Town Criers from across Britain will be taking part in the fourth annual Town Crier Competition at Blists Hill Victorian Town, near Ironbridge at 11.30am on Sunday, 12th August. Come along to hear if the reigning champion from Banbury, who has won the past two years, can retain his title for a further twelve months.

With many dressed in elaborate robes with tricorne hats, the town criers will make quite a spectacle. They traditionally ring a handbell to attract people's attention as they shout the words "Oyez, Oyez, Oyez", which means ‘hear ye’ and is a call for silence before making their public announcements.

Taking place on the last day of the Town’s Blacksmith weekend, the theme for this year’s event is aptly ‘blacksmiths’; the winners’ prizes will be made in Blists Hill’s own foundry and will be presented at 2pm. Shrewsbury’s Town Crier Martin Wood will be running the competition; standing at 7ft 2inches the gentle giant is also the world’s tallest crier.

Open 10am to 5pm Blists Hill is one of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums. A great value Annual Passport Ticket allowing entry into all ten museums, valid for twelve months and unlimited return visits, costs £23.25 per adult, £18.75 for the 60 plus, £15.25 for students and children and £64 for a family of two adults and all their children aged up to 18 years in full time education (terms and conditions apply); under 5s free. Activities and workshops vary day-to-day and some carry an extra charge in addition to the museum admission fee. Individual museum entry tickets are also available.

For further information, contact the Ironbridge Visitor Information Centre on Tel: 01952 433 424 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk The Gorge is easily reached via the M6 and M54 motorways exiting at Telford (M54 junction 4 or 6).

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