Town Criers in Britain
People wandering around in period costume have become an increasingly frequent sight in tourist towns up and down the UK. Roman soldiers in Chester, Georgian ladies in Bath and this town crier, Alistair Chisholm, pictured in Dorchester with an American tourist. Find out more about town criers in Britain.
Town Crier in Dorchester
Town criers or bellmen were elaborately-dressed officials who read out pronouncements required by law courts as well as other general news to local (often illiterate) townspeople. These included market days, advertisements and news of the birth or deaths of royalty and important people.
Usually town criers carried a bell and shouted out “Oyez! Oyez!” to grab people’s attention. As most people in medieval times, when the practice is thought to have begun, were illiterate, a town crier was essential to pass on the news to the townsfolk.
Over 140 towns in Britain now have a registered town crier including both Chester and Kingston-upon-Thames.
Dorchester Town Crier Alistair Chisholm
Alistair Chisholm (pictured), 78, retired from his role as Dorchester’s Town Crier on New Year’s Eve 2023. He had been in the job for 27 years winning several competitions.
Other places of interest in Dorchester include Hardy’s Cottage in Higher Bockhampton, the Wessex author’s birthplace, and Max Gate, where Hardy lived in later life.
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