Never mind a group of blokes commenting and meta-commenting on each others record collections, it's unpredictable things like this that make blogging worthwhile! :)
In the second pleasing proof this week of blog-rumour's ability to reach across the world and back again to next door, in the process shedding light on the matters most obscure, undercurrent's rambling, semi-fictionalised account of Truro's rogue town crier has been discovered and commented by the man himself, with even more of a story than I managed to conjure up.
To set the record straight, I'll let him speak for himself - he writes:
Hello, whoever you are?
T'was myself the very Town Crier who popped his head around the barbers shop door.
Reason I was 'presenting myself' to be viewed by a new member of staff. New to this country a lady from Korea & did not know what a Town Crier was at an earlier visit. On that day she was not there - why she was getting married to an English fella somewhere near Penzance where she will be setting up home.
Why was I up to what I was doing ?
Well it was one of those comparitively rare occasions when I had a Commercial Commission to Cry the City for a new Travel Shop "First Stop" (Get me out of here)that had opened its doors for business that day.
Further it appears that the rest of the story has become a little scrambled by the telling of my dear Barber friend 'Eric'. Yes the re-appointment of the Truro City Crier is a long sad tale of provarication by the 'City Fathers'.
Historically the earliest known Crier on current records was one Francis Donniti back in 1790 !!
But local Government changes ment that many of the earlier records were 'lost'! So there may have been someone earlier than this? Originally the Crier was Truro's first Constable (Policeman)When subsequently Truro had its own Police Force he was one of its number.
Then Robert Peal came along somewhere in this tale but in relitively more recent times that Police Force became the Cornwall Constabulary and then even more recently that became absorbed into todays Devon & Cornwall Constabulary.
But the City Office was dropped some 50/60 years ago.
Then I came along!
Having been a long term member of the local Operatic Society initially I found myself on a Fund Raising Committee that found that no advertising had been undertaken for a giant Jumble Sale. Well that was on the Thursday evening with the event taking place on the following Saturday !
However to cut a long story short, I cobbled up a Robe of sorts borrowed a bell & a hat & on the Saturday shouted the streets of Truro - I brought the Potential customers in, that otherwise knew nothing of our event - My efforts for that day were rewarded with a take of over £1,200. everyone was delighted - that was some 24 years ago! Other Charities then got on the band waggon & on an annual basis I help to bring in some £7 to £8K(without trying!)as a "Peoples Crier".
This I used to do with a Robe that I had got together myself. I knew nothing of City Protocol or the like. Insurance- what is that?
Then one day I was attacked by a Vandle damaging my robe - there were incidents when bell heads 'parted company' from the handle that could have injured someone. So I wanted Insurance. This I found I couldn't get unless I was a bona fide Civically appointed oficer. If that were the case then I could join a Town Criers Guild that in turn afforded Insurance.
In the mean time a former Stage Partner of mine had gone off to Theatre College to learn how to make Theatre Costume. Fine, the said lady returned to see the last night of A show that I was in.
She was nearing the end of her course & was saying that she had to Research a Robe, Design it, then make it. I suggested a Town Criers Robe for the City. A Civic collection was made & eventually a Robe came into being.
But what of the Crier that went into it, for there wasn't one. An ex Mayor reluctantly took the job on for a year & went out "once" for the Carnival.
There was then a passage of time when the City Fathers wouldn't appoint a Crier putting all sorts of hurdles in the way, such as having to be a resident of the City. (On the Parish Electeral Roll). This I was not, though I lived only a mile & a half from the city centre !
I had community support for my activities a Petition was raised but the Council wouln't act!
Then there was an occasion when the Criers of Cornwall attended a City council meeting with myself - in an effort to get the Council to act but all to no avail!!
I continued to cry the City in my robes but by now had been appointed by three other Parishes
this allowed me to gain Guild membership & consequently Insurance (Third Party liability £3M !!!)
Then eventually in 2001 I was officially appointed, "AT NO COST TO THE CITY COUNCIL"
Honorary, City of Truro Town Crier.
Thoroughout all this saga I have been able to enter Town Crying Competitions throughout the UK & overseas gaining many trophies in the doing.
At last years World Championships I gained the Title of being The World's Best Dressed Town Crier [ see http://www.kierenmccarthy.me.uk/pages/general/towncrierawardspics.html - Ed.] & together with my Partner gained the 3rd place for the Best Dressed Couple. In the 'Shout'I came joint Forth!
If I can be of further assistance please come back I would be delighted to have a chat with you.
Sincerely yours,
John L. Sweetman FLCTC,FBGTM,MAHGTC, (IEng.)
Honorary, Official Town Crier of the City of Truro, Grampound, Creed and Kenwyn.
All in the Duchy of Cornwall !!
Have just found your website - super.
Cheers
Lucy
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