A call for peace
New Glasgow town crier Jim Stewart will be a part of a unique event marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
Stewart will be one of 140 town criers that will deliver a specially written cry for peace around the world.
Stewart is playing his part in Battle’s Over, an international commemoration marking 100 years since the guns fell silent at the end of the First World War.
The first cry will be delivered on Nov. 11 at 7:05 p.m. in New Zealand and then will be delivered across the globe through the various time zones. The New Glasgow event will take place on Nov. 11 at 7:05 p.m. in Carmichael Park in front of the War Memorial.
Stewart said he first heard about the Battle’s Over event about six or eight months ago when an invite was sent out by Battle’s Over pageant master Bruno Peek of the UK, encouraging people to take part.
In addition to town criers, Stewart said there will also be bagpipers playing and church bells ringing.
He said it’s relatively easy to organize town criers for a project like this because there are only about 300 of them in the world and they’re connected in groups on Facebook.
Approximately 140 criers are participating and they will all read the same cry. Stewart said he feels honoured to be part of it.
“It just makes you realize how small the world is,” he said.
He’ll know some of the criers taking part as he’s met them at town crying competitions in places like the UK and Bermuda.
More information on Battles Over can be found at www.brunopeek.co.uk/battles-over.