, Gina Martin, Brian Todd and Milly and Harry Goss for judging the competition and the following organisations for their sponsorship: The Tudor of Lichfield, Michael's Menswear, Arthur Price, The George Hotel, Keelys, Tesco, Florette, Lichfield Cathedral, Erasmus Darwin House, Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum and the Staffordshire Regimental Museum.