Tributes to town crier with 'astounding' voice

Tributes have been paid to East Yorkshire's town crier Michael Wood.

His death was announced by his family on Thursday.

The former soldier oozed "style and flair" during his service that spanned three decades, according to Hull City Council leader Mike Ross.

The Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers said Wood - a three-time world champion - was an "astounding vocal force", and its chair praised his "positive have-a-go attitude".

Christian Ashdown, the guild's chair, said: "He displayed a lifelong commitment to public service, first in the military and later as town crier for Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

"Michael was well known in the town crier community for his great physical presence, astounding vocal force and, above all, his positive have-a-go attitude.

"He regularly attended (and won) town crier competitions around the country and his warm personality made him a very popular member of our community."

Paul Schofield, a Hull tour guide and historian, said his friend - who took on the civic role more than 20 years ago - would be "greatly missed".

"Michael was a real champion of Hull and East Yorkshire," he said.

"He really was larger than life."

Schofield said he would forever remember Wood for his enthusiastic performance at University of Hull graduation ceremonies.

"Michael brought fun and real ceremony to the occasion every year," he said. "And I can truly vouch for the loudness of his voice."

Wood said his finest hour was winning the 2nd Millennium World Town Crier Championship, held in Gent, Belgium, in 2000.

In 2001, he was made the unlikely town crier of Hollywood.

Speaking at the time, he told the BBC: "It really was a disappointment, as a tourist, as nothing was gelling together.

"With Hollywood as a background, there was so much more they could do."

Wood wrote to local business bosses and was rewarded with a contract to spend the summer on Hollywood Boulevard greeting visitors.

He said the sun shone every day, noting it was "a little bit better than Yorkshire weather".

However, home for Wood was always Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire - a world away from the bright lights and energy of Tinseltown.

In media interviews he told of his love for Bridlington, his town of birth, and treating himself to coffee and cake in one of Beverley's cafes.

Wood was also a skilled writer.

In 2021, he and Reg Kemp co-authored MV Norland, Secret Weapon of the Falklands War: From North Sea Ferry to Task Force Assault Ship, which included the recollections of crew and soldiers from the 1982 conflict.

Ross said: "On behalf of Hull City Council, I would like to pass on my condolences to the family of Michael Wood, East Yorkshire's town crier of three decades.

"Michael was a remarkable figure at so many events across so many years and his style and flair always added to every occasion. I last saw him only a few weeks ago when he was part of the opening proceedings at a local event and his contribution was as powerful then as it always has been.

"He will be missed by the community that had seen him as one of their own."

Chris Blacksell, chair of tourism body Visit Hull and East Yorkshire, added: "Michael was a lovely man. He was an incredible orator and could keep a crowd in the palm of his hand."

In a final message to the BBC last year, soon after Hull was named on a list of must-see places to visit compiled by National Geographic magazine, Wood reflected on the city's offering.

Without a hint of sarcasm, he wrote: "Brussels has the Grand Place, Venice has the Piazza San Marco, Hollywood has The Walk of Fame, Hull has Victoria Square."

Wood is survived by his wife Margaret.

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