Town crier, Peter Dauncey, has represented Melksham in competitions across the world since 2006 – and this weekend he will host the UK’s ‘biggest’ town criers’ championship.
The event is part of Melksham’s Royal Charter Weekend, which will take place to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Melksham’s market charter.
For the championship, which will be the last hosted by Peter, 21 town criers from across Britain will travel to Melksham to compete in the Market Place, this Saturday, 28th September.
As he prepares for the event, and fresh from a win at the Widecombe Fair, where he was crowned ‘best dressed crier’ at the annual Tom Pearce championships, Melksham News sat down with Peter to find out more about the upcoming Melksham Town Criers’ Championship; and the man, and the voice, behind the bell.
What’s it like to be Melksham’s town crier?
“Being a town crier has changed my life – I’ve met so many people, including heads of state, and the Queen. When I first became a town crier, another crier said to me, “This is going to change your life.” And it has – it’s taken over, but Joan (my wife) and I don’t mind.
“One of the joys is travelling all over the country, seeing places that I would have never seen before. And also travelling the world – we have been to America, Canada, Australia, Singapore, most of the continental countries. I still get excited about it, it’s changed our lives. Every year is different, and very year has been enjoyable.”
How do you feel representing the town?
“I’m very proud to represent Melksham. Before moving here I was first in Melksham when I was in the air force in 1961 and it’s changed dramatically since then. Melksham, after a difficult time is now back on its feet again, its expanding and developing, which is great. I tell people that in my cry, ‘Melksham is a place to work, live and play’. I try to be a good ambassador for the town. People from as far as America have come to visit Melksham after hearing my cry.”
What have been some of your highlights/funniest moments?
“During the time here in Melksham I received the medal for distinguished service from the Guild, which was a great honour – presented to me by the chairman of the Guild and Richard Wiltshire who was the mayor at the time.
“Another highlight was meeting Princess Anne when she came to the town – she was lovely. And I’ve met the Duchess of Cornwall twice.
“And most recently I enjoyed being a part of the celebrations for Allen and Edna Gullis’ 75th wedding anniversary – that was tremendous. This year Joan and I won best dressed couple for the second year in a row at the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers National Championships in Cromer. But this year has been Joan’s year, she has won nine best dressed consort titles!
“One funny moment – I did once forget my bell at a competition and got the ‘No-bell’ prize, which was an empty bottle of Bell’s Whisky! That’s a trophy I don’t want to win again!”
You have been researching the history of town criers in Melksham – what have you found out?
“Between the wars, Melksham had a town crier who lived on Union Street. He was a road man – he filled in the holes in the road. He used to drink in the Grapes and he would park his barrow of tar outside the pub, and very often he’d be taken home in the barrow as he’d get quite drunk!
“There was another who lived on Church Lane and his great-grandson told me that he was also the market supervisor at the time – but I can’t find any record of him. Going further back, before William the Conqueror there were ecclesiastical heralds, and Melksham at that time was ruled by the Abbess of Avebury – and she would have had a herald.
“When William the Conqueror came, he wanted to move some of the power from the churches to the barons. And he declared that every baron should appoint a crier municipal – ‘bell man’. All major towns like Melksham had to appoint a town crier from their own town as it had to be someone with the dialect from that town – the people of Melksham would not have understood someone from Trowbridge! It had to be somebody local, so Melksham must of had someone.
“We know very little about the early days – if anyone could throw more light on the subject, I’d be grateful.”
What can people expect from the competition this Saturday?
“There will be 21 criers in their colourful regalia, and 15 consorts, coming from all over Britain – from places like Lichfield, Isle of Wight, and local criers from Frome, Westbury, Marlborough, and Trowbridge.
“In amongst them is a world champion and a European champion – but I can’t say who, as we can’t bias the judges! The championship is run under the rules of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers – and they will be judged on diction and inflection, sustained volume and clarity. Separate to the main competition is the contest for the best dressed crier, best dressed consort, and best dressed couple.
“Alongside the competition, in the morning we have the Chippenham Morris Dancers and in the afternoon we will have performances from the Holt Morris Dancers and the Bells Angels from Holt.
“The first round cry will be a home town cry, telling people about their home town. The afternoon cry will be on ‘happiness’ – which is open to interpretation – some will be quite serious, some will be more comedic.”
How does it feel to be hosting your last competition?
“Well I’m pleased that all my old mates are coming (and some new ones) – I think they realise it’s the last one I am going to host. One crier has come out of retirement, he’s put it off until the end of October to come!”
What’s next for you as town crier?
“You’ve got to think of age and health, I’m 81 now, but I will keep going as long as I can. Next year we have decided to cut back on the number of competitions we attend and concentrate more on events in the town.
“But I’m not the oldest crier in the Guild, he’s 94 and lives in Tasmania, Australia!”
• The town crier championship will be held on Saturday 28th September from 10am in the Market Place. For more details about this and the other 800th anniversary celebrations, see our centre page pullout
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