Martin's cry is just champion
Shrewsbury's Town Crier Martin Wood has been named People's Champion for Britain for his outstanding cries to rally the people.
His wife Sue also won an award as the best dressed escort and Mr Wood, who has also been known to double as Harry Potter's friendly giant Hagrid, was runner-up as best ambassador for talking to people about Shrewsbury. He finished eighth out of 28 at the British Championships for town criers.
The event was held at Blakemeer Craft Centre, in Vale Royal, near Chester, at the weekend.
Mrs Wood was dressed in a deep red 18th century dress with gold flowers to represent Shrewsbury as the town of flowers.
Mr Wood, of Mount Pleasant, Shrewsbury, said: "She looked fabulous. I had to do two cries. The first was an advertisement for somebody from history.
"My cry was advertising for young gentleman to a join a highly mobile commune in a financial deal which was profit sharing where a uniform is provided but they would have to blend into the local area.
"The person looking for them was Robin Hood - in other words it was looking for bandits but we had to say it in flowery words."
The other cry was about crime and punishment in Shrewsbury in 1558 - including a woman put on the ducking stall for nagging her husband.
He said: "The audience were involved and chose the crier who they thought was the most entertaining and I won that. There were also various judges around the area who marked us on the content of our cry, volume, poise and diction.
"I'm really pleased. I have been competing now for 21 years and in all the competitions, I have never been outside the top 10 in the world so I have carried on the tradition.
"I hope the town will look on it as an honour. It's a major competition in Britain and now I will go on to the European Champions in Holland next year."
Picture: Shrewsbury town crier Martin Wood and his wife Sue both collected awards at the recent British town crier championships.
By Rebecca Lawrence
