Article content“I was absolutely shocked,” Riddell Comeau admitted.Article content“I just don’t expect to win with a French cry in an English community, but I am surprised and gratified,” he said while proudly holding his trophy. “It’s wonderful.”Article contentEarlier in the day, he carried the Acadian flag around the farmers market and mingled with residents and other competitors.Article content Richard Riddell Comeau delivers his open cry Sept. 20 in Round 2 of the international town crier competition in New Glasgow. He is the town crier for Grand Pre and Sidney, B.C. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentThe number of town criers is declining with less than 400 worldwide. Riddell Comeau would like to see those numbers increase.Article content“I think it’s such a neat position,” he said.Article contentHe describes it as a head cheerleader, who is not politically motivated, and someone who is committed to civic discourse and champions their community. It was a perfect fit for the teacher, who sang opera and performed Shakespeare in New York City.Article content“Being a town crier really allowed me to perform for my community and it felt pretty good to do that.”Article contentArticle content Town criers Paul Gough, right, and Lloyd Smith talk with people at the New Glasgow Farmers Market Sept. 20. The town hosted an international town crier competition as part of its 150th celebrations as an incorporated town. Smith is the crier for the West Hants Regional Municipality while Gough represents Nuneaton and Bedworth, England. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentHe asked his fellow criers to encourage others to get involved. In fact, if that hadn’t happened to him, he wouldn’t have been the one at the podium speaking to his peers. And he traces that back to West Hants’ Lloyd Smith, North America’s longest continuously serving town crier at 47 years, which included a few years in Victoria while working in British Columbia in the 1990s.Article content“Lloyd encouraged Burt Stevens to become a crier. Burt Stevens encouraged me to become a crier. I am a crier because of Lloyd Smith, who I never met until I moved out here,” Riddell Comeau said.Article content West Hants town crier Lloyd Smith listens to one of his peers compete in an international competition Sept. 20 in New Glasgow. Smith is North America’s longest continuously serving town crier. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentRiddell Comeau said he is interested in having discussions to see if there is a role for him to play to help champion Grand Pre moving forward. One thing he knows for sure is his family is right where it is supposed to be.Article content“We made the right choice,” he said. “We love it here.”Article contentArticle contentAnd the winners are…Article contentA look at the results from the international town crier competition held in New Glasgow Sept. 18-21.Article contentArticle contentGrand champion – Richard Riddell Comeau, Grand Pre and Sidney, B.C.Article contentRound 1 – Hometown cry.Article content1. Paul Gough, Nuneaton and Bedworth, England, U.K.Article content2. Richard Riddell Comeau, Grand Pre and Sidney, B.C.Article content3. Daniel Richer, Ottawa, Ont., and Gatineau, Que.Article contentRound 2 – Open cry.Article content1. Richard Riddell Comeau, Grand Pre and Sidney, B.C.Article content2. Bill McKee, Uxbridge, Scugog and Oshawa, Ont.Article content3. David Vollick, Burlington, Ont.Article contentRound 3 – New Glasgow 150 cry.Article content1. Richard Riddell Comeau, Grand Pre and Sidney, B.C.Article content2. Steven Findlay, Lunenburg.Article content3. David Vollick, Burlington, Ont.Article contentPeople’s choice award – Will Brewer, Halifax.Article contentBest dressed consort – Elizabeth McKee, Uxbridge, Scugog and Oshawa, Ont.Article contentBest dressed town crier – Bruce C. Kruger, Bracebridge, Ont.Article contentBest dressed couple – Daniel Richer Dit LaFleche and Julie Dudley Ottawa, Ont., and Gatineau, Que.Article content
Proud Acadian wins international town crier competition in New Glasgow
