In a contest involving the nation s finest town criers, you would normally expect an ear-shattering shouting match. And a fair bit of bell-ringing, too.
But for the first time in its history, the British Town Crier Championships will be held in complete silence this year and judged on written submissions only.
The Loyal Company of Town Criers, which hosts the contest, has received hundreds of entries but the competitors cannot gather due to social distancing measures.
It was initially hoped they could submit their cries on video. But members experienced difficulties submitting recordings up to the necessary standard so organisers have decided to rely on written entries only.
No-yez, no-yez : Britain s town criers must compete for title in silence
Those bellowers entering the reinstated British Town Crier Championships will now be required to enter their pronouncements in writing
20 April 2021 • 2:47pm
Participants in the 2018 Helmsley Invitational National Town Criers Competition in the North York Moors National Park
Credit: : Danny Lawson/PA Wire/: Danny Lawson/PA Wire
For generations their bellows have spread news and notable announcements across the town squares and communities of Britain.
But Britain s town criers were silenced by the Covid pandemic, for fear droplets carried by their voluble proclamations would spread the virus to those listening nearby.
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BBC News
By Ben Moore
image copyrightThe Loyal Company of Town Criers
image captionThe British Championships usually take place in public in a host town with up to 100 criers taking part
For the first time in its history, this year s British Town Crier Championships is being held in complete silence.
As the country starts to exit lockdown, the UK s top professional shouters will be judged on their written cries alone.
The Loyal Company of Town Criers, which hosts the competition, has received hundreds of entries from across the country.
Organiser and Bishops Stortford crier Carole Williams said it was a return to the bare bones of crying .