OYEZ, oyez! The search for a new town crier for Tavistock is now on — with the selection competition being held during the annual carnival this summer.

The ringing of the handbell and the sound of the crier have not been heard in Tavistock for some time as Bob Rose, the current town crier, is suffering from ill health and has retired from the post.

The town has had a number of town criers dating back to 1836. In 1915 the position lapsed, until 1983, when in a competition organised by the Lions Club of Tavistock, Dick Lloyd, then landlord of the Tavistock Inn, took on the role.

He was followed by Ron Davey and then Bob Rose, a former soldier and prison officer, who won the role when the club organised a further competition in 1997.

The club has now been asked by Tavistock Town Council if its members would organise a further competition to find a replacement for Bob, who has served the town so well over the last 13 years.

Anyone, male or female, with a strong voice and who is interested in taking up this prestigious civic post is asked to complete the form above and forward it to Lions Club member Keith Penney, who is organising the competition on behalf of the club.

Keith can be contacted on 01822 614104 if anyone would like further details on what the role will entail.

Prospective candidates will then be asked to attend an informal interview and those considered suitable will be called forward to the selection competition which will be held during carnival week on Sunday July 11 at the fun day in the Meadows.

The final date for the receipt of completed application forms is Friday April 30.

The successful candidate will be supplied with the appropriate uniform and handbell by the town council and will be expected to attend civic functions as requested by it and other local organisations such as the Lions Club itself — in the past, the town crier has led the carnival procession.