NEWTON Abbot will once again play host to members of the ancient and honourable Guild of Town Criers at this year’s town crier’s competition on Saturday, September 10.

15 Crier’s will take part in the competition, which will be held in the centre of town in Courtenay Street (outside Austin’s) throughout the day.

It will be a very colourful (and somewhat noisy!) event.

Crying is very much a forerunner to today’s newspapers as it is an early form of relaying newsworthy items that dates back centuries.

The competition involves two cries – the ‘Home Cry’ which will take place from 10.45am when the Crier will promote the hometown he or she represents and then a second cry at 1pm which this year will be on ‘Sweets’.

Look out for ‘Creative Newton Abbot’ in the town also offering free seasonally themed creative workshops for all ages, in Courtenay Street, from 10am to 2pm. Plus the Clock Tower will be open for visits from 10am to 1pm.

Events Co-ordinator, Natalie Hicks said: ‘The town council is very fortunate to have the support of local businesses and individuals who make contributions in all sorts of ways which include the Lord of the Newton Abbot Manorial Borough of Newton Abbot, Keith Stokes-Smith who provides the cash prizes totalling £200 for first, second and third placing, Austin’s department store for prizes for the Best Dressed Escort and Best Dressed Couple on the day, SIBA who provides beer for the criers, Sunshine sweets for providing prizes this year and Twelve Twenty and The Clock Tower Coffee Shop for providing mid-morning refreshments.

‘I would like to thank each of the contributors who help us provide this colourful, loud and atmospheric event that entertains local passers-by as they visit the town centre.’ adds Natalie.