Town criers' bells ring for couples's big day

Jacky and her dad Michael arrived at St Andrew's Church, Barnoldswick, just as the town's first town crier competition was about to start.

As Jacky and her father got out of the limousine the criers were there to meet her on the church steps.

Jacky said: "I thought 'Wow, are they for me?'

"It was really nice."

Jacky a sewing operative at Silentnight, Barnoldswick, was married to works colleague Marcus Barrington, a warehouseman.

Her sons Christopher and Jonathan were page boy and usher. bridesmaids were Fiona Barrington and Fiona Thornley and best man was Jeff Heywood.

The service was conducted by the Rev Lawrence Potter.

The afternoon reception was a three-hour canal trip on The Dalesman barge at Skipton and the evening event was at Barnoldswick Conservative Club.

The town crier competition was an event to remember for Saturday shoppers when 18 criers from all over the country marched into the town square at Barnoldswick, led by the Barnoldswick Brass Band.

The occasion was the first town crier competition to be held in the town and was hosted by Barnoldswick's own crier Kevin Griffiths.

Winner was British champion Paul Gough, of Nuneaton.

He also won the trophy for best-dressed crier.

Runner-up in the shouting stakes was Michael Kean-Price, of Tewkesbury, and third was Barry McQueen, of Blackpool.

Kevin acted as MC and did the benchmark cry from which the others were judged.

Each did two cries, a home cry telling people why they should visit their home town and the other chosen by Kevin as host, which was the War of the Roses.

Marking was on diction, inflection and sustained volume. Kevin commented: "It is no use being the loudest if no-one can tell what you are saying."

Trophies were presented by the vice chairman of Barnoldswick Town Council, Maureen Blackwell.

The event was organised by Kevin and DMS Productions of Haslingden.

Kevin added: "It was an absolutely ripping success with good crowds throughout the day."