Town criers from across the world met for three days of competitions in the South Hams last weekend.

The town criers were competing for individual cups at Sharpitor, Kingsbridge and Dartmouth; but especially the Sir Francis Drake Armada Cup, awarded for the overall winner of the three competitions.

This year, the Sir Francis Drake Armada Cup was won by David Hinde of Helmsley, North Yorkshire. The scoring was the tightest ever, and two town criers with identical scoring took part in a ‘cry off’ to separate the winners.

Winner of the Sir Francis Drake Armada Cup, David Hinde said: “I came down for the three competitions and won both Kingsbridge and Dartmouth. As a result, I also won with the largest number of points over the three competitions.”

David won the Kingsbridge competition in 2015, and is a member of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers. He also holds the accolade of being Walmington-on-Sea’s town crier in the 2016 film Dad’s Army. He also has been acknowledged as “the loudest recorded town crier”, with a volume of 114.8dB, about as loud as a rock concert!

“I’ve been a town crier since 2012,” said David. “I’m delighted to have won the competition and it’s such a beautiful area to visit. It was a very competitive three days, and a great occasion. I’ll be taking the cup home, and it will be proudly displayed in Helmsley.

“I’m now looking forward to next year’s competition,” David added.

The youngest town crier in the country, Oliver Day, eight, also made an appearance with his escort Ruby, and despite being too young to enter the competition, he scored an impressive 95/100.

Despite the appalling weather on Friday, the competition began at Overbeck’s, Sharpitor. Here the town criers were competing for the Simon Phillips Overbeck’s Trophy, presented by the National Trust. The winner of the Overbeck’s Cup was Mark Wylie - the town crier from Calne, Wiltshire. Second place was David Hinde from Helmsley, North Yorkshire, and third place was awarded to Ed Christopher from Hamilton, Bermuda.

On day two in Kingsbridge, with the weather only marginally better, the second part of the Sir Francis Drake Armada cup took place.

First place in Kingsbridge was taken by David Hinde (Helmsley, North Yorkshire), second place by Devlin Hobson (Middlewich, Cheshire), and third was Mark Wylie from (Calne, Wiltshire).

The best dressed couple were Devlin Hobson and his escort Jenny Hobson. The best crier was Ed Christopher and the best dressed escort was Jenny Smurthwaite from Liskeard. The combined top score of both Overbeck’s and Kingsbridge was Mark Wylie of Calne.

Day three and the competition was in Dartmouth, but sadly depleted in numbers after some were taken ill after a ’dark and stormy’ Saturday night. The weather had changed for the better and instead of running from the rain, cover was sought from a very strong sun.

The winner of the Peter Randall Memorial Cup was David Hinde (Helmsley, North Yorkshire), second place was Mark Wylie (Calne, Wiltshire) and third place was Ken Knowles.

The best dressed results at Dartmouth were: best crier was Owen Collier of Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire; best dressed couple was Chris and Jenny Smurthwaite from Liskeard, Cornwall; and the best dressed escort was Caroline Cunliffe from Dawlish.

Town Criers have expressed their gratitude to the organisers at Overbeck’s, Kingsbridge and Dartmouth; and to the mayor of Kingsbridge Cllr Chris Povey and the mayor of Dartmouth Cllr Richard Cooke.

Thanks were also due to Emma Gatehouse from Overbeck’s, who was an outstanding judge at their event in quite appalling weather!

Organisers have said they look forward to doing it all again in 2018.