Candidates for a vacant town crier post showcased some passionate crys at talent show style auditions in Dorchester.

Spectators gathered in South Street in the town centre and watched on as a group of hopefuls performed their own renditions of town cries as they looked to take on the role of town crier.

The group of criers made their way from the Council Chamber on High West Street to Barclays Bank on South Street.

Among the judges for the role was the Mayor of Dorchester, Cllr Alistair Chisholm, who retired from the role after a successful 27 years in the post on New Year’s Eve.

Other judges included councillors Janet Hewitt, David Taylor and Stella Jones.

Cllr Chisholm welcomed the crowd and announced the names of candidates and that the theme of the cry was on the future of Dorchester.

Each cry was self-penned by the candidates and had to start with Oyez, Oyez, Oyez.

He gave the candidates a word of advice before starting by saying, “Don’t rush it, do it slowly."

Following the first audition, the group proceeded to make their way to Brewery Square to let out the same cry again but with the promise of better acoustics.  

The candidates were Mike Foster, Paul Cady, Tom Gayton, Barry White, Anthony Harrison and Alban O’Brien.

Dorset Echo:

After the event Cllr Chisholm said there were some very good cries.

He said: "I'm delighted we had six candidates, I'm sorry we didn't have any women apply but there we are, but six candidates is a good thing. 

"I'm sure when we go back and ruminate and take all of the factors into it we may well end up with a new town crier but at this stage without discussing it with my learned colleagues I wouldn't like to say who it is."

Mike Foster

First up was Mike Foster, who had the nickname of 'No Mic Mike' for his booming voice. His cry started by welcoming the Hardy folk, a reference to the area being Thomas Hardy country. He referred to Cllr Chisholm as the Mayor of Casterbridge, retiring his tricorn under the greenwood tree.  

Paul Cady

Next to cry came Paul Cady, who has experience in the role being on the executive guild of toastmasters and town criers.

He started his cry by weaving in the Dorset accent by saying ‘the zun in the zummertime do make wurzel bush grow.’ He referenced the iron age hillforts, Durotriges, and places visited by kings.

He also referenced T.E. Lawrence and William Barnes in his cry. He included a verse on the retiring town crier, calling him ‘Dorch’s own son.’

He said: “It would mean a great amount. Alistair will leave a huge gap in the Dorset community and they're big shoes to fill to honour the man."

Tom Gayton

Third to perform was the youngest candidate at 28 years-old, Tom Gayton. Tom’s cry mentioned the history of Dorchester and Fordington, as well as the recent work to highlight Mill Street saying our ‘heritage renews.’

His ditty included a reference to possible flooding to the proposed North Dorchester and the expansion of Poundbury calling it the ‘monarch’s land.’ Speaking after his cry, Tom said that the role is unique and individual compared to the way the other towns he’s lived in view it.

He said: “The spirit of the town is great. I grew up here and have so many memories from this place and would love the chance to give something back to the community."

Barry White

Barry White took to the stand next. He cried about the Roman invasion, and high streets full of history- with tunnels beneath full of mystery.

Barry also cried about the development planned for the North of Dorchester and services expanding.

Barry said after the cry that he hadn’t been in Dorchester for 22 years, but has been involved with the town council previously being a mace bearer on several occasions.

After the cry, he said: "I've got so much out of the town and to give something back would be great, but filling Alistair's shoes is another matter."

Anthony Harrison

Anthony Harrison was next up saying that Dorchester wasn’t just any town, but the ‘county’s heart.’

He said the lessons of the past had taught us well and that this should be passed on.

He also referenced that crying is an important part of news telling in his piece.

Alban O'Brien

Alban O’Brien was the final candidate to perform in front of Barclay’s bank. In the second line of his self-penned cry, Alban referenced the prospective new Premier Inn earmarked for the former Marks and Spencer building on South Street.

He went to talk about tourism in the town. He cried about famous women of Dorchester needing more recognition, referencing Elizabeth Frink and her connection to the county. He called for people to take pride in the town, and raise a cheer for Dorchester, before getting the onlooker to join him in a ‘hip-hip hooray,’ After the interview,

Alban said: “It would mean the world to me, I’d enjoy doing it and welcoming people to Dorchester and tell them what a wonderful town this is.” He admitted that he was among ‘tough competition.’

The formal interviews took place earlier in the day, with a quick turnaround of deliberation, with the panel saying they were set to make their decision around an hour after the event, which will be announced by the town clerk 'soon.'