The Town Crier’s New Clothes! Although I have been Town Crying since 1972 (officially appointed to Seaford on 1st January 1977) and been Serjeant at Mace since 2012, I now have, for the first time, a light(er) weight Summer Uniform. (photo right). The ‘weskit’ was made by my usual tailor, G. D. Golding of St Albans (Warranted Tailor by appointment to H. M. The Queen – making her family’s Naval uniforms); and funded by Seaford Town Council – the first time the Council have purchased part of the Town Crier and Serjeant at Mace’s uniforms. Thank you STC!
The blue uniform (photo left) was made by a national newspaper for a Crier in Somerset, and now dresses a tailor’s dummy in Seaford Museum. This allows me to boast I am the only Town Crier to be stuffed by public demand! That gets me past the period of appearing as ‘The Man in Tights!’ The more military style uniform (photo right) was crafted by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s tailor, based in Exeter of course! Based on a Bishop’s frockcoat, it has a ‘Poacher’s Pocket’ in each of the two coat-tails. Why? ‘For Sherry and Port!’ the Tailor told me. Other ‘military’ versions (photo left – uniform with square shoulders) were made by G. D. Golding, based on a single photograph (photo below) of Town Serjeant and occasional stand-in Crier, William
The Jabot (or stock) was made by experienced local designer of Wedding Dresses and Stage Costumes, my very good friend Meg Lewis. With a smaller (less tall) top hat, this relieves some of the problems our hotter summers are causing the loudest man in town! Marching ahead of the marching band and cadets at last year’s Armed Forces Day Parade, from Broad Street to Martello Field, in a temperature of 32ºC, was quite an experience in the traditional Greatcoat and Gloves! The first two uniforms were made in 1951 for the Festival of Britain for Crier and former Guardsman Charles Keep (photo left), and the replacement copy for me in 1978. The latter, made by Jessie Keep and paid for by Seaford Rotary Club, still appears on local stages adorning Mr Bumble in the musical ‘Oliver’.
NOV ISSUE DEADLINE:
wednesday 7th October 16
Woolgar, 1865-1901. Both recent military style coats were funded by public subscription, Rotary Clubs, fundraising events, donations including $500 from one of the Seaford’s in USA, and from our Twin Town, with two people donating their Winter Fuel Allowances. The latest summer uniform has already made some appearances, suitably distanced. If you ask me how I like it, it’ll be: ‘OYEZ! Cool Man! God Save the Queen!’ Peter White, Seaford Town Crier
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