Southport’s official Town Crier will be shouting loud and proud for Southport when he competes in his first national competition this weekend.
Kevin Ruane MBE will be contesting the Otley Open Town Crier Competition in Otley, West Yorkshire, this 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.
This Sunday Kevin will be shoulder to shoulder with the nation’s top town criers as they gather in Otley in a bid to be crowned one of the country’s loudest hailers.
Contestants from around Britain will attempt to outshout each other in an attempt to take top spot.
Each competitor will be 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 will close with an awards presentation and the chance for members of the public to have a go at ‘crying’ themselves.
Southport Town Crier Kevin Ruane MBE said:
“Oyez, Oyez, Oyez… This weekend I will be attending my very first Town Crier competition in Otley.
“I have to do two cries on the day. The first is about my own area of Sefton borough and the other one is the same subject for all competitors. Our subject is the United Nations International Day of Peace which is also this weekend.
“My shoes have been highly polished (bulled for all serving and ex military), my livery is clean and pressed, my bell has been worked with Brasso and I’m looking forward to it!
“I have some stiff competition attending so I’m not expecting anything spectacular with this being my first event.
“I will be doing a lot of observation and learning from those with more experience than myself.”
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’.
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