Oyez! Oyez! Mike makes some noise to win Ely’s annual Town Crier competition
The participants in the Ely Town Crier competition with Ely town crier, Avril Hayer-Smith (far left), and Mayor of Ely, Lis Every. - Credit: Archant
Competitors from around the country gave their vocal chords a good stretching by taking part in this year’s Ely Town Crier competition.
The participants in the Ely Town Crier competition march down Fore Hill. - Credit: Archant
The event, which coincided with the city’s Eel Day festivities on Saturday April 30, invited criers to go head-to-head in an attempt to be crowned ‘best crier.’
Organised by current Ely Town Crier, Avril Hayter-Smith, the competition was won by Mike Wabe, from Thetford and Brandon, with Colchester’s Robert Needham in second and Adrian Holmes from Sandwell in third.
Mike Wabe took home two more prizes on the day, including ‘best themed’ for his Shakespearean attire, and ‘best dressed crier’.
Les Cutts from Halix scooped the ‘best free cry’ prize, and Julie Cutts received the ‘best dressed escort’ award.
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Brenda and Peter Willison, from Newmarket and Bakewell, won the highly sought-after ‘best dressed couple’ accolade, and Adrian Holmes was crowned as the competition’s ‘best ambassador’.
Dozens of criers turned out on a sunny afternoon in Ely, before the competitors were treated to a performance of ‘Allo ‘Allo from actors from the Village Review, and Mrs Hayer-Smith says the day was enjoyed by all.
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She said: “It was a brilliant day. There were some very funny cries, especially from Les Cutts from Halifax who spoke about the youth of today.
“Although the turn out was less than we expected, it was a really, really good event and we’re looking forward to next year.”
