Morley Town Crier talks of 'immense pride' as he puts Leeds town on the map with British championships win
It was third time lucky for the 70-year-old
A town crier from Leeds has been named British champion.
Steven Holt, Morley Town Crier, came away victorious at The Loyal Company of Town Criers British (LCTC) Championship in Biddulph, Staffordshire, last month.
Having served as Morley Town Crier since February 2019, it was third time lucky for the 70-year-old, who has previously claimed silver and bronze at the national championships.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Steven said he is proud to have put his home town on the map.
“I’m a proud a Morleian and have lived here all my life so there’s immense pride knowing that not only have I won the British championships but it’s the Morley Town Crier who has won,” Steven told the YEP.
“When third and second place was announced I thought ‘ah well, nothing again this time but we’ve had a lovely weekend,’ so I was stunned when they announced me as the winner. It took quite a few seconds to sink in and realised I’d won.”
Over a dozen town crier's from across Britain took part in the championships, with competitors being judged on their content and delivery across two cries - their home town cry and the other being a set topic of Biddulph history.
Steven completed his on the Roaring Meg - the story of a famous 17th-century cannon used during the English Civil War to attack Biddulph Hall.
And despite a minor slip-up in his delivery, the 70-year-old impressed the judges and brought home the award for Best Content of Theme Cry for his set topic, alongside his overall winner’s trophy.
Steven paid tribute to his wife Andrea, who he said is always pushing him to practice.
“I probably don’t practice as much as I should and my wife Andrea is always pushing to me do more,” he said. “I write it, familiarise myself with it and speak it out loud but I don’t cry it out loud - whether in public or at home.
“I’ve never been to a competition where Andrea hasn’t been there supporting. There’s a lovely community of town criers and their partners, and even though there’s competition, it’s always friendly and everyone’s really happy for whoever does well.”
Steven will next be competing at the town crier championships in Rye, East Sussex in early October and will be attending the World Town Crier Tournament in Chester later this month - although was disappointed to miss out on the chance to compete.
A retired British Gas worker, Steven will also once again be donning the famous red suit of Father Christmas this December, delighting hundreds of children with appearances for several charity events - including the Morley Christmas lights turn-on.
He also keeps himself busy as part of the Morley Amateur Operatic Society - who are preparing to celebrate their 100th birthday next year, after originally being founded in 1927.