Hear ye, hear ye! Town crier jets off to New Zealand seeking gold
Here's a lady who has got something to shout about – she's off to represent the region in the World Town Crying Competition in New Zealand.
Sue Blower, who is Montgomery Town Crier, has jetted off to take part in the competition which is held next week.
Having been town crier for 14 years, she is no stranger to the competition, coming 11th out of 23 last year when it was held in Chester.
Sue, who set off for the southern hemisphere yesterday, said: "I am very excited, I have never been there before and it will be an honour to represent Montgomery on the world stage.
"I have been doing this now for 14 years and I love it. It really fits my big outgoing personality and to get to go all that way to perform is a dream.
"I will be staying on the south island as a guest of Paddy Ann Pemberton, the New Zealand town crier."
During last year's competition, Sue also came sixth highly commended in the best ambassador category.
"It was an honour, I never go into these things expecting to win or anything," she said. "I just enjoy the dressing up and pageantry of it, it is something I enjoy and really get in to."
Sue has also received support in the Welsh Assembly from Montgomeryshire AM Russell George, who raised her achievement on the floor with the minister for public services Leighton Andrews.
Mr George said: "As the only Welsh entry in the competition, Sue is not only representing Montgomeryshire but the whole of Wales.
"When I raised Sue's achievement in the National Assembly, the minister said that there was no better person to represent Wales in the World Town Crying Competition than someone with such an appropriate surname like Blower.
"I'm sure the people of Powys will join with me in wishing Sue all the best for the competition and we look forward to hearing how she gets on."
