User talk:Bwbedell

Town Criers of the World: A Town Crier is a Radio announcer without a microphone and Criers come in all shapes sizes, sexes and volumes. Hans Van Laethem, Town Crier of Ninove, Belgium, cried at 100 decibels, in Flemish, to win the World Town Crier Championship held in 2005 in Australia. There are many Town Crier Guilds in the world and their Members generally compete in regional, national, intercontinental and World Championships. Competitions are held in the language of the crier and judges are appointed according to their language abilities. Modern international competitive Town Crying began in the early 1980's when an International Competition was held in Halifax Nova Scotia Canada for Criers from Canada, USA, Australia and Bermuda. In 1987 the first World Town Crying competition was held at Shanklin, on the Isle of Wight, England. Since then Competitions have been held on the odd numbered years, 2005 World Town Crying Competition was in Australia. The Continental Competitions: European, Australia and New Zealand, North American, are held on the even years. The 2006 North American Championship is in Canada. Town Criers today act as ambassadors for their home municipalities or Historical Societies. They have a hometown cry extolling the virtues and attractions of their community, which they cry to those in attendance when they visit other communities. The credo of the modern Town Crier is the three "C's" Charity, Civic, Commercial. Charity work forms a major portion of a Town Criers performing. Civic work such as leading parades and introducing government officials is performed regularly while commercial work such as announcing and preciding at weddings anniveraries, birthdays, retirements, openings and banquets is the monetary side of the profession. Town Crier Regalia,vary greatly. There is at present a 1780's military uniform in general use. This stems from the major period of use of Town Criers the 1700-1800 years and they generally inherited the old military uniforms of the local militia. The Guilds of Town Criers throughout the World generally provide their members with information through publications and websites. They are concerned with promoting the art of Town Crying and as such hold Guild competitions. These are generally regarded as the schools of modern town crying for here Town Criers meet and observe the work of their fellow members. Modern Town Crying has been expanding at an astonshing rate. There are over 1000 Town Crier Guild members in the World. For more information there are many freely accessable websites under www Town Crier available for those who wish to investigate further.