Trowbridge town crier ‘completely lost for words’ after award

He told the BBC that his victories in the town crier championship took on greater meaning because of the difficulties he had faced as a child.

“I used to stutter when I was younger, so it makes me feel proud that I’m achieving as much as I can,” he said.

Looking back to his childhood also informed his passion for giving back by associating with Leos.

“We’re doing what we can,” he said.

“My father died when I was 11 years old, my younger sister was three weeks old.

“It’s been a struggle, but I’ve lived my whole life. My glass is always half full.”

Although there were nearly 30 Lions Club members at his local branch when he joined 25 years ago, the group is now down to about 12 people.

The group mainly raises money for local causes, with some of the fundraising going further afield.

“Ninety-five per cent of the money we raise in Trowbridge obviously stays in Trowbridge, but five per cent goes to things around the world and we’ve had a lot of it recently,” he said.