OYEZ, OYEZ, OYEZ!

The people of Lytham have a brand new, official proclaimer who has made recent history as Alison Bott discovers. Photography: Roger Moore

Town Criers have existed for hundreds of years and the majority of them have been men. Chertsey’s Mary Anne Blaker became England’s first female town crier in 1914 due to WWI. Now 119 years later, history was made in Lytham earlier this year as it inaugurated its first female Town Crier. And history was made again at the recent Club Day. In her elaborate red, white and blue outfit, tricorne hat and black boots, Kila Redfearn certainly stands out in any crowd. But her visible appearance is almost dwarfed by her audible presence!

Kila embraces with passion, humour and a large pinch of theatrical aplomb. Her delivery of Oyez, Oyez, Oyez is commanding (and loud) and more than matches her flamboyant attire. Last month (June) she was delighted to become the first woman to ever lead the parade at Lytham Club Day. “I was a bag of emotions, excited, honoured, overawed and terrified,” admitted Kila. “Club Day is so important to the town, and such an institution, to be the first female Town Crier to lead the procession was a dream.”

I AM ECSTATIC TO HAVE BEEN GIVEN THIS ROLE

“I loved every moment, and I hope I did the town proud.”

Kila, whose day job is Head of Charity for Blue Skies, the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS charity, said: “I always wanted to be a Town Crier, even as a little girl – I just loved the pomp and ceremony of the role.”

TO BE THE FIRST FEMALE TOWN CRIER TO LEAD THE PROCESSION WAS A DREAM

Club Day was Kila’s 30th proclamation since she was inaugurated 104 days before the event. She has already performed a number of ceremonial duties and public proclamations, including the Coronation of King Charles III.

“I am ecstatic to have been given this role,” she said. It can be very demanding, sometimes doing multiple cries in different locations on one day, but it is incredibly rewarding.”

The bubbly mum has four girls and two grandchildren who are the apple of her eye. She has even bought the grandchildren Town Crier hats and bells so they can get in some practice for when they are older!

“I am very lucky to have the unwavering support of my four children, Jessica, Mily, Grace and Clara and of course my amazing husband, Andrew,” Kila added.

Historically town criers, or Bellmen, were the original newsmen of the day and their existence can be traced back to medieval times. Currently there are about 140 registered criers in England and Wales of which about 20 are female.

The role of Lytham Town Crier is voluntary and any money raised from undertaking private proclamations within the position will go back into Lytham Hall Charity which is the seat of the original Squire of Lytham.

Kila added: “I was selected for the role by the squire and I have a real affinity with Lytham Hall. I am delighted to be able to raise money to help with the upkeep of what is the finest Georgian house in Lancashire.”