Peder has something new to shout about after winning top competition (From Ledbury Reporter)

Peder has something new to shout about after winning top competition

5:30pm Friday 4th May 2012 in News

ONE of the loudest men in the three counties now really has something to shout about after bellowing his way to success at a top international competition.

Bromyard’s town crier Peder Nielsen can now proudly refer to himself as Europe’s finest after triumphing at the European Guild of Town Criers championships, held in Robin Hood Bay, North Yorkshire, last weekend.

Mr Nielsen had to fend off competition from 14 of the continent’s finest, including several former world champions, to claim the title. He has only been crying for five years, and was competing at the championships for the first time, so his triumph came as something of a surprise, not least to himself.

“The competition was so stiff and it was such a talented field that I didn’t really believe I would ever win,” he said.

“It came as a total shock but it’s fair to say that I’m absolutely chuffed to mint-balls.”

The top title was one of a triple triumph for Bromyard at the event, with Mr Nielsen also claiming the award for best-dressed crier and his escort, Jan Stevenson, taking the prize for best-dressed escort.

They did not have too long to celebrate however, as on Monday they headed back to Bromyard to finalise preparations for their own event, the Bromyard International Festival of Town Criers, which is taking place in the town tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday.

As host, Mr Nielsen is not allowed to take part himself, but the contest will still boast a field of more than a dozen entries bellowing for all they are worth.

The event starts with a parade through the town at 10.30am tomorrow, with the competition taking place in the public hall, on the town green, immediately afterwards and then from 11am on Sunday.