The Chertsey Town Crier

“Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!”

Who are town criers?

Town criers were the original newsreaders. From medieval times, long before newspapers and when few people could read, the crier was the official voice of the town: ringing a handbell, calling “Oyez” (from the old French for “hear ye”) and proclaiming royal announcements, local bylaws, market days and news of the day to the assembled crowd.

Criers traditionally wore a livery coat and tricorn hat, and carried a handbell to summon attention. After making a proclamation they would fasten the notice to the door post of the local inn, which is said to be why we still talk of “posting” a notice and why some newspapers carry the name “The Post”.

Because criers spoke with the authority of the Crown and the town, tradition holds that they were protected by law, and that to harm a town crier was a serious offence. The phrase “don’t shoot the messenger” captures the same idea.

Chertsey’s crier today

Today the role is a proud ceremonial one. Chertsey’s Town Crier leads processions, opens fairs and lends pageantry to civic occasions throughout the year. The Chertsey Society restored the Office of Town Crier to the town and continues to sponsor it as part of our work to celebrate Chertsey’s heritage.

The office was reinstated by the Society in 1993 at the suggestion of Jocelyn Barker, with the cost of the crier’s costume kindly given by Norman Rogers in memory of his wife. Since then the role has been held by Robert Knock, Michael Dollery and Terry Pattinson. Chertsey had criers long before then too: a photograph in our archive shows the town’s criers of 1936.