Britain’s best town crier hangs up bell after 30 years
ONE of Britain’s best town criers will hang up his bell after 30 years as he has vowed to “stop while he’s at the top”.
Alistair Chisholm has won the National Town Crier Championships a record-equalling 11 times and marked many important occasions in the historic town of Dorchester in Dorset.
But at 78 he has decided the time has come to hang up his bell and pass the mantle on to the next generation.
Mr Chisholm, who is also currently the town’s mayor, started his role in 1996 after he stepped in to commentate on maypole dancing at a village fete.
In almost three decades he has announced events like King Charles’ coronation and the 2012 Olympic Torch relay.
He has won the national championships 11 times, equalling the record set by Ben Johnson of Fowey, Cornwall, in 1973.
Mr Chisholm’s most recent win was in 2021. In the same year he also won a silent town crier contest, judged on written entries due to the Covid pandemic. And in 1999 he came second in the Town Crier World Championships in Vancouver, Canada, against 100 criers. He is hopeful the town can find someone younger to continue the historic tradition and is happy to mentor anyone that comes into the role.
Mr Chisholm said: “You can go on and on until the voice gives up, but I’d like to stop while I’m still at the top. I have still got a good voice and can still cry but it’s time pass on the baton.
“I can think of a few people I think would be good but whether or not they will be interested or have the time I don’t know yet. We will advertise the role and hold auditions but I’m very happy to help whoever may be picked if they want help. I think it’s a very good way to represent the town and continue the tradition. If he or she wants to go to competitions that’s great but they don’t have to do that.”
Town criers are a position that dates back to medieval times, where a trusted member of society with an engaging voice would speak to the town, announcing news and royal proclamations to a largely illiterate population.