Chris Whyman

Chris Whyman began his historic art of town crying in June 1984 and has gone on to represent the City of Kingston as Town Crier and Goodwill Ambassador with honour and pride ever since. 2024 marked his 40th anniversary, with celebrations and accolades extended on behalf of the City of Kingston.

Over his 42-year career, Chris has competed in competitions around the world with remarkable success. He has won the Provincial Town Crier Championships nine times, including most recently last week, has won the North American Championships numerous times, and has been crowned World Champion in Chester on three occasions, in 2004, 2010 and 2012. In 2013 he hosted the World Invitational Town Crier Championships in Kingston.

Chris has proclaimed for heads of state, royalty and many distinguished visitors. He has had the honour of officially welcoming Princess Diana and Prince Charles to Kingston, welcoming Princess Anne on two occasions, and was presented to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip during the World Championships on the Isle of Wight. He has also had the opportunity to meet various Prime Ministers, Premiers and special dignitaries throughout his career.

His cries tend to be varied, but where the theme allows he injects them with humour. He has been active on the streets and at events throughout his town and abroad, proclaiming at hundreds of occasions for almost every charitable and fundraising event organised, helping them achieve the greatest community awareness and adding an air of pomp and ceremony. He has visited Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, England, Ireland, across Canada and the United States, crying the praises of Kingston, the Limestone Gem.

Chris has been featured in many television productions over the years and hosted the Learning Channel's production on travel. He has hosted international media visiting Kingston from Australia, Japan, Korea, Ireland, China, Austria and Germany, to name just a few. He has also spoken with many children at area schools and lent his writing knowledge to creative writing students, even helping young students with Town Crier type characters in school productions.

He is the father of two fantastic sons, Curtis and Patrick, who on occasion when they were younger dressed as junior Town Criers, helping their father at competitions and local events. His escort and partner Nancy Hazell accompanies him whenever possible, adding a little bling to Chris's Town Crier thing.