World Town Crier tournament under way in Chester as winner due tomorrow
Town criers from around the world are competing in Chester in the World Town Crier tournament, with the winner due to be crowned tomorrow.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The World Town Crier tournament is under way in Chester, with competitors from around the globe gathering to put their voices to the test. The event is a contest of volume, clarity and delivery, and the winner is due to be crowned on Saturday.
The field includes town criers from different countries, all hoping to take the title. One participant argued that women have an advantage. 'We're better than them because even though we're not as tall, our voices are clearer,' she said. 'The clarity is so much better and our voices carry because of the pitch.'
The standard has been described as high, with all the criers said to be amazing. With the final day approaching, the result remained anybody's game.
Big lungs are not the only requirement. A hearty breakfast is also part of the preparation, at least according to a light-hearted lesson given by two-time Guinness World Record holder Alan Myatt. During a demonstration, he was asked to judge a reporter's town crier skills and told her to copy his technique exactly. He then joked that she could do with a good fry-up, including bacon sandwiches and bubble and squeak, before returning in 12 months to see if her vocals had improved.
The reporter concluded she would not rush to enter next year, but wished the competitors well. The best town crier will take the title when the event concludes on Saturday.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| The winner of the World Town Crier tournament will be crowned the following day. | |
| The World Town Crier tournament is under way in Chester. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
ITV1 placed the tournament at the end of its lunchtime bulletin as a light human-interest item. It focused on what it takes to be a town crier, including voice, breakfast and one crier's claim that women have clearer voices. The report avoided detailed judging rules, competitor lists or country-by-country results and kept a playful tone.
- “Ever heard of the World Town Crier tournament? Well, you have now.”
- “Some of the criers are amazing. In fact, they're all amazing.”
- “We're better than them because even though we're not as tall, our voices are clearer.”
Who was on air
People and organisations each channel put on air while covering this story. Channels' own presenters and reporters are not listed. Names as transcribed, and the list can miss people.
- 12:44 BST
Alan Myatt, two-time Guinness World Record holder
“two-time Guinness World Record holder Alan Myatt.”
ITV Lunchtime News · Fri 25 Sept
Broadcast Timeline
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