Saturday August 6th was an unusually noisy day in Barnoldswick Town Square, as town criers from all over the country converged to take part in the third annual Barlick Bellman competition. The event was hosted by Barnoldswick's own town crier Liz Woolnough.  Invited competitors included criers from as far afield as Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Lincolnshire. There were 13 competitors in total, some with glamourous escorts, and all looking to take away the coveted Barlick Bellman trophy.

Liz opened the event at 11.00am and compered the event throughout. It attracted a constant crowd of spectators, as the provision of chairs in the Town Square ensured that people could listen in comfort.  Barnoldswick's pensioner's centre put on tea, coffee and cakes, Pendle Hospice raffled a Ford Focus car, and there was face-painting, chalk drawing and dancing to keep the younger spectators amused.

Each competitor gave two cries - one on the subject of their hometown, and one on the subject of the youth of today.  They were each judged on presentation, script and costume as well as the quality of the cry before the results were decided. Roger Gough of Bulkington was eventually judged the winner, and received the wooden trophy from Liz Woolnough and Barnoldswick Town Council Chairperson Marlene Hill-Crane.  Councillor Hill-Crane thanked the organisers, judges and competitors for all their hard work.  Further awards were presented at a pie and pea supper that took place in the evening at the Old Stone Trough  in Kelbrook.

A Junior Town Crier competition was also held, hosted by Vahan Solarian, Barnoldswick's official Junior Crier, which attracted competitors between the ages of 7 and 15. Samantha Ross of Barnoldswick was judged to be the winner and all competitors received medals as a souvenir of the day.

See the full list of winners and more pictures here!