Interview with Michael Wood, town crier

_Elsa_

‘We asked for you!

But what is it like to be a town crier in modern times? I asked Michael Wood, three-times world champion and Britain’s loudest town crier, who has been in the service of East Riding of Yorkshire Council for 14 years.

Tell us how you became a town crier - In 1996, The East Riding of Yorkshire Council advertised for a Town Crier after successfully getting back its original county title and disposing of the dreaded name of Humberside that was given to it in 1974. I answered the job ad and after beating off other candidates in a public cry-off I was chosen. I was officially appointed in 1997 and my initial brief was to act as a county mascot, who would help to put the new county on the map. 

What got you hooked? - The variety of work, from attending the annual chairman-making ceremony for East Riding of Yorkshire Council; to launching a new airline route when I did a cry on a JET2 aircraft at 10,000 feet; to leading the Christmas Parade each year in Beverley; to giving the up-to-date scores on Hull City’s football promotion hopes at the wedding of a football mad couple – the list is endless.

Is it a proper career? - Although I am a professional Town Crier and available full-time, alas, there is not enough full-time work available. I get an income from town crying but I don't earn a living. It is my army pension from a 22-year military career coupled together with town crying work that helps to keep the wolf from my door. But I am not driven by what I earn; I am driven by waking up and enjoying the challenge of wondering just how the hell I am going to pull off a certain job, such as the one time I proclaimed happy birthday to a farmer’s favourite horse.

There’s no career path for Town Criers. However, one can achieve accolades and awards and certain rankings by attending British and World Town Crier Competitions that are held annually and bi-annually respectively. On officially being appointed as a Town Crier by a council to represent a town, a city, or as in my case a whole county, criers can join The Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Crier (AHGTC) and The Loyal Company of Town Criers (LCTC), two organisations that employ codes of conduct and working practices.

What skills or qualities do you need to be a town crier? - A good voice, a good pair of legs, a sense of history and a sense of humour – the latter quality is absolutely vital for ignoring the odd cheeky comment that is aimed a Town Crier’s way because it is not often you see a man going to work wearing tights and frilly lace, as the public are keen to point out.

What do you do outside your town crier commitments? Do you have any other passions? - During the summer months my work is mainly as a Town Crier, but during the winter months I also do Father Christmas – ah, the magic of make-up. When not working, I like to write. I did in fact convince Hollywood that they needed a Town Crier. I worked there from 2000-2003. This led me to write a book called Poetry In Motion Pictures and is based on my studies into the history of Hollywood.’ (Source)

Let’s continue - Interview with James Stewart

Start at the beginning – Hear ye … hear ye …