Oyez, Oyez, Oyez

Hear ye, hear ye! Tunbridge Wells town crier John Scholey has won the title of best dressed town crier at the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers Championship.
You've all no doubt seen John dressed in his trademark local purple and gold jacket with tricorne hat proudly swinging his bell around town. How many of you knew that John's wife is one of the lovely dippers who hands you your water at the Chalybeate Spring on the Pantiles?
Since medieval times, although John has only been doing it since 2006, town criers were the chief means of news communication with the people of the town since many could not read or write. Time and literacy rates have changed though and our crier was re-instated for our 400th anniversary celebrations for our pleasure and John has been crying ever since.
Interestingly, town criers are protected under old English law that they are not to be hindered or heckled while performing their duties and to injure or harm a town crier is seen as an act of treason against the ruling monarchy. So John is quite well protected. Another interesting point that I didn't know about town criers is they hold the position until they either want to retire or they are defeated in a cry-off, which sounds like great fun. Hmmm, anyone out there care to take John on? Get yourself down to the Spring for a few glugs of the local water and get those pipes warmed up. OYEZ! OYEZ!

Comments

[Fenton Buckingham]

Too blimming right, my friend. Seen the state of the tarmac around the Village area lately? Total disgrace.

[Daniel Bech]

. . . Even though it might sound unlikely to get the title, I am prepared, with just the condition that instead of Oyez, Oyez; I am allowed to cry Grot, Grot . .