Report from the Brampton Historical Society

 

Resplendent in his colourful livery: a red and gold coat, black breeches, white socks, black shoes and tricorn hat, town crier Mike Wabe stood before many members of the Brampton Historical Society, at the Brampton Community Centre, and introduced his talk on the history and activities of a town crier.

A member of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers and the Loyal Company of Town Criers, Mike was ideally qualified to entertain and explain the history.

We obviously knew that the talk would not be quietly given! After all the town crier needed to be heard so the initial ‘Oyez, Oyez’ (short for, Oh Yes! Oh Yes!) accompanied by the ringing of the handbell ensured that we were all awake.

But there was no need as the ensuing talk was stimulating, interesting and informative.

To have such a commanding and stentorian voice required training and Mike told us that, a mouth full of pebbles assisted in training and developing the voice.

I am sure that we are all aware that the town crier was responsible for broadcasting the important news of the day. 

Changes in the law, local events, visits by the nobility and all matters affecting the daily lives of the public.

The majority of the general populace was illiterate at one time and the town crier was the means of disseminating important information – almost a  ‘talking newspaper.

After the crier had finished his speech, he would put a written notice on a post for those who could read. Mike did say that was probably why some of the early newspapers did, as some still are today, include Post in their title.

One post that Mike mentioned was that Henry IV decreed that no Welshmen could enter the country before sunrise and if three were together they were to be executed.

The term ‘bellman’ is also used as a synonym for town crier but Mike told us that this was the term for the night shift crier’ whose main duty was the prevention of fire by proclaiming “cover your fire” which apparently is the origin of the term curfew.

But his additional ‘cry’, not fully appreciated during the night was if no fire was evident, ‘all is well’.

I am sure that all the members appreciated Mike’s talk and he finished by elaborating on another term ‘on the wagon’. 

According to Mike, when prisoners were being taken for execution, and there could be up to ight in a wagon, prior to execution, they were permitted to have a last drink by visiting a pub en route.

Consequently, as they were not going to have that pleasure again, they were ‘on the wagon’.

The Brampton Historical Society meets at the Brampton Community Centre on the fourth Wednesday of the odd months.

The next meeting is Wednesday,  July 26, at 7.30pm when a talk entitled ‘what they didn’t teach you in history at school’ which will be given by Stuart Orme from the Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon.

This meeting is open to all and there is a modest fee of £2.00 for each non-member.

Brian Gebbels

Chairman

Brampton Historical Society

 

Ladies Day at Upwood

Upwood Cricket Club is holding its first-ever Ladies Day on June 10, starting at 12.30 at their ground in Huntingdon Road, Upwood.

The idea came around when one of our players suggested it would be nice to show the ladies who are either wives, girlfriends, mums and aunties how much we appreciate all they do behind the scenes at the club.

The event is open to any ladies in the area to come along and enjoy a free glass of Pimms on arrival and there will be decorated gazebo's for them to sit in an area with children's activities so they can relax and watch the cricket and enjoy the sunshine.

The Upwood first team are playing Cambourne during the afternoon in Whitings Division 3 The bar at the club will be open all day and there will be a barbecue in the evening and all welcome.

Upwood Cricket Club