The Meaning of Headlines: 'town crier'

The Meaning of Headlines: 'town crier' - lifestyle

An article published on 25 August 2016 appears in the Canberra Life section of The Canberra Times with the headline: Canberra’s town crier hangs up the bell. What does ‘town crier’ mean? What does a town crier do and why is the town crier hanging up the bell?

The Oxford Dictionaries defines ‘town crier’ as ‘a person employed to make public announcements in the streets or marketplace of a town.’ It notes that the term is ‘historical’ for messenger, courier, bearer of news, a proclaimer, or a bell person.

The town crier does not cry – the person does not weep or shed tears. The term ‘crier’ comes from the term ‘to cry out’ – in other words, to call out or to shout out. The person, historically, rings a bell (or gong, drum, or hunting horn) and calls out the news of the day, usually a public announcement, such as the birth of a royal baby, or other event of significance to the town.

The town crier wears historical costume dating to the 18th century, which is usually a coat, breeches (pants), boots and a tricorne (three-cornered) hat. The person – male or female - carries a bell, and shouts out the words, ‘O-yay, o-yay, o-yay’ or ‘Hear yea, hear yea, hear yea’ (or similar words) to attract attention before making an announcement.

The article mentions that the town crier of Canberra, the capital of Australia, is Alan Moyse, who dresses in historical costume, takes his bell, and at community events, cries out public announcements. He won the position of town crier five years ago in 2011. He receives no payment, as he performs his duties on a voluntary basis.

There is a society for town criers all over the world – the position originated in Europe – called the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers.

Moyse is ‘hanging up the bell’ – retiring. He has lived in Canberra for 44 years and is now retiring from his paid job in the federal government, and moving to the coast, thus moving out of Canberra. Since the town crier must be a citizen of the town in which he or she cries, Moyse must also retire from the voluntary position of town crier for Canberra.

The article concludes with the statement that the Chief Minister Andrew Barr is calling for applications to appoint a new town crier for the national capital.

The Scorecard for The Canberra Times headline is 90%. Canberra’s town crier is dressed in traditional costume, with a bell, which he is hanging up due to his retirement. So ‘hear yea, hear yea, hear yea – Canberra needs a new town crier.’ Alas, the article did not mention how to apply, nor what skills are required. I can say – having witnessed many town criers – that a loud voice is a pre-requisite because loud-hailers and megaphones are not traditional equipment. I can add that a willingness to wear flamboyant dress – not supplied by the town council – would add authenticity to the role.

The article also failed to note that the 25th Annual National Town Crier Championships will be hosted by the Redland City Council in Australia on 3 September 2016 as part of the Redland Spring Festival called RedFest.

Photograph : Elesa Kurtz

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/canberra-life/canberras-town-crier-hangs-up-the-bell-20160825-gr11ej.html

MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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