Hans Van Laethem

Hans Van Laethem, Town Crier of Ninove in Belgium, has been the Town Crier of Ninove since 1987, officially recognised since 1999.

He is Chairman of the European Guild of Town Criers and took part in both of the previous Chester World Tournaments. Hans was runner up in Ghent in 2000, European Champion in Newquay and Cromer (2002 and 2006), Belgian Champion in 2004, and World Champion in Maryborough, Australia, in 2005.

Hans has twice opened the Chingay parade in Singapore, and became famous in Chester for drinking the yard of ale.

"I look forward to meeting my friends in Chester again. It is a different kind of competition to those I am used to, but always very well organised and fun", said Hans.