Cirrus tests noise created by town criers 


Cirrus Research used its specialist range of noise measurement equipment to measure the loudest cry at the British Town Crier Championships, organised and sponsored by East Yorkshire Events, held in Bridlington, East Yorkshire this weekend 7 and 8 August.

The 27 criers from all over the UK were tested on volume, clarity, diction and inflection and the ability to engage their audience during head to head heats.

Paul Gough was pronounced the overall competition winner on Sunday and had a cry of 98.9 decibels measured using a Cirrus optimus red sound level meter. The loudest crier, following his attempt which was measured at 104.6 decibels, was event organiser (and non participant) Michael Wood. The optimus range of sound level meters use state-of-the-art technology and have been designed to meet the very latest standards for noise measurement instruments. They provide the highest level of performance possible whilst being simple to setup and operate. The optimus red uses the very latest digital technology and is ideal for measuring occupational and industrial noise.

James Tingay, group marketing manager, Cirrus Research, said: “We were delighted to be able to support the British Town Crier Championships in Bridlington, particularly as this is local to our head office. All of the competitors seemed prepared for the challenge and by using the very latest technology to find out just who was the loudest town crier, we were able to demonstrate how this equipment could be used in an alternative way out side of it usual health and safety remit. We were in no way 'policing' the event but it was interesting to note that the levels reached by the town criers were so loud - louder even that the infamous South African vuvuzela - and regular cry's at work would certainly need to monitored to ensure average noise levels fell within health and safety guidelines!”