Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!
On 12th October, as part of Ely’s Apple and Harvest Fayre 2024, The City of Ely will be hosting a competition to crown the new Town Crier of Ely!
The role, one draped in tradition, is an important one in the life of the City, seeing the Town Crier attend a variety of key events including Ely’s much-loved Eel Day, Mayor Making and more. The ideal candidate would be one with a loud voice (no surprise there, we know!), have a creative flair to allow them to craft the perfect cries for events and must be available to attend key events in the City’s calendar.
The selection process will consist of an initial application, where the applicant will be asked to write a cry of 150-200 words on the theme of “Ely and the Harvest” and the submission of an application form. Successful applicants must be available on the 12th of October 2024 to participate in the Town Crier Competition.
The Event will see each entrant perform their own Cry and a Cry prepared by former Town Crier, Avril Hayter Smith who will be one of the three strong judging panel.
The Mayor of Ely, Cllr Chris Phillips said
“Town Criers have existed in England since the Middle Ages and at a time when most people were illiterate it was their job to inform townspeople of great events, local happenings, new laws or even details of executions! Their cry of ‘Oyez! Oyez!’ from the old French word for ‘listen’ would have been well known to our ancestors and their role important and much respected.
Nowadays the job is not so formal a part of community life but the Crier’s ‘Cry’ reminds of us of an important past and brings colour and excitement to modern day events and formal occasions in our City. Appointing Ely’s new Town Crier is a significant event in our calendar and a day we can all relish and enjoy.”
Requests for an application pack should be sent to info@cityofelycouncil.org.uk or downloaded from the Council’s website, www.cityofelycouncil.org.uk
Town Crier Competition Application Form
