MR ROBERT NEEDHAM
MR ROBERT NEEDHAM
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 Peterbourough 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
'Subject to holidays, I do announcements of forthcoming local events in Culver Square, Colchester at 12.30pm each Friday.'
Colchester makes a noise in Europe.
The Europees Kampionschap Bellemannen (European Town Criers Championship 2004) was held in Ninove, Belgium between 27th and 31st May 2004.
42 Town Criers representing the best in Europe gathered in Belgium this week-end to contest the European Championships.
Town Criers were asked to prepare and present 3 cries for the championship. These were on the subjects of Home Town (Colchester) an item on Flanders and a piece on Belgian Beer.
After two days of competition, the judging panel selected 12 qualifiers to go on into the Grand Final. A challenging third day finale concluded with an unbelievable tied score for first place.
Colchester's Town Crier, Robert Needham came in at an equal 329 points together with the Mr Philip Street, Town Crier of Lyme Regis, Dorset. Organisers opted to hold a further deciding round the next day. In a gladiatorial setting, in front of the Ninove City Hall, an excited crowd gathered late on Monday afternoon to witness the 'cry off.'
Colchester's Town Crier received the unanimous vote of the Judges and stretched his lead to 333.9 points. The title of European Champion was bestowed on Robert Needham.
Robert said, "I am so pleased about this result. Four days of competition had taken it's toll, some of the competitors experienced failing voices as the Championship reached it's final stage. This is really something exceptional for Colchester. Our town is getting an ever-increasing profile. Now it extends across Europe as well."
Robert now holds the title for two years.
Seen also,
The Town Crier of Colchester, J. Everett.
Reprinted from the Essex County Standard, December 7th, 1907
Photo by Deacon of Colchester
Includes Town Crier's Proclamation on December 1st:
"Cold December hath set in;
Poor men's backs are clothed thin;
Trees are bare, the birds are mute;
A pot and toast would very well suit."
If you require any further information, please contact me at:
Mr Robert Needham
'One of the Nations top Town Criers'
1 Feedhams Close
Wivenhoe
Colchester CO7 9HZ
tel 01206 824446
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updated 190307
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