Chester Town Crier serves up a treat

The Little Theatre in Chester was packed to the rafters on Saturday, July 18, as half of husband and wife town crying duo, David Mitchell, took to the stage with his one man show: For Crying Out Loud.

Britain's best dressed town crier was resplendent in his town crying regalia (pictured standing by a stocks and pillory on set). David had the audience roaring in the aisles with many of his anecdotes concerning his proclamations at Chester’s Cross in the heart of the historic city.

Britain's reigning Champion Town Crier explained how the role of town crier had evolved down the years with changes in technology. Prior to the establishment of the regular print press, the town crier had an important function as the conduit for royal news and official business in a town or city like Chester.

For many years, a town crier, otherwise known as a bellman, would be charged with patrolling the streets of towns at night to ensure that there were no fires still burning or undesirables walking the streets. The residents of Chester, London and other cities would be reassured by a bellman's hearty refrain of “All is well”.

After the fire of London in 1666, Chester Council decided five years later, to ban thatched roofs in the city’s walls. The task of informing the city’s inhabitants fell to the town crier.

Nowadays, town criers serve a chiefly ceremonial function. David delighted the audience with recollections of some of the visitors that he has encountered in his role as Chester’s town crier down the years.

David – or Julie – can be seen and heard at the Cross in Chester at midday from Tuesday – Saturday, May until August.

For more information about Chester's charismatic town criers – and the life they can breathe into various events - please take a look at their website.

Visitors listening to the Chester Revealed audio travel guide will hear a short welcome to the city from David. The remainder of the tour is narrated by broadcaster and actor Jonathan Keeble.

The Chester Revealed tour can also be hired on a MP3 player from the Tourist Information Centre in the Town Hall on Northgate Street. A copy of the tour plan and neck phones are provided.

Listeners to the Chester Revealed tour have the flexibility to explore the city at their own pace. The circuit can be completed in two hours, or visitors can spend a day enjoying, seeing and hearing the sights and sounds of Chester.