Worthing's Town Crier Keeps a British Tradition Alive in West Sussex. But what does a town crier do, how do you become a town crier, and how loud can a town cry get?
Lots of British traditions have died out here in the UK, and the number of town criers has dwindled substantially in the last 100 years. But Worthing, in West Sussex, England, is home to one of the 144 remaining official Town Criers in the UK. Bob Smytherman has been preserving the ancient tradition of Town Crier in the West Sussex town for 7 years, and has become a living part of Worthing’s identity.
Town Criers are not limited to Britain; they can be found across many regions that were once colonised by European powers. British town criers tend to be members of one of two groups; the Loyal Company of Town Criers, or the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers (AHGTC). Bob is a member of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers (AHGTC), and occasionally competes in Town Crying competitions. I spoke with Bob on Worthing pier about what Town Crying means to him, and the future of town criers in the modern world, to find out more.
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In 21st century Britain, Town Criers still exist and pop up occasionally in the news; a town crier announced the royal birth of Prince George in 2013 - although in this case he was an unofficial town crier. When you officially hold the role, like Bob does, you are exempt from certain laws regarding noise in public. Town crier’s start a proclamation with “Oyez, oyez, oyez”, which means “hear ye, hear ye, hear ye”. A town cry also ends with “God save the Queen”.
While on duty, Bob wears the traditional town crier outfit, or regalia , which is specially made for him, complete with a blue tunic, a tricorne hat topped with ostrich feathers, buckled shoes, white gloves, and a frilled white top. His Town Crier bell is engraved with his name and the date he officially became Worthing’s “blue pirate”, as one local journalist has nicknamed him.
Bob Smytherman was once mayor of Worthing, and discovered the role of Town Crier by accident when he was cast as one in a local play. Since then, he’s taken on the role voluntarily. Many traditions are dying out in the UK, and Bob was doing what he could to preserve one that we still have. He also uses his platform to raise awareness for social issues, and money for charity.
00:00-01.22 - Meet Bob Smytherman: Worthing’s Town Crier
01:23-03:19 - What is a Town Crier?
03:20-04:46 - Regalia: The Town Crier's Outfit
04:47-05:46 - Town Criers in the Modern World
05:47-06:40 - Town Crying Competitions: What Makes a Winning Cry?
06:41-08:29 - What does it take to be a Town Crier?
08:30-09:21 - Final Thoughts
Find Bob's Facebook page here: / bobsmytherman
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