Australia’s “Krazy Kevin” crowned World Town Crier Champion in Chester

After wowing audiences and judges alike, “Krazy” Kevin Howarth from Toowoomba, Australia was today crowned World Town Crier Champion in Chester - capping a week-long competition of the world’s best bell men and women.

The tournament, staged by Marketing Cheshire from September 22 to 26, captured the imagination of residents, visitors and the world’s media. The historic city of Chester – where the town crier tradition goes back almost 500 years - provided the perfect backdrop for a riot of colour, noise and eccentricity.

Over three competition days open to the public and free to attend, 25 town criers from Australia, Canada, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, the USA, England and even Alderney in the Channel Islands, competed for the coveted title.

The delighted victor, originally from England but now the town crier for Toowoomba and the Darling Downs, near Brisbane, said: “I wish my 93-year-old mum was here to see this. It’s a cliché, but I’m over the moon. I love the people and the camaraderie among the town criers – it has been a joy and Chester has been so welcoming.

“I don’t drink but I’ll be having a beer – or two – tonight.”

Full results:

World Town Crier Tournament Champion: Kevin Howarth, Toowoomba and the Darling Downs, Australia

Runner Up: Joris Goens, Veurne, Belgium

Third Place: Christian Ashdown, Haslemere, Surrey

The event marked the city's first time staging the competition since 2014, and was by far the biggest incarnation yet, backed by £50,000 in funding from Airbnb's £1 million Best of British Fund. Crowds lined the historic streets throughout the week to watch the contest unfold, with competition rounds judged on vocal proficiency, confidence and bearing, content, and audience engagement.

Criers also promoted local hotels and businesses, and visited a local school and a city centre care home before the final day of competition.

The event was aided by celebrity judges including Coronation Street star Ian Puleston-Davies, Cheshire MP Sam Dixon, and broadcasters Louise Minchin and Lucy Meacock, who picked their daily favourites, with special awards also up for grabs.

The event was organised in partnership with Chester Town Crier David Mitchell. For nearly three decades, he has delivered the Chester proclamation including a unique welcome in 15 languages. Chester is the only place in the UK to have daily town crier proclamations during the peak summer season.

Jamie Christon, Chair of Marketing Cheshire and CEO of Chester Zoo, said: "What an event the World Town Crier Tournament has proved to be. Chester has a habit of surprising people, and this week the city did exactly that - historic streets filled with colour, character and a bit of theatre, showing the world what makes this place so special.

"We've loved watching visitors soak up everything Chester has to offer, from our medieval Rows and riverside walks to the bars, restaurants and independent shops that give the city its character. This week has seen Chester at its best, with the world watching."

Luke Impett, Partnerships and External Affairs Senior Manager for Airbnb UK, said:

“We’re proud to help bring the World Town Crier Tournament back to Chester and shine a spotlight on this much-loved tradition. It captures exactly what the Best of British Fund was created to support: the traditions, events and communities that make Britain so unique.

“By highlighting events like these, we hope to encourage more people to explore the best of what the UK has to offer, while helping tourism continue to support local jobs, independent businesses and communities across the country.”

Find out more about the World Town Crier Tournament at World Town Crier Tournament | Visit Chester & Cheshire, and for more on Kevin Howarth go to Kevin Howarth | Visit Chester & Cheshire.