I first started 12 years ago as a freelance Toastmaster at weddings, coporate and ceremonial functions. I was invited to become a fellow of the The Britannic Guild Of Toastmasters where I met a guy called Alan Myatt who is toastmaster and the Town Crier of Gloucester and is featured in the Guiness Book of Records for the number of decibels he emits when crying. Alan used to cry for the record fairs that are held regularly in Oxford on the 1st Saturday of every month and called me one day and asked me to stand in for him, he lent me a coat, hat and bell and thats how it all started.

In 2003 I applied for the job as mace bearer at Banbury Town Council and half way throught the interview they stopped me and said is this true you are a Town Crier? I replied in the affirmative and they said forget the mace bearing we will adopt you as Town Crier, following my appointment I became a fellow of the the Loyal Company of Town Criers.

I was at a function in Oxford where I met Jo Graves Mayor of Chipping Norton and agreed to do some Town Criering for her and in December 2003 Chipping Nrton gave me official recognition at thier Town Crier.

My official escort whilst I am Town Criering is Susan and has her own outfits to complement my Town Criering Liveries.

Our liveries are made by a lady in Cheltenham and are a unique design dating back to the 1730`s which is the Hanover period.

I am an active member of the Lions International and for the Lionistic year of 2004/5 (1st July 2004 - 30th June 2005) I was pround to serve Oxford Isis Lions Club as thier President.

In my year of office I set out to riase £1000 for an Oxford based charity OSCAR who support families of children suffering brain or spinal tumours and on the 14th of May I held a charity night and with all the monies I have raised throughout my term of office aand last night, I will soon be arranging to present the charity with the sum of £1728-50p.

Although I am stepping down on as President on the 30th of June I have been asked by the District Governor to be Zone Chairman and will be looking after nine Lions Clubs in an administrative capacity.

You may have noticed recently that Town Criers have had a high profile on television featuring in Ready Steady Cook, Bargain Hunt and not forgetting my appearence in Everything Must Go to raise monies for the Chipping Norton Lido.

Lats September I had the pleasure of serving the Lord Mayor of Oxford as Town Crier and Toastmaster during the gathering of the Sheriffs of England and Wales for thier annual conference in Oxford, although a resident of Ocford City I have not been able to get them to adopt me as thier Town Crier despite requests to do Town Criering for them.

This year I have taken part in three Town Criering competitions the first being in Keighly where I came 4th out of 20 and over the May Bank Holiday I finished 2nd out of 13 in Llandudno (I now have a trophy that says I am the second biggest mouth in North Wales). In June I took part in the British Town criering Championships in Swindon and came 3rd our of 25.

I will be officiating at the Banbury Hobby Horse Festival on the 2nd and 3rd of July.

Anthony Church BEM
Town Crier of Banbury, Chipping Norton and Daventry Town Council