Liam Craigg gets Alnwick/Haldimand support for world Town Crier championships

Photo of Liam Craigg. Submitted.

By Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

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 extensively at community events, bellowing various cries to the enjoyment of the 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 Council for $2260 to help pay for 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 largest cumulative total rewarded with 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 council about approving future requests, saying taxpayers are footing the costs for volunteer’s 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.