Sheppey appoints its first town crier
- Feb 15
- 4 min read
Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!
A retired schoolteacher has been appointed the first town crier for the Isle of Sheppey.
Bruce Horton, 60, pipped two other contestants to the new voluntary role after a shout-off at the Criterion Theatre in Blue Town on Saturday morning (February 14).
He will now become the face – and voice – of the month-long Festival of Sheppey in June.
After the auditions Bruce said: “I feel very humbled to have been chosen to be the first town crier for the Isle of Sheppey. Coming from across the Swale, Sheppey doesn’t always get the best of press and that is a shame and wrong.
“That is why this role is so important. I see it as raising up the standing of this noble Isle with its fascinating history and welcoming people, not just among Islanders but with those who look down on it and see it as something different and other.
“It IS different and other. But in a positive way. It is that side of things, bringing those positives into peoples’ lives and to remind them of all the good things, both historical and current, about Sheppey, I think is the most important part of being a crier
“It is something I am looking forward to.”
The father-of-one, who lives in Kemsley, near Sittingbourne, with his wife Fiona, had taught in schools for 20 years before retiring. His last one was Leigh Academy Ebbsfleet secondary school near Gravesend.
Bruce added: “When I retired last year, I found I had time on my hands. I have always been a history buff and have always liked standing in front of people and talking to them, or at them, and that was something I thought I could continue doing in my retirement.
“I am sure my wife is going to be very proud but also delighted that I am going to be out of the house! She says I get under her feet and that I keep meddling.”
He was up against two other contenders for the title from the Isle of Sheppey.
There was flame-haired Chris Reed, another former teacher who runs the Big Fish Arts group, and former working men’s club steward and local radio presenter Ray Seager.
Bruce admitted: “The competition was daunting. There were some excellent speakers. When I heard them, I became quite worried. The questions the panel asked were also probing. But overall, it was a very enjoyable process.”
Ray Seager agreed to be deputy town crier.
The panel comprised the mayor of Swale Cllr Karen Watson; the mayor of Queenborough Cllr Richard Darby; Cllr Dolley Wooster, who chairs Sheerness Town Council; Peter West, who is the curator at Eastchurch Aviation Museum and Janet Beake who chairs the board of trustees at the Criterion.
Cllr Watson said: “The candidates were all absolutely amazing. They were very confident and knowledgeable. Any of them could have done Sheppey proud. But our winner just had that certain edge.
“I believe this will instil more pride to Sheppey and help show off everything which is fantastic about the Island. It will also give Sheppey a voice.”
Jenny Hurkett, who organised the contest on behalf of the Island Forum, said: “We had three amazing candidates who were all different. Each had something unique about them. It made it very difficult for the judges. There were only a couple of points in it. But I think Bruce will do us proud.”
Each candidate was given two proclamations to read, one serious and one light-hearted.
Before the contest began, the current town crier from Rochester – Mike Billingham from Gillingham – turned up in his red and gold livery, tricorn hat and bell – to explain the history of the role.
Mike, a member of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers, said: “Long before we had newspapers, radio, television, telephones or the internet we had the town crier. The Normans brought what they called bellmen over when they invaded us in 1066.
“The town crier’s job was to spread the news. Remember, most people could not read or write. The news could be good or bad, including announcements that the king was raising taxes again. So, no change there, then!”
Town criers were appointed by towns and cities. A common misconception was that they were the king’s messengers and that people could be executed if they attacked them, hence the saying ‘don’t shoot the messenger’.
Judges marked the contestants out of five in eight categories: vocal volume without microphone; clarity and projection; commanding presence; impact of entrance; sense of humour; improvisation skills’ crowd engagement and confidence.
The contest was compered by Cllr John Nurden, a member of Minster-on-Sea parish council.
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