Town criers from across the United Kingdom, Bermuda, Nova Scotia and Australia have taken part in a national championship in Calne.

Twenty-nine competitors battled it out to become The Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers national champion for 2023.

The championship was due to be held on the Beach Terrace but was moved indoors into the Calne Town Hall because of the threat of strong winds and heavy rainfall.

Mark Wylie, who has been the Calne Town Crier for the past 16 years, hosted the championships.

Wiltshire Times: Calne Town Crier Mark Wylie (right) with Tetbury Town Crier Tony Evans in the parade of criers taking part in The Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers National Championship. Photo: Trevor Porter 69984-9Calne Town Crier Mark Wylie (right) with Tetbury Town Crier Tony Evans in the parade of criers taking part in The Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers National Championship. Photo: Trevor Porter 69984-9 (Image: Trevor Porter)

He said: “It was a fantastic day. All the criers presented themselves very well and were great ambassadors for their towns.

“We were forced to hold the event in the town hall because the weather was so unpredictable.

“Fortunately, we are blessed with a very long and large town hall in Calne so we were able to maintain the required distance of 75 feet between the criers and the three judges.”

The championship was due to have 35 competitors from towns around the UK and overseas, including Hamilton in Bermuda, New Glasgow in Nova Scotia, and the City of Victor Harbor in South Australia.

Wiltshire Times: All the way from South Australia: Mike Willett, town crier for the City of Victor Harbor, competes for The Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers national championship title. Photo: Trevor Porter 69984-12All the way from South Australia: Mike Willett, town crier for the City of Victor Harbor, competes for The Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers national championship title. Photo: Trevor Porter 69984-12 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Wiltshire Times: Bermuda Town Crier Ed Christopher warms up for The Ancient and Honourable Town Criers national championship contest at the entrance to Calne Town Hall. Photo: Trevor Porter 69984-13Bermuda Town Crier Ed Christopher warms up for The Ancient and Honourable Town Criers national championship contest at the entrance to Calne Town Hall. Photo: Trevor Porter 69984-13 (Image: Trevor Porter)

But five of the town criers were forced to drop out for family reasons and one suffered a fall before the event and ended up in hospital.

Mr Wylie was the first crier for each of the two rounds to “set the benchmark” for the other competitors.

The town criers are each judged on diction, inflection, volume and clarity, as well as their splendid costumes.

The winner was Terry Ford from Otley, second was John Griffiths from Sleaford, and third was David Hinde from Helmsley.

Mr Wylie was awarded the National Town Crier Championships title in Hastings in October 2022, having won the title in 2012 at his first attempt.

He also holds the Armada Cup championships title, which he will be defending over three days at Plymouth on Friday, July 21, Kingsbridge on Saturday, July 22 and Dartmouth on Sunday, July 23.

The National Town Crier Championships will be held in Rye on October 14, having been held in Hastings for the past 69 years. Mr Wylie says he plans to defend that title too.

The Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers championships moves around the country. Last year, it was held in Bognor Regis and next year it will be held in Montgomery in Wales.