Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, is set to echo with bell-ringing and booming voices this summer, as the town prepares to host the National Town Criers Championship on Saturday 14 June with proud sponsorship from Allica Bank.

Held for members of the Ancient & Honourable Guild of Town Criers, this year’s hotly anticipated event will be particularly special, marking the 40th anniversary of Kevin Ward as Bromsgrove’s beloved Town Crier. To celebrate four decades of service, Kevin has secured the honour of bringing the prestigious national championship to his hometown.

New for 2025, challenger business bank Allica Bank joins as lead sponsor - proudly supporting the competition as part of its ‘Here Is Where The Heart Is’ campaign as it ramps up its presence in Worcestershire. With a focus on championing local communities and established businesses across the UK, Allica’s involvement ensures that important cultural events like the Town Criers Championship continue to thrive and grow.

The event - supported by local organisations including the Bromsgrove Festival, Bromsgrove Society, District Council and Court Leet - will welcome around 25 criers from across the country. All competitors are official members of the Guild, and will compete in two unique rounds designed to test both vocal power and crowd-commanding charisma.

The morning round will take place in Bromsgrove High Street amid the hustle and bustle of the market, with each crier delivering a cry about their hometown. In the afternoon, the competition moves to the open lawns of Avoncroft Museum of Buildings, where criers must adapt their delivery to a far more acoustically challenging setting. A vintage bus, courtesy of Wythall Transport Museum, will whisk the criers between locations - bringing even more character to this very British celebration. The competition will finish here, with awards announced in the early evening.

Kevin Ward, organiser and Bromsgrove’s Town Crier since 1985, said: “I’m incredibly proud to bring this competition to Bromsgrove in such a landmark year for me personally. It’s been a joy to serve this town, and the support we’ve received locally and from sponsors like Allica Bank is hugely appreciated. I know it’ll be a brilliant day full of colour, tradition and a bit of friendly rivalry!”

Shoppers should listen out for the competitors on the High Street on the morning of Saturday 14 June, and visitors are encouraged to visit Avoncroft Museum of Buildings, where they can meet the criers up close and soak up the atmosphere. For full updates, follow the event’s Facebook page or keep an eye on local press for further details.