Town Crier Competition

Could YOU Be Swindon’s next Town Crier?

As part of this year’s festivities, the post of Deputy Town Crier for Swindon is now open for applications!

  • The position is voluntary.

  • The successful appointee will represent Swindon and its residents, acting as announcer and ceremonial figure at official Town Council events.

  • While on duty, the Town Crier is expected to uphold a high standard of behaviour, and be clean, smartly presented, sober, polite, and jovial at all times.

  • Applicants must be 18 or over, and the role is open to individuals of any gender.

Come along, witness the spectacle, and maybe even step forward to become the next proud voice of Swindon!

Criers, will perform their best cries before a panel of judges — including local dignitaries and special guests from other towns.

Don’t miss this unique spectacle, a day of history, pageantry, and family fun!

Job Description

Responsibility

The appointee represents Swindon and its residents and is expected to uphold a high standard of conduct at all times while on duty. This includes maintaining appropriate behaviour and demonstrating courtesy in all interactions. The Town Crier is required to be clean, smartly presented, sober, polite, and jovial, reflecting the dignity and spirit of the office and the community they represent.

Duties

·         To be given an official position within Civic Parades in charge of escorting visiting civic guests

·         This includes any Civic Parade for other town events to which he/she has been invited by the organisers as the Town Crier.

·         To act as an announcer and/or toastmaster at official Town Council events, including but not limited to civic functions, public ceremonies, and town celebrations.

·         To head processions as and when required

·         All cries must commence with ‘Oyez, Oyez, Oyez’ and following proclamations must be approved by the town clerk All cries must be non-political and non-religious and must be in good taste and in the spirit of the role.

·         To wear the necessary costume at civic/ceremonial functions

·         The Town Crier may only attend events in their official capacity where the event is recognised as Town Council business and where a formal invitation has been extended by the Town Clerk.

·         If the Town Crier attends an event in a private capacity, or in any role other than that of Town Crier, they shall not be considered part of the official civic procession or parade.

 Costume

Any costumes provided by the Town Crier will remain their property

Additional necessary costumes shall be funded by the Town Council via Policy and Finance Committee but will remain the property of the Town Council

Voluntary position

 The post of Town Crier (Deputy) is voluntary.

 Expenses

 All travel and other expenses will be the responsibility of the Town Crier (Deputy).

Annual joining fee to Guild of Town Criers will be covered by the festival committee

Applicants

Applicants must be aged 18 or over. The position is open to individuals of any gender.

  Insurance

The Council agrees to include positions of Town Crier within its Public Liability Insurance.

 Guild of Town Criers

The Town Crier isto join the nationwide Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers and the annual membership fee will be reimbursed by The Town Council. Attendance at any competitions must be agreed in advance by the Town Council.

 Please note: Any person found by the Town Council to be in serious breach of any of the above conditions, or otherwise be considered as having bought the position into disrepute, will be immediately removed from the role of Swindon Town Crier. Any person who has been dismissed by the Town Council from the post of SWindon Town Crier, for bringing the position into disrepute, will not be eligible to hold the post at any other time in the future.