"Ell be alright"

Robert has competed in the City of Ely Town Criers Championships both during 2007 and 2008. In each successive competition he has come out on top as the Champion Town Crier. He was also declared 'Best Dressed Town Crier' in 2007. He was awarded 'Best Content of Cry' in 2008.

"Doing well over there"

Robert competed in the 'Europees Kampioenschap Stadsomroepen 2008' (European Championship for Town Criers 2008). The competition was held in the towns of Almelo and Nijverdal, Holland between 1st and 2nd August 2008. Awards were given to the five top placed Criers. Robert was delighted to claim a podium position after being awarded fourth place. He said, "It was a genuine delight to have made the grade in Europe once more. Colchester is certainly on the Town Criers international map."

also.......

Colchester's Town Crier competed in the Town Crier's Competition held in conjunction with the Melton Mowbray Mid-Summer Fayre on Sunday, 29th June 2003.

After two qualifying rounds, the judges voted him Top Town Crier and Best Dressed Town Crier.

 

'I became Colchester's Town Crier in October 1997. I am a member of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers and the Loyal Company of Town Criers. I have been the South of England Champion during three successive years from 1999 to 2001, coming second in 2002. I was a finalist in the National Championships in 2001, going one better last year when I came third. I have been awarded first place in competitions at the Belper Jubilee Competition in 2002, at the Peterborough City Championships in 2003 and at the Melton Mowbray Mid-Summer Fayre. There is a sprinkling of second and third places at other events during that time.'

Competitions traditionally involve the contestant giving out a 'home town' cry. This is obviously used to promote the criers home town. The second part of the competition involves a cry selected by the organisers.

Contestants are judged on.

* Volume and Clarity

* Diction and Inflexion

* Confidence and bearing

* Engaging the audience

* Dress

* Content of cry, contained within a maximum of 100 words