Alnwick Haldimand town crier gets council support to attend world championships

By Dan Jones LJI
Northumberland 89.7 FM

A local Town Crier is receiving financial support as he gets set to compete at the world championships.

Liam Craigg, of Alnwick/Haldimand Township, volunteers at many community events, bellowing various cries to the delight of attendees.

Township Councillor Mike Ainsworth presented a motion at Council Tuesday morning, stating:

“Town Criers serve as ceremonial ambassadors of the municipality, promoting civic pride, community spirit, and local heritage through public appearances, special events, and regional, national, and international competitions.”

Ainsworth advocated that the Council pay $2,260 to cover flights and other related expenses.

“This is about recognizing someone who has volunteered hundreds of hours, representing the Alnwick/Haldimand Township without asking for a salary,” he said. “Liam is the face of our Township at countless events throughout the year. He is now being given the opportunity to represent not only himself, but the entire Township on the world stage.”

With a strictly enforced limit of 100 to 125 words, three cries will be delivered – the Hometown Cry (extolling the virtues of one’s home community), the Retail Cry (an advertisement of a retail outlet that will be assigned), and the Hotel Cry (singing the praises of your accommodation while you are there).

Each is marked on a scale of one to 100; the highest cumulative total earns the championship.

Judgment is on five criteria – vocal proficiency, confidence and bearing, engaging the audience, content of the cry, and accuracy (how closely the exacting rules are followed – for example, if your script refers to the year 1066, you write out “ten sixty-six” and it becomes two words).

A winner is declared for each of these cries (as opposed to the tournament championship), and there are also prizes for Best Ambassador and Best Dressed.

Councillor Mary Catherine O’Neill said Craigg is a great ambassador for Alnwick/Haldimand Township, fully supporting Ainsworth’s motion. “We are fortunate enough to have a Town Crier. Liam Craigg, as our Town Crier, does an excellent job representing us. I’m sure he’ll do an excellent job representing us at the international competition,” She explained.

Mayor John Logel, in support of the motion, cautioned the council against approving future requests, saying taxpayers are footing the costs of volunteers’ activities.

Council voted unanimously in favour of the motion. Craigg will be in Chester, England, from September 21-27, competing against 10 other Criers.

With files from Cecilia Nasmith.