A Report from Chester
David Boyd, the Town Crier for Rideau Lakes sends us this note:
I believe the photograph, taken by my cousin during a parade through the City of Chester, catches my enthusiasm and also caught my surprise when I first spotted my cousin in the crowd!
In every way the Chester, England, World Town Criers Tournament was a great success.
I didn’t win the title of Best Town Crier in the World, that went to my very worthy colleague, Chris Whyman of Kingston. I DID win third place in the Chester Oaks Town Crier Tournament for my creative efforts and humourous presentation. I also was awarded one of the unique terra-cotta sculptures of Chester’s Market Cross, as the “Media Award“, for extensive press coverage promoting the Chester Tournament, thus promoting the city of Chester.
I learned a lot about Town Crying and this will continue to add to my presentations. I was also invited to stand-in for the Chester Town Crier at the “Noon Cry” from the Market Cross. That was a wonderful vote of confidence from our Host Crier.
Also announced at the awards ceremony by Chris Whyman: He and Daniel Richer dit La Fleche, the Crier for City of Ottawa, are working together to put together a World Tournament that would be endorsing the UNESCO World Heritage site, Fort Henry and the Rideau Canal. I look forward to seeing how they plan. Not that I want to be a Host Crier, as Host Criers can’t compete.
So, have a grand day, and take what comfort you may in knowing that a retired public servant is out there, crying on your behalf.
Cheers … David