Leek Town Crier

LEEK TOWN CRIER “Together we can beat anything”

It’s that time again to step out of the old year and into the new year.

Always looking at the past adventures and, indeed, the not so adventurous. As Leek Town Crier, there wasn’t too much for me to get involved with or be a part of.

We, as a town, have to feel proud of the memorial parades and services organised by the town council and the Leek branch of the Royal British Legion. I played no part in these onto to attend with the Leek Town Council.

Always a sad but proud moment for the whole town of Leek, at the Nicholson Memorial then in the afternoon, at the Memorial in Haregate.

I remember also that constant fear that the pandemic threw at all of us and the fear now as a new strain emerged some weeks ago.

The footfall throughout the town is proof of this. When things began to get better for all of us with the lifting of certain measures, we all looked forward to getting just a little bit back to normal.

Small businesses began to see some rise in custom, albeit small but a beginning but is now pushed back into the realms of the fear factor.

As the town crier, I pop into some small shops and am told of the overwhelming frustration and, indeed, fear of the future from many.

But I also get the feeling of a determination from the small business community to stand and fight for their livelihoods and future. But not all is doom and gloom, we are seeing new shops opening, even the Earl Grey pub on the Ashbourne Road reopened on December 12. A new bistro in Stanley Street.

On a different note, I meet hundreds of people who are visiting, not just from Stoke-onTrent but further afield, people moving in to swell the population to our wonderful town.

But let’s not forget there are many people who have to use the food bank, are looking for work (although there are vacancies) homeless people, mental health issues.

I met a young man in town recently whose mother has dementia now and he has to look after her. She doesn’t recognise him any more. He will have to move out when she passes to single accommodation which is very hard to come by. He told me that he gets very depressed prompting the thoughts of suicide. Only words of encouragement is all that I can give him.

On a happier note, my Saturday trips around town and the Sunday Supplement Market always give many children, and indeed adults, a sense of light hearted fun and laughter.

Over the past year, I have given thousands of sweets and toys, not only to local children but to visiting children also.

Many comments from locals and visitors alike give the taste of what kind of town this is when the local town crier is out and about giving a positive input of fun and laughter.

Please don’t play down the role of the town crier as they are a very important part of any town or city. 2021 now gone. Let’s keep that sparkle that is the spirit of Leek and carry it into the new year to come. Divided, we fall, united we grow stronger.

Be more aware of the needs of others in our town and if we can help in any way, let’s do it. Goodbye old, hello new. Together we can beat anything. Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!

Leek Town Crier Bill Lomas

Leek Town Crier Bill Lomas