town crier – devizine.com

I arrived in Rye as a town crier with two months in the job. I left as the winner of the 73rd National Town Criers’ Championship, still slightly stunned and with a new title to consider: Disney Dowager.

My footwear may have added to the title. I had chosen high-heeled, green, glittery boots. The cobbles soon made me question that decision, but the compliments from women around my age made the wobbling worthwhile. One woman told me I was like a Disney princess for older women. “Disney Dowager?” I suggested, she laughed and said “Disney Queen!”… I’ll take either.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my role and what it means to both me and the community, I want to respect the past but also with an eye to the future I don’t wish to just be a tourist attraction I want to effect change and inspire both young girls and older women like me. I want older women to know they can still take up space, make themselves heard and refuse to become invisible. Being Devizes’ first female Town Crier is one way I can do that, preferably in glittery boots no matter how much they hurt!

As well as my flashy footwear my beautiful bespoke nature inspired tricorn By Nellie Pitts of The Hatstand Millinery also made it’s first appearance.

My Bespoke Tricorn (Photo (C) Tony Ham 2026)

My handsome consort and husband, Moray Macdonald, deserves special mention. He held my hand as I negotiated the cobbles, while also braving the peal of hand bells and the drums despite the risk of aggravating his tinnitus. He is always a brilliant support to me and I’m so grateful for that.

My Consort Moray Macdonald Watches me Cry (Photo (C) KT Bruce)

The competition took place in the Gun Gardens beneath Rye’s ancient Ypres Tower. I was one of only three women among the 15 criers. Our task was to give two cries, a home cry and a themed cry. The three “OYEZ! ” and “GOD SAVE THE KING!” are an obligatory part of the 120-word limit.

For the Home Cry, I had the easy task of celebrating Devizes. Rye and Devizes turned out to have some things in common: both are hilltop towns with a history of smugglers. Rye had its smugglers; Devizes has the Moonrakers, who, as we know, were caught raking out contraband booze by the excisemen so pretended to be stupid yokels who had mistaken the moon’s reflection for a giant cheese which they were trying to retrieve!

The judging considered volume, clarity, diction, content and inflection: not simply how loudly you can call, but how clearly and expressively you can make a cry land. After lunch at the famous Mermaid Inn, we processed back to the gardens for a fun “Have a Go” section, where kids and members of the public were allowed to try and ring a bell and shout OYEZ!

Then came the final themed cry, “Service”. I was glad to include a thank you to the RNLI. With Rye so close to the sea, it felt an especially fitting place to recognise those who risk their lives to help others.

As the result were read out, I had convinced myself I wasn’t going to win, I was up against some very experienced and talented criers many of whom had won a few times including Calne’s Town Crier Mark Wylie . So, you can imagine my ‘flab’ was very much ‘ghasted’ when my name was called out, ( I may have issued an expletive!). To win against such strong competition, particularly after such a short time in the job, felt like a huge achievement. The other criers could have made a newcomer feel out of her depth; instead, they were warm, kind and encouraging throughout. I felt welcomed by them from the start.

Previous Winner Town Crier of Calne, Mark Wylie

My thanks go to Paul Edward Goring and his deputy Town Crier, Annabelle Ansell, who also did a brilliant job as MCs throughout the day, their throats must have been shredded! Thanks also to Rye Town Council; and to photographers KT and Martin Bruce and Tony Ham for capturing the weekend.

Town Crier Of Rye Paul Edward Goring Giving us a Ghost Tour

Devizes has a special place in the story of the national championship. On 23 February 1912, the town’s Market Place hosted the first Town Criers’ Championship of Great Britain. It was known as the “Battle of the Bellmen”, after Billy Law, Horsham’s town crier, challenged criers from across the country to test their voices. Thousands turned out to watch, and Law won the title, along with a championship bell and a £5 prize.

Billy Law Winner of the First Town Crier Competition Held in Devizes in 1912

More than a century later, I am proud to add my voice to that history and represent Devizes. I hope the championship returns one day, with the Market Place filled again with criers, bells and crowds celebrating the character and history of our varied towns. The “Battle of the Bellmen” would sound rather different now: nearly a third of the around 250 UK town criers are women, including Marlborough Town crier Emma Kimber, so there would be plenty of bell women among the voices ringing out across Devizes.

All The Town Criers and Consorts (Photo (c) Tony Ham 2026)

Oh and before you ask yes of course, I took my trophy to bed!

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By Charlotte Emily Devizes Town Crier

There are some moments when history feels less like something written in books and more like something happening right in front of you….

Standing in Devizes Market Place, raising my voice with the traditional cry of “Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!”, I had the incredible honour of being nominated the first female Town Crier of Devizes.

I have done some scary things in my time, but I cannot remember the last time I felt quite so nervous. Yet there was something wonderful about standing there, surrounded by smiling faces and the history of this remarkable market town, knowing I was becoming part of its HERstory. Devizes, the home of Daphne Oram, a pioneer of electronic music and a founder of the radiophonic workshop.

Perhaps it was fitting that I should find myself drawn to a role built around making voices heard. I have always believed that when something matters, someone needs to be willing to stand up and say so. A Town Crier’s role has always been just that: to bring news, celebrate achievements and make sure the voice of the community is heard.

Before becoming Town Crier, I briefly held another unusual distinction as the world’s first fully licensed female boxing MC. Announcing fighters in a boxing ring certainly taught me how to project my voice, but proclaiming the story of Devizes felt like a very different kind of honour.

The tradition of Town Crying stretches back centuries. It is thought that early versions of the role appeared in Ancient Greece, where heralds announced important news and events. By medieval times, Town Criers had become an essential part of community life, bringing proclamations and announcements to those who gathered in marketplaces.

In 1066, King Harold is said to have granted Certificates of Protection to Town Criers, as they were often responsible for delivering unpopular news and could become the target of public anger. King John later decreed that anyone who harmed a Town Crier would face severe punishment for treason. And if my proclamations ever prove too loud, too enthusiastic, or occasionally too honest, I ask only that you remember your history and “don’t shoot the messenger”!

The familiar cry of “Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!” comes from the Old French meaning “listen” or “hear ye”!

Town Criers were not simply loud voices. They were the original news service: announcing royal proclamations, posting notices and sharing information before newspapers, radio, social media or even Devizine existed. Their tricorn feathers were not just decoration either; they were traditionally used as quills for writing those important notices.

Women, too, have played their part in this history. One of the earliest recorded female Town Criers was Beetty (Betty) Dick of Dalkeith, Scotland, in the 18th century. Rather than using the traditional bell, she is said to have used a saucepan to attract attention before making her announcements. Women, haven’t we all felt we needed to do that occasionally?

Now, centuries later, another woman, me, has added her voice to that tradition, this time here in Devizes.

The role of Town Crier is not just about volume. It is about celebrating a place, its people and its stories. And what a privilege it was to proclaim a town like Devizes: a place of Moonrakers and music, canal and community; where the Market Cross, the Corn Exchange and the mighty Caen Hill Locks tell stories of trade, ingenuity and resilience.

The occasion felt even more special because I was able to represent Devizes while wearing Devizes.

My dress came from The Wardrobe, my underwear (ahem) from Amelie and the magnificent robes I wore were kindly loaned by Dig It Vintage on 10 John Street. I was deeply honoured to discover that they once belonged to Betty Boothroyd, the first female Speaker of the House of Commons and a fellow past showgirl like me.

To wear robes connected to such an important woman in British history, while becoming the first female Town Crier of Devizes, feels like a remarkable meeting of past and present and I am deeply moved and honoured.

From Betty Dick with her saucepan, to Betty Boothroyd in the House of Commons, to a woman (not called Betty!) standing in Devizes Market Place with a bell, a voice and a whole lot of sass.

I was proud to stand there representing every woman who has ever felt overlooked, underestimated or told to “tone it down”. Like many menopausal women, I have reached a point where I don’t care what people think of me and I know my voice matters, and there is very little anyone can do about it, because I have a big bell… and the historic protection of the King!

I look forward to using my voice to celebrate this town: its independent businesses, its events, its charities, its volunteers and all the people who make Devizes such a special place.
Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!
God Save The King!