Colourful Ken has Plenty to Shout About

Published: 24 April 2012

Lichfield's Town Crier, Ken Knowles cried his way to victory earlier this month in Alcester Town, Court Leet when he scooped first place in the Heart of England Trophy. 18 criers from around the country took part in the competition which was judged under the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers rules on accuracy, volume, diction and inflection. Each crier was required to proclaim their home town cry of between 100 and 125 words beginning with 3 oyez and end with God Save the Queen. Still on a victory roll, Ken also walked away with second place at the North West Town Criers Championship at the Sandbach Transport Festival, "it was a close run thing" commented Ken, "with second place being awarded after a cry-off".

You can see Ken and 11 more criers from around England, including the world's tallest town crier 7' 2" Martin Wood from Shrewsbury, in action on Saturday, 30 June, when Lichfield hosts its inaugural Town Crier's Competition at Speaker's Corner from 12 noon. Local businesses can get involved by sponsoring a crier for £25, who will then perform a cry for your business on the day.