For the first time in living memory two women have been appointed as Marlborough’s new Town Crier and Beadle. Emma Kimber has been appointed Town Crier, and Linda Illsley, Beadle, following auditions in March. It is 9 years since Marlborough has had both a Beadle and a Town Crier. Mike Tupman, previous Town Crier, who passed away earlier this year, had combined both roles. However, when Emma and Linda, the only two to audition for the role, performed their shouts the Town Council felt they were both so good that it would be possible to appoint a separate Beadle and Town Crier.
Emma and Linda carried out their first public engagement, together with long-serving Mace Bearers, Bob Dobie and Barry Mercer on April 30 when Robert Hiscox was honoured and presented with a life-time achievement award by the Mayor, Cllr Nick Fogg.
Emma commented, “I am very proud to be a member of the Emergency Services family including my dad, my father-in-law and both me & my husband, so I am used to uniforms and public service. As a result of my job I was lucky enough to meet and be good friends with the two previous Town Criers, Alf Johnson and Mike ‘Tuppers’ Tupman. I always joked with them that they needed to keep the Town Crier bell polished ready for when it was my turn. When we sadly lost Tuppers at the beginning of the year, his family encouraged and supported me with my application. I feel so very proud to be able to wear the uniform that he wore and feel that I have Alf and Tuppers watching over me as I take on my new role. My biggest supporter is my 6-year old daughter who attended my first event waving a Union Jack flag like I was The Queen. It’s important to me to include future generations in our history and tradition.”
Many of us will connect the role of Beadle with Mr Bumble in Oliver Twist when Oliver asks for more gruel. A spokesman for Marlborough Town Council said, “If you grew up in Marlborough, you may well remember that during Linda’s 22 years working in preschool, if a child asked for more snacks she would impersonate Harry Secombe as the Beadle in the film Oliver growling “More!!!” and then tell them about Oliver Twist. Never in her wildest dreams did she think that one day she would be the Beadle for the town that she knows so well. Historically, the Beadle would punish petty offenders, but we hope that she won’t have to do that – or growl at hungry children.”
Linda said, “I am delighted to take up this honorary role, carrying out ceremonial duties and helping to retain a slice of Marlborough’s heritage. Plus, I do love a smart outfit!”
The positions of Beadle, Mace Bearer and Town Crier are historic roles. Marlborough has had a Town Crier since at least 1204. Traditionally the roles have been held by men although gradually more and more women are being appointed. Melksham appointed its first female Town Crier last year and Malmesbury, in 2004. Mary Anne Baker became England’s first female Town Crier in 1914 in Chertsey after her husband was called up for service in World War 1.
The Town Crier’s job is to read proclamations and to make announcements about the town by ringing a bell with the cry “Oyez, Oyez, Oyez.” The Beadle’s job is to summon Marlborough parishioners to various meetings, lead processions into church, etc. Sometimes called ‘constables’, Beadles were originally officers who carried poles or staves so that they could, with these weapons, keep order on all occasions when the Mayor was present and clear a passage for the Mayor and those with him/her.
As the title implies the Mace Bearers carry the Maces ahead of the Mayor and are responsible for their proper care during ceremonies and that of all other insignia. The Mace is the emblem of the power and dignity of the Mayor and their authority, and the ancient title for this role is Sergeant-at-Mace: the officer carries the Mace before the Mayor. The origin of the Mace is as a weapon of defence: therefore, no person should be allowed to walk between the Mace Bearer and the Mayor.
Marlborough Town Council commented, “We hope you’ll join us in thanking the Town Crier, Beadle and Mace Bearers for volunteering their time, and we look forward to seeing them all at official engagements in the future.”
April weather: wet, windy, but still warmer than average
