House of Commons Speaker records message ahead of the World Town Crier Tournament in Chester

One of the most high-profile voices in the country - House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle - has recorded a special good luck message to the global competitors taking part in the World Town Crier Tournament in Chester later this month.

Organised by Marketing Cheshire and Chester’s own town crier, David Mitchell, the competition, spread between September 21 and September 26, will see thousands of visitors descend on Chester for a noisy extravaganza where 25 loud-mouth town criers from countries spanning Australia, Canada and the Netherlands, will do battle to be crowned the world’s best.

And Sir Lindsay - an expert at making himself heard – has thrown his weight and famous voice behind the contest after hearing all about it in the House of Commons chamber from Sam Dixon, the Labour MP for Chester North and Neston, who is one of the celebrity judges.

As part of a special video message, Mr Hoyle who is also the MP for the constituency of Chorley is asked by Ms Dixon for his reaction to the impending vocal extravaganza expected to attract thousands and further boost the Cheshire and Warrington region’s £4.3m visitor economy. 

And giving it his full backing he says: “Order! Order! I would say. What a fantastic venue: Chester within the walls of the city of Chester. The history is there for all the town criers. I wish you well with good voice. All the best to all who applied to be the winner.”

Speaking in the House of Commons chamber earlier, Sam Dixon says: 

“I am beyond pleased that Chester North and Neston will be hosting this year’s world town crier tournament at the end of this month. 

“I am sure that with the talent, showmanship and sheer vocal power of this year’s contestants, who hail from 15 UK towns and eight nations, audiences will be able to hear their cries of “Oyez!” from our city’s Roman walls and beyond. Will the Leader of the House join me in raising his voice to wish all 25 contestants the best of luck?” 

Marketing Cheshire secured a grant from Airbnb's Best of British Fund to stage the event, its first World Town Crier Tournament since 2014, to help showcase the city to a national and international audience. 

Chester is one of Britain's most complete Roman cities, encircled by ancient walls that have stood for nearly 2,000 years and home to a cathedral, a Roman amphitheatre and the iconic medieval Rows, a unique two-tiered shopping gallery found nowhere else in the world. 

A thriving independent food and drink scene sits alongside acclaimed restaurants, riverside bars and Storyhouse, the city's award-winning cultural venue. Chester Zoo, one of the UK's most visited attractions, recently opened The Reserve, a collection of luxury safari lodges on site, while world-class horse racing at the world’s oldest working racecourse adds to a year-round events calendar that draws visitors from across the UK and beyond.

Hotels and hospitality businesses across Chester and Cheshire are working with Marketing Cheshire to provide an exceptional welcome and setting for the tournament.

The main contest will be judged in three separate rounds. 

• Tuesday 22 September – Hometown Cries, Town Hall Square 

• Thursday 24 September – Retail Cries, Eastgate Square 

• Saturday 26 September – Accommodation Proclamations, Exchange Square

A non-celebrity panel of published authors, school directors and businesspeople will score on vocal proficiency, confidence, bearing, content and audience engagement, with results kept under wraps until Saturday's final.

In addition to the main contest, each day a celebrity panel, which as well as Sam, includes TV presenter Lucy Meacock and Corrie star Ian Puleston-Davies, will pick and announce their favourite.

Jamie Christon, Chair of Marketing Cheshire and CEO of Chester Zoo, said: 

“It’s fantastic to have Sir Lindsay’s support for the World Town Crier Tournament in Chester. The event is shaping up to be unforgettable.

“As Sir Lindsay himself says, Chester is a fantastic place to be hosting this Tournament with its rich history and many cultural venues. We are looking forward to putting on a spectacle and welcoming visitors from all around the world.”