Crying out for jubilee volunteer

Calls are being made for the return of a town crier as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations next year.

Southwell has been without a town crier since Mr Henry Howard retired from the position in 1991.

Mr Howard, who died in 1999 aged 92, performed the role for 38 years.

Since then various people have taken on the job for special occasions including former Southwell town councillor Mr Brendan Haigh and, most recently, town councillor Mr Andy Gregory in 2009.

Mr Gregory said it would be a good idea to bring back the town crier permenantly.

He said: “Henry did a wonderful job and it is something we should look at, although I think finding a uniform could be a bit difficult.

“When I did it lots of people came up to me because they were pleased to see a town crier and it is definitely an attraction for visitors to the town.

“Obviously we would need to find a suitable character to take on the role because I don’t think it is something that would suit everybody but I’m sure there are plenty of people out there somewhere who could do it.”

Mr Gregory thought the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations would be an ideal event for a town crier to be used.