Bromsgrove's town crier 'privileged' to celebrate forty years in the role by hosting national championships
Kevin Ward started the job in 1985 when he was 30-years-old
The town crier of Bromsgrove says it's a real honour to mark forty years in the role this year.
Kevin Ward started the job in 1985 when he was 30 and has held the post ever since.
As part of the celebrations, the town is set to host the National Championship of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers next month.
Ward, who is also celebrating his 70th birthday this year, says there's a real skill to it and it isn't as straightforward as some people think.
“There’s a strict criteria, you’re talking about volume but you’re talking sustained volume, you are talking diction and inflection, it’s not just that you’re loud, you’ve got to be understood," he said.
"I freely admit that the regimental sergeant majors are louder than me, but I can be understood and it’s a massive privilege and I’m so glad I’m able to do it.
"I’ve got 22 criers coming which are the most senior criers in the country and it is a competition to decide who is the best town crier in the guild of town criers."
The competition which is being held on the 14 June, is set to be split into two rounds, with the first one taking place on the high street where each crier will cry about their hometown.
It'll then move to Avoncroft Museum of Buildings for the second round to aim to test the criers’ ability to adapt to different surroundings.