FROME’S town crier held his annual festival earlier this month and saw 16 criers meet in the town centre for a day of celebration.
Long-standing town crier of Frome, Mike Bishop, held the tenth annual event on Saturday 18th June. The criers paraded through the town centre and heard each others’ morning and afternoon cries, crowning those with the best.
Mike said, “The day went very well and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the event.
“We started off with the morning cries – about each crier’s hometown – held a parade through the town, then had the afternoon cries, which were chosen individually.
“The competition was judged by Diane Meaden, Christine Dyre and Jane Norris. Stuart Cumming from Chard won the best cry competition, and Kevin and Mel Knapp from Sturminster Newton won the best dressed awards. Having it in the town centre is definitely better than when we held it at the park. People who are out shopping all seem to love it and will stop and watch for a while. It’s very well supported by the public.
“We had a hiccup in 2014 and didn’t think we could carry on, but the event is going better than ever now and we’ll be back again next year on 17th June!”