Legendary town crier steps down after 'the most profound and enjoyable' 24 years
A legendary town crier has delivered her final cry - stepping down after 24 years of service.
Sue Blower, the Montgomery Town Crier, took on the role back in 2000 and has been championing her hometown ever since.
She has even been immortalised in a stunning painting now housed in the National Gallery at Aberystwyth.
Last year saw Montgomery - and Ms Blower - hosting a major town crying championships which featured competitors from across the world.
Announcing her decision ahead of her final New Year's Eve engagement, Ms Blower said: "It is time to hang up my bell and give an opening for someone to follow in my footsteps and serve their community in this way.
"I thank everyone for their constant support and encouragement including all my town crier colleagues especially those officers within the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers.
"Many overseas colleagues have been a joy to meet and work with. May I say thanks to everyone for your smiles and support as soon as I fire up with 'Oh Yeah!'"
Ms Blower took on the position after winning a competition following the retirement of the previous town crier Bill Orme, back in 2000.
Speaking about how she had grown into the position she said: "I was honoured to win the competition and my confidence grew as I became more involved in the volunteer role with all the town events, parades and varying other events within the town’s social calendar.”
Discussing the highlights of her time she said: “I attended a number of national and international town crier competitions and it was such a joy to meet and forge friendships with so many other criers around the globe.”
A stunning portrait of Ms Blower, painted by Daniel Yeomans, is also now housed at the National Gallery within the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth - something she described as "a very proud moment.”
A copy of the painting has been produced by experts and, once framed, will be mounted on the stairwell at Montgomery Institute.
Calling time on her career Ms Blower said: “It has been an absolute honour and a pleasure to represent my town of Montgomery where I was born 71 years ago.
"Our recent national Guild of Town Criers competition event held in September on Broad Street has been a wonderful time to close the book on my town crier story.
"I feel it has been the most profound and enjoyable time of my life to have held this role."
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