The tournament, staged by Marketing Cheshire fromSeptember 22 to 26, captured the imagination of residents, visitors and theworld’s media. The historic city of Chester – where the town crier traditiongoes back almost 500 years - provided the perfect backdrop for a riot ofcolour, noise and eccentricity.  

Over three competition days open to the public and free to attend,25 town criers from Australia, Canada, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, theUSA, England and even Alderney in the Channel Islands, competed for the covetedtitle.

The delighted victor, originally from England but now the towncrier for Toowoomba and the Darling Downs, near Brisbane, said: “I wish my93-year-old mum was here to see this. It’s a cliché, but I’m over the moon. Ilove the people and the camaraderie among the town criers – it has been a joyand Chester has been so welcoming.

“I don’t drink but I’ll be having a beer – or two – tonight.”

Full results:

• World     Town Crier Tournament Champion: Kevin Howarth, Toowoomba and the Darling     Downs, Australia
• Runner     Up: Joris Goens, Veurne, Belgium
• Third     Place: Christian Ashdown, Haslemere, Surrey

The event marked the city's first time staging the competitionsince 2014, and was by far the biggest incarnation yet, backed by £50,000 infunding from Airbnb's £1 million Best of British Fund. Crowds lined thehistoric streets throughout the week to watch the contest unfold, withcompetition rounds judged on vocal proficiency, confidence and bearing,content, and audience engagement.

Criers also promoted local hotels and businesses, and visited alocal school and a city centre care home before the final day of competition.

The event was aided by celebrity judges including CoronationStreet star Ian Puleston-Davies, Cheshire MP Sam Dixon, and broadcasters LouiseMinchin and Lucy Meacock, who picked their daily favourites, with specialawards also up for grabs.

The event was organised in partnership with Chester Town CrierDavid Mitchell. For nearly three decades, he has delivered the Chesterproclamation including a unique welcome in 15 languages. Chester is the onlyplace in the UK to have daily town crier proclamations during the peak summerseason.

Jamie Christon, Chair of Marketing Cheshire andCEO of Chester Zoo, said: "What an event the World Town CrierTournament has proved to be. Chester has a habit of surprising people, and thisweek the city did exactly that - historic streets filled with colour, characterand a bit of theatre, showing the world what makes this place so special.

"We've loved watching visitors soak up everything Chester hasto offer, from our medieval Rows and riverside walks to the bars, restaurantsand independent shops that give the city its character. This week has seenChester at its best, with the world watching."

Luke Impett, Partnerships and External AffairsSenior Manager for Airbnb UK, said:

“We’re proud to help bring the World Town Crier Tournament back toChester and shine a spotlight on this much-loved tradition. It captures exactlywhat the Best of British Fund was created to support: the traditions, eventsand communities that make Britain so unique.

“By highlighting events like these, we hope to encourage morepeople to explore the best of what the UK has to offer, while helping tourismcontinue to support local jobs, independent businesses and communities acrossthe country.”

Find out more about the World Town Crier Tournament at World Town Crier Tournament | Visit Chester &Cheshire, and for more on Kevin Howarth go to Kevin Howarth | Visit Chester & Cheshire.

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