En route to Wales we stopped for coffee at Royal Wootton Bassett. I've seen TV footage of the town when it used to be involved in the repatriation of fallen service men and women: the main street lined with mourners as the hearses passed by. The town was originally 'Wootton Bassett' and the title 'Royal' now recognises its actions in this duty.
We set off to find a café and I suddenly spied the town crier in conversation with a lady at the church gate. I waited a moment and he then turned to me and I asked if I could take his photo. He was quite amenable and told me that he often receives this request. He introduced himself as Owen and I took one photo just by the gate and another beside the church door. He was an especially good and relaxed subject.
Owen has been involved in this voluntary work for 17 years and told me his full title is 'town crier and sword bearer'. He works on Wednesdays, market day, because the market tolls pay for the upkeep of the town hall, also on Saturdays, and on high days and holidays such as this day: Carnival Day.
Sometimes he is absent from his duties as he often enters competitions for town criers all over the country. As well as being judged on their bearing, other criteria are the volume and clarity of voice, plus diction and inflexion of speech. Then came the question I was bound to ask, "Have you won many competitions, Owen" and the reply, "Ninety four trophies at the last count."
I admired Owen's uniform and discovered that the coat and tricorne hat together require 33 metres of gold braid.
Owen regards himself as semi-retired now and explained that his wife retired first as she is older than him. He then joked that he thinks she must be the original 'cougar' which makes him the original 'toy-boy'.
I double checked with Owen that he did not mind his photo and story being online and wondered how I could send him a printed photo as he does not have internet. He suggested sending it to the Town Hall for him to collect which seemed a good solution. So when I am at home, I'll do that. I think he really looks the part.
A small and belated September update for 2024, where I am still, after many years' membership, on 365 Project, also now posting elsewhere but wanting...
Amazing &...almost incredible. R used to live at RWB and his daughter still lives there. I've been there on several occasions when the Fallen were being repatriated. The whole town turns out and lines the route. Complete silence and maximum respect are a given.
