2025 National Town Criers’ Championship

Saturday 11th October 2025

Rye, East Sussex

72st National Town Criers’ Championship 2025

Titles being awarded

The titles that are being competed for are:

National Town Crier Champion

1st, 2nd & 3rd positions based on the criteria:

  • Volume

  • Clarity (how clearly / distinctly the cry came across overall)

  • Diction (how well the crier enunciates his/her words)

  • Inflection (how much expression/feeling the crier puts into the cry, rather than a monotone)

Each Cry should be no more than 120 words long, including 3 x "Oyez!" and "God Save The King!", and must contain no swear words or offensive terms, and must not be political.

Best Dressed Crier

Best Dressed Consort

Spouse accompanying Crier, in costume.

The Judges' Choice Trophy

This is for a performance which may not have won on technical points, but was the most entertaining or impressive.

The order of the day

11.00: Assemble

All will assemble at Rye Town Hall:

Market St, Rye TN31 7LA

11.15: Procession

The Rybellion Drummers will lead a procession of the competitors around town.

11.30: Introduction

Rye Town Crier Paul Goring will introduce the event. He will then give a "benchmark cry", which is a Cry against which those competing will be judged against. (As the host crier, he is not allowed to compete.)

11.30 - 13.00: Round One

The "Home Cry" Round will be where Criers give a cry promoting the towns they represent.

13.00: Lunch

A bagpiper will escort the Criers to lunch.

14.00: Round Two

Round Two will be a Themed Cry - the theme for this year is "tradition". Criers may Cry on any subject they wish, as long as it references "tradition".

15.30 (Approximately): Results

Once all Criers have completed Round Two, judges will adjourn to add up the results and declare the winners. We anticipate the Results will be announced at approximately 4pm.