A "BARLICK Bellman" is the impressive handmade trophy awaiting the winner of this year's Barnoldswick town criers' contest.

Commissioned by Barnoldswick crier Kevin Griffiths and made by wood carver John Adamson, of Hebden Bridge, the unique trophy stands 18 inches tall and represents a town crier at rest, having just completed his cry.

Kevin organised his first town crier contest in Barnoldswick in 2001 and plans his next for August 9 this year.

The first contest was a huge success and he hopes to stage the colourful event every other year, attracting town criers from across the UK and even abroad.

Early inquiries about this year's contest have come from America, Canada and even Australia.

Appointed by Barnoldswick Town Council, Kevin has won awards at contests up and down the country and is even tipped for success in the national and world championships.

He wanted a unique and highly prized trophy for the contest in his home town, and wood carver John Adamson has come up trumps.

The trophy, paid for jointly by the town council and Barnoldswick Chamber of Trade, will be presented to the outright winner of the contest together with a cash prize. The winner will keep the trophy for two years.

Plans for the competition are going well, but more volunteers are needed to put up visiting criers in their homes for a couple of nights. Accommodation for competing criers was by far the biggest expense at the 2001 contest and Kevin hopes to slash that cost by "billeting" them with local people.

Anyone who can help can contact Kevin on 01282 816832 or town clerk Jan Bland on 01282 666735. Kevin is also keen to hear from any local businesses or organisations that could support the event through sponsorship.

o When Barnoldswick Town Council's development and tourism committee met, Coun David Whipp suggested the contest could mark the start of six weeks of events culminating in the Barlick Bugs community arts weekend on September 20 and 21.

"It would be a Barnoldswick festival to include as many different things as we could," he said.

"We could have workshop sessions in local schools, musicians, crafts and circus skills all under the umbrella of a Barnoldswick festival, with a big event at either end."

The Barnoldswick Community Arts Group, which has organised the successful "Barlick Bugs" event for the past two years, will meet next Thursday, February 13, at Barnoldswick Civic Hall at 7pm. Everyone is welcome to go along, especially those with fresh ideas and a willingness to get involved.

One idea already being explored is American-style drive-in movies at Victory Park.

Coun John Broughton said with the loss last year of Barnoldswick's gala the arts weekend could become the highlight of the year for local people and visitors alike, but it would need plenty of enthusiastic people to get involved.