VOICES were raised in Kingsteignton last Saturday - but there were no unpleasantries. 

The cause of the extreme vocals was the very first Kingsteignton Town Crier competition, held in the grounds of the Community Hall.. 

Organised by Kingsteignton Town Council, the inaugural competition has been secured in the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers official Guild Competitions calendar. 

A total  of 16 criers from across the country headed in for the event, hosted by Kingsteignton’s own crier Jackie Edwards. Guild competition rules meant Jackie was not able to compete in her home time, but did perform a bench making cry at the start of the event  themed around her hime town.

Crier of the day turned out to be Plymouth’s John Pitt whose vocal dexterity gained him the winner’s laurels and he also picked up the award for best-dressed crier too.

The inaugural Kingsteignton Town Crier Competition
The inaugural Kingsteignton Town Crier Competition (Steve Pope/MDA)
The inaugrual Kingsteignton Town Crier Competition. Newton Abbot crier Nigel Kenneison
Newton Abbot crier Nigel Kenneison (Steve Pope/MDA)
The inaugural Kingsteignton Town Crier Competition
Kingsteignton Town Crier Competition (Steve Pope/MDA)
The inaugrual Kingsteignton Town Crier Competition. Tools of the job - a bell and messenger's bag. The internet of the 1700s
Tools of the job - a bell and messengers bag. The internet of the 1700s (Steve Pope/MDA)
The inaugrual Kingsteignton Town Crier Competition. Axminster crier Nicolas Goodwin
Axminster crier Nicolas Goodwin (Steve Pope/MDA)
The inaugural Kingsteignton Town Crier Competition
The inaugural Kingsteignton Town Crier Competition (Steve Pope/MDA)
The inaugural Kingsteignton Town Crier Competition. Plymouth crier John Pitt
Hats off to Plymouth crier John Pitt who won the KIngsteignton Town Crier competition (Steve Pope/MDA)
The inaugrual Kingsteignton Town Crier Competition. Kingsteignton Crier Jackie Edward and consort John Hart. Competition rules dictate that the home crier can not participate but can instead perform the Benchmark Cry
Kingsteignton Crier Jackie Edward and consort John Hart. Competition rules dictate that the home crier can not participate but can instead perform the Benchmark Cr (Steve Pope/MDA)