Mike Blackburn was officially appointed as the Town Crier of St Neots in Cambridgeshire in 1995. Mike is a popular figure who is often seen around the town announcing events and promoting the community; when not in St Neots he is regularly seen competitions all over the United Kingdom.
In April 1998 Mike organised the first Town Crying Championship ever to be held in a Cambridgeshire town. The event was a total success with ten Town Criers competing; each contestant received a hand engraved trophy. Mike is a member of both the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers and the Loyal Company of Town Criers. He was also one of the youngest professionally recognised Town Criers in the country and is supported at events throughout the UK by his wife Caroline and three children.
In October 2000 Mike achieved 5th place at the National Town Crier Championships at Hastings, his second successive year in the finals.
Mike is seen here wearing the regalia that was presented to him in May 1999; the town colours are the two shades of blue.