Southport’s official Town Crier has won fourth place as he competed in his first ever national competition.
Kevin Ruane MBE came second in the first round and fifth in the second round giving him fourth overall at the Otley Open Town Crier Competition in Otley, West Yorkshire, on Sunday (21st September 2025).
He was appointed to the role in May this year and has become a busy figure, proudly serving the communities of Southport, Sefton Central, and Bootle.
He is honoured to be the public herald for a diverse array of public events and charitable occasions.
He said: “I enjoyed my very first Town Crier competition in Otley.
“Terry Ford put on a fantastic competition and it was a great experience.
“I was amazed to hear that I’d done so well and I took a lot of good guidance from so many other criers on the day.
“This was my first proclamation.:
“Oyez, Oyez, Oyez
Good people of Otley… I bring greetings from the Borough of Sefton, Jewel, of the North West coast… brimming with pleasure for all who visit.
“From the iron men… on Crosby Beach,
to the red squirrel haven…in Formby.
“Southport… with its vast beaches… and the elegant Lord Street…upon which…Napoleon the third… modelled the Champs Elysee…
“And for family fun…Adventure Coast theme park … Silcock’s Funland…and Marine Lake await…
“Throughout the year… Sefton truly shines… With spectacular events…
such as…
the Aintree Grand National…
Southport Food and Drink Festival…
the British Musical Fireworks Championships…
and the Southport Air Show.
“And for those with sporting ambitions, there are multiple world class golf courses available
“People of Otley… we welcome you all…
“To Sefton… where memories are made … and adventures unfold
“God Save the King!”
Contestants from around Britain attempt to outshout each other in Otley in an attempt to take top spot.
Each competitor was judged on two cries: one extolling the virtues of their home town and the other a ‘subject cry’.
Competing under Loyal Company of Town Criers rules, contestants will vie for a series of prizes including Overall Winner, Runner Up, Best Dressed Town Crier, Best Dressed Consort and Best Ambassador.
Proceedings closed with an awards presentation and the chance for members of the public to have a go at ‘crying’ themselves.
Kevin Ruane MBE began his role in May this year and has supported events including Southport Flower Show, Southport Air Show, the VE Day 80th anniversary commemoration, Southport Heritage Open days and more.
The official Southport Town Crier moved to Southport in 2021 and settled in Ainsdale.
Originally from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, he joined the army after leaving school, where he served in Germany and the Falkland Islands. After leaving the army, Kevin lived in Germany for a further nine years where he joined the German fire service in the town of Halle in Westfalen.
In 1996, he moved back to the UK and joined South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service. Ten years later, he moved to Nottinghamshire fire service for promotional advancement.
Whilst serving in Nottinghamshire, he was awarded an MBE from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the second for his international work within the fire service, he eventually retired from the fire service in 2020.
Since leaving the fire service, Kevin has worked extensively as a fire safety officer and he is currently employed as the Fire Safety Manager for North West Ambulance Service.
Kevin is no stranger to projecting his voice in order to be heard, he carries out the role of Honorary Sergeant Major for the Royal Army Ordnance Corps Association and leads the Corps representatives every year whilst taking part in the Remembrance Sunday parade at the Cenotaph in London along with their event at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Kevin is also a member of the BOS Musical Theatre Company and last year, played the iconic role of Mr Bumble in their production of ‘Oliver’.
- For more details about the Southport Town Crier follow his Facebook page: (20+) Facebook or email: southport.officialtowncrier@outlook.com
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