I have been putting the town crier’s scroll together. A broom handle cut into thirds (two bits needed plus one for if I make any big mistakes) seems the right size. For finials, I got four small wooden door knobs from Majacks on Dedworth Rd, Windsor. A bit of wood glue and masking tape to…
RBWM Coat of Arms badge
The badge featuring the RBWM Coat of Arms arrived this morning. This will be sewn onto the cape of the Town Crier’s costume. Sadly this photo doesn’t even begin to do justice to just how stunningly good the badge looks. It was made by hand and has a real 3D quality with a mix of thread…
The dangers of being a town crier
I had a dream last night that I shouted so loud that I made myself deaf. Is that even possible? When I woke this morning I came down and opened up my emails. Almost the first thing I read was about Dickie Fletcher, the crier of Bridlington in 1827 who died whilst carrying out his duties. Apparently,…
Extra fiddly bits
When planning a crier’s costume, there are almost infinite opportunities for additional embellishments Doug the wonderful hat maker suggested a new one the other day that I particularly like. He showed me a picure of a cape clasp which was worn as part of police uniforms until as recently as the 1950s. The lion’s heads can…
The coat takes shape
On Saturday I went to Tom Brown’s in Eton for a fitting. The owner, David has been busy and wanted to check that the first cut of the coat was accurate. At this stage it is a somewhat alarming bright purple robe covered in chalk lines. I tried it on and immediately thought I could…
Second Boot Fitting
Drove to Edmonton on Friday to check on the progress of my boots. The uppers were complete and before attaching the soles the boot maker Keith wanted to double check the fit. I am happy to report they fitted beautifully and so Keith will now attach the soles and post them over to Windsor. The…
Location Location Location
I have been investigating good ‘crying’ places for when the livery is finished and my duties can begin in earnest. Traditionally the market cross was the place where cries would be read out, so in Windsor that means the junction of Castle Street and High Street. The statue of Queen Victoria is pretty much on…
Refurbished Bell arrives
I got a nice big parcel this morning from the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. Inside was the Maidenhead Town Crier’s bell, fully refurbished. A new clapper, and handle and the words ‘refurbished 2013’ on the ferule. It sounds better than ever, looks great and best of all is not going to fly off the handle and…
Bells and Boots
Went to London to get the town crier’s bell’s wobbly handle fixed. Whitechapel Bell Foundry (established 1440) have the actual wooden former they used to create ‘Big Ben’ 150 years ago, framing the inside of their front door. Also picked up a new shiny bell. Hessian Boots Then it was off to Edmonton to get…
The Maidenhead Bell
The actual bell I ring is the old Maidenhead Town Crier’s Bell which was last used in 1922. The present owner kindly donated it back to the new town crier so we are ressurecting a piece of local 19th Century heritage for the 21st Century. It is tuned to ‘D’ (according to my digital guitar…