Bermuda played host to the 2015 Bermuda International Town Crier Competition in April, which brought together 25 Town Criers from the United Kingdom and Canada as they put their unique talents to the test in a bid to determine who was the best in the centuries old tradition.
The competition took place in three locations around the island, beginning in east end town of St. George’s, then the Royal Naval Dockyard in the west end, before Bermuda’s capital City of Hamilton provided the backdrop for the final event.
In the end, it was Mark Wylie, who is the Calne Town Crier in the United Kingdom, that took first place, followed by James Stewart, Town Crier of Glasgow, Ontario, Canada, as first runner up, and Christopher Whyman, Town Crier of Kingston, Ontario, Canada as second runner up.
Given the elaborate dress that often accompanies Town Crier gatherings, the competition also awarded prizes for the best dressed in attendance, with Les and Karen Whiting winning for Best Dressed Couples and second runner up Christopher Whyman winning for Best Dressed Crier.
The history of Town Criers goes back to the time of ancient Sparta, when runners maintained positions of importance in spreading news throughout the Greek empire.
The role of the Town Crier – sometimes called a Bellman – quickly spread and evolved as England colonized much of the world, bringing news to the public and acting as a spokesman for the king.
The need for that role to be filled extended around the globe, with an official Town Crier serving Los Angeles as recently as 1904.
In modern times, while the need for Town Criers as bringers of news has greatly diminished, the position has passed into local folklore, prompting many local councils in England, Wales and Australia to utilize Town Criers, and events in Bermuda often start with a Town Crier, with the island having two – one for Hamilton and one for St. George’s.
Today, Town Criers are seen in action more often in contests such as the Bermuda Town Crier Competition, with the events giving talented Criers from around the world the opportunity to entertain with their unique skills.
For more information about the island locales that played host to the Town Crier Competition, click here to learn about the town of St. George’s, click here to learn about the Royal Naval Dockyard, or click here to learn about the City of Hamilton.
