Oyez! Oyez! Helmsley’s Town Crier brings home the trophies

Helmsley’s record-breaking town crier, David Hinde, is celebrating winning three prestigious Town Crier trophies in one weekend after competing in South Devon over three days against Criers from across the World.

The criers were competing for individual cups at Salcombe, Kingsbridge and The Peter Randall Memorial Trophy at Dartmouth, as well as the coveted Sir Francis Drake Armada Cup, awarded to the overall winner of the three competitions.

Despite competing in the pouring rain for the first two days, and tight scoring requiring a ‘cry-off’ to reveal the winner on the final sunny day at Dartmouth, David, who became Helmsley’s official town crier last year, won both the Kingsbridge and Dartmouth events, before scooping the Sir Francis Drake Armada Cup, for the best performance over all three events. He also placed second in the Salcombe competition held in torrential rain at Overbecks National Trust property on the first day.

A fabulously dressed armada of Criers, including a 6ft 7in tall Bermudan Town Crier, were joined by elegant consorts also dressed in their finery. Criers were judged on the accuracy, intonation, clarity diction and volume of their cry by a panel of judges

David, whose cries can hit a rock concert-inspired and officially record-breaking volume of 114.8dB* also holds the accolade of being Walmington-on-Sea’s town crier, leading the grand parade in the 2016 Universal Pictures movie Dad’s Army and at the start of the International Film Trailer.

David commented: “I’m so proud to have brought home Helmsley’s first ever Town Crier trophy - in fact four trophies in all including the Kingsbridge Town Crier Competition Trophy, the Peter Randall Memorial Trophy for the winner of The Dartmouth Town Crier Competition, a second place trophy for the event in Salcombe and the Prestigious Sir Francis Drake Armada Cup for the best performance over the three competitions. I shall be arranging for some of the trophies to be displayed in the town for all to see.

“We have certainly ensured that Helmsley will be talked about across the country, as news of this achievement spreads, hopefully bringing with it more people to visit the wonderful town. If the nation didn’t know Helmsley had an award-winning Town Crier before, they certainly do now!”

Jane Buckle from Helmsley in Business added: “We are absolutely delighted that David has won these competitions, although not in the least bit surprised as we know how good he is! It’s only right that an award-winning town has an award-winning Town Crier, and the trophies we’ll now have on display thanks to David prove exactly that! It’s also wonderful to think that people up and down the country are hearing all about our lovely town through David’s interesting cries. Maybe we’ll be getting an influx of visitors from Devon soon!”

For more information about things happening in Helmsley go to www.visithelmsley.co.uk

Ends.

*Cirrus Research August 2013

For further media information or photography contact: Shona Nutter on 07714 953919 or [email protected]

Notes to editors Helmsley in Business is a group of 60 businesses working together to ensure the continuing success of the North Yorkshire town of Helmsley. Members include: Amanda Field Millinery; Antiques and Interiors; Auntie Anne’s Bakery; Bella di Notte; Bisca; Black Swan Hotel; Bondgate Antiques; Browns of Helmsley; Castle Stores; Carters Country Wear; Celebrate Country Cake Design; Claridges; Crema Coffee Shop; Cut Price Bookshop; Duncombe Sawmill; Duncombe Park Gift Shop; Duncombe Park Partnership; Elijah Todd; English Heritage; Feversham Arms Hotel and Verbena Spa; Gepettos; Handford Hairdressing; Helmsley Art Centre; Helmsley Brewery; Helmsley Galleries; Helmsley Garden Cottage; Helmsley Outdoors; Helmsley Town Hall; Helmsley Traditional Sweet Shop; Helmsley Walled Garden; Helmsley Wines; Honeysuckle Cottage; Hunters of Helmsley; JEB taxis; KVA Planning; Lazenby Visuals and Framing; Libby Butler Jewellers; Look Gallery; Marleys Butchers; National Centre for Birds of Prey; No. 54 B&B; North York Moors National Park; Pennita Fashions; Porters Coffee Shop; RED taxis; Retals; Room for Antiques; Saltbox Gallery; Scotts of Helmsley Fish and Chip Shop; Snooty Fox; The Bay Clinic; The Feathers; The Royal Oak; The Stick Man; Think Fresh; Thomas of York; Thundercliffes; Tulchan; Veneto; and Viva Hair.

Helmsley is a beautiful market town in the Ryedale District of North Yorkshire, with something to offer everyone - and a great place to explore the North York Moors National Park. It is popular with tourists for its characterful Market Place, historic architecture, the wide range of quality independent shops, and the excellent selection of accommodation, pubs, cafes and restaurants, many of which are award-winning. There are also plenty of interesting activities and attractions available on the doorstep including The National Centre for Birds of Prey, Helmsley Castle, Rievaulx Abbey and The Walled Gardens. Helmsley also marks the start of the Cleveland Way, which is popular with walkers and loops round the National Park to end up at the coast near Filey.

For more information log on to www.visithelmsley.co.uk