Chester

Here are a few pictures of the Chester Town Crier. The post is currently jointly owned by husband and wife team David and Julie Mitchell. These pictures are of David and his "mini me" town crier son, Spencer. David Mitchell won the 2008 titles of British Champion, Best dressed town crier and Peoples champion.

They proclaim from the Cross in Chester at midday every Tuesday-Saturday from May until the end of August, 10.30am on race days. Proclamations have taken place here since the 15th century. Today they welcome visitors from around the world, tell something of the history and declare any news to shoppers. The stocks, shown in these photographs, are a frequent feature of their routine as is an amount of audience participation.

In the past it was the town crier that announced Henry IV's declaration that any Welshman found within the city walls between sunset and sunrise would be decapitated. In the 16th century it was the town crier that announced the opening of the bull-bating in the bull ring that stood in Watergate Street.

• Chester Town Crier web site

Click on the images below to enlarge